Bush breakaway

I was blessed to have a few days away last week.  First stop was a weekend away with Leonie at Zaagkuilsdrift Lodge (find them on Facebook) near Bela-Bela, an awesome lodge deep in the African bush owned by Gerrie and Jaco.  It is recognized as one of the top birding areas in South Africa; a group of birdwatchers from America were at the lodge while we were there.

 

The entire lodge is off grid, but you won't now it unless they tell you.  The lodge opened in December last year, and the cost of R650 per person per night including dinner and breakfast is ridiculously good value.  We shared an upstairs loft with 2 separate bedrooms and a huge bathroom with beautiful views out over the bush.

 

 

Gerrie welcomed us after our journey along a long and dusty sand road, and a beer shandy on the verandah washed the dust away.  The lodge staff then proceeded to spoil us and take care of our every need until we left on Sunday. 

 

We spent some time at the dam watching birds, and slowly switching to "relax you're out of the city" mode

Sunset in the bush was spectacular

 

Dinner was hosted in the boma, where our food was cooked over the open fire by Jaco

A bucket containing a flask of hot water and delicious rusks was at our door early in the morning for coffee in bed

Jaco and his team cooked up a delicious breakfast the next morning, which we enjoyed while watching the wild birds and the turkey mama and her babies

Hmmm - the tables are the perfect size for scrapbooking...

It was hot hot hot - 39 degrees in the shade!  After an afternoon snooze, we headed out on a game drive.  The property is relatively small, but we enjoyed seeing several buck species, giraffe and zebra

Jaco and Gerrie are the perfect hosts, and they really made us feel at home - thanks guys.  This is their 'weekend hobby' - they both have regular jobs in the city.  We loved our stay at Zaagkuil...we will definitely be back!