Image: Supplied
Bordering the Kruger National Park, Elephant Point, nestled on the edge of the Sabie River, is a luxurious private bush escape worth writing home about.
‘We have arrived,’ my Uber driver announces. I stare out the passenger window at the massive structure on my left. ‘That’s the tallest building in Sandton,’ he adds. ‘Are you here for a conference?’ ‘I’m here for the bush,’ I respond, thinking I certainly don’t look the part, donning a safari hat and binoculars around my neck.
The Leonardo is point A, the start of a misty journey out of the city to B, Elephant Point, a safari escape overlooking the Sabie River.
ALSO READ: Montagu Pass to undergo estimated R80 million in repairs
A porter whisks my bag away and I meet my tribe for the next two days, sharing handshakes and pleasantries with journalists and influencers huddling around Leo’s Lounge & Deli. We huddle off to a convoy of Volkswagen Touaregs, geared for a comfortable five-hour journey alonng mountain- and forest-lined roads.
A warm welcome awaits at Elephant Point, a Legacy estate located 6 km down the road from the Paul Kruger Gate, the main entrance and one of nine access points to the Kruger National Park.
Staff swiftly check us in and direct us to Lodge 23, one of 27 on the estate. Our luxury four-bedroom villa sleeps eight people, and its earthy Moroccan-inspired interiors overlook the Sabie River.
View this post on Instagram
The lodge has a rooftop entertainment space, an ample kitchen kitted out for self-catering, a boma braai area, a heated pool overlooking the Sabie and viewing decks ideal for cheeky sundowners or sleepy sunrises. Each room has an en-suite bathroom and comfortable beds big enough for two. My corner of the villa has a private outdoor bath. There are televisions in every room, but mine stays off; I opt not to drown out the auditory experience of the bush.
View this post on Instagram
After a nap and a shower, we meet our private chef for dinner at Nambu Camp, another exquisite spot within the estate. Each lodge at Elephant Point is privately owned and has an individual flair. A Belgian family owns Nambu. It is vast and luxurious, with natural finishes and incredible views overlooking the river. Wine flows, as does the conversation around the outdoor fire. A feast awaits at our candlelit dinner setting.
View this post on Instagram
Wild mushroom arancini for starters, beef fillet with peppercorn sauce and a vegetable medley to follow, then a deconstructed lemon meringue that I love, before jumping into the backseat of our Touareg and rolling to bed at Lodge 23.
Early the following morning, our ranger meets us at the lodge to take us on an adventure in the Kruger National Park. We head to the Paul Kruger Gate, an eight-minute drive from Elephant Point. There’s something special about hitting the road in an open vehicle. The cold air wakes me up as I mull over my must-sees for the day. Elephant Point offers daily game drives in the Kruger National Park and self-guided bush walks on the estate’s three trails – Nyarhi (1.5 km), Saringwa (2.1 km) or Three Rivers (2 km).
We have a stroke of luck soon after entering the park, finding elephants by the trees on our left and waterbuck grazing on our right. Our guide says there are about 27 000 African elephants in the park. He tells us they got their name from the characteristic shape of their ears, which resemble the African continent.
Further along, a lone kori bustard – Africa’s largest flying bird-ambles through the golden savanna. A tower of giraffes greets us as we pass the Sand River. Red-billed oxpeckers cling to their ossicones like earrings.
View this post on Instagram
After stopping for a coffee and rusk, we spot big cats. Two young lionesses are playing, their mouths stained red from a fresh kill. ‘Lions were on my wish list,’ I excitedly whisper to the woman sitting next to me. We watch them for a while before losing sight of them in the tall grass. We return to the Paul Kruger Gate, where a final sighting awaits: a herd of eight elephants surround us and fellow visitors as we navigate the park entrance on foot.
The rangers form a line and clap in unison to deter the elephants from coming any closer. Knowing that the bush is not our territory but theirs, I’m happy to spot the Touareg waiting to whisk us away from danger.
Day three begins with a breakfast on Elephant Point’s river deck that hits the spot. Tucking into eggs benedict, we watch a lone buffalo cross the opposite bank. We spend hours by the pool at Lodge 23. Mere metres away in the Sabie River, a sounder of warthogs splash almost as enthusiastically as we do. Zebras decorate the horizon in stripes. Impalas put on a show.
View this post on Instagram
After a siesta, we throw on our Sunday best for an evening under the stars. A romantic fireside boma dinner calls. Elephant Point has poured love into every step of making our experience memorable. A fantastic selection of wines accompanies fine dining, and the barman is poised to whip up any cocktail in a flash. Under a starlit African sky, huddled around a blazing fire, we listen to a pod of hippos grunting nearby.
I wake up to my grunts on our last day, grumbling because I’m sad to leave.
View this post on Instagram
Knocking back a strong coffee in the villa’s Eastern-inspired courtyard, I page through a logbook of sightings recorded at the lodge. Guests have spotted everything from elephants to lions, leopards and monitor lizards. I grab a pair of binoculars and enjoy birding on the viewing deck before the time comes for us to return to Joburg.
Our arrival back at The Leonardo brings us full circle. We split up in the city, loved-up by the healing energies of the bush and with unforgettable memories to cherish.
Find out more: elephantpoint.co.za
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ALSO READ: The Pebble and the Power of Time, with Kingsley Holgate
