A jewel in Limpopo

While the focus at Tintswalo Lapalala is all about delivering an unforgettable experience for guests, done with an eye on the least possible impact on the environment. It employs a number of sustainable environmentally conscious initiatives and is completely off the grid, ranging from hot water delivery in the morning (to avoid the use of kettles in the rooms), looseleaf teas and filter coffee that can be composted, eco-friendly mosquito and bug repellents to no plastic usage, a large vegetable garden on the property, seed banking and an established recycling process.

A host of activities are on offer in addition to game drives. Guests can walk or fish parts of the 37km untouched rivers – the perennial Palala River runs north to south, and its tributary the Bloklands Spruit. There’s also a network of smaller streams and dams, offering swimming, an abundance of water-loving birds, and incredible guided fishing (spin or, for the more experienced, fly-fishing). Species include the sought after indigenous yellowfish, as well as the canary largemouth, Limpopo rock catlet, sharptooth catfish, Labeos, Bquog, silver robber, tilapia, Churchill and the southern mouthbrooder.

If you’re a night owl, you can choose an after dinner game drive or opt for stargazing. You could even spend the night out on a comfortably furnished, raised wooden deck under the stars. Then there’s a morning or evening barge on the Koebo Dam, guided bush walks or a visit to the ancient San rock paintings and carvings (Lapalala has identified 13 sites within the reserve). And then of course, there’s the option of doing as little as possible – book into the spa or ensconce yourself on a lounger on the deck above the waterhole and let the game come to you.

A visit to the bush is undoubtedly a meaningful and worthy gift and one can’t leave without feeling gratitude and peace after being enveloped by nature in such an authentic environment.