There is something exciting about the arrival of the winter months at Londolozi. To feel the African summer heat slowly fade away and make room for more crisp, refreshing morning air is always a welcome change. Winter in the Lowveld is definitely my favourite time of year and as we are experiencing it, I thought I would write about the kind of day you could expect to enjoy in winter at Londolozi.
Morning game drive coffee.
Winter sunrise.
5:15am wake up call
A this time the light outside is still dark, a sign that the day is just beginning and bringing with it a whole bunch of new experiences. Your morning hot beverage is just that more delicious and welcome as it warms your whole body.
Morning Game Drive
As you set off on game drive you can probably see the beginnings of the sun rising, greeting you with brilliant hues of orange and red as the sun slowly ascends into the sky. The wind in your hair has a good chill to it but that’s the part that wakes you up and makes you feel alive as you snuggle a little more tightly beneath your blanket. If you happen to drive past the Sand River you will see the mist rising off the river, giving the morning that eerie sensation that we love.
There are worse ways to start your day than watching the sun rise over the Sand River during misty winter mornings.
Morning Coffee Stop
You start to hear the bird song and frog calls as the bush awakens to the dawn of a new day. A great moment on this morning drive is when your ranger and tracker team find a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy a well deserved beverage break. You’re able to stretch your legs and warm your fingers around a steaming mug of coffee that hopefully has just a touch of Amarula in it to make it a true South African coffee. You also start to feel the soft rays of the winter sun lightly caressing your face and announcing its arrival.
Tracker Euce and ranger Chris searching for leopard on a winter morning.
Breakfast Time
Once back in camp it’s the best time of the day – breakfast time! The options for breakfast at Londolozi are abundant and never disappoint, in my opinion this truly is the best meal of the day. A delicious plate of eggs, toast and all the trimmings is a sure way to warm your belly and a great example of winter comfort food.
After breakfast is the perfect time to throw on some exercise clothes and go for a brisk walk around the camps to get your blood flowing and muscles moving. If this is something that interests you – chat to your Camp Manager to organise a stroll around the camps and meet some of the staff that work at Londolozi. Now its definitely time for a well deserved nap! Curling up in the soft sheets with a good book in hand is my favourite way to spend a lazy winter afternoon.
Afternoon Tea and Game Drive
A warm shower, a cosy jersey on and it’s time for a cup of tea and a slice of cake before the afternoons journey into the bush. The animals seem to be a bit more active during the winter months and the likelihood of animal interactions are little higher than the summer months where they may be lying in the shade of a tree.
Dinner Beneath The Stars
Even the sunsets are more vibrant and brilliant across the winter sky. Driving back to camp and the sun has just set and so that evening winter chill starts to set in. However, it is just in time for you to enter the Boma and be greeted by a roaring fire, a delicious glass of red wine and some happy faces.
To sit under the stars, warming up by the fire and exchanging stories from the day with the staff and guests is the most pleasant way to end, what was seemingly, a perfect winter’s day in the bush. What do you love most about winter at Londolozi?
Kelly, thanks for sharing a great day at Londolozi! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Your description of winter time at Londolozi sounds really tempting, Kelly. I have never been to Southern Africa during your winter, actually because of the cold. I have only been there in March/ April and October. But it really seems to be a good time to watch animals. Maybe, someday…
Thanks for the beautiful photos and article.
Morning coffee on the deck with the sounds of the preserve all around us. The anticpation of a great game drive energizes us as we head out to greet the rising sun.
Our first visit was in early autumn, but we definitely want our next to be during the winter. I want to see those spectacular sunsets in person!
A perfect day.
I love the winters in South Africa. Best time to do any type of field work.