A Guests View.

Our last Blog was what one can expect at River Bend Lodge so, to follow that up, a view from  a family group of Guests.

In December we were privileged to host this whole family Group sharing a reunion at River Bend Lodge and what a great time was had by all. We are grateful to the Hardy Family who chose River Bend Lodge as their destination and we are pleased that we could deliver on their expectations.

Mark Hardy very kindly took a few moments off his busy schedule and shared these photographs and words with us. Thank you Mark and best wishes to your whole family from all of us at River Bend Lodge.

“We all had a wonderful time at River Bend just before Christmas. What an amazingly beautiful, sun-kissed corner of the world, and a great venue for a reunion of our family from the UK, Austria and Hong Kong. The 5.30am starts were well worth the pain, as your rangers always delivered! Steve and Mikey were very attentive to our group and always eager to show us and teach us about the nature and wildlife at Addo. And they were great with our kids and older folk alike! We had humbling close encounters with elephant families as well as loan bull elephants; there was challenging, wet-weather stalking of shy giraffes; we were honoured with an awe-inspiring half hour with male lions; we enjoyed entertaining moments with ostrich and zebras; and we even endured a few sombre and sobering moments with a poor dead baby elephant – closely watched over by a lounging lioness. Snacks on the game drives were just right (thanks for the introduction to Kudu Biltong!) and meals at the lodge were an extravagant reward for the hardship of the drive and hours of fresh air! Thanks for the introduction to South African wines and the photography tips. And please relay our thanks to your whole team for looking after us and making us feel so much at home. We will cherish our memories of our stay at River Bend for many many years.” 

Black Headed Heron...on take off!

A view of River Bend Lodge from the East...looking West.

Ostrich dance.

Sunset

Sunrise

Mini Rangers

Zebra with foal

Steve Meihuizen...Guide

family reunion!

An Elephant encounter

Patriarch!!

Red Hartebeest

An Introduction to South African Wines

Photographs courtesy of Mark Hardy.

Click on an Image to view a larger version.

Neel and Reena Patel...Honeymoon at River Bend Lodge

This is a Blog written by Neel Patel...he and his lovely wife Reena spent their Honeymoon at River Bend Lodge earlier this year.

Neel had this to say...and sent us all of these photographs he took while here! Thank you Neel and we hope to see you back, it was great meeting you guys!

"After an intense two weeks for our wedding ceremonies and an 18hr trip to PE, arriving at the Riverbend Lodge was beyond words. The stresses of life in London were put to bed as we entered the gates and began an incredible journey of luxury outback living, welcoming faces and a powerful insight into some of the wild animals of SA. Our guide Eve was incredible and her passion for wildlife was contagious, we learned so much from her. The lodge itself was fantastic, the food (exceptional!) and the people being the highlight. What stood out most was that the animals are all wild, there is little tourist aspect to a stay here as you are expected to travel the plains tracking the animals. With the help of Michael, I now know how to use my SLR which I wish I would have done sooner. Any guests who are thinking to stay at the Riverbend Lodge… DO IT!! To the team, we can only thank you for a magnificent experience. Neel & Reena"

Photographs courtesy of Neel Patel...to view a larger version Click on an Image

An Update on the Lions at River Bend Lodge

Our last Blog devoted solely to the Lions was in June 2012...so we thought we should share a few images which have been taken lately.

The Lions are free roaming on 14 000 hectares at River Bend Lodge and were released in September of 2011.

The male Lions manes have darkened considerably since their release as can be seen in these photographs.

Click on an Image to view a larger version. All Images the property of River Bend Lodge and may not be used without permission.