There's nothing quite like a safari in South Africa's magnificent Greater Kruger! Here at Baobab Ridge we pride ourselves on giving our guests incredible experiences that immerse them in the wonder that is the African wilderness, leaving them with an intimate appreciation of our diverse eco-systems and the wild fauna and flora that call them home.

Everything we do is designed to put our guests in touch with Mother Nature and inspire awe and wonder at the intricate, interconnected environment that makes the Klaserie so special, as well as sharing the unique spirit of South Africa and her wonderful people. So let's have a look at the top five experiences guests can indulge in during their stay with us...

Game drives

The opportunity to get "out there" and explore the beautiful landscapes that surround Baobab Ridge, observing iconic wildlife species in their natural habitat with a knowledgable guide in an open safari vehicle, is obviously one of the biggest drawcards for our guests. 

Game drives take place twice a day, early in the morning and in the late afternoon, and last between three and four hours, depending on what you see. The morning drive is worth the early wake-up call as it offers you the chance to find out what has happened during the night and be part of the African bush as it "wakes up" and comes to life with the rising sun. 

You'll be woken before dawn (04h00 in the summer months when dawn comes early and 05h30 in the winter when the sun rises later) and meet up for coffee and rusks with your guide half-an-hour later, before heading out as first light takes hold.

The sights, sounds and smells of wild Africa at dawn are intoxicating and the quality of light as the sun's first rays bathe the bush in shades of soft gold are a photographer's dream come true. Your guide will be looking for tracks and traces of animal activity, especially predators, so the excitement is palpable as you wonder what is going to be around the next bend...

Morning game drives are interrupted by a coffee stop out in the bush, where you'll have the chance to stretch your legs, take a comfort break and indulge in coffee, tea or hot-chocolate, along with some wonderful home-made goodies like cookies and muffins. You return to the lodge in time for a hearty brunch.

At 15h00 you'll regroup for afternoon tea before climbing onto your faithful safari vehicle to find out what's happening out in the wilderness once more, traversing the extensive network of roads that criss-cross the Klaserie, taking in waterholes, dry river beds and dams as well as breathtaking views of the northern Drakensberg escarpment, towering on the western horizon.

You'll stop as the sun begins to set for another of our amazing experiences - sundowners (see below!) and complete the last portion of your drive in darkness, with a spotlight to find elusive nocturnal species. This is the time when you may see predators like leopard and lion in action, so keep your eyes peeled!

You'll return to the lodge for dinner, to share tales of the day's adventures next to a roaring fire.

Sundowners

It's a time-old tradition and one of the most amazing experiences to be had in the African bush - toasting the setting of the sun in the middle of the wilderness, soaking up the magnificence of it all and wondering at the magnitude of life in the wild. Sundowners are always simply spectacular.

During an afternoon drive your guide will find somewhere he knows is perfect for a sundowner spot and effortlessly deliver you in time for the spectacle that is an African sunset in the Greater Kruger. You'll get down from the vehicle, stretch and admire the view while your guide sets up an array of drinks and snacks on the front fender of the vehicle.

It's a bonding moment as you raise a glass to a fantastic day in wild Africa, watching as the light slowly fades and dusk descends. The sounds also change from the subtle daytime chorus of birdsong to the often deafening choir of cicadas, frogs and crickets, punctuated by the calls of distant owls, peeps of echo-locating bats and, if you're really lucky, a lion roaring to announce his presence... 

Fabulous food

You most definitely won't go hungry during your stay with us here at Baobab Ridge! We cater for all dietary requirements, from vegetarian to vegan, and every meal is prepared with a wonderful, secret ingredient - love! Our talented chefs are passionate about what they do and go the extra mile to make sure each meal is spectacular, no matter what your preferences are.

We source the majority of our food locally, paying special attention to organic, free-range options and fresh produce that's in season, producing a range of wonderful, flavourful and healthy home-cooked dishes that are enjoyed in a variety of venues.

A hearty brunch at around 10am, after the morning game drive, sets you up for the rest of the day and is generally served out on the deck overlooking the gardens and boma, featuring juices, fresh fruits, yoghurt, cereals and home-baked goodies as well as a full English breakfast, ordered to your liking. Add limitless piping hot coffee and a variety of teas. 

We then dish-up a wonderful afternoon tea at 15h00 which features a smorgasbord of salads, savouries, fresh fruits and home-baked bread and other tempting items to tantalise your tastebuds!

A spectacular three-course dinner is served at around 8pm, following the afternoon/evening game drive, and is usually set up in our wonderful boma, alongside a crackling log fire. Sometimes we do dinner up on the pool deck, or, if the weather is inclement, inside in our spacious dining room.

Bush walk

There's very little to beat the thrill of exploring the African bush on foot, discovering the small, infinitely interesting things you so often miss on a game drive. Our guided bush walks are an absolute must for those who want to find out more about the way the wilderness works, the relationships between plants and animals, the geology of our wonderful reserve and the fascinating minutiae of life beneath our feet!

Walks are always done in the mornings to avoid the heat of the day as much as possible. Generally, we drive for a short distance and then get off the vehicle to walk for around an hour or two, either walking back to the lodge or taking a circuitous route back to the vehicle and then driving "home". It's easy terrain and you stop regularly as your guide finds interesting things to show you along the way. Of course, there's always the possibility that you will encounter game en route, which adds to the excitment, but your guide will be armed and is fully trained to a high professional level, ensuring your safety at all times.

If you'd like to do a bush walk, please come with a good pair of comfortable and sturdy walking shoes and, preferably, a pair of long pants as the grasses can be rough and abrasive to bare legs if you walk through them.

Home-from-home hospitality

We can never guarantee what you're going to see in terms of wildlife, or what the weather is going to do during your stay with us, but there is something that never changes - something that makes Baobab Ridge truly special... Its people. 

Our amazing team of staff mostly come from the local communities on the periphery of the Klaserie, having been born and raised here and together they represent the epitome of South African warmth and hospitality, sharing their wide smiles and ready laughter with all of our guests, instantly making everyone feel at home and part of the family.

So come and enjoy our own, unique brand of South African hospitality, meet our wonderful people and experience a safari beyond compare.

For more information on the activities available and the activity schedule at Baobab Ridge, click here