We Sent A Writer To Investigate A ‘Big 5’ Nature Reserve Just Outside Of Cape Town

25 Jul 2014 by Jasmine Stone in Associated Brands, Inverdoorn

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Gallivanting in the Western Cape countryside can be quite the stylish way to spend a weekend, and Inverdoorn game reserve and safari lodge is just the place to do such gallivanting. 2oceanvibe’s Aimee got the chance to put Inverdoorn to the test and upon her return she was bursting at the seams to tell us how awesome it was. This is her review.

The initial drive up to Inverdoon was a little intimidating – 2.5 hours away for most Capetonians is the same feeling as a long-haul flight to China – we are, by nature, an incredibly lazy breed of human. That said, my partner and I decided to brave the cold and the miles ahead of us and take it on the chin with the promise of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet some beautiful animals in their natural environment.

Inverdoorn proved their worth before we even arrived when we put in an SOS call to them after we broke down in the middle of Ceres mountain pass. Dane, a cheerful game ranger, came hurtling along the road in his open-air safari truck to tow us to safety and when we arrived – WOW was the effort worth it! 

Arriving at Inverdoorn is breathtaking. The vast expanse of untouched veldt and bush in all directions is a precious thing. The lodge itself is designed so that it blends almost seamlessly into the surrounds, echoing it’s natural beauty without invading it.

The safari lodge is a mini ‘town’ of beautiful chalets designed to cater to guests’ varying budgets – some have a 3 star rating for a simple getaway but some go all the way up to 5 stars (complete with DSTV, jacuzzi bath, drinks, incredible decor, the works) for complete indulgent luxury. We were lucky enough to enjoy a 5 star chalet with an unobstructed view of the pristine bush. The best little extra added to every chalet is a roof-top viewing deck where you can take in the spectacular night sky – something that will floor most city-dwellers.

At Inverdoorn, they leave nothing out – every detail is carefully thought out and infused with an ethos of blending in with nature. The stretch-tent covered ‘chill lounges,’ entertainment areas and of course, the fantastic pool area with huge fire pits, a massive outdoor lounge and bar all make for a wide array of opportunities to enjoy being outdoors – the essence of any good safari.

You can choose to dine indoors if the outdoor dining area is a bit chilly for you, but the rustic, home-style food is enough to warm even the chilliest winter evening. Inside, the dining room boasts a massive fire place (in addition to the fire pits in the boma) which echoes the comfortable style of the food and makes for a truly relaxing experience. If you aren’t in a sociable mood and would rather have a romantic dinner in your suite, Inverdoorn are more than happy to oblige.

A safari wouldn’t be complete without a game drive; and we were not disappointed! The game rangers are very clued up about the habitat and the animals, and are clearly passionate about their jobs. Because of the sheer size of the reserve (a massive 10 000 hectares) seeing ‘The Big 5’ isn’t always a guarantee but they assured us that it was highly possible. With drives lasting as long as three hours, there is plenty of time to see a multitude of animals – even if you don’t manage to catch a glimpse of all big 5. We were lucky enough to get up close and personal with some beautiful giraffes and rhino. Seeing these animals in their natural habitat is a humbling experience, as you realise just how small and weak we humans really are.

This was snapped in the special enclosure where two tame baby rhino’s live.

Seeing the rhinos naturally brought up questions about the recent epidemic of poaching that these creatures are subject to and Inverdoorn has come up with some amazing ways of preventing poaching of their rhinos. Damian Vergnauud, the owner, has created a unique treatment for rhino horns with a special dye that makes the horn worthless to poachers. The game reserve’s success with this strategy is perhaps a valuable lesson for other game farms and rhino sanctuaries.

If you aren’t convinced that this is the best place to spend your next weekend breakaway, you are a lost cause.

If, like us, you have any sense,  BOOK NOW – once the secret of this hidden gem gets out you will have to wait months to nab a spot!

Tune into the #WhatTheFoodShow on 2oceansvibe Radio with Aimee at 6:15 pm Thursday, where you can stand the chance to win a night for 2 people at Inverdoorn, including meals and game drives.

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