‘Can i take my wife?’ For the first time travelers to Africa, the whole process of planning and bookings can feel like a daunting task as you prepare for your trip to the ‘dark continent’. An African safari is an experience best described in person once you arrive and an experience best shared with your loved ones. During our last show season, many wives we got into conversation with had this perception of Africa as a wild and dangerous place. Like many people in the United States and all over the world, they might have been exposed to too much distorted and unbalanced news and to many Tarzan movies. In their minds, Africa is a place of jungles filled with savages and a land filled with man eating animals, poisonous snakes, disease and strife. We have often hosted safaris with couples or partners and often the wives are the ones that enjoy the safari the most, in some cases, end up with more trophies than their husband and the only disease they left with was called Africantitis and it’s incurable! (Africantitis – an addiction based desire to return to Africa )
Kwazulu Natal on the east coast of South Africa, is a paradise of diversity and beauty. It can cater for just about anything a visitor to this country would like to experience and do so in luxury or in more rustic options for those who want to feel the fires glow! Never the less, it is most definitely an experience that one needs to share with your loved ones!
At Watervale Safaris we pride ourselves in giving our guests a personal experience, with a taylor made package to suit their needs and desires. Being situated only about 40 miles inland from the Kwazulu Natal south coast, we are ideally situated for day trips and visits to some wonderful destinations. These trips are either worked into hunting days for everyone to enjoy together, or the ladies take off for a day of pampering, beach and wine, while the guys work on ticking off those sought after trophies. For best results, incorporate your hunt in Africa into a holiday, have days set out for hunting, where your wife can either join in on the hunt or she can relax at the lodge with her hostess (Wife of the PH), reading a book and taking in the scenic beauty. The hostess and wife often head off for a pampering session at a beautiful nearby spa or go do some meandering around the beautiful Natal Midlands, tasting local wines and cheeses. Be sure to then have days set aside where we can relax those firing pins and bows and head out as a group to some of these wonderful destinations.
Sani Pass
Sani Pass is the mother of all South African mountain passes. Statistically and in every sense, it out distances, out climbs, and out performs all it’s competitors with consummate ease to have become the most iconic gravel pass in SA. In under an hours drive from the reserve to the base of the pass leading up to lesotho, this makes for an extraordinary experience and once you reach the top, with a summit altitude of 2876m, you can enjoy a nice cold beer and glass of wine at Africas Highest Pub! This can be done as either a half day trip or a full day trip and is always a highlight for many of our guests!
Midlands Meander and Nelson Mandela Capture Site
Explore, indulge and dream amongst the gentle hills and warm-hearted people who call the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands home. The Midlands Meander route is situated between the city of Pietermaritzburg in the East and the majestic uKhahlamba Drakensberg mountain range (a World Heritage Site) in the West, in the uMgungundlovu district, one of eight regions of the ‘Zulu Kingdom’.
Since 1985, the Meander has grown to more than 150 members and offers a greater variety, but still has the same quality of offerings. While the Meander is still known for its superb handcrafted goods and fine arts, this collection of arranged routes offer visitors hospitality in truly beautiful surroundings, fascinating local events, fabulous cuisine and restaurants, revitalizing outdoor activities and over-the-top adventure sports, historic landmarks, wildlife conservation, and best of all “shop-till-you-drop” unique arts and crafts.. This is a must see area of the province and can be enjoyed by all sexes and ages! This activity is done as day trip and also with an option of overnight stays in the Midlands to be able to see more and even work in some great Rainbow and Brown Trout fishing.
Scottburgh Beach
Scottburgh beach has it all and there is certainly something to suit everyone here. Only a 40 mile drive from the reserve, this is one of the most popular activities for wives and families alike. This beach offers a safe netted area to swim in with lifeguards on duty to ensure your safety. Soft sands welcome you to stretch your legs for a great walk or nestle down for a relaxing tanning session. There is more than just sand and sea here, why not take a slide down the very popular super tube or rope the family in for a game of put-put.We often pack our surf fishing gear as well, and as the ladies enjoy tanning and relaxing in the African sun, PH and hunter turn their sights to the aquatic trophies. This activity can be done as a half day trip or is best enjoyed as a full day of beach and sun!
Insingizi Spa
What could be more enjoyable than a personalized venture into the world of Spa treatments in an environment that isn’t intimidating, expensive or clinical …. and also has great views and yummy food. Insingizi spa is right down the road from the reserve and is one of the favorite half day and full day trips our guests have enjoyed. This African Spa Experience offers a series of tailored, relaxing massage treatments to suit most tastes and you assured to return full of life and energy! After a few days of buffalo hunting or trying to located those elusive spiral horned species many husbands have their names down first for one of these!
These are to mention but a few of the trips we offer here at Watervale Safaris and as im sure you already realize, this beautiful province of Kwazulu Natal has so much to offer and show you! Let us know what your desires and likes are and we can put together an entire hunting holiday itinerary for you that suits your interests. Once that Africantitis sets in, your wife will be the one booking your next hunting trip to Africa and you get to tag along and take home some beautiful trophies, hunting memories and a very happy wife! Sounds like a win win to me 🙂