Stuck in Joburg, looking for a real game-drive ?
I didn’t think it possible.
Probably the biggest surprise on my recent trip back to South Africa was this place – Nako Safari Lodge.
It’s in Dinokeng North Private Game Reserve, 45 minutes from Pretoria, 90 minutes from Sandton. When asked to have a look at it, with recent visits to my favourite Zambia and Zimbabwe on my mind, I said to the owner, ‘it’s not really my thing’.
He said, just try it, please.
So I did. Wow. After getting through the various gates separating the north from the south (small-holdings) sections of the reserve, I relaxed into a very good space.
Elephants, rhino, lion, cheetah…and an airline crew from KLM. I asked what they (not the animals) were doing here.
‘We love it!’, they said, revealing that all their crews come here. Which makes sense given their 48 hour turnaround times.
And the meals are exceptional.
I did not think I’d ever speak these words, but there is finally a worthy safari option within a short drive from Joburg (and 45 mins from Pretoria!). Bravo Nako Safari Lodge.
*Booking requests and advice – no, I don’t charge – can be made via the various buttons on the homepage and throughout the website.