Written by blogger, Anje Rautenbach of Going Somewhere Slowly
Just an hour away from Cape Town you find yourself lost in the West Coast’s hospitality and in the welcoming arms of Thali Thali Game Lodge; a 1460 hectare Cape West Coast Fynbos and Game Reserve.
Welcome to Thali Thali Game Lodge
An outline of Table Mountain peeks out from the horizon; the city’s rush is a distant memory, the concrete views are long forgotten and the shouts, sirens and metropolitan sounds are on mute.
You find yourself lost in the serene views of Strandveld shrubs; a giraffe with winking eye lashes gracefully parades in front of you from one tree to the next and the smell of Fynbos aromatically fills the air. You raise your camera to capture a lone windmill next to the dirt road and a few meters away a staring contest with a Red Hartebeest starts. The roads zigzag to your left and curve to your right. In front of you a colossal eland moves and an ostrich strides over to the other side with traces and trails of dust in the wind.
You lift your camera one more time and make a 360° turn to observe the environment; there are no man-made structures, no blaring noises and no traffic. The sun glistens beams of earthy tones off the brown-gold back of a sable – they stare, they smell and move on to take the next mouthful of shrub; completely unaware of the human spectators.
The Strandveld landscape stretches out over the reserve’s flats and gentle hills; in a few months the celebration of colour will explode in a flower festivity; white ones, orange ones, petite pretty ones.
A wind-swept Black Harrier swirls and twirls above your head as the guide explains that a zebra is striped for temperature control, that a giraffe’s heart weighs 11kg and that there is a difference between the horns of a Springbuck male and female.
You lift your camera again and make a 360° turn as you get lost in the peace and find your way back through the quiet.
The Art of Archery
Far away from the reserve’s free-roaming animals a few targets beckon and beg for an arrow or four and after a quick step-by-step archery lesson you get the hang of it. With one eye squinted and the other focused you try to get to the bull’s eye. Quietly yet theatrically you hum the Lord of the Rings soundtrack; the closer you get to the middle the more you want to practice. Point, pull back, release, repeat. It quickly becomes a competition; a game of archery, arrows and aim, a game quite addictive.
Meals ala Thali Thali Game Lodge
Upon your return to the quiet civilisation of Thali Thali Game Lodge a mouth-watering feast awaits on the restaurant’s elegantly decorated deck. Cheerful chatter, conversation and some of that renowned West Coast hospitality fills the atmosphere and before you know it a masterpiece unfolds in front of you on a plate. In a moment of awe you are confused about the next step; should you photograph it, frame it, write poems about it, eat it or kidnap the chef?
The table is filled with Thali Thali’s specialities: Eisbein with apple mouse, grilled-to-perfection Sirloin Steak, a black pot filled with Oxtail and a Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream and Avo Salad. On the edible canvas in front of you creative floral fruity and vegetable decorations bring the balance while the traditional sweet potato, rice and potato varieties add that touch of West Coast tradition.
The ambrosial flavours of the West Coast Way’s Foodie Route encapsulate your palate. You see the craft, dig in to the experience and taste the passion; decadent, delightful, delicious. Every bite is a worth a photo, every spoonful is worth a mouthful.
Eat, sleep and stay
Thali Thali Game Lodge is the perfect escape for a day trip, a weekend or even for longer journeys for Capetonians due to its close proximity to Cape Town and it is the cherry on top stopover for road trippers, West Coast explorers and weary travellers.
This is the place for you; the place where you can make your vacation and quick getaway more memorable. It is here where you can get lost in the tranquility of the West Coast, enjoy a fun-filled family vacation, indulge in West Coast cuisine, go on a game drive, spend time in Mother Nature and sharpen your archery skills. Here you can take the time to rejuvenate your soul, forget about your busy schedule, completely relax, get lost in the peace and find your way back through the quiet…because you deserve it!
The accommodation at the 3-star Thali Thali Game Lodge ranges from luxury to glamping to self-catering and the lodge’s spacious terrain and layout makes it the ideal venue for weddings, conferences and other celebrations.
Thali Thali Game Lodge is only 117km from Cape Town, located on the R27 and guests can enjoy free entry and free wi-fi, 7 days a week. Game Drives are R300 p/person & R150 pp for children (5-12 years); Free Under 5 years and Archery Lessons are R150 p/person (booking for both activities are essential in high season).
Distance from Cape Town: 117km
Where: R27
Open 7 days a week | Free entry
R300/person for 90 min Game Drive (Booking essential in high season) R150 pp for children (5-12 years); Free Under 5 years
R150/person for Archery Lesson (Booking essential in high season)
Contact: (c) +27 (0)82 372 8637 [email protected] www.thalithali.co.za
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.Take the road less travelled in the West Coast Way
For more information on West Coast Way Routes and the list of 101+ Things To See And Do in the Cape West Coast, visit our eventspage. Choose to go on a self-guided adventure drive by following the routes, or book an air-conditioned trip to top West Coast attractions in South Africa.