Kingfisher Villa Assessment
We had been monitoring lions on a morning recreation drive, for some time, after they lastly emerged from the thickets, and we discovered ourselves behind an impressive male. He rotated, appeared straight at us, and started striding in direction of our automobile. For a short second my coronary heart stopped in my throat, as I assumed that he was going to cost at us. Then he all of a sudden halted on the fringe of the pathway.
A lioness started calling out within the bush and brushed previous him as she continued her quest to seek out her cubs. A couple of minutes later, they had been discovered and the household was reunited – two lionesses and seven cute cubs, with the male becoming a member of in later. It was unimaginable to witness this heart-warming scene. See the video beneath.
We had been within the malaria-free Mabula Recreation Reserve and our dwelling for the weekend was the most recent addition to their portfolio, the beautiful Kingfisher Villa. Barely a 12 months outdated, the villa is located within the coronary heart of the reserve, amidst the rugged fantastic thing about the African wilderness. Not removed from Mabula Recreation Lodge, its sister property, it’s discreetly tucked away to keep up privateness and tranquility, and with simply 5 suites, friends can lease the whole villa for an unique expertise or e book the person suites for a personalised keep.
The second you step into Kingfisher Villa, you might be greeted by the nice and cozy embrace of African bush-inspired decor, which mixes trendy facilities with conventional touches that pay homage to the nation’s wealthy heritage. The doorway is flanked by the lounging and eating areas and results in an out of doors deck with a rim movement pool overlooking the Mvubu (which means hippo) dam. True to its title, there have been hippos within the dam together with crocodiles.
The 5 elegant suites flank the communal areas and are organized across the dam. Designed for rest, they’ve comfy king-sized beds, sofas, massive flat-screen televisions, espresso stations and mini bars.
The spacious loos characteristic Victorian-style bathtubs, rain showers, double vainness basins and Charlotte Rhys facilities.
Swinging daybeds in entrance of the rooms, outside lounges and a fire-lit boma space supplied good vantage factors to view the beautiful sunsets.
Recreation drives are carried out twice each day within the Larger Mabula Recreation Reserve in Limpopo, which was lush and inexperienced after the latest rains. One of many closest Large 5 recreation reserves to Johannesburg, it’s below 3 hours away from the massive metropolis. The reserve spans 12 000 hectares, together with a separate 2-hectare part the place the lions are saved together with a ample quantity of prey within the type of plains recreation.
Guided bush walks, quad biking and horse-back safaris are carried out within the part with out lions. One may even do a sizzling air balloon safari and we noticed one hovering over the reserve throughout our morning recreation drive! Other than the lions, we additionally noticed elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, hyenas, jackals, elands and way more.
The nice and cozy and welcoming workers at Kingfisher Villa had been a few of the friendliest we have ever encountered. Michael was a really hands-on supervisor with a great deal of expertise and we had many attention-grabbing conversations with him. Lindani, our butler, was at all times smiling and ultra-attentive, whereas Tshepo, our information, who was skilled below Mabula’s neighborhood upliftment programme, was keen to point out us as a lot as he might within the wild.
Flora, our gifted chef, spoilt us along with her scrumptious culinary delights, which had been tailor-made to our necessities. Our meals had been served primarily within the opulent eating room or on the pool deck, which had been each conducive to lengthy leisurely meals. Meals consisted of breakfasts with continental and sizzling programs, gentle lunches, excessive tea with candy and savoury selections, and 4-course dinners. Among the dishes we loved included creamy prawn and mussel starters, kingklip with stuffed veggies, ravioli with sundried tomatoes and feta, malva pudding, and lemon posset. The mocktails had been scrumptious too!
Kingfisher Villa is ideal for a multi-generational household safari getaway and is usually booked for big households. We had been there with our youngsters and so they liked it. It’s also splendid for government company getaways, romantic escapades or weekend breaks from the town. Should you’re trying for a sanctuary that guarantees wilderness and luxurious in beneficiant measures, Kingfisher Villa is ready to welcome you into its serene embrace.
For extra info, go to Kingfisher Villa or e book right here.
Take a tour of Kingfisher Villa beneath.
Good to know
The lodge sleeps 10 folks. Overflows might be catered for on the adjoining Mabula Recreation Lodge.
Different lodging choices within the reserve embrace the fashionable Safari Plains and Kwafubesi, a tented camp.
There may be an airstrip for friends preferring to fly in.
See the present specials right here.