Picture a private luxury villa in the bush. No one around but you and your family or friends, and a few hippos to keep you company. No need to converse with strangers. No irritating people on your game drives. Total privacy. It is what we all dream of when we think of an African safari and it was a reality for me this past weekend when I experienced the unparalleled luxury of Cheetah Plains.
My colleagues Vanessa, Camille, Ilze and I, packed our Louis Vuitton suitcases and pith helmets, and flitted off to the Kruger for a two night stay at Cheetah Plains, meeting up with some of our agents from Germany and the USA. It was the perfect opportunity for all of us to get back to the African bush and remind ourselves, why we love our jobs!
It is hard to explain just how luxurious Cheetah Plains is with its masculine concrete, glass and steel architecture, softened by colourful contemporary art and plush furnishings. Taking safari style up a few notches, Cheetah Plains combines a very modern look with a touch of old world to keep it grounded. The main lodge has open plan living areas with a huge dining table, bar, lounge all flowing onto the deck and boma area. There is a separate TV lounge for kids or anyone wanting a private moment to relax. Obviously modern technology is the order of the day here, with wifi, knobs and switches controlling everything from the blinds to the mosquito net.
We stayed at Mapogo Private Villa, magically positioned on a small dam, where herds of elephants come down to frolic in the shallows, while hippos grunt merrily in the background. We spent hours in the pool with our glasses of Sauvignon Blanc, enjoying the spectacle unfolding un front of us. Or relaxing on a lounger with a book and a snack. The incredible hostess, Zanele, and barman, Simon, pre-empting our every wish, bringing snacks, topping up drinks and having a laugh.
The staff are the backbone of Cheetah Plains and are there to take care of your every need. Even needs you didn’t know you had! These incredible, dedicated and professional people push Cheetah Plains right up the rungs of the luxury ladder, to a 6 star rating and certainly the most exclusive lodge I have visited. They manage to perfectly tread that fine line between server and friend.
Game drives in the Sabi Sand with Sipps were excellent. It was my first time on an electric game viewer and it makes a huge difference to the safari experience. You can hear the sounds of the animals and birds while you drive. Sipps has a deep knowledge of the bush and animals and loves telling entertaining stories about what you are seeing. We were lucky enough to see wild dog on eery game drive, racing behind them in the hopes of seeing a kill. Sadly not this time. But we did see a host of other amazing animals, including a rare sighting of a brown snake eagle trying to snatch a mamba from a tree.
Because Cheetah Plains is a private use property, kids are welcome and extra beds can be placed in your room. Two of the 4 rooms are interleading, which is perfect for older kids. And with your own private game drive vehicle, kids of all ages can experience game drives. Cheetah Plains is perfect for anyone wanting a private and exclusive safari, away from other guests. What a truly incredible experience.