When I say South Africa has it all, I mean it has it all..there’s ocean views, incredible hiking, delicious wineries, scenic drives, foodie spots galore, and of course, the infamous African safari. And when I say South Africa has it all, I also mean all the different safari experiences…wild and rustic, extreme luxury, driving day trips, any kind of safari you want, you can find it. For our first safari adventure, we opted for something authentic and real, but not risking comfort and still maintaining a touch of luxury! Mziki Safari Lodge was the perfect combination.
I was a bit skeptical pre-safari because I wouldn’t call myself “an animal person”. I like animals but I just wasn’t the kid memorizing all the types and begging to go to the zoo….so I wasn’t sure how exactly the safari life would suit me! Add in the fact that I’m not exactly a morning person and the game drives start at 6 AM! BUT after the first drive, I was hooked. It helps that evenings are slow in the bush…a candlelight dinner, a bit of stargazing and early to bed.
Days at Mziki start early as I mentioned, 6 AM game drives where you zip around the reserve with eyes peeled hoping to spot some animals on their morning wander. A quick stop for coffee or tea with biscuits then back to explore before heading back to camp for a homemade breakfast feast!
Mid-mornings are relaxing with a dip in the pool, coffees by the watering hole, or maybe a couples massage with LoLo, Mziki’s mobile spa. We enjoyed our first day couples massage so much we booked a second for the next day! It was the perfect restful way to spend the morning.
Lunch is served mid-day, again a homemade treat! The first day we arrived to an amazing baked chicken pie. After lunch, you can enjoy some more of Mziki’s activities…archery, bird watching, or fishing. We opted for slow afternoons with a few rounds of backgammon and South African rose!
Afternoon game drives are the best way to view the sunset! Either a drive through the reserve or a ride on the river, you can enjoy a cold beverage while the sun sets lighting up the golden landscape!
Returning for a candlelight dinner in the boma, again a chef Kego masterpiece! Our favorite was the braai… or the South African barbecue! Kego is a fantastic cook and every meal was such a treat! I’m waiting on her to publish a cookbook!
The guides at Mziki are absolute pros! They are adventurous and extremely knowledgable but also so genuine and incredibly hospitable. From Shani hopping in the river (with crocs, eek!) to dislodge the barge, Vihann leading us on numerous game drives and even a bush walk, to Sean knowing the specific name of literally every bug I saw, these guys were SO great! They made the experience. Mziki lodge is also a total gem for family travelers — they accommodate little ones on all the drives but also the guides are great with the kiddos!
We had the best experience at Mziki and highly recommend it for anyone wanting a genuine and authentic safari experience in South Africa! Manuela was an excellent host and helped welcome us and the whole Mziki team made this safari adventure incredibly memorable! 
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