What do YOU look for at a game Lodge? Authenticity, tranquility, good food, comfortable accommodation or just an opportunity to relax and enjoy spending time in the African bush?
If you have said ‘YES’ to any of the above, then a trip to Tau Game Lodge should be on your ‘must visit’ list.
My wife and I were recently at this lodge to enjoy our 4th visit and we were not dissapointed. Just the fact that it is our most visited lodge should tell you all you need to know about the experiences that we have had there during previous visits that keep us returning to Tau Game Lodge.
From the moment we pulled our vehicle into the shade at the lodge entrance and climbed out to welcoming smiles of the staff who were waiting to greet us, the sound of the trickling water emanating from this pond at the entrance set the tone for the duration of our stay.
The official check-in time was still some hours away, but that did not stop the staff from offering us something to drink as well as producing a couple of toasted sandwiches seeing that we had left our home in Johannesburg well before breakfast.
It is about a 5 hour drive for us and we left before sunrise to arrive mid-morning, so that we could spend time at the waterhole that can be found at the front of the lodge.
Before we knew it, lunch time was upon us and this tasty platter was presented to us as the main course for the meal. There was also a starter and dessert on offer.
The Tau catch phrase of ‘It takes a pride to serve a King’ should be changed to a succinct ‘Arrive hungry’!
Pork ribs and kudu kebabs, if I remember correctly and more than enough to satisfy two people. I have to admit that I had both the starter AND dessert, but for research purposes only…of course.
Looking at a section of the main building, under canvas, that gives the lodge an old style safari feel but with a 21 century twist.
Light, airy and minimalist the space becomes a haven for those who wish to keep an eye on the waterhole while remaining out of the weather conspire against the guests.
The reception area is light and airy and the welcoming smiles and the friendly attitude of the staff enhance the feeling of being in a place that you have been before…even if you have never visited Tau.
The reverse view of the reception space. There are public toilets just off to the left and there is also a water filter for guests to fill their water bottles before heading out on drives.
All in all, although it is a practical space, guests can often be found here relaxing and reading before starting activities or even awaiting a Spa treatment.
The pathways that connect all the accommodation are well maintained, as are the gardens.
One of the selling points of Tau is that they offer wheelchair friendly accommodation and the paths are designed to allow easy access to those who rely on that mode of transportation.
Every suite has a private deck and a view of the extensive waterhole that attracts a variety of species of both mammals and bird life. And not forgetting the representation of reptiles by the resident Nile Crocodiles.
If the devil is in the detail…
Did you know? “The devil is in the details” is an idiom alluding to a mysterious element hidden in the details; it indicates that “something may seem simple, but in fact the details are complicated and likely to cause problems”.
It comes from the earlier phrase “God is in the details”, expressing the idea that whatever one does should be done thoroughly; that is, details are important
If the above is to be believed, then it is the latter idiom that is more representative of the minimalistic decorative touches enhanced that enhanced our accommodation.
Less is more? Masks on our bedroom wall.
A place for reflection? Our bathroom contained everything that was required and from the hand-held shower attached to the bath mixer, there is an outside shower in an enclosed courtyard just through a door to the right of this image.
Even though the weather was a little chilly I did brave the outdoor shower and the hot water took away the chill and left me feeling revitalized.
By the way…if you look closely, you might see me tucked in the corner of the mirror. It took me a while to realized that I had not quite been able to get out of the shot and still get the angle that I wanted.
From the inside looking out.
All dietary requirements can be catered for, if you advise the reservations when you make your booking. Not every lunch included a meat protien. Even as a carnivore the alternatives, like this pasta salad, were delicious.
A table set for dinner… subtle elegance in the ambiance-enhancing lighting.
Dinner is served…
In almost every lodge that I visit, I tend to find a favourite spot. This was ‘my’ spot at Tau.
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