By Tilly Smith Dix

The African bush is a riot of wildlife in summer. Game born in spring is now sure-footed and have gained confidence, often peppered with some attitude. Plants that flourish in summer after a dry winter and the spring rains, burst with life, attracting migrating birds that follow summer.

Summer, therefore, is a magical time to visit five-star Tau Game Lodge in the Madikwe Reserve, where conservation is key.

Ever seen an African wild dog and her young basking in the morning sun, or a lioness and her cubs lazily rolling in the grass, after feasting the previous night?

Fast-forward to lunchtime, when you are dining with a wide-angle view of the large waterhole. In the heat of the day, animals, like humans, have to quench their thirst and all you have to do is dine on delicious food, sip your favourite summer mid-day tipple, and watch the pecking order at the waterhole…

Pictured above, clockwise from top left: The king of the bush contemplates the morning; the dining deck at Tau overlooks the large waterhole; rhino pool party in full view of human diners.

Later, once you have taken a dip in one of the two swimming pools, or had your own siesta, or perhaps observed the waterhole from your own room deck, or had a revitalizing spa treat at the Tau Spa Oasis, a safari drive with your designated game ranger will open up a whole new world in the verdant bush.

This is also a time for game to communicate with each other, sizing each other up, deciding where the hunt should take place, while the hunted become skittish.

Before heading back to the lodge to refresh for dinner, you will stop at a perfect spot for sundowners and refreshments, always under the watchful eye of your ranger.

Dinner is served in a different location every evening, depending on the weather, of course. Be it on the Dining Deck, Restaurant or Boma, you are never far from the waterhole, where the sounds of the night will astound you. Convivial conversations at dinner with your ranger and fellow guests make for an unforgettable experience.

Early morning safaris are spectacular, offering magical light for photography, with a pitstop for Amarula coffee and delicious buttermilk rusks.

Pictured above, clockwise, from left: the lounge offers a birds eye view of the waterhole; a Luxury Room deck overlooks the waterhole; African wild dog flourish here.

Much to the delight of avid followers of the wildlife activity at the iconic Tau waterhole in front of the lodge and all the rooms, a new wildlife web camera will soon be reintroduced, with a dedicated wifi connection to share the prolific wildlife interacting 24/7 via the web.

The lodge is enclosed within the reserve, resulting in the humans being subtly fenced in, while game, including several crocodiles, roam free, including the prolific birdlife.

Chef Cynthia Tait from Australia spent a month training and familiarizing the culinary team with the art of healthy cooking and using more organic seeds, vegetarian dishes and now globally popular Thai flavours earlier this year. For regular guests enjoying the comfort safari food at the lodge, the Tau chefs continue to create deliciously unpretentious cuisine.

The Tau 2019-20 summer rateuntil end-April 2020 starts from R5,850.00 per person sharing per night including:

• 3 meals, 2 game drives, refreshments on game drives and teas/coffees at meals per day;
• Excluded from rate are the park entrance fees (currently R180.00 per person per night), tourism levies (currently R10.00 per person per night), Rhino Conservation levy (currently R150.00 per person per night)
• Book a 3^rd night and get the following spa treatment free:

A complimentary Back and Neck OR African Head Massage (30 mins) per adult.

      When booking please quote: Summer2019

The Tau Cubz Club, Tau Spa Oasisand Tau Conference Centremake this an ideal malaria-freedestination for romantic, family, leisure or corporate safaris.

Tau Game Lodge opened its 5-star safari doors in 1995 and offers 30 rooms, from Standard to Luxury to Family Suites.

+27-(0)11-466 8715/17 – taugame@mweb.co.za– http://www.taugamelodge.co.za

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