Blyde River Canyon Lodge was a magical “Out of Africa” experience.
Michael and I went for a stroll over a foot bridge over the stream at the bottom of the property and scared off some wildebeest. We got a little way into the bushes before thinking better of it, in case there were other animals checking us out in the same sort of way!
It was the deepest quiet with the occasional rumble of a jeep in the distance. The crunch of falling leaves of a huge Magnolia tree and the call of the birds were the only sounds.
The property was set in 87 ha at the foot of the Blyde River Canyon. Sitting next to the pool, being joined by the tame impala and a few stray zebra was amazingly peaceful. I think we had taken too much notice of scary media reports, as everyone was very friendly and I did not feel at all threatened. The cheery staff, led by Cynthia, brought us cups of tea for our 6:30 am checking of emails. Even in Africa, we got a bit twitchy if we didn’t keep a bit in touch! Next time, I will leave the lot at home, although I would still need a laptop to check my photos.
The manager, Trudi, heard that I was a vet, and took me up to the back of the hotel to help rescue Max, a very small dog who was recovering from having a tree fall on him the day before. Fortunately, my vet skill were only needed to take out a catheter in his foreleg, rather than anything more heroic.
