Madikwe Safari Adventure
Endless skies, red, hard baked earth and long horizons make for a thirst, quite distinct from a social drink. We were on safari at Leopard Rock Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. A merry bunch gathered in by friends, venturing up at 4:30 to a cold dawn. A hearty stop en route of hot chocolate with a dop, anything warming at this point, but my friends’ love of Amarula seemed to cheer the spirits and ward off the chill.
Safaris seem to consist of eating and drinking with some beautiful animals thrown in for good measure.
Back at the Lodge awaits a hearty breakfast accompanied by bloody Marys or Mimosas, and a delicious MCC – Methode Cape Classique, the Cape Champagne. We were drinking a Chantelle MCC, privately supplied by my friend in Franschhoek, the heart & soul of the Cape wine lands.
Languorous mornings were spent laying by the pool watching weaver birds engineer extraordinary hanging nests to entice their mates. The female, naturally so demanding, needs to inspect at least 3 versions before selecting the one with the right interior design! Sleep often takes over amid bird song & croaks.
Late lunches were accompanied by a fine selection of wines, light and crisp, maybe a Sophie Te’blanche sauvignon blanc or Buitensvervachting Buiten Blanc and delicious MCC; either a Boschendal Grand Brut Rosé or a Graham Beck Brut Rosé. We squeezed in tea as well and then we were off again to train our senses to the joys of bushcraft.
As the sun sets our guide and tracker finds a beautiful place to savour the earth. A veritable bar opens up on the Land Rover grill. Good sightings and great company makes for a very happy band of safari fellows.
This post is by the Drinks Pimp. Follow her posts @drinkspimp
