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| Kim and Luke at the lodge |
By kind courtesy of Annette and Tom Van Wijk (ITF Fire Protection) we spent the last four days at their private lodge in the Sabiepark game reserve adjoining the Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Sabiepark was established in 1972 to provide an affordable private holiday destination in a tranquil bushveld setting where the natural environment, peace and harmony provide a haven for the harassed suburban dweller.
The silence is overbearing, I personally missed the sirens and Julius Malema’s loud mouth most.
Kim and Luke’s constant letting off wind caused major seismic events in the area, resulting in weather changes with continious rain.
An impressive total of 16 common large mammal species occur here, including leopard, hyena, zebra, wildebeest, impala, kudu, waterbuck and giraffe. The park is also occasionally visited by eight other mammal species, including lion, elephant, buffalo and wild dog.
In keeping with the spirit of the establishment and to maintain the pioneering bushveld atmosphere, Sabiepark has no ESKOM electricity supply. In 1998 the overwhelming majority of property owners voted to maintain this status quo with regard to the electricity. Solar power and gas appliances provide acceptable alternatives, yet many owners still prefer the unique atmosphere created by candles and paraffin lamps.
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| Solar Panels fitted to a neighbor’s lodge. |
