The quiet beauty of Mabalingwe Game Reserve

Every day moments have never been as sweet as enjoying them at Mabalingwe Game Reserve. Mornings begin gently as the sky lightens with the early sun, allowing you to wake up to the soothing sounds of birdsong and breathe in fresh air that instils a sense of calm and peace. With the first sip of your coffee, you hear a noise and suddenly see the impalas grazing mere meters away from you, a common occurrence near our self-catering units and camping sites. There is no rush, no noise, just nature easing you into the day with a grace that cities have long forgotten. The green trees, golden grass and mountain landscapes have a way of quieting your mind and transporting you to a different headspace, which seems hard to reach lately.

The only other people who are up and about at the crack of dawn are our dedicated rangers, ensuring that guests have the best experience on all our game drives and horseback safaris. By mid-morning, the reserve is bustling with activity as the wildlife emerge to enjoy the day before the warm temperatures urge them to seek shade again. Giraffes grazing near the airstrip, and warthogs scurry around with their babies trailing behind, all a daily occurrence here.

As the sun climbs higher, the heat sets in, causing the animals to slow down. This is a perfect time to relax, watch, and simply be present. There is a lesson in their stillness, in the way wildlife takes up space without hurry or noise. This time is best spent sitting back while sipping on an ice-cold drink at our prestige lodge, Hippo Creek, where the serene silence, stunning mountain views, and hippos in the dam below become your closest companions. Soaking up the sun and indulging in a delightful meal have never felt more fabulous in this private little slice of paradise.

Evenings bring a special beauty, as the open plains of grass and the mountains are bathed in a stunning golden glow from the setting sun. This is when the nocturnal world begins to rise. Bats flit through the air, and you can hear the distant yips of jackals’ echo in the night. The bush changes, not abruptly, but completely.

Sitting by a fire under a sky crowded with stars, you realise how much happens in a day out here, not in the way we measure productivity, but in the way, nature teaches presence. Every moment counts, even the quiet ones. Especially the quiet ones.

That’s the essence of life in a game reserve. It reminds you how to slow down. How to look. How to listen. And maybe most importantly, how to just be.

Reception | reception@boschpoort.co.za

Website | https://www.mabalingwegamereserve.co.za/