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Jen and her family recently visited the amazing Abba Game Lodge in Modimolle.
Excited to be getting away for the weekend, we managed to get out of Joburg around lunchtime so the trip was relatively traffic-free. Straight up the N1 and turning off at Modimolle, we headed past the little metropolis and into the rolling hills of the Waterberg. Abba Game Lodge is well sign-posted and after a short drive on a gravel road, we were well off the beaten track and drove straight into the tranquillity that comes with being surrounded by nature.
As we arrived at Abba Game Lodge, we were welcomed by some impala, including a few black-coloured ones, and a small herd of blesbok. A blue and yellow Macaw greeted us (literally) as we entered the reception area where we were met by Sue, the owner of the three farms that make up Abba Game Lodge and Reserve.
Our chalet was a quaint thatch house with a gorgeous loft area where our boys were to sleep. They climbed up the ladder and were delighted with their new den. We were also situated right on the edge of the dam with a jetty and a few canoes available for us to try out. My husband immediately took the boys out for a short paddle before we went to explore some of the other facilities. The children bounced on the trampoline, climbed on the jungle gym, examined the putt-putt course (we had to save this for the next day) and then went slightly moggy in the gigantic sandpit … also known as a full-size volleyball court!
Although the compact kitchenette in our unit was well-appointed and would have absolutely sufficed for meal preparation, we took the lazy option and went to the restaurant for an early dinner. It turned out to be a great decision as the venison potjie and slow-cooked oxtail were out of this world! The children wolfed down their child-friendly meals… I could not have done a better job myself at providing them with dinner. After a delicious meal and chatting to the friendly hosts, we reminisced briefly over the days gone by (pre-children) when we would have hung out at the “lekker” pub and played pool until the early hours of the morning. This was not to be and it was off to bed with two shattered little boys to recharge for what promised to be an action-packed day the next day.
The following morning, we woke to the sun streaming in the windows and a nippy breeze in the air. A cup of coffee, some breakfast and we were off to check out some more of Abba Game Reserve. We couldn’t help but notice the amazing variety in accommodation options, from two-sleepers to small houses, all spaciously placed around the resort area. Caravan and camping sites were dotted around, all with remarkable facilities attached to each site. We also wandered past Giovanni’s Conference Centre (named after the Italian side of the family) and commented on the superb facilities that would make for some wonderful large group get-togethers.
There is a beautiful, crystal-clear outdoor swimming pool which we only graced with a big toe; however, the absolute highlight of the weekend for the boys was the indoor, heated swimming pool.
They spent ages splashing about in the beautifully warm water. The outdoor pool area promised hours of action (there’s a balance beam over the width of the pool!), sunbathing and cooling off during the summer months.
After bribing the children out of the heated pool, we made our way over to the putt-putt course. The boys had a blast playing their first round of adventure golf, although the rules had to be held very loosely for 3 and 5-year-old’s attention spans. Craig and I, however, took it a bit more seriously and I have to mention that I may have just beaten him by one point.
We refreshed ourselves with a bite to eat and a brief siesta (miracles do happen even when you have kids!) after which we decided to head out on the Nyala Trail Walk. The golden berries of otherwise-bare Syringa trees seemed to be glowing as we walked down the avenue of trees. The walk took us into the main reserve where there is a variety of game including giraffe, eland, kudu, impala, springbok and blesbok to mention just a few. We walked along a gentle gradient, on a forested trail that meandered over the mountain with some fun rocky patches for the boys to clamber over. Before we’d exhausted our reserves, we decided to turn back and head down the trail. Lucky that we did this, as we only found out later that the trail goes for about 33km!
Saturday night was rugby and braai night. We brought our own meat while salads, mielie pap and sous (tomato-based sauce) were provided by the lodge. We braaied our meat alongside the other guests and the rugby result was debated and discussed with beers in hand. I dipped into their fantastic selection of wine which they bring up from the Cape. Later we headed back to our chalet, poured ourselves a nightcap of red wine with a block or two of chocolate and sat down to listen to the calls of the jackals. It’s the shrill calls and whines of jackals that always make me feel like I am truly in the bush.
We rose the next morning after a restful night and after I’d had the mandatory first coffee of the day, I went for a short run. When there are no serious predators to worry about, running is one of my favourite things to do when I’m in the bush. It gives me some of the best excuses for needing to stop and take it all in, look for animals and marvel at the views … and maybe catch my breath a little.
Before we checked out, we had the honour of meeting Elvis and Priscilla! I did not realise that Elvis had such tough skin and wiry hair, and really is not particularly good looking at all! The resident tame warthog is a feisty little beast who was friendly enough to start off with, sniffing at the boys, enjoying head scratches and nudging Craig. Once he started to get a bit bolshie, we moved out of his pen and said goodbye. Priscilla, the pot-bellied pig, and Elvis’ lifelong companion, was a bit skittish but came to say goodbye at the fence when we were leaving.
We had a wonderful, peaceful weekend at Abba Game Lodge with plenty of activities to keep us in (or out) of mischief. We’d certainly love to visit again… maybe next time with our tents and some mates!
To book your stay at Abba Game Lodge, click here.
