Searching for a weekend retreat into the bush? Look no further than Garden Route Safari Camp!
Only a short flight from Cape Town, you can leave work on Friday and make it in time for a sundowner game drive.
Here's our experience and what you can expect when you book a night (or three) at the Garden Route Safari Camp.
The Luxury Tents
The luxury tents at Garden Route Safari Camp are breathtaking. Perched at the top of the hill, and we woke up to an incredible vista of the rolling hills.
Inside, you'll find a luxurious king-size bed, an indoor and outdoor shower, and a private deck for sundowners and early morning cups of coffee.
With three young lions in the reserve, you're almost guaranteed to hear roaring in the distance as you drift off to sleep.
The Location
For those craving a wilderness retreat, the camp one of the most accessible in the Garden Route!
Located in the Western Cape, it's nestled between the gorgeous Langeberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges.
Only a 20-minute drive from George Airport with daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town, it's an easy weekend escape into the bush. An alternative option, if you would like to put your road trip playlist to the test, is journey the 4 hour drive from Cape Town.
If you don't want to hire a car, you can arrange an airport transfer to and from the camp.
The Camp
Garden Route Safari Camp is family-owned, and that really comes through with the service level.
The staff treat you as an extension of the family, and you will be looked after your entire stay.
There are quaint reading nooks in the main lobby area where you can curl up with a book, a drink, or try your hand at one of the boardgames.
For those hot summer days, you can cool off at the pools. There are loungers, and it's the perfect spot to relax after an early morning game drive.
There is Wi-Fi, but it's limited to the reception and lobby area. The owners want to make sure guests come there to disconnect and forget about emails, likes, and tweets.
The Game Drives
The highlight of a stay at the safari camp is, without a doubt, the game drives.
You can opt-in for early morning drives (set those alarms before sunrise!) or late afternoon sundowner drives. If you can, try to go on both to experience the different sides of the bush.
Our guide Stefan made the experience extra special. He is a wealth of information on flora and fauna and has a unique way of telling the stories of the bush.
He goes out of his way to create an immersive game drive, where you use all five senses.
The highlight of our game drive was the "Hemel en Aarde hilltop. Stefan took us here for sundowners, and we had 360-degree panoramic views of the bush!
Besides the drives, the camp also offers guided walking safaris, and horseback safaris are rolling out in the next couple of months.
The Food
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner take place at the spectacular Giraffe Valley Restaurant.
You'll sit on the patio (which is right by the watering hole) and get to enjoy your meal as the wildlife stop by for a drink.
Final Thoughts
The safari camp is running a local South African special of up to 60% off the normal rate, if you book a minimum of 2 nights (Special expires August 2021). Garden Route Safari Camp is a wonderful weekend escape from the city. Grab your beau and book a two-night here and unwind in the bush!