Where do I even begin? Oribi Gorge what an experience. We have always wanted to go to The Gorge because of its picturesque views. The drive was always a turn off, even for me someone who doesn’t mind driving. After lockdown I was ready for 7hours 30minutes drive to Oribi George, so we decided it was time to head down to the South Coast of KZN. After booking, the lodge emails you a map with different route options. They have the scenic route and then there is the recommended route, we took the recommended route, it is comfortable but scenic.

This is the same week that we were in Hoedspruit, I literally had to unpack my luggage from Hoedspruit and pack for Oribi Gorge. I’m starting to believe this “People who unpack their luggage the same day they return after traveling are serial killers” you can really see where this is coming from. Packing and unpacking is just not fun, it’s high time someone invent a packing and unpacking machine.

My travel partner is pedantic about certain things, especially what time we leave the house, and what time we arrive in a place. We woke up 5 am, left the house around 6h30 am. The plan was he would drive halfway, and I would drive the other half of the trip. That didn’t happen he drove all the way. He said he was still fine with driving when I asked him if I should drive, we arrived at 13h30.

Thanks to Corvid-19, the new normal unfolded for our check in, our temperature was taken, and we had to fill in the COVID19 questionnaire. After the whole nine yards, we were ushered to our villa, on the way to the villa we were also shown around the lodge. The lodge is very exclusive it only has five villas and three suites which means the maximum number of guests is sixteen. Villa number 4 was to be our home for the next few days.

We generally both can’t eat very early in the morning, except for good coffee, which I believe, is the best way to start an epic trip. After being shown the amenities, our villa and still in awe of the view from our villa, we ordered in-room lunch as that was our first meal of the day. The lunch was incredible, midday meals have never tasted that good. First day was just a lazy day no plans at all, we also had in room dinner, these villas are well positioned in such a way that you have endless views of the gorge. All the villas are positioned to have great views of the sun setting but I still believe villa number 4 is the best positioned, stunning views without compromising privacy. The villa is tastefully decorated with African prints and African art. The bathtub was my favourite part of the villa. Somedays I would actually have my coffee in the bathtub, I think that is allowed when you are on holiday.

The next day we were not ready to leave our room and the view, but we decided to have breakfast at the restaurant. Our temperature was checked again. Everything tastes better with a grand view and appreciable company, best breakfast ever. The continental breakfast is served on a three tier stand which has muesli, yoghurt, assorted fruits, croissants, muffins, scones, flapjacks. Hot breakfast you order from the menu. It’s the breakfast that makes you tell stories. Part of the conversation at breakfast I tell my husband about this outfit I’m going to wear when we go on the days adventure. He had a laugh, and he thought I was just pulling his leg. This is sort of how the conversation went...“Love I’m just warning you in advance I’m going to wear this onesie outfit that makes me look like a sausage don’t say I didn’t warn you” he almost fell of his chair laughing he says “tell me more about this outfit” I say “ it’s more like stockings material “ I’m just adding more spice to this story and he was in tears laughing.

After slipping into my outfit, with him helping to zip it up, we visited Lake Eland, which is about ten minutes’ drive from the lodge. Lake Eland has a lot of fun activities. The most popular activity is the 4.5 km zipline gorge tour, known as Africa’s longest tour by zipline. We only wanted to go on the suspended bridge since we had other activities scheduled for the afternoon. You can go on a self-drive game viewing in Lake Eland. We spotted a couple of springboks and zebras on our way to the suspended bridge. It was fun being on the suspended bridge and there is this amazing view and you are taking it all in and then all of a sudden there are people behind you and the bridge start to move as they walk. It was a great experience though. The landscape was phenomenal.

The lodge also offers Game drives and picnics. I was fresh from Hoedspruit amazing big 5 experience, so I didn’t go on a game drive. We had booked for high tea. We didn’t feel like going to the restaurant so we call and asked if they can bring our high tea to the room and they said “absolutely”. High tea in the room with this dramatic backdrop of the gorge, absolutely beautiful. We decided to have dinner in the restaurant, to get a feel as to how dinner is like there. The next day we were taking it easy we had a spa day and chilled by the pool.

We noticed our car was washed how cool is that. None of the places that I have been too had done that and they had put these small carpets outside the car for you to step on them before you step in the car. They definitely treat their customers like royalty at The Gorge lodge. I absolutely loved everything about this place, great service, good food and picturesque views. When we checked out the lodge, we decided to take the scenic route. What a spectacular drive, the road is a bit narrow but there isn’t a lot of cars there.

South Africa is a beautiful Country, just like its people. I am forever grateful to showcase our country, our people and our hospitality.

The gorge