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Rhulani Safari Lodge: Creating lifelong bushveld memories

  • February 01, 2022 | Rhulani Safari Lodge

Every trip I have taken to Madikwe Game Reserve never disappoints and my recent visit to Rhulani Safari Lodge, located in this malaria-free game reserve in North West province, was nothing short of astonishing. 

written by Nicholas Thiel, photos by Tara Turkingtos

A spotted eagle owl keeps an eye out for prey 

Baby elephant still too young to use its trunk, drinking at a waterhole with the herd

A back blacked jackal is always attentive

A hairy caterpillar - even the small animals are fascinating

While the game was as spectacular as ever, the lodge and its staff made the experience even better. Having stayed at Rhulani as a kid more than ten years ago, this was my second visit to the lodge, and it went beyond my expectations, creating even more memories that will last forever.

The game

While great sightings are almost guaranteed anywhere you go in Madikwe, the game around Rhulani feels unique and exciting. From seeing lion and cheetah during one drive to enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime sighting of the critically endangered pangolin during another, I have gathered many memories to savour while on the game vehicle. 

There is a running joke in my family about seeing a pangolin, which we always ask the ranger about but never expect. On our last drive of this particular trip, it came true, and it is an image and feeling that will stick with me forever. 

As a keen birder, I was also given the chance to head out on educational drives, looking at all kinds of birds while learning from a knowledgeable ranger. You never know what’s around the next corner in the bush, and that’s what makes this reserve such a fascinating place to be.

The lodge

Of all my many experiences with safari lodges in the past, the layout of Rhulani must be my favourite! The rooms are private and located far from one another. It really does feel as if you are sleeping among wildlife. Rhulani has beautiful rooms, lounges and pool areas. It even boasts an underground hide in which you can sit for hours while watching elephants, or other animals or birds, at the watering hole.

The staff and the food

Rhulani’s staff are devoted to your comfort. I felt like I made friends with all the staff members I met, and each of them helped to make the experience even more memorable.

We were lucky to have our own ranger, who told many entertaining stories and took us on some spectacular game drives. Some of my biggest compliments go to the chefs who constantly cooked, baked and prepared our meals to perfection. I felt like I was getting fed throughout the day and it was always so difficult to turn down any meal.

Rhulani is a lodge that I simply must come back to in the future. Every time I go there, it tops my previous trip, and I can’t help but feel peace and excitement when thinking about it. Thank you, Rhulani, for having me!

Cheetah yawning