Is it wine o’clock somewhere?
It may be, but at Sausage Tree Safari Camp, the welcome drink is a home-made non-alcoholic brew that was more than satisfying.
I should imagine, back when the road was long and dusty and vehicular traffic consisted predominantly of ox wagons, arrival at a camp was celebrated and sharing a drink was the epitome of hospitality.
Times and transport might have changed, but South African hospitality has not, hence the welcome drink.
What has changed are the indemnity forms that guests have to sign and the ubiquitous question, “What is the Wi-Fi password?”
Did you know? What we know in South Africa as noughts and crosses is known internationally as Tic-tac-toe.
After rock-paper-scissors, it is probably the most played game on our planet.
The roots of this board game run deep, with evidence suggesting the game or its variants existed in ancient Rome and Egypt.
In ancient Egypt, 3×3 game boards were found on roofing tiles dating back to 1300 BCE.
The Roman version, Terni Lapilli, utilised a similar 3×3 grid, though it’s believed to have been played with movable pieces rather than markings.
The pool did look inviting, but those who chose to take the plunge (pun intended) found it to be on the chilly side.
I should imagine that in the height of a Lowveld summer, this would be an ideal spot to while away time between meals and game drives.
This area is also the exterior heart of the lodge, with enough space for guests to be in a public space, yet still retain privacy should they wish to.
When the weather decides not to play along, guests can eat indoors at this table.
Seeing the weather was playing along, I usurped the space and it became my office during my stay, as there was a plug point and a coffee station close by.
There is an adage that states, “You only get one chance to make a first impression“. If that is to be believed, then Sausage Tree did exactly that.
The quote, attributed to either Oscar Wilde or Will Rogers, yet it is unclear( or unimportant) who said it first. It emphasises the importance of making a positive impact when meeting someone for the first time.
I was uncertain what to expect when I pulled into the parking lot, but I do believe that it was not THIS!
The curated space has enough decor to keep arriving visitors interested but not overwhelmed.
In fact, it has the exact amount of whelm that one would expect.
It is both inviting and welcoming at the same time.
A coffee machine and a dog! Could one ask for anything more?
I don’t think so…
As seen from a different perspective.
The shelves in the far corner hold several unique items that guests can purchase.
I did want to take the fish home with me, but unfortunately, they were not for sale. There were t-shirts on sale, and one of those now resides in my cupboard at home.
“Who are the little people”?
I did enquire, and several answers were offered by the co-owners, James and Sonja.
Perhaps fairies ARE hiding at the bottom of this camp? If there are, I did not spot them during my stay.
Also tucked away under the main deck is this private space that can be used by guests, or perhaps with the curtains closed, it can be utilised for beauty treatments and massages.
Some of the interesting, understated decoration I noticed on the deck where the breakfast and lunches are served.
This became the focal point of my visit. It was here that I met some of the most interesting guests I have had the fortune to spend time with in the 20+ years that I have been travel writing.
Meals became such a fun interaction that it was sad for me to bid the group farewell as I had to move on to my next camp while they remained behind. (As an aside, I did bump into them one final time while I was out on a game drive with another camp.
By day…
And by night…
The clever placement of lighting made the camp seem almost magical.
A traditional boma dinner to end off yet another wonderful day at the camp.
Dinner under the open African sky is special and the perfect end to a day filled with excitement and adventure.
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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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