Photographs from Rhulani
I arrived without delay in Johannesburg after a full day of travel. I had enough time to check in to the airport hotel, have a quick meal and adjust as much as possible to the five-hour time difference.
The following morning, I grabbed breakfast at the hotel, took the shuttle back to the airport, and met everyone at arrivals from Cape Town. We boarded our van and began our four-hour drive to the Rhulani Safari Lodge, where I would experience one of the best times of my life.
What is the Rhulani Safari Lodge?
In the heart of South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve lies the Rhulani Safari Lodge, one of the country’s largest and most diverse wildlife sanctuaries. It is recognized as one of the top lodges in Madikwe, being awarded as the World’s Best Luxury Bush Lodge, Best Safari Villa Worldwide, and most recently, the 2023 Travelers’ Choice award. We would be here for four days.
The Rhulani Safari Lodge’s schedule is similar each day, with two opportunities for outings. I’m unsure if times vary depending on the time of year, but our first was from 6:00 am to 10:00 am, and the second was from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. These are perfect times with the most wildlife activity on the reserve and opportunities for fantastic light with sunrise and sunset.
We arrived behind schedule on our first day. Just after 4:00 pm, we made our way into the main lobby of the Rhulani Safari Lodge. In front of the lodge grounds is a water source, and extending past the entrance and lobby area, two elephants were visible in the near distance. From the main area, a hide extends underground and opens to a small room with a sitting area and a series of open windows. This allowed me to get within 20 feet of the elephants. I captured a few photos here and then quickly went to our room to drop off some luggage. Fifteen minutes later, we were on our first safari.
Rhulani Safari Lodge
The excursion jeeps could hold a maximum of 10 passengers; we had fewer as we broke our group of 10 between two vehicles. We had breaks halfway through each outing, and our field guides, Willem and Alasdair, would set up a table with coffee, hot chocolate, dried fruit, and other snacks.
As it was late in the afternoon on that first day, the dusty skies of Madikwe created a red sun that hung low in the sky. It didn’t take long for the first sightings. We saw zebras, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and warthogs for a successful first night out.
The Food and Dining
Upon return, we were immediately treated to a dinner with open views of the reserve. A few elephants returned, and the 10 of us enjoyed our meals with an incredible view. Each night, we dined around 7:00 pm. The menu, presentation, and location within the lodge were unique each time. It was nice to be surprised by what was on the menu and where we would be dining.
Each morning before the first outing, we were offered coffee, tea, and some small baked goods to tie us over until the sit-down breakfast at 10:00 am. The breakfast consisted of various meats and cheeses, fruit and bread, and cereals. You could also request eggs, bacon and other items if preferred.
How Was the Experience Overall?
The experience at Rhulani Safari Lodge was spectacular. I can confidently say that it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. The weather was perfect, the staff was incredible, our field guides were incredibly knowledgeable and skilled, and the lodge in the middle of the reserve was a beautiful presentation. Part of the enjoyment of travel is the people you are with. This group of friends with whom I had the pleasure of experiencing Rhulani made this an adventure I will remember forever.
You can view the complete portfolio of images from this adventure here.
Side Notes:
Shooting during sunrise and sunset with the beautiful light that the slightly diffused African sun provides is heaven. The dust creates a stunning scene.
They did not permit you to walk alone to and from your room at night. You needed a staff member to accompany you. There is an electric fence around the lodge, but some smaller animals can still get in.
The field guides are incredibly dedicated to doing their best to ensure you see what you went there for. They constantly communicate with jeeps and guides from other lodges on the reserve. Some wildlife can be rare sightings; if found, they will let others know.
The field guide’s tracking ability is incredible to witness. When an individual can spot an animal’s track and estimate when and where that animal is going, it’s a sight to behold. I can only commend how great they are at what they do.
The owner of Rhulani, Rolf Steiner, was present for two of the four days we were there. He had dined with the group and was also on outings, taking photos and chatting with all of us. It is nice when someone is that involved with an organization and is excited about the experience as much as we are. The entire staff was a very dedicated group.
