Making the Best Family Memories at TAU Game Lodge
The veld was dotted with Wild Hibiscus everywhere and here and there, Zinnias’ pretty little red flowers stood tall in the grassland. TAU Game Lodge was showing off its most beautiful colours, all the while praying for rain. The waterholes were running low on drinking water. And, late afternoons, dark rain clouds would tease its inhabitants, performing beautifully on the horizon only to disappear again. Still, the veld was beautiful – its golden hues highlighting the blue skies above.
A return to TAU had been a dream of ours for the past three years. This is partly because of its stunning scenery, but also because of how accommodating they are toward families wanting to experience a safari.
Coming home to TAU Game Lodge
Returning to TAU, meaning ‘place of the lion’ was very much like coming home. The drive from Pretoria to TAU Game Lodge took less than four hours. Since we drove through on a Thursday morning, it wasn’t bad at all. Following the N4, we passed Rustenburg and Swartruggens. Then we took a turn towards the Botswana border when we reached Zeerust. Those who like to make regular pitstops on their road trips would be happy to know that Swartruggens’ Wimpy is a safe bet, as is the Shell Ultra City in Zeerust. We would recommend filling up on petrol or diesel at the latter before continuing the journey.
Finally, as we arrived at TAU, our vehicle was unpacked and moved to the parking area, while we indulged in delightful, cool lemonade. It was certainly a welcome treat, hiding the heat.
Luckily, we’d arrived just in time for the afternoon game drive. After having a quick salad for lunch and letting the kids cool off in the pool, we geared up for the game drive. As we quickly popped into our room to grab jackets and hats, the view across the waterhole in front of the room once again left us speechless. Elephants – big and small – were walking on the waterhole’s edge. Our very own welcoming committee parading promptly and proudly on their very own promenade. Down below, ducklings were quacking incessantly in the shallow water and to our right, a young croc was slowly making its way through the reeds.
We could have sat on the deck for hours, looking out over one of the reserve’s most popular waterholes, ticking off the different birds and other animals we saw, but Herman – our ranger – was waiting, and so was a whole 75 000 hectares of bush, which we were dying to explore.
Favouring Families
Since we were a family of four with two small kids in tow, we’d been given our own ranger and game vehicle for the two days. Herman was professional and patient – exactly what one needs with two toddlers on a game drive.
The benefit of having a dedicated ranger during a safari, is that they know the ins and outs of the reserve, as well as when last which animals had been spotted where. In a matter of an hour, we had seen six lions, two rhinos and one buffalo – three of the Big 5. Not to mention a brown hyena, a lot of plains game and more. That’s the thing about TAU… You can visit for two days with the possibility of spotting the Big 5 before you leave.
Cuisine for kings
As the name suggests that it is the place of the lion – the king of the jungle – it’s only apt that TAU’s offering should align with only the best. Evidently, the meals at TAU are beyond generous and we had to pace ourselves at breakfast and lunch in order to still be able to enjoy the spread at dinner.
While the lunch menu is limited, it boasts ample options for both young and old. We would have liked to see some more healthy options for children over lunch, though. While the kids’ menu mainly stays the same, breakfast was served from a set menu the first morning, and the second morning saw us indulging in a delightful continental and hot buffet.
Dinners were also different each night. On the first night we selected options from a set menu, while we dined in the boma on the second night, relishing in the chef’s local cuisine under a beautiful, starry sky. The lavish buffet at romantically lit tables was undoubtedly the perfect finale to our family safari.
What is there for kids?
In our Easter Edition, we have listed everything available to kids at TAU Game Lodge. Click through to read more.
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