Even though I was a lone traveller on this trip, there was a pair of welcome drinks awaiting my arrival.
And then I realised that the other was for the owner of the camp who had driven me into the reserve.
The drink was most delicious, and it seems that camps are now competing with each other to come up with memorable, unique, signature drinks for arriving visitors.
This arrival ritual seems to follow the adage “You never get a second chance to make a first impression“.
Almost hidden in the bush lay my accommodation. In the summer, when the vegetation is at its best, this chalet cannot even be seen from the main lounge area of the camp.
I suppose that this means that I can use the word ‘nestle‘ in its correct real estate sense.
Several tents have been erected at the camp since my last visit. They came as a surprise to me as they were unexpected.
Not only do they increase the occupational capacity of Khanya, but they do so seamlessly.
The interior of the most recently added accommodation. Simple yet comfortable and elegant.
These tents provide guests with everything they need for an authentic bush experience.
One of the tents has an outdoor shower, which, for me, is one of the best aspects of any bush visit.
Outside in the cold with hot water cascading over your head can be an invigorating experience…or could that be classed as an adventure?
The woodwork offers privacy while feeling part of the surrounding bush, rather than a concrete wall, which would detract from the aesthetic the camp portrays.
The swimming pool is used by guests…
And elephants alike. Bid and small. However, little trunks don’t quite reach the pool, so they have to be content with slaking their thirst at the waterhole.
Despite this waterhole being only a few meters away from the pool, they preferred the latter. And they emptied the pool on two consecutive nights during my visit!
A wonderful hand-made table to enjoy a meal and the company that comes along with it.
Breakfast is served. Can an omelette be seen as a “breakfast of champions”? I don’t see why not if it is packed with enough filling. Cheese, tomato, bacon, peppers, and onions should give it the B.O.C credentials that it deserves!
There is a second area where guests who require privacy can be accommodated.
A view of the camp from the outside deck next to the pool.
There are a plethora of communal seating areas guests can enjoy. Either relaxation or a spot of game viewing, should they want to venture away from the privacy of the decks in front of each tent.
I spotted this statue hidden in the plants outside the arrival area of the camp, and I was convinced that this was the only sighting I was going to get of one of Africa’s most dangerous animals…
But I was to be proved wrong…
The real deal arrived at the waterhole. The herd had no choice but to use it, as, unlike the elephants, they were unable to gain access to the swimming pool.
While I was in camp, I was joined by an international group of students who were there to learn about the behind-the-scenes work that goes on.
I accompanied some of them as they went in search of poachers’ snares and set up camera traps. This is all part of a program by an organisation known as ACE.
Martin Bornman, Director of ACE, shared this about the work that the African Conservation Experience does. “We enable a wide range of people to both experience and, at the same time, make a meaningful and positive contribution towards saving the wildlife of Africa“.
And soon the darkness envelopes the camp…
A whole new ambience…
Staff and guides gather round the fire to compare notes and to plan activities for the next day.
To find out more about the camp, click on the logo above.
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.
See who the guests have been since the inception of this YouTube channel.
Click on the logo above.
Looking for something to read? Click on the logo above to visit the Off the Shelf YouTube channel for interesting and up-to-date interviews and book reviews.
“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”
Edgar Bergen
All images are the copyright property of
and may not be used without permission.
All images used in Travel & Things posts are edited using Ribbet software. To learn more about the product and what it offers both amateur and professional photographers, click on the logo above.
