Travel & Things recently undertook a road trip to visit all the Bundox camps in the Lowveld.

Three camps were in the same reserve, Balule, while the Bundox Safari Lodge is about 40 minutes away on the R40 towards Hazyview.

This leopard was seen on my first afternoon drive out of Bundox Explorer Camp.

Each of the camps has a unique character and offers an authentic safari experience without sacrificing any creature comforts guests have come to expect.

As Mary Poppins was heard to say…

“Let’s start at the very beginning. A very good place to start”.  

 

 

 

BUNDOX EXPLORER CAMP

The dictionary definition of the word ‘explorer’ is a person who sets out to discover something by going somewhere unfamiliar.

And that is what this trip was all about. Exploring what the various Bundox Camps had to offer.

Bundox Explorer Camp is where the road trip began.

Shortly after my arrival, I found myself seated at this table doing paperwork that has become the norm when arriving at a camp.

No one ever reads the T & C’s and I often joke with camp management that they should bury an arbitrary clause within the body of the copy that states; “The first person who incorrectly identifies a rock as a rhino has to buy drinks for everyone at the ‘sighting’.

So far, no lodge has taken my suggestion seriously.

The lounge at Explorer Camp has a stunning view out over the plains of Balule, and it is also where the pool is.

 

 

 

The most recent addition to the camp is a sunken photographic hide, with its own waterhole,  that can be accessed from a walkway that is just at the entrance to this deck..

While seated in the photo hide, this was one of a family of Bandit Mongoose that remained static long enough for me to take the shot.

It is amazing how big it looks in this picture.

This is just one of the exciting sightings that I enjoyed while I was in camp.

 

 

 

Need a hot shower? Much like the explorers who came into the hinterland from the Cape might have used, this shower consists of a canvas bucket and hot water from a kettle that was heated on the stove in the kitchen,

It amazed me how hot the water remained and how little is required to have a refreshing shower.

If you are brave, and I was not, you can have a tepid or cold shower if the temperature climbs in the high 30s or even 40s.

 

 

 

The best of towel art…perhaps modelled on the welcome card that I found on the bed.

The first time I came across this art form was on a cruise some years ago.

Since then, it seems to have become the norm in many game lodges, guest houses and other hospitality establishments.

I once stayed at a lodge where I spent a while in my accommodation looking for a towel as I wanted to take a shower. I was just about to contact reception to ask them to bring me towels when I realized it was on my bed in the shape of a frog!

 

 

 

Forget the dangerous animals that roam around outside the perimeter of the camp.

THIS is the most dangerous, Ellie, the chef, as she has no idea what small portions are.

Her food is so delicious that eating it is not the problem. Finishing all the food presented at each meal. Well, in my case it was.

Eventually, I had to ask her to halve the dishes she served me as I was embarrassed to keep leaving food on the plate.

The camp offers 3 meals a day, with the main 3-course meal being served after guests return from the afternoon drive.

As an aside, I have never understood why people climb off the game viewer and want to freshen up before dinner.

Have a drink, understandable.

But to return to your accommodation to shower and change while those who are ready to eat have to wait does not work for me.

My routine is to eat, shower and THEN bed…

 

 

 

The morning game drive stopped here for drinks. This is known as the marriage Tree, as someone did get married here.

In the Olifants River in front of us were crocodiles and elephants.

A memorable way to start a day.

Lions and leopards during game drives rounded out an exciting 3-night stay.

 

 

 

 

BUNDOX RIVER LODGE

To be fair, I had visited Bundox River Lodge before and although it was not on the original itinerary the owner of the company adjusted my schedule to allow me to visit once again.   I was impressed with it when I first visited and I was impressed again on this trip.

The lodge is ensconced on stilts on the banks of the Olifants River, which allows animals to walk underneath the decks of the accommodation as well as wade across the river to feed on the opposite bank.

On the final night, a hyena and leopard were walking along the far bank, while vocalizing.

An interesting mix of the rough sawing cough of the leopard that mingled with the cackle of the hyena.

 

 

 

The tents are the epitome of elegance and minimal design, all the while exuding a sense of quiet calm that helps the occupants to de-stress and decompress.

Not a TV in sight and limited connectivity forces guests to disconnect and enjoy the bush experience to the fullest.

 

 

 

These seating areas form part of the public deck that separates the dining area from the pool and boma.

The fabrics for the soft furnishings as well as the wall hanging are bespoke and speak to a well-chosen palette that fits into the surroundings perfectly.

 

 

 

Never trust a thin chef! When I mentioned that to THIS Chef, his immediate response was “There is a fat chef in the kitchen”!

On this tray is just a portion of the breakfast served each morning. There was a continental option as well as a hot breakfast that included the ubiquitous Full English breakfast.

All I can suggest is that you pace yourself.

There is lunch, snacks on the afternoon drive and a full 3-course meal (with dessert) for dinner.

You have been warned.

 

 

 

This herd of waterbuck were spooked by a large crocodile when they were almost across the river,

Discretion was the better part of valour, and rather than try to make it all the way across, they turned and headed back to the safety of the nearest bank at full speed.

 

 

 

 

KINGLY CONSERVATION CAMP

A favourite, perhaps because the elephants made use of both the waterhole as well as the swimming pool to cool off in or to drink from.

Lion vocalization at 1h00!

I had heard a lion in the early hours of the morning but chose to stay in bed and make this recording, rather than venture out to possibly come face to face with the apex predator.

 

 

 

To prove my choice was correct, I found fresh lion tracks outside my tent flap when I got up for breakfast.

 

 

 

All the meals were served here…once again 3 meals that were more than sufficient, but I ate them for research purposes.

That is my story and I am sticking to it.

 

 

 

The staff prepare the dining area for dinner.

Some of the guests had wandered off towards the fence that looks out towards the waterhole and they got to see a Hyena as well as a Spotted Genet. The latter is a great sighting as they are often skittish and will vanish into the bush as a vehicle drives towards them.

Here, on the periphery of the camp, they were more relaxed and they watched us watching them without running away immediately.

 

 

 

I spent most of my first day in camp waiting for the elephants and when they DID arrive they ended up being this close.

But as long as guests are respectful of the animals and the space they require, then there is no danger to either guests or pachyderms.

 

 

 

 

BUNDOX SAFARI LODGE

Almost time to say goodbye. This particular camp is not situated inside a reserve, but just outside where guests can access a variety of off-site activities.

These range from game drives in nearby Big 5 reserves to spending the day with a guide (or self-drive) into the iconic Kruger National Park, where recent sightings have been phenomenal.

Try a hot air balloon flight, a picnic or perhaps a quad bike safari or boat cruise.

 

 

 

If you don’t feel like leaving the camp, then pamper yourself at the Spa which can be found within the grounds of the camp.

 

 

 

This did look inviting, however, even though the day was warm, the water was not. So after dipping a toe in to test I headed off to my accommodation which was 320 steps away.

Yes, I did measure the walk and that detail helped me to walk off meals and get some of my 10k steps in.

Why all the back-and-forth walking? Because the only connectivity was at the reception area next to the pool and the adjacent lounge.

And thanks to the staff who brought my lunch to me as I worked at a table in the reception area.

 

 

 

Sunset through the leaves, giving them a golden glow in the dying rays of the Lowveld sun.

 

 

 

The main area of the camp is home to the dining area, kitchen as well as several intimate nooks where families or couples can dine without interruption.

 

 

 

A desk that is made to look similar to an old steamer trunk.

There are several artefacts and pieces of interest to entertain and educate guests about the camp as well as what is on offer close by.

Safari Lodge is a great place to use as a base to undertake a range of activities that are not on offer within the confines of a park

Many thanks to all the staff, guides and trackers that make this trip as memorable as it was and I highly recommend this company when you are next contemplating a trip to the Lowveld.

 

AND IT WAS AT THIS CAMP THAT THE ROAD TRIP ENDED…

 

 

 

A final African sunset…

I have to admit that the amount of food that I was FORCED to eat, for research purposes you understand, made me nervous about stepping on the bathroom scale once I returned home.

1] Did I step on the scale? Yes, I did…

2] Was I surprised or shocked by the digital readout? Hmmm, can I take the 5th on that?

3] Will I share an answer to question 2…Nope, I won’t.

Suffice it to say that I have been on a severely curtailed eating plan since my return home.

Going to stick to salads for a while before heading off on the next road trip.

There will be more posts coming up that will feature food offerings and wildlife sightings.

 

 

 

To find out more about the company and what it offers, click on any of the logos in this post.

 

 

 

Travel is the proud winner of this prestigious award from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife. The award is in the category Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa.

 

 

 

Check out the archived and current interviews… click on the image above.

 

 

 

“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”

Edgar Bergen