The South African safari is one of the few holidays that still manages to surprise people. Not because the animals have changed. Lions remain lions. Elephants remain elephants. Buffalo still look like they woke up angry sometime around 1987 and have been carrying that energy ever since. Yet every safari somehow feels different from the last.
Perhaps that’s because the experience is never really about the wildlife alone. It’s about the road that gets you there. It’s about packing the vehicle before sunrise while the city is still asleep. It’s about children asking whether they’ll see lions before you’ve even left the driveway. It’s about stopping for coffee somewhere along the N1 and realising that, for the first time in weeks, nobody is checking their emails.
Our latest adventure would take us from Joburg to the Waterberg, one of South Africa’s most beautiful wilderness regions. Along the way there would be new discoveries, long winter mornings, exceptional family moments and a reminder that some of life’s greatest experiences still happen when you venture beyond the city limits.
As with any successful safari, however, the adventure began long before the first game drive rolled out of camp.
The Adventure Begins Before The Adventure
There is an old saying among experienced travellers that there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.
Winter in the Waterberg has a way of proving that theory remarkably quickly.
Morning game drives often begin before sunrise and temperatures can be surprisingly unforgiving. The bush may look warm and inviting in photographs, but anyone who has sat in an open safari vehicle before dawn knows that preparation is everything.
In order to prepare adequately for our upcoming Safari Adventure we needed to ensure both kids and adults were kitted out with the correct attire. This is where two of our favourite shops truly delivered! Our first stop was Cape Union Mart, a retailer that has quietly become part of countless South African adventures over the decades, allowing us to Live Life Outside in this wild country we call home. Whether it’s a weekend hike, a camping trip, a mountain-bike expedition or a family safari, there is a good chance Cape Union Mart has played a role somewhere along the journey.
The K-Way Kids range immediately caught our attention. Designed specifically for young adventurers aged three to fourteen, the collection combines practicality with comfort in a way that parents will appreciate. Jackets provide warmth without restricting movement, while durable footwear and versatile layers allow children to spend less time complaining about the weather and more time exploring the great outdoors. And that, ultimately, is what family travel should be about.
The adults were then introduced to Old Khaki’s latest winter collection, which feels refreshingly disconnected from the world of disposable fashion. Rather than chasing seasonal trends, the brand has focused on quality fabrics and timeless designs that earn their place in a wardrobe over time.
The jackets feel substantial without becoming heavy. The knitwear is wonderfully soft. The denim carries that reassuring confidence of clothing designed to accompany years of adventures rather than a single season. This is the sort of apparel that doesn’t demand attention but quietly becomes part of the memories you create while wearing it.
By the time everyone was properly equipped, the excitement of departure was beginning to build.
The city was waiting behind us. The bushveld was calling ahead.
Confidence Under Every Kilometre
Every family road trip depends on trust. Trust in the vehicle. Trust in the route. Trust that the weather will cooperate and that nobody has forgotten something important.
Equally important, although often overlooked, is trust in the four contact patches connecting the vehicle to the road.
Before heading north, we took our brand new Leapmotor C10 REEV for a short visit to BestDrive in Bryanston, where it was fitted with General Tire’s new Grabber Cross A/S tyres. Developed specifically for crossover vehicles, the tyre is designed to bridge the gap between everyday urban driving and genuine off-road adventure.
South African roads present a unique challenge. A single journey may include smooth highways, rough secondary roads, gravel sections, unexpected potholes and sandy reserve tracks. The ability to transition confidently between these conditions is essential.
Over the course of the trip, our newly fitted Grabber Cross A/S demonstrated precisely why General Tire has built such a strong reputation among adventure travellers. Highway comfort remained excellent, road noise was surprisingly low and the tyre inspired confidence whenever conditions became less predictable.
Particularly impressive was its ability to handle the transition from city streets to bushveld terrain without compromise. It felt equally at home navigating Joburg’s notorious potholes as it did traversing reserve roads deep within the Waterberg.
When travelling with family, peace of mind is often the most valuable luxury of all.
The Road To The Waterberg
If the tyres provided confidence, the Leapmotor C10 REEV provided curiosity.
Few vehicles have generated as many questions from curious bystanders during a test period.
What is it?
Is it electric?
How far can it go?
The answers are surprisingly interesting.
The Leapmotor C10 REEV is what is known as an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle. In simple terms, the wheels are always driven by an electric motor, while an onboard petrol engine acts solely as a generator when additional energy is required.
For South African motorists, this solves one of the biggest concerns surrounding electric mobility. Range anxiety disappears
During our seven-day test, which included the return journey to Safari Plains and extensive driving within the region, the vehicle comfortably exceeded 900 kilometres on a single tank of fuel.
Yet what impressed us most wasn’t the technology. It was how normal everything felt.
The cabin is modern, spacious and remarkably comfortable. Heated and ventilated seats quickly became appreciated companions during chilly mornings, while dual-zone climate control ensured harmony among passengers. The panoramic glass roof filled the interior with natural light and the large central display created an undeniably futuristic atmosphere.
There are virtually no traditional buttons, which initially feels strange. After a day or two, however, the minimalist approach begins to make sense.
The result is a vehicle that feels less like a technology showcase and more like a practical companion for modern family travel.
And as the Waterberg mountains gradually appeared on the horizon, the excitement inside the cabin continued to grow.
Safari Plains And The Art Of Slowing Down
There comes a point during every safari when the outside world quietly fades away.
For some travellers it happens during their first game drive. For others it occurs while sitting around a fire beneath a sky crowded with stars. At Safari Plains, that moment arrived almost immediately.
Located within the magnificent Waterberg region, Safari Plains manages to strike a rare balance between luxury and authenticity. The lodge embraces the romance of traditional safari travel while ensuring guests remain exceptionally comfortable throughout their stay.
The twenty luxury tented suites create an experience that feels both immersive and indulgent. Canvas walls soften the divide between indoors and outdoors, allowing guests to remain connected to the surrounding wilderness throughout their stay. Our suite quickly became a sanctuary.
A private deck overlooked the bushveld, while a hanging chair provided the ideal vantage point for lazy afternoons spent watching wildlife move through the landscape. The bathroom featured deep soaking tubs, spacious interiors and panoramic views that transformed even the most ordinary moments into memorable experiences. Yet accommodation is only one part of the story.
The real magic happens when the safari vehicles leave camp. Game drives revealed giraffe, zebra, impala. kudu and buffalo moving through the reserve, each sighting accompanied by fascinating insights from knowledgeable guides. Although Safari Plains itself does not host predators within certain sections of the reserve, neighbouring Mabula Game Reserve opens the door to some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife encounters.
One afternoon, that connection produced a moment nobody in the vehicle will soon forget.
A coalition of male lions appeared resting beneath the shade of a tree. Conversations stopped. Our new DJI Osmo Pocket 3 was instantly called to action. Even the children fell silent.
There is something profoundly humbling about seeing lions in their natural environment. No documentary, photograph or social media post can fully prepare you for the experience.
Yet perhaps the most memorable activity wasn’t aimed at adults at all. The Kiddies Bumble Walk may well be one of the most thoughtful family experiences currently available at any safari lodge in South Africa. Young explorers are taken on a dedicated game drive before setting off in search of animal tracks. Once found, plaster casts are created and later taken home as keepsakes. It is a simple idea. It is also brilliant. Long after the holiday has ended, those footprints remain tangible reminders of the adventure.
For families wanting even more excitement, Safari Plains also offers guided bush walks, horseback safaris, quad-bike adventures and breath-taking hot-air balloon flights that reveal the vastness of the Waterberg from above.
Together, these experiences transform a safari from a holiday into something much more meaningful.
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The best family adventures are rarely defined by a single moment.
Instead, they are built from dozens of smaller experiences that somehow come together to create something unforgettable.
This journey combined thoughtful preparation at Cape Union Mart and Old Khaki, confidence from General Tire’s Grabber Cross A/S tyres, innovation from the Leapmotor C10 REEV and exceptional hospitality at Safari Plains. Yet the lasting memories had little to do with products or specifications.
They came from lion sightings at sunset, children comparing animal tracks, coffee enjoyed on a private deck overlooking the bushveld and the simple joy of spending uninterrupted time together in one of South Africa’s most beautiful wilderness regions.
For readers looking to plan their own bushveld escape, Hello Lifestyle’s exclusive Safari Plains travel package provides the ideal excuse to leave the city behind. Scan the QR code below and discover why the Waterberg continues to capture the imagination of travellers from around the world.
Sometimes the greatest adventure isn’t travelling further. It’s simply remembering how to slow down.
