Rhino Sands Safari Camp by Jeremy and Lana Williamson

Rhino Sands Safari Camp is the epitome of olde world tented luxury in the bush with a touch of romance.

In keeping with its very environmentally friendly footprint in the riparian forest of the Msunduze River in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve, this luxurious venue is "completely off the grid" with all aspects of power requirements being achieved in the most eco-friendly method possible with solar power integral to the running of the camp. A most admiral endeavour.

Four large really comfortable tents each with private bathrooms en suite, may have the canvas / screen walls unzipped creating a canopied shelter under the canopy of the large Sycamore Fig and other riverine trees. 

These beautifully appointed large canvas tents each with the option of King or twin beds,

 

 a comfy lounge area

a separate bathroom with a slipper bath, 

as well as indoor

 

and outdoor showers, 

ceiling and free standing fans, sun deck with private plunge pool and comfortable loungers 

all linked to the main Rhino Sands Lodge facilities on raised wooden walkways.

 

At the central facility there are various dining venues including a sheltered boma where a central fire adds to the African ambience, look up and there in that wilderness without skyglow, the light pollution emanating from towns and cities, the canopy of stars will astonish. We are far from these light polluters here at Rhino Sands! 

Then there is a very comfortable lounge, deep arm chairs and lovely squishy couches, 

 an undercover and sheltered tent dining area that has walls that may be zipped closed during inclement weather.

 Then there are expansive deck and bar facilities.

This exclusive venue accommodates 8 guests in a beautifully appointed tented camp. Children older than 13 may be accommodated, with younger guests being welcomed only if the entire 4 suites are booked by a single party. Rhino Sands Safari Camp's sister camp, Rhino River Lodge is particularly child friendly and traverses the same bushveld as Rhino Sands Camp.

Two guided game drives in the 23,000 ha Big 5 (Magnificent 7 with the inclusion of cheetah and African wild dog) Manyoni Private Game Reserve are conducted early mornings and late afternoons into the evening where nocturnal animals are sought by the Ranger after sunset by means of a spotlight from the open game drive vehicle.

Return to a gourmet 3 course dinner with full bar facilities available. The early morning guided game drives are from sunrise for approximately 3 hours to return to the Lodge's excellent cusine at breakfast. Its not all about food, but lunch will be served and that too will be a gastronomical delight. Between meals guests are able to take in a bit of me time and relax in the bush at one's lux tent or at the central facility. Keen birders will be enthralled by the variety of birdlife in camp as too some relatively tame resident antelope believing the area to be a safe haven?

 

Focus a little further, past the trees and into the river bed where any of this large game reserve's wild animals can and do pass by. When the river is not flowing there are some areas where the underground water is accessed, probably by elephant digging down in the soft sand, which also attracts a variety of wildlife to this section of the river for a drink. The large cats like the open pathway that this dry river bed affords. This to seek out their prey and to move between areas of their choosing. Keep an eye out for these special sightings achieved unobtrusively from your deck-chair or pool. Is that a glass of something refreshing in your hand?

 

This Rhino Sands Safari Camp comes highly recommended by ourselves. One has to admire the owner's integrity and determination to offer an amazing wildlife venue holding proud their environmental ethos with as minimal an impact as possible on this fragile ecosystem in this game rich part of Zululand.
Should you wish to make a reservation go to; 
http://www.hluhluwereservations.co.za/Zululand_Rhino_Sands_Safari_Camp.asp

All photographs by Jeremy and Lana Williamson