You Deserve It!
Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Spoil yourself. You deserve it. Go on, spoil yourself, you know you want to.
Lukhanyo Private Game Reserve is a special place for someone who really deserves something different. And Lukhanyo is really different – where else can you reign over an entire 1 200 hectare reserve just for the price of booking in your family? Once you are booked in, Lukhanyo does not take any more guests, even if there is space. This means you and your group effectively take over the whole reserve during the course of your stay. Reserve Manager, John Parker, and his two assistants, Vuyelwa Gladys Qozeleni and Mandisa Maloni are at your beck and call to take you on game drives, cook you a meal or brew some coffee whenever it suits you.
Lukhanyo is an extraordinary reserve located just twenty minutes from Grahamstown. John, a fluent isiXhosa speaker who could not speak English when he first went to school, says the name ‘Lukhanyo’ can mean ‘peaceful place’ or ‘it shines’ both suitable expressions to describe that special part of the Eastern Cape bush.
There is plenty to do at Lukhanyo. The reserve offers two accommodation packages, the first includes an early morning game drive while the second includes two game drives – one in the morning and the other at sun-downer time - whenever that may be. Game you are likely to see include: buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, waterbuck, red hartebeest, eland, gemsbok, kudu, and springbuck. John is particularly proud of his healthy buffalo herd. The buffalos are the star attractions at Lukhanyo as they are of breeding stock and receive special supplements of race-horse quality lucerne. John is also particularly proud of the thriving bushbuck on the reserve- at last count they were just over 100 strong.
There are no large predators on the reserve so it is safe to hike over the three ridges that span Lukhanyo. John advises that you check with him where you are going to walk so that he can make sure you won’t unexpectedly come face to face with some buffalos.
Guests can choose where to have their meals: in a secluded braai area with a pit for an enormous bonfire; on an open deck with a gorgeous view of the bush if the weather is good, or if it is a little chilly, the tastefully decorated dining area inside the lodge is more suitable.
Lukhanyo Reserve has three luxury chalets and each can accommodate four people in two separate bedrooms. The chalets all have their own private viewing decks where you can sit back read a book or do some game spotting.
If you prefer the more social environment of the main game lodge, a short stroll away, you can enjoy the luxury surroundings at your leisure.
Contact John Parker for more information and bookings: j.parker@geenet.co.za
Rates:
Lukhanyo currently offers two stay-over packages.
Option one - Bed and Breakfast and one game drive. This would definitely appeal to guests looking to give themselves a special one-night treat. Arrival late afternoon. Guests are shown to their cottages, and given access to the Main Lodge where they are free to prepare a midnight snack or brew some coffee. .
Lukhanyo cooks up an unbeatable breakfast and takes guests on a game drive. Visitors are invited to choose whether they would prefer the game drive or breakfast first.
Single rate of R950.00 includes a game drive and scrumptious breakfast
Option two – All meals and two game drives. This high-value option includes full accommodation, meals and selected beverages. As there is only one group of guests at a time, the client decides when and where the meals happen and what time the game drives begin.
Cost - R1450.00 per person, per day includes two game drives, all meals and selected beverages .
Children's rates for the above -
Up to 5-years old: no charge.
From 6- 12-years old: half price.
From 13-years: full price.
For more information: http://www.grahamstown.co.za/listing/lukhanyo_private_game_reserve_91
(article and photos by Steven Lang)
