It was late January and I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Never have I visited such a luxurious resort. And to be honest, I had no idea what to expect.
As a splurge for a major birthday milestone, my friend and I booked a 5-star South African Adventure via Travelzoo and all we knew was that we would be staying in Cape Town for a few days at the Table Bay hotel (more on that later) and then we’d be spending a few nights at the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. Needless to say, when I received a call from the travel agency who organized our trip informing me that our Sabi Lodge had been “upgraded” to the adults-only “Earth Lodge” (for no apparent reason), I was filled with anticipation.
TLDR: If you’re looking to do a safari escape and have a weakness for impeccable service, amazing meals, bespoke amenities, incredibly talented guides, and child-free environments – then look no further than the Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge in Skukuza, South Africa.
The airport pick-up
From the moment you arrive you’re in another world. The airport itself is a small, modern, and earthen structure with not many windows or doors…no luggage conveyer belts…no PA systems. And yet, despite landing in such a unique environment, I couldn’t believe what was next. All airport transfers to the area safari lodges are conducted out of open air jeeps and travel along dusty dirt roads through the reserve itself. Needless to say, it was the most eventful trip from the airport I’ve ever had.
The resort
As exhilarating as the ride was from the airport, again, I was ill-prepared for what I was about to see next. This. Resort. Is. Stunning. It’s also a National Geographic “Unique Lodge of the World™” and is seamlessly integrated into the game reserve surroundings. Few walls, No windows. And also no barriers between you and the animals in the wild.
The villa
Being surrounded by such beauty, I knew our room was likely going to be nuts. But I certainly wasn’t expecting to have my own villa, with it’s own back yard, and own private plunge pool. Deep breath in. Ahh…
