Garonga Safari Camp

Garonga is a little piece of heaven situated on the banks of the Makhutswi River, west of Kruger National Park. The moment you are greeted at the sculpted gates marking the entrance to the camp, you will be overwhelmed by a complete sense of calm and feel life’s pressures fade away. At Garonga, there is no urgency to jump into a game vehicle and madly ‘tick off’ the animal sightings – instead, you are encouraged to relax, reflect and restore lost vigour in the most tranquil of settings.

Inspired by a blend of North African and Mexican architecture, Garonga's rough curved sienna walls and columns combine fittingly with natural canvas to give this intimate tented safari camp its soothing ambience. Completely unique and utterly serene, owner Bernado Smith, maintains a holistic philosophy distinctly different from any other safari lodge in South Africa – Garonga's unique safari experience incorporates the sensitive beauty of the bush – or quite simply, it is ‘a safari for the soul’. Gentle and exquisite décor fuse with the striking landscape to create a sanctuary of serenity which embraces the natural flow of Africa’s wide open spaces.

At Garonga, the clocks are set to your time-scale and you are encouraged to enjoy activities at your own pace – relax, snooze, sunbathe, daydream and feast on the sumptuous food. A sleep-out in the trees under a mosquito net allows for an intimate bush experience, or delight in a reflexology or aromatherapy session in the open-air sala. A piping hot candlelit ‘bush bath’ with your choice of oils sets the scene for a night under starlit skies, or spend a few hours in the quiet shadow of the trees with a good book. Hand-woven cream cotton hammocks on your private deck vie with the handcrafted wattle chairs for a place to idle away the siesta hours or watch the sun set on yet another perfect day.

Accommodation comprises 6 suites with terracotta walls and billowy ceilings of cream coloured canvas which are strung out on a platform overlooking a dry river bed. Attention to detail is extraordinary with beautiful handcrafted touches – guests receive a kikoi (traditional sarong) on arrival and are encouraged to wear it during their stay, even to dinner at night! Each room has a sensuous oil burner and small ‘Zen Gardens’ (sand trays with wooden forks for raking and drawing patterns!).

Tucked away under a canopy of ebony trees, and brand new for 2008, is Garonga's delightful Little Garonga. Comprising the original 'Hambleden Suite' - a 2 bedroom suite with an adjoining room ideal for families with small children - and two further suites, the 'Buckingham' and 'Chiltern' Suites, Little Garonga offers total privacy and commanding views of the bush. A hideaway of pure fantasy, this 'exclusive use' camp is perfect for families or a group of up to six people travelling together. Little Garonga guests not only benefit from exclusive use of their own safari vehicle with a dedicated ranger, but also their own host and private chef.

PRICES Prices for 3 nights from £639 per person twin share including all meals, game activities, sleep-out excursions, bush baths, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (local brands). The scheduled flight to Phalaborwa or Hoedspruit/Eastgate airport and road transfers are additional. Flights from the UK from £589 (including £120 tax) with South African Airways