Saying Goodbye to Singita

Upon our return to the lodge, we had a quick breakfast, then headed down to the village, a place with a number of small boutiques selling African goods as well as the spa and gym were located there. I guess village is a bit of an oxymoron.

We picked up a very cool Africa mask and a couple of other things. We then took the short five minute walk over to Sweni, Singita’s other lodge that was built right on the river. Only six rooms, this little gem had a feeling that was altogether different than Lebombo but so unique in its own right.

From there we walked back up the hill to our room to pack and get going. As we walked the plankway to our room, I was blessed (and I don’t get blessed very often) with a shot that was so typical of our visions of Africa. Updated for the times, it still represented one of those magical moments that you think of when you think of this country.

As we met Themba at the door who carried our luggage back to the lodge and we headed down the plank one last time, we savored the sights of Singita and of Kruger.

As we said our goodbyes, the entire team was lined up again, like a receiving line at a wedding. From the GM of the property who we met earlier, to the three Kates, to Themba and Edward our waiter, they were all there. Somehow, like everything else it wasn’t trite. This wasn’t like disembarking from the Love Boat. This was saying goodbye to people we had come to know, and who had come to know us in the short 4 days we were there. It was more like saying goodbye to friends.

We piled into an air conditioned van, with Dierdre driving us back to the airstrip. We talked about our experiences and Dierdre continued to educate us, right up until the end.

As we were driving, we came upon a bridge where a car was stopped. Obviously they were looking at something. And there it was, like an unexpected gift on Christmas morning, one that couldn’t possibly be true but indeed it was, a gift to us – an elephant.

A huge male simply hanging out, eating grass, allowing us to behold the sight (not to mention take pictures of it).

Some 45 minutes later, we were at the airstrip, our plane awaiting to take the four of us back to civilization.

Saying goodbye to Dierdre was like saying goodbye to a camp counselor. Bizarre? Yes, in a way. Here was someone that had taken care of us, that watched over us, that protected us and educated us, just like that camp counselor you had as a kid.


As we flew away, I realized in looking down at the vastness of nothing except the bush, that, in a lot of ways we all walked away with a new outlook. How can you not? What really matters anymore once you've had the chance to have this experience? Nothing really. All the trials and tribulations of our jobs, our hectic lives and world go away when you're at a place like this. No email, no phone, no messages, no real connection to the outside world unless you chose to have one. I didn't. Except to share these experiences. And that's what I'm left with. An amazing experience where nothing mattered except the experience I was having. Every minute. Every hour. Every day. And how often do we have a chance in our lives to say that.