Greater Kruger Game Reserves Hotels & Resorts

A popular activity for guests at Garonga is to sleep out under the stars. Perfect for romantics, the lantern-lit sleep out deck is located a 20-minute drive from the camp. Guests are driven to the sleep out area and as the sun starts to set, a three-course meal is served.

Behind the scenes, it takes about two hours to set up everything for guests, preparing the table for the evening meal and getting the four-poster bed ready. The guest’s room at the camp is kept for them in case the weather should change. Guests are driven to the sleep out area before sun set for an orientation of their night’s setting. They are given a safety briefing and once they know how to contact the camp, the magical atmosphere starts to take over.

As the sun starts to set, enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal. A few glasses of your favourite tipple will calm any nerves. From its elevated position, the deck overlooks a busy waterhole so there is often plenty of animal activity throughout the night, such as elephants making a splash or a leopard coming in for a drink. As you sink into the comfort of your bed, the atmosphere can be quite magical listening to the sounds of nature as you fall asleep under a glittery African night sky. Safari dreaming at its best.

Awaken the next morning to the sounds of the dawn chorus and watch as the sun rises. The start of a new day on safari begins.

Jock Safari Lodge was the first private concession in Kruger National Park. Morning and afternoon game drives are in 4×4 Land Cruisers and there are 6,000 hectares of wilderness to explore. Guests often see the Big Five as well as giraffe, hyena and occasionally wild dog. Feel closer to nature on a walking safari and see the diversity of flora and fauna from tiny insects that are an integral part of the ecosystem to a towering jackalberry tree favoured by baboons.

Walks normally start after a hearty breakfast and no two walks are the same. Without the noise of a vehicle, it can also get quite exciting as you approach mammals on foot. The wildlife viewing sometimes continues back at the lodge as elephants and buffaloes are often seen in the lodge grounds. After lunch there is time for guests to relax. A visit to the private sala where there is a day bed is a great spot as it is so tranquil and the perfect place to absorb the sounds of nature. Continue to explore the concession on an afternoon game drive and as it starts to get dusk enjoy sundowners, the best time to reflect on what you have seen. As you  return to the lodge for dinner, you may be fortunate to see some of Jock’s nocturnal creatures such as owls and bush babies.