Malelane



We were disappointed that Jock Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park had become too expensive, but John found Mhlati Guest House, located just outside the Malelane Gate, which had excellent reviews on TripAdvisor.  We thought it would be fine.  Little did we imagine just how fine it is!  

The owner, Eric, is a retired architect who designed and built the complex, with incredible attention to detail.  One of the first things I noticed was the thatched roof over the “lapa” (gathering area).  The bottom layer - visible from inside - is an attractive reed-like grass, which is then covered by many layers of the traditional grass that provides rain proofing and insulation.


The pool and gardens were inviting - a welcome relief from the heat and oppressive humidity.


One of the flowering trees was frangipani - complete with the wonderful scent that’s used in soaps and colognes.


We did have to be careful where we parked, though.  One of the trees dropped hard, heavy pods that could dent the roof or break the windshield with ease.  (Notice the detailed brickwork - pavers are set in a prepared base, resulting in perfectly level walkways and driveways.  John  really admired the work - easily twice the quality of any other paver installation in South Africa.)




Our host is also the direct descendant of one of the leaders of the Voortrekkers - the Boer (Dutch) farmers who migrated east from the Cape, similar to the western migration in the US.  Here he’s showing John a photo of one of his ancestors who fought in the famous Battle of Blood River (commemorated with a life size replica of the original wagon laager - defensive circle).  We were there on our last trip and included pictures of it in that blog: http://off2southafrica.blogspot.co.za/2015/03/battlefields-of-zulu-wars.html


While we were there, we also took our host’s advice and had lunch at The Deck restaurant, which overlooks the Crocodile River and Kruger National Park beyond.


While we were eating, we spotted a hippopotamus in the river, but it wasn’t close enough for a clear picture.






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