A Postcard from South Africa - Paul's travel story

I have been lucky enough to go on a couple of safari's in the past but was disappointed with the number of trucks hovering around when viewing wildlife. So the big draw with the Travelsphere South African Safari - Royal Morubisi tour was the limited number of vehicles allowed in the reserve at any one time.

I took this trip with my wife in September 2025 and we were blown away by the stunning location, the lodges, the amazing staff and guides and the food. You're certainly not going to go hungry on this trip!

And of course the wildlife is the at the centre of it all. The Kaingo Game Reserve has a conservation first philosophy, restoring the natural environment and re-establishing and protecting bio-diversity. Helping to make this area a truly magical place to view wildlife in the right way. With limited trucks in the park and only two allowed at an animal sighting at any one time it feels like you have a really unique wildlife viewing experience.

Royal Morubisi River Lodge is such a fantastic place to be based for the week, and arriving at the lodge on the first day is a real wow moment!

Situated on the banks of the Mokolo River, in the Kaingo Game Reserve,  every accommodation is located along the riverbank, so you get a great view from just outside your room and every meal was a chance to spot wildlife and to take in your amazing surroundings from the stunning deck.

The trip is focussed on game drives, one in the early morning and one in the afternoon, and you never know what you will see! 

Even from sitting outside your room or having your dinner you will spot wildlife over or in the river, which really is fantastic. We were able to watch hippos on the river, fish eagles in the trees on the opposite river bank and we often saw crocodiles gliding up and down the river.

We were also excited by the smaller animals, my wife spotted over 50 bird species, and we were able to see species like warthogs, jackals, hawk eagles, kingfishers, hornbills, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and so much more.

There was some variety to the daily game drives as well with a boat ride and a walking safari.

We had a lovely afternoon along the Mokolo river, starting further up and making our way back down to the lodge at a leisurely pace. It was a very peaceful journey and an amazing opportunity to spot river wildlife up close and of course enjoying your choice of drink.

Another afternoon there was the opportunity swap a game drive for a walk in a secure area of the park.  With our expert guides explaining more about the Kaingo Game Reserve, the landscape, plants and trees and some of the smaller fauna that make up an important aspect of the habitat and bio-diversity.

The food was superb and you certainly will not go hungry on this trip, with homemade cakes and tea/coffee at 5.30am, followed by a full buffet-style breakfast after the morning game drive. Then high tea at 3pm, sundowners (drinks) on the afternoon game drive and a buffet-style dinner afterwards.

There was an opportunity to go to the Founders Lodge, the other lodge in the reserve, and have a BBQ dinner in really nice surroundings and a slight change from the River Lodge.

Salad for the next few weeks is required!

For me the most memorable moments of this trip were seeing a male lion in the wild for the first time, the massive bull elephant walking towards us and seeing a white rhino and her calf. The arrival at the river lodge after a long journey was also an incredible moment, taking in the stunning landscape and our accommodation for the next week. Truly unforgettable!

Top Tips

  • A camera is a must

  • Bring binoculars

  • Warm jacket for early morning game drives

  • Alarm clock for the early starts

  • Immerse yourself in all of the wildlife, not just the 'Big Five'

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Let us take you there

  1. South African Safari – Royal Morubisi

    Experience the ultimate safari, spending your days tracking the Big Five. Staying in a luxury boutique lodge you’ll discover a dazzling array of wildlife as well as have time to kick back and relax.

    • Return flights
    • 7 nights in a 4 star safari lodge, 2 nights in flight
    • 20 included meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners

    10 days from
    £2,699
    was £2,999
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