There are few things as infectious as the excitement of a child, and this becomes very evident when an eight-year old is en route to her very first game-drive experience. And, to be honest, the grown-ups were equally excited about visiting Thali Thali – except we refrained from asking “are we there yet?” every five minutes.
Never having been before, I was really looking forward to our visit as I had heard only good things about this private game and fynbos reserve situated just south of Velddrif. Bordering the West Coast National Park and only a stone’s throw from Langebaan, the reserve is ideally located for both a day trip and a longer stay as there is much to do and see in the area.
We arrived a little early so that we would have time to look around and were utterly charmed to find a “welcoming committee” of tame emus strolling casually through the garden. Ariana, of course was beside herself and was happily snapping photos with her new camera. The children’s play area was also a winner and it took much persuasion to get her away from the duck pond when it was time for the game drive.
Of course, the ducks were soon forgotten when she spotted the vehicle we would be driven in, and she quickly annexed the front seats for us. I can honestly say it was an incredible two hours. We got up close and personal with a giraffe and her youngster, saw all manner of buck, met a very cool camel and encountered a zebra who had been adopted by a herd of bontebok after he challenged the alpha male in his own herd and was ostracised. Our lovely guide was very knowledgeable and stopped often to tell us about the different species. He also seemed to have the vision of an eagle as he spotted animals long before any of us could even distinguish a shape in the bush.
When we returned to the lodge I was very sorry that we had made reservations for a late lunch in Langebaan as the Sunday buffet was in full swing and the aromas of venison potjie and farm-fresh bread enticingly scented the air and quite literally had us drooling. However, it means we have a very good reason to plan a return visit very soon.
Facilities available at Thali Thali Game Lodge
• Accommodation • Child Friendly • Bar • Restaurant (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) • Pool • Wheelchair Accessibility (Rooms, Bedrooms & Bathrooms) • 3 Star Tourism Grading • AA Grading • Trip Advisor • Conference Facilities • Wedding and Function Venue • Shop • Game Drives • Online Booking Facilities.
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.