Singita Boulders Lodge

The recently reopened Singita Boulders Lodge is so inviting with its wide open spaces and comfy couches. Everywhere you look there are textures or elements that reflect the surrounding landscape. For some of the best game viewing, the main lodge is the place to be. Its large open decks overlook the Sand River and provide the perfect vantage point to watch resident wildlife in their natural environment.

The Mhangeni Pride were spotted patrolling in step and perfect formation through Singita Sabi Sand. Lucky explorers with the luxury safari outfitter came face-to-face with the elusive Pride on a territorial migration when out one of Singita’s unique, privately-guided and hosted experiences. Singita Sabi Sand puts the adventure back into safari and allows guests access to a truly intimate African experience. This is not a mere vacation, but a true journey, like for the Mhangeni, exploring the African wilderness with authenticity and adventure like no other.

I often say I’ll know I’ve made it in the world when I own a claw foot tub. For a few days in 2010, I settled for this white goddess overlooking the South African grasslands of Kruger National Park. After a full day of safari activities featuring the Big Five, I looked forward to retiring to this bathtub where staff, clearly sensing a routine, strategically placed candles and a bottle of South African pinotage before my return. One afternoon, I watched a herd of elephants traipsing by while I soaked, undisturbed except by the occasional trunk’s squeal, the thumping step of a youngster jogging to his mother’s side, and I thought: maybe I’ve arrived after all.

Everyone expects to sample great South African wines in the Western Cape, but Singita’s safari lodges in the Sabi Sand offer some of the most sought-after wines in the entire continent. A wine tasting in the cellar with one of Singita’s few, hand selected sommeliers, lends an overview of notable South African characteristics and an appreciation for how far the industry has come. Singita’s wine program is headed by François Rautenbach, pictured. Most of the 180+ wines on Singita’s list, with the exception of Champagne, are included in the per diem rates.

This winter saw an abundance of the delicious Marula fruit around Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa, much to the animals delight and occasional embarrassment! Some elephants have been spotted acting a little ‘tipsy’ after indulging in the Marula fruit found around the magnificent Sabi Sand. There is an old African legend attributing the ripened, fallen fermenting fruit of the Marula tree to the intoxication of large mammals and younger calves out in the wild taking a lesson from the elders of the group on what to eat, and what not to eat, were spotted in an amusingly less than majestic state after consuming a large amount of the fruit. For guests the South African liqueur, Amarula, made from the tart, sweet and refreshing fruit is always on hand at Singita for a morning coffee with a twist or as an evening sundowner on ice.