Going to the Bush on Safari is one of my favorite experiences. It’s the best way to disconnect from the online world and reconnect with nature and yourself.
Here are my top 5 posts on Safari. I’ve loved the time spent at Bayete and managing their Facebook Page.
1.) Beautiful Bayete
2.) Bayete Zulu
5.) Magical Machaba and click here for their blog that I manage.
Watch this space for the new destinations I’m going to in 2015…
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My first time to Bayete Zulu was a peaceful and reflective – thoroughly enjoyable, but this time, with my fellow Bloggers at Bayete, it was one of the best holidays of my life…
Welcome to the 2nd installment of Bloggers at Bayete!
Post 6: Sandy Nene of SA Bloggers, interviewed one of Bayete Rangers: Graham Adams
What has been the greatest highlight of your career as a game ranger thus far?
“Being able to share every day and my life with our three elephants that has changed my life beyond words. Just feeling of peace with myself that only being in the bush can provide, I could make a list as every day brings new highlights( watching lion cubs play, leopards relax ,elephant families all playing In a mud wallow) or just enjoying the most beautiful sunsets the world has to offer with some of the most incredible people.”
Read more of Sandy’s interview on his personal blog
Post 7: Read Ryan Robert’s full review below: Home away from Home
My stay there here was short but unforgettable. I was fortunate to have shared my experience with my girlfriend who had just an amazing time as myself.
Bayete Zulu is only a short 2 hour drive from Durban just past the Sodwana turnoff. Our first impression was a rustic one while driving off the beaten track and down a dirt road. The parks electrified fence follows you along the road, which built our anticipation to discover what is behind it. Once we arrived at the gate we were welcomed by very friendly staff members who showed us the way to the lodge.
Beyond the gate our world started to change and an overwhelming sense of the African bush encompasses you, you are now entering Big 5 country. Immediately we see a heard of Giraffe in the road less than 5meters in front of us and then realized that we were in fact surrounded.
Arriving at the lodge was a dream, which was a 20min off road drive from the gate. We were greeted by one of the game rangers who told us to hop on over to relax in the outside lounge area and not to worry about our bags. Before we knew it they had delivered our bags to our rooms, unpacked all of our food and prepared lunch for us on the table. I was very impressed by their service indeed!
The lodge itself is great and is designed in a way that you always feel connected to the bush that surrounds you. There is only a single, electrified wire that separates you from the wild animals which keeps your excitement and alert levels at an all time high. A ranger told me they had put the wire up because residents had woken up to 3 make lions lying in front of there door way on the grass patch.
One does get a sense of true relaxation there and it is undoubtedly the best value for money to go on holiday or even a short weekend away. The main lodge has various areas to relax. The lounge is an awesome place to laze around in front of a large fireplace with a book or you can sit around the bar while overlooking the large infinity pool and rolling reserve hills. The lodge and the rooms both face the same direction and over look the wide-open savanna plains. The rooms are very cozy and are made from the mountain rocks found on the reserve. The shower and bath were the room highlights for sure.
The game drive that afternoon was great and so well organized with blankets if you got cold and a cooler box filled with your drinks on ice. We saw 3 male lions down by the river, a heard of buffalo and many more animals including some of the Big 5. The next day we had an unforgettable elephant interaction, which is included when you hire the lodge. We could not believe the size of the elephants and they were 3 meters in front of us! We even got right up close and were able to put food into Rambo’s mouth. He was the male bull that weighed 5.5 tons and stood a good two meters taller than us.
Overall we were very impressed by the level of service and how informative the game drives were. Bayete Zulu is definitely a premium safari experience with a twist. All of the game drives, an elephant interaction and food preparation services were included in the price, the staff literally took care of everything for us! We did have to bring our own food and drinks but it’s well worth it! The kitchen chef can cook way better than I could ever have and you don’t worry about dishes, it’s dream!
If you want to stay at Bayete Zulu you have to book the whole lodge at a minimum fee but it’s worth it! You get the whole place to yourself and that means no strangers to bug you or make noise. The lodge also caters for kids, has a jungle gym and as a big plus an amazing Jacuzzi! If you are a newly wedded couple they even have a lovers nest chalet set in the bush all on it’s own away from the lodge.
Bayete Zulu is definitely on my top destination list as a fairly reasonably priced 5 star Safari Lodge and Game Reserve. The next time I go will be very soon, and I’m bringing the whole family.
8th post is by Rochelle Rae: Something to add to your bucket list!
Was privileged enough to visit Bayete Game Reserve for #BloggersAtBayete. I can not think of one thing that was not perfect about my stay here. It was my first game reserve experience and it’s one I will never forget.
The rooms are absolutely beautiful. Incredibly well decorated, the open shower and HUGE bath is a plus. The game drives were unforgettable and the vehicles were very comfortable. We had the best ranger (Graham) and he was so friendly and knowledgeable. He ensured we saw as many animals as possible and told us so much about each individual species. I saw every kind of animal I wanted to see – from hippos to giraffes and even lions. All I can say is – can I go back now?? Would love to spend every holiday here!!
It’s worth every cent and everything far surpassed my expectations of what a game reserve is like. I highly recommend visiting Bayete Game Reserve!!!!
See her review on Trip Advisor
Post 9 is by Dane Forman, professional instagramer. He also filmed this up close and personal video of the Elephant interaction experience on his iphone! Check it out by clicking this link and enjoy a few of his photo’s below.
You can follow Dane’s adventures on his personal instagram account too.
Post 10 is by Kyle Fraser:
Bayete is incredible! Unique, exclusive and inspiring…
The Bayete Zulu lodge is officially one of my favourite hospitality & wildlife destinations.
Their team of friendly, welcoming staff made our stay really enjoyable, with special mention to our game rangers Louise & Graham. We successfully spotted lions, rhino, elephants and giraffe on an early morning game drive, with knowledgeable detail from Graham…but the elephant interaction experience with Rambo and his kin was by far my favorite part of our holiday!
I was so impressed with the the level of attention to detail and the service that I have already recommended Bayete to a number of my friends, from South Africa and abroad. Keep up the good work guys!
See his review on Trip Advisor
