| Contact
Details |
| . |
| Elephant House |
| On R335 between Addo |
| Village and Addo Elephant |
| National Park |
| . |
| PO.Box 82 |
| Addo 6105 |
| South Africa |
| . |
| Phone +27 (0)42 233 24 62 |
| Fax +27 (0)42 233 03 93 |
| .. |
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Vivid colours of the Eastern Cape
bushland are soothing my tired eyes after the hazy fog of city life, now
far away.
The extreme contrast of soft leaves
and bright buds, camouflaging the wicked thorns beneath their shade, reminds
me suddenly that Africa is at hand and I am a privileged guest to one of
her many hidden treasures - Elephant House in Addo, South Africa.
Met by bleached smiles of the staff,
I sense extraordinary warmth, “Have I visited here before?” I ask
myself. A rustic blend of plastered arches and shaded verandas lead
from entrance to lounge and then to a lawn so perfectly green. I have to
remember that this is just a visit and I try hard from slipping into a
dream. |
| I take a deep breath, relax into
an exquisitely upholstered antique settee and listen. An outdoor
haven bird life, a twittering quartet all about the trees, their delicate
frames dancing in shadows from bamboo rafters above.
An African boudoir with a hint of
colonial fingerprints. Heavy dark wood and cool stone floors, percale
linen and locally handmade beaded lampshades of amber and garnet set the
mood for rest.
A game drive is pre-arranged with
the in house ranger through the Addo National Park, only minutes away from
Elephant House. The sweet musty smells of freshly fallen rain on
the dusty track that permeates the air, blends in with the opulent aroma
of the Spekboom - indigenous to the area. |
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Back at the lodge I leisurely wallow
in the pool whilst being refreshed with a gin and tonic - a perfect end
to an idyllic afternoon.
Aromas of bush cuisine mix with the
fresh evening air. The evening is authentically lantern lit and each
table crisply dressed for a night out. I let my knife slice through
the Kudu Fillet and gingerly sip chilled Sauvignon Blanc. Flavours
so engulfing, just the memory will stimulate my appetite for some time
to come. |
| A morning breeze through the window
wakes me enough to visualize what beauty I could expect. A dreamy
head realizes that all about me is visual through closed eyes.
A tingle down my spine gets me out
from behind the mosquito net and into a steaming fragrant bath.
Strong coffee is bringing reality
to. I take an early morning stroll through this magical, untouched wonder
that Elephant House has allowed me to peruse - visually drinking in the
surrounds, now aware of every step I take. I shall return. |
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