If there ever was a moment, when you truly understood the expression “time stands still”, it would be the moment you first take sight of your surroundings on arrival at Humala River Lodge. A truly remarkable location, offering a sheer vastness of pristine untouched bushveld. Just south of Barberton, forming part of Mpumalanga, the Songimvelo Game Reserve, offers an attractive wilderness experience of broken landscapes, several waterfalls, and spectacular gorges.
It is a struggle to comprehend that as far as the eye can see, there is nothing. A true – off the grid feeling. A beautiful ‘nothing’ of spectacular scenery and feeling a little nostalgic at the fact that you have these wonderful views all to yourself.
When you first arrive, it is hard to imagine that 30 people can all enjoy this little peace of heaven. Although you can see the two types of accommodation scattered above and below you, they are so subtly positioned, almost blending in, having little impact on the surrounding nature other than to be enveloped by the flora. And what a delight when you enter your slightly rustic looking home away from home. All the luxuries and comforts one needs for a few nights away. The canvas backdrops in both the river chalets and the safari tents, bring you closer to the outside world, especially in the evenings when you have the privilege of hearing all the night sounds.
Sitting on your veranda in the afternoons, enjoying a cup of tea or a fabulous chardonnay, the constant and loud gush of flowing water is captivating, and instantly draws you into the need to take a walk.
For those that are needing a little more attention than to just sit and soak up the mesmerizing views, a walk, a game drive or even a mountain bike ride, will provide you with sheer pleasure. Breathing in the cleanest air and getting your heart rate up. I can only imagine that on a crisp winter’s morning, the air could get even purer and set you off on a frisky 10k. You have over 49,000 ha of landscape to explore with endless offerings of sights and sounds to envelop the senses.
Although there is plenty of plains game to keep you connected to the wildlife in the area, for some reason, the big 5 is not missed here. I think the peace you experience from the time you arrive, puts tribute to the special moments on offer other than chasing the next sighting.
Soaking up the quality time made available to you, sunset picnics, afternoon siestas, full body massages, cocktails by the pool, and catching up on your latest book is the order the day. For those more adventurous, visit the 1000-year-old rock art in the Songimvelo Nature Reserve, try your fly fishing skills against the sought-after wild Yellow Fish or a fabulous River Bush walk.
Visiting Humala is a special treat, and one you shouldn’t miss for much needed weekend of R & R. As one lucky couple recently shared “This place speaks of his magnificence”.
