People who know me well are aware that I spent a good chunk of my mid 20s (during the 90s) rambling through much of Southern Africa and even doing a patch of volunteer work in Mozambique. It was a big time in my life, yielding a lifetime of memories and helping shape the more upright and decent qualities of my personality. It’s been more years than I care to mention – with loads of travel in between – but I finally made it back to Southern Africa with a press trip to the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve in South Africa. And let me tell you it was worth the wait!
Although this recent visit was only a five-day trip, the experience blew me away. The inconceivably wide-open spaces, the abundance of wildlife, the kind and easy-going folks … the absolutely gorgeous food: everything came together in such a beautiful way to bridge my recollections from back in the day when I was a wide-eyed backpacker with an insatiable desire to go everywhere with the contemplations of the writer I am today, still keen to continue exploring the world as widely and as often as I am able.
Yes, I admit that’s a lot of rather baroque hooey coming from the usually much more laconic me. But that’s what Sabi Sabi seems to have done to the soul.
Making eye contact with a lion metres away from my seat in a topless Land Cruiser … lounging in a private plunge pool in the buff while smoking a Cuban and staring off into the unfenced and utterly vast savannah … losing track of how many rhinos and elephants I’d seen in the span of a couple of hours … having a multi course feast prepared by a Michelin starred chef and paired with some of the best South African wines available … getting one to most relaxing massages I’ve had in too long awhile … Sabi Sabi turned me into a blathering mess of wow.
To be sure, I could carry on blathering about all sorts of wows from my stay at Sabi Sabi’s luxurious and eco friendly Earth Lodge. Indeed, I intend to. I’ll be writing about Sabi Sabi for a variety of outlets and certainly will post links to all my pieces here on the blog.
A key aspect of my trip to be covered in upcoming pieces was my opportunity to witness the launch of the new consultant chef partnership with Eric Chavot at the Earth Lodge. I’d met Eric once before and was already a fan of cuisine Chavot – he’s about as convivial (and, honestly, wacky) a Michelin starred chef as ever you’re apt to meet. And his Mayfair brasserie presented one of the most gorgeous restaurant meals I’ve yet to have in London. As for the food pre and post Chavot at Earth Lodge. Now that Eric’s back at work in his London kitchen, other high profile chefs are due also to share their expertise with the Sabi Sabi staff (rumours about Neil Perry dropping by were not dismissed as unfounded).
So, return to one of my favourite parts of the planet for a luxury safari with one of London’s best chefs and then come back home and write about it? Duh, okay. Talk about a no brainer – and one seemingly designed to meld perfectly with how and why I like to live my lucky life.
If you’re of the bucket listing persuasion, by all means add going on safari to the top of those to-dos – and strongly consider making the choice to do it in impeccable Sabi Sabi style.
Keep an eye out for more bits by me about this gloriously ultra luxurious sliver of refinement deep within the South African bush. Until then, make note of these services that helped me get the most out of my Sabi Sabi Safari.
Addison Lee
I used the handy dandy Addison Lee app to get a car to/fro Heathrow for my flights to Joburg.
Africa Collection
I flew economy with South African Airways. Both flights were comfortable and overnight. The flights were booked through Africa Collection. With more than 200 years of experience, this specialist provider of tailor-made holidays offers packages to Sabi Sabi as well as a range of destinations in in Southern Africa, East Africa and the Indian Ocean islands.
Federal Air
Internal flights via OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Sabi Sabi were with Federal Air, the pioneer and founder of South Africa’s premier shuttle service. With more than 20 year experience within the airline industry. Pilots were super cool. The lounge at OR Tambo was a lovely place to chill between flights will plenty of creature comforts, snacks and free WiFi.
