To misquote the lyrics of a Beatles song from 1970…
The long and winding path that led to…my tent!
Is it just me, or does the first walk to any lodge accommodation always seem to take longer than it does?
My perception was that my return journey to the main public area was quicker, and thereafter, walks to and from my tent seemed to happen in a flash.
Although marketed as a tented camp, the word tented should be seen in context.
These are modern luxury safari tents, not those I remember from my youth.
At 72, tents bring back memories of smelly canvas monstrosities I had to crawl in and out of when away on camping weekends.
They had no windows, no en-suite bathroom, and they certainly were not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination.
My accommodation at Sausage Tree Safari Camp erased those memories in a heartbeat!
At Sausage Tree, the only connection to a ‘tent’ is that this accommodation has canvas sides and zips on the windows and door.
It consisted of a well-appointed bedroom with a comfortable bed and welcoming linen.
There were electrical outlets to charge the ubiquitous electronic devices that have become part and parcel of local and international travellers’ luggage.
Aircon in a tent…what will they think of next?
My late scoutmaster would be appalled, as he believed that “creature comforts” meant that you could bring your dog along and it would be comfortable.
It was as a scout, I spent time in the type of tents I alluded to earlier.
The door leads to the bathroom and the outdoor shower.
The devil is certainly in the details…
Another view of the accommodation. It was more spacious than I expected, and even though I spent very little time here, I did not feel cramped when I did.
The en suite bathroom had both an indoor bath and an outdoor shower.
A basin and toilet completed the set, which was functional and did not clutter the space unnecessarily.
I seldom use a bath while at a lodge, as I prefer either an indoor or (especially) an outdoor shower; however, this did look most inviting.
Speaking about the shower. There is something special about looking up at the African night sky with its myriad stars that makes the experience memorable.
Something I was not expecting to see. I have to admit that I did not try either of them on for size, so from that perspective, I failed in my research. Next time I visit, I will be certain to correct that oversight.
An intimate raised seating area in front of the tent allows guests to chill in privacy and look out over the bush from this vantage point.
One of the existing tents has been turned into a luxury unit, and I was informed that as soon as I departed, the accommodation that I had been in was about to be upgraded.
The luxury tents have larger windows in the bedroom/seating area, and the zipped tent flaps have been replaced with sliding aluminium and glass doors.
The seating area is larger than the current accommodation and has room for both a sofa and a chair.
This can extend to become a sleeper bed should children be travelling with the parents.
A comfortable bed is situated in front of the en suite bathroom that is ‘hidden’ behind the head of the bed.
The deck has been reoriented and extended to make the views more immersive.
The sun dips low, painting the sky in rich shades of orange as it slowly melts into the horizon.
The close of another perfect day in the African bush—an ideal moment to finally sink into the bed and crisp linen that’s been beckoning all day.
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Travel & Things is the proud winner of these prestigious awards from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife.
The awards are in the categories:
Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa
Best African Game Reserves & Lodges Travel Review Site 2025.
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