Destination Specialist Spotlight: Cathi's South Africa Safari

Swain Destinations Africa Specialist Cathi and her husband Tom traveled to South Africa, giving her the chance to compare three safari lodges and explore Cape Town. She came home with a favorite elephant encounter, a few surprises, and firsthand advice she'll now use when planning Africa for Swain travelers.

The Itinerary

Cape Town opened the trip with three nights at The Silo, high above the V&A Waterfront with Table Mountain holding the skyline. From there they flew into the bush, spending two nights each at Tintswalo Safari Lodge in the Manyeleti and Thornybush Game Reserve before Cathi's much-anticipated three-night stay at Jabulani.

South Africa

The Silo

The Silo in Cape Town is modern, interesting, and full of personality in a way that photos can't quite capture.

After the long flight over, we used the first day to slow down. Spa treatments and naps turned out to be the right call, such a lovely soft welcome into the trip.

After taking the first day to settle in and adjust to the time, we set out on a private full-day tour with our fantastic guide, Anita. We drove the coastline, rode the cable car up Table Mountain and stopped to see African penguins, my main goal for the day.

I'll definitely be including the city tour in itineraries going forward.

Also noteworthy, the food at The Silo was incredible. Every meal was better than the last one, so much so that we never felt the need to leave to eat anywhere else.

Three Safari Lodges, Three Personalities

Back-to-back stays at Tintswalo, Thornybush, and Jabulani gave me a unique level of comparison. My favorite animal is the elephant, so I was filled with anticipation. Here are my key takeaways from each destination.

Thoughtful details and accessibility

Tintswalo Safari Lodge

Located in the Manyeleti Nature Reserve in Kruger Nationa Park, Tintswalo Safari Lodge was absolutely amazing and luxurious. One special feature is a water spout that attracts elephants, which they turned on upon our arrival creating my first encounter. There is also a hide where you can sit quietly and watch wildlife at eye level.

Tintswalo uses a platform to get in and out of the safari vehicle, which is a unique accessibility feature. I'll definitely be making note of this for my clients and sharing it with my Swain colleagues for any travelers with mobility challenges.

All about the wildlife

Thornybush Game Lodge

Located in its namesake nature reserve in Kruger National Park, the three words I would use to describe Thornybush Game Lodge are: wildlife, wildlife, wildlife. Our game drives delivered variety and close encounters, including one especially breathtaking moment with a small group of lions.

Personal and highly customized

Jabulani Safari

Also in the Greater Kruger area, Jabulani stood apart for how personal it felt. The chef greeted us directly and asked about our preferences before planning meals. Our private safari vehicle and daily schedule was built around our interests. Spending real time with our tracker allowed us to form a genuine bond. Plus, we ask a lot of questions, so having him all to ourselves was nice.

My Favorite Moment on Safari

The standout moment from the entire trip happened at Tintswalo. A massive bull elephant approached our safari vehicle on its own, slowly, curious, close enough to touch. I actually had to zoom out my camera to capture a photo he was that close. He kept eating grass as he came near, unbothered, simply interested in us. I swear he looked me in the eye and we had a moment.

I cried when we drove away. It was beautiful, wild, majestic. Overwhelming, honestly. That encounter is in my soul for the rest of my life.

The Jabulani Elephant Experience

I had looked forward to this more than almost anything else on the itinerary and it delivered. Guests can interact the rescued elephants and meet the caregivers who look after them daily. For anyone with a real passion for elephants like me, this experience is unmatched, and it will continue to be a fixture in my South Africa itineraries.

The unexpected and highly entertaining part of our days at Jabulani came from a group of uninvited guests. Some local warthogs have learned that elephants always leave food scattered on the ground and they show up reliably to vacuum up the leftovers.

What Firsthand Travel Adds

Tom's and my experiences in South Africa gave me more than a list of favorite places. I came home knowing how different three safari lodges can feel, even within the same region, and which details can make one a better fit for a particular traveler.

I know where I'd send someone who wants incredible wildlife viewing, where the experience feels especially personal, and where thoughtful accessibility features can make a real difference. I also came home reminded that sometimes the moments you never could have planned, like an elephant walking right up to your safari vehicle, are the ones that stay with you.

That's the kind of firsthand knowledge I'll carry into every South Africa itinerary I plan, with the hope that every one of my clients comes home with moments that stay with them, too.