We arrived at Summerfields early yesterday afternoon and were shown to our tented suite overlooking the Sabie River, just amazing. We are right on the rapids and the noise is quite intense, although also very therapeutic. The room is something else, open air bathroom with a huge bath looking straight out at the river. A great deck to sit and relax, where I’m writing this actually.
After a freshen up we headed out to the River Cafe for lunch. This is a great spot to sit and watch the river while enjoying great food. The staff are so friendly they make your time a joy. We booked dinner at the main restaurant and as we don’t have a car here Sean, who runs front of house, also arranged to pick us up and take us to dinner. The gardens and pathways are spectacular, the array of flora is just mind-blowing.
Dinner was just brilliant, we were shown to a table on the verandah overlooking the gardens. They grow all their own produce here on the grounds, so you know it is all fresh and organic. Again the staff were great. After dinner Sean drove us back to the lodge, they don’t like guests walking as hippo have been known to wander the grounds and have in the past scared staff or guests who were unaware of their presence.
We settled in for an early night, when you close up the tent and switch the lights off it is pitch black. The sounds of the river is so soothing so sleep was just around the corner. As I mentioned in a separate blog post ballooning the next morning was not a huge success, but nothing to do with Summerfields. It did give us chance though for a ‘sleep in’ and then breakfast. How magical was this, breakfast overlooking the river while hippo played in the water below.
Today we have just chilled out! After breakfast we went and sat by the pool, it was a little cool in the water, but very invigorating. It’s a great spot to read and relax, which we did over a G&T. Then after a little walk and a rest it was time for lunch.
Lunch was brilliant! Not just the food but being entertained by James and Peterson, two of the staff. These two are just good fun, they feed off the guests sense of humour and just add to your experience. They know when to step in and what to say to make you feel special. Then when Sean joins them it just is great fun. We haven’t laughed so much at lunch for ages. Helen wanted to bring James home with us, Peterson was all for helping him pack, but we can’t spoil such a good double act. Just a great way to spend an afternoon. We’ve got dinner tonight here as well, what will James and Peterson have in store this evening?
Tomorrow we have an early start for the airport in Nelspruit, then off to Mauritius for the last part if our adventure. Africa is just amazing, we will have to start planning a return trip, and soon..