Tau Game Lodge Madikwe, welcomes us back.

 

 

 

Back at Tau Game Lodge for what was to be the beginning of my pre-70th birthday trips.

Our previous visit here was 5 years ago for my 65th and I could think of no better place to be to celebrate (although early) for my changing-of-decades birthday.

It is always grand to roll up to a previously visited lodge to discover that nothing (visible) has been altered. It is like coming home and the hugs that my wife and I got from Poppy further enhanced that feeling.

 

 

 

Walking into the reception area also provided no surprises although we did discover that there was an interior design team working on the soft furnishings and some of the artwork. But those changes are mainly for the conference center and the spa, neither of which I visited during my stay

On one morning of our stay, I was trying to figure out where I could do some work and I thought that upstairs in the bar would be a good idea…and then it dawned on me that that was one of the areas that was part of the old building, before the renovations. The image of the old building was so strong that I had to remind myself that it was no longer there. I am sure that there are echoes of the old building that can be heard by those who have visited both pre and post refurbishing.

 

 

 

This is normally one of the first images that guests have when they step onto the wrap-around deck that is situated at the far end of the main building and overlooks one of the busiest lodge waterholes that I have ever seem…and I have spent time at many.

The water-bird population here is constant and they are busy from sunrise to sunset and possibly even into the hours of darkness. There were a plethora of both Africa Spoonbills as well as Yellow-billed Storks that vied for food without being too aggressive.

 

 

 

And then, almost as if on cue, the first of several herds of elephants arrived.

We had been told that they would arrive at lunchtime and that is exactly what occurred on every day that we were at the lodge.

One herd would leave and another would arrive like they were being directed by a traffic warden. Herds do not like sharing water, but this waterhole is big enough that if a herd arrives from one side, the herd on the other side has time to vacate before there is an interaction.

There is one particular spot where fresh water trickles in and this is a favourite spot that has to be shared by all the members of the various herds.

 

 

 

Up close and personal? Not really as it is an illusion created when I saw this reflection in the window of the accommodation behind me. There is also a fence between myself and this pachyderm. so we were both safe and I was not interfering with his morning drink.

 

 

 

It looked stunning, but it was rather cold to try it out. This is one of two pools at the Lodge. Both are available for public use.

My wife did make mention of the fact that she wished she HAD brought her costume, but it was only a passing comment. That being said, I have to admit that she is usually the one that ‘reviews’ the pools at the lodges we stay at. But not in this instance. Next time we will visit in summer.

 

 

 

Our accommodation, as seen from the opposite side of the waterhole.

The camera on the right is a live feed of the water hole that can be viewed on the Tau website, https://www.taugamelodge.co.za/

 

 

 

Finally, we reached our accommodation.

The suite was only a few meters away from the main building, so distance was not an issue, other distractions were! Our fault entirely, however Poppy had said that there was no hurry and we took her at her word. Also, we had arrived well ahead of the regular check-in time for us to be able to relax on the deck and look out over the waterhole for most of the morning.

 

 

 

The interior of our standard suite. It was renovated recently and forms part of ongoing upgrades that take place in lodges constantly.

 

 

 

Not every guest needs a desk to work on while on holiday. But as a working travel writer, I found this most useful. I did think of moving it to our private deck that overlooked part of the waterhole but I did not do that for three reasons…

1] It was a heavy piece of furniture and did not was to ask the staff to get involved.

2] The waterhole would have been a MAJOR distraction, hence the table remained where we found it.

and…

3] I could see what was at the waterhole if I looked over my left shoulder if I had a FOMO moment.

 

 

 

From the outside looking in.

A comfortable mattress and sublime linen made not staying in bed a very difficult option.

Leaving in the darkness for the early morning drive took a LOT of willpower on my part. But, with the exception of one morning when I chose to remain in camp, I was normally up before the morning wake-up call came.

 

 

 

We forgot that this chair was there as it had been ‘hidden’ by our clothes and at least two bags.

There were chairs on the deck that we used and if we wanted to look out over the waterhole while not being dressed, we could sit on the edge of the bed.

 

 

 

Time to say goodnight. Bedtime in the bush, for us, usually comes directly after dinner. And even though both my wife and I enjoy sleeping under a mozzie net as it adds to the safari flavour of any bush experience, the waterhole is lit at night. Hence, a cup of coffee on our deck before slipping under the sheets and warmed by the electric blankets, falling into a deep and uninterrupted sleep.

 

 

 

We step into our Tau accommodation and find this! The perfect bedside accessory and it does EXACTLY what it is meant to do. It lit my book without me having to resort to a head torch.

Not only was it bright enough, I was also able to tilt it to an angle that worked for me, and on turning it over, I discovered that it was supplied by a lighting company based in Johannesburg. I will be visiting them soon.

Well done to the Tau Game Lodge for choosing these. I think that every lodge should be coerced, no, forced, to use these or something similar in their accommodation.

Please allow me a mini rant…BUT NOT AT TAU!

Why, dear reader, do many interior designers/ decorators insist on using bedside lights as decorative rather than functional items? Invariably they are USELESS to read by and seem to serve absolutely no purpose other than to show you where your side of the bed is.

I have been to a variety of establishments in the hospitality industry where the only way to read using the supplied bedside lamps is to remove the shade and home that there is enough wattage in the globe for it to light the page of your book. (As an aside, I still read printed books. I possess neither a Kindle nor a Tablet)

 

 

 

The waterhole in the early pre-morning game drive light.

 

 

 

Time to head out to see what awaits…

 

 

 

This might be a Black-winged Kite, a raptor previously known as a Black-shouldered Kite. but I was only able to capture the image as a silhouette.

This was a great way to start the morning drive.

 

 

 

I finally find where a squirrel keeps its nuts. Suffice to say that I was extremely impressed! My wife, who is a medical doctor, thought it might be a tumor when she viewed this from behind, but she was mistaken. She discovered her error when the male turned around.

I will make no more comments…

 

 

 

Happy pre-birthday to me. This was so unexpected and I was caught off-guard so totally that it brought genuine tears to my eyes. And before you ask, I did share it with all the guests at lunch who wished to participate and the remainder was returned to the kitchen for the staff to enjoy.

Many thanks to all involved in making this trip as special as my 65th was five years ago.

 

 

 

To find out what Tau Game Lodge has to offer, click on the logo above

 

 

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