On an African safari with your family
My two Ipod-focused, short-attention-span sub-adult sounds could pose a tough question for any self-respecting Mother Nature-focused property. However, I want to instill in my family to experience the inherent wonders of Mother Nature. In this search, I came across a place in the Eastern Cape that will exceed these needs and at the same time touch the minds of each guest in a way and style that will have everyone sitting down to dinner together at night chatting avidly about their respective interface with Mother Nature in a captivating compilation of stories that all ages will relate to.
Riverbend Lodge speaks of “reinvigorating your soul” and “being a personal experience, dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of Africa’s natural world.” Noble words to be sure, but is this reflected in experience? Absolutely! And more, much more is in the place of real and intrinsic value before your lucky guests.
Claire and I hold ourselves to exceptionally high standards for the benefit of our clients. This incorporates the full spectrum offered by our providers. Gastronomy, accommodation, activities, position, environment, corporate social responsibility and your responsible tourism policy have an impact on our evaluation and response directive on your inclusion. These traits are fairly simple to assess. However, there is an aspect that encompasses the human capital that our clients must experience. For us, this is the key to all the above criteria. If the team has the ability to talk with adults and not with young people, then it won’t work. In Riverbend they not only speak at both levels, no, much more than that, they have created a whole dictionary (both pictorial and visual) to enrich the young person’s level of understanding.
Your family program is really excellent. A dedicated TV channel has to be one of the most unique and engaging ways to keep kids in one place for any length of time. The offer covers the favorite videos listed by your guests. An absolute success is found in the art of culinary dexterity with the chef in his kitchen. Imagine meeting other guests for tea before your afternoon game drive and wondering why your little ones smile is SO wide, what have they been up to? Then you are presented with a variety of “homemade cookies”, very homemade, in fact, they are made in the hands of your own offspring.
Extending the human capital angle to the rangers at Riverbend Lodge, they excel in the company of children. Carefully designed game drives and interpretations of Mother Nature for your inquiring minds captivate your attention. You’ll marvel at how a simple twig, bush, or dung beetle can hold their attention for an eternity. The answer lies in the passion, respect and enthusiasm that their rangers have for their protégés and the way each child has the creative scope to participate at their level of understanding.
Yes, as an avid explorer into the realm of Mother Nature and in the belief that all souls thrive in this environment, I would consider Riverbend Lodge and its entire family program one of the best ways in South Africa for families to arrive with a separate minded and yet let dad know that he is really doing well and let dad know that his family has learned a little bit, grown a little bit and most importantly the family has lived a lot together.