This post is a combination of two recent visits by Travel&Things to Sausage Tree Safari Camp.
The major change between visits has been Tent 4, which I stayed in on the first visit. It has been given a total makeover that features in this post.
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 is inclement, guests can eat indoors at this table.
Seeing that all the meals during my visits were scheduled to be eaten outdoors, I commandeered the space, and it became my ‘office’ as there was a plug point and a coffee station close by.
The en suite bathroom in my accommodation had both an indoor bath and an outdoor shower.
For those who are not keen to venture out to shower, there is a connection on the bath tap that allows guests to sit in the bath and wash their hair.
For me, standing outside with hot water cascading over my head is a special part of any camp experience.
A basin and toilet completed the set, which was functional and did not clutter the space unnecessarily.
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 age 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.
Tent 4 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.
The door on the left leads to the bathroom and the outdoor shower.
Tent 4 in this incarnation no longer exists… scroll down to see what the interior NOW looks like.
This is what the interior of the recently renovated Tent 4, Leopard Tortoise, now looks like. It is the epitome of luxury and attention to detail, neither of which would be out of place at a game lodge costing a whole lot more per night.
The transformation of Tent 4 will be the subject of an upcoming Blog post.
First-time guests will never know what the old tent interior looked like, and returning guests will be stunned and amazed.
Spoiler alert: I have already booked this tent for my birthday celebrations in June 2026!
Who can resist a burger? Certainly not THIS traveller… And the kitchen at Sausage Tree did not disappoint, serving the exact quality of patty that takes their burger from good to great.
My compliments to all those working behind the scenes to prepare and present such fine dining experiences.
FYI:
The actual inventor of the hamburger is still being debated. However, all stories point to either Charlie Nagreen in 1884 or the Menches brothers in 1885.
Nagreen is credited with serving a hamburger steak at an Iowa fair in 1884, making it more convenient by cutting it thin and serving it with bread
The Menches, while selling sandwiches at the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, NY, in 1885, ran out of pork sausage and substituted ground beef. They named it “hamburger” after the fair’s location.
What is not under dispute is that the original meat between a sliced bun was named after the city of Hamburg in Germany and brought to the USA by immigrants.
The Americans then claimed it as their own. The origin stories may vary, but the product has survived without major changes.
It does not matter whether it was 1884 or 1885; what does matter is that the descendant of those was served to me at Sausage Tree Safari Lodge in 2025, and it was pure patty perfection!
BTW. The current Guinness World Record for the largest hamburger is 1164.2kg and was achieved in Pilsting, Germany, on July 9, 2017. It was ‘constructed’ by a team of 6.
A great way to end both the day and my stay at Sausage Tree Safari Lodge.
Even the boma walls have been replaced since my previous visit. They now look resplendent against the night sky, keeping guests embraced by their solid protection.
Evening meals in a boma have become an iconic tradition in many camps and lodges, and time here is spent telling stories and sharing memories.
My thanks to all who made my stay so memorable. Both staff and guests alike
On the first visit, it was Life and Polite who kept me entertained.
On the second visit, Life was on a course, so Themba stepped in to entertain, inform and educate those of us on the game viewer.
As the sun dips below the horizon and the landscape changes in silhouettes, the sky melts into shades of amber while those watching are often wrapped in a quiet, reflective awe. It’s a moment that softens the edges of the day, where words feel too heavy and silence becomes sacred.
There’s a deep sense of gratitude, perhaps tinged with longing or nostalgia, as the fading light reminds us of beauty’s fleeting nature. For some, it’s peace—pure and simple. For others, it stirs memories, dreams, or unspoken hopes. In that glow, time seems to slow, and hearts open to the wonder of simply being present.
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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.
Best African Resorts and Retreats Award 2025.
Sausage Tree Safari Camp now has its very own YouTube channel!
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