I roll over in bed and peek through half-drawn curtains to see the early morning sun blazing down on the strip of open veld in front of my room.
About 50m away a group of impala are having their breakfast, the males occasionally tipping their heads, searching for a sign of any danger. A little further off a group of zebra are indulging the baby of the family in an early morning frolic.
Not that there would be any danger at Bushlands Game Lodge. The giraffe, wildebeest, nyala, impala, zebra and warthog, birds and other small critters here have no real predators. They're a pretty laid-back bunch and I'm feeling much the same way.
Arriving late on a Friday afternoon, my partner and I freshened up before sipping a few relaxing beverages at the bar and boma.
Then it was off to join a busy throng of tourists - Brits, Germans and Hollanders - for a buffet dinner. This was not nouvelle cuisine (thankfully) but hearty stuff, with pastas, roasts, venison stew, and malva pudding or fruit for dessert. I consulted my more culinary-minded partner and we agreed it was just right - good old-fashioned cooking without too many frills.
Then, of course, it was back to the pub for a nightcap or two.
Before we retired our hosts, manageress Marlene and ranger Gareth, tempted the resident bush babies from their lofty homes for a snack of diced apple. I've seen the Big Five plenty of times, but these little guys were special, with huge eyes and cuddly appearance. They were gentle, retiring in orderly fashion to the treetops once their little treat was finished.
The following morning, after breakfast under the thick canopy of indigenous trees, we were off for a short stint at Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, and returned sweaty but happy before repeating the relaxing schedule of the previous evening.
The peace and quiet of late afternoon on a couch outside our room, and later around the boma under a starry night, was special, the sounds of the bush rejuvenating city-weary souls. But as we were about to retire for the night after a few drinks and some friendly conversation - happy and with full bellies - a huge black scorpion strutted past, reminding us that this really was the bush.
If you go ...
Bushlands is about 250km north of Durban. After Mtubatuba, drive north for 40km before looking for signage to the lodge.
We did the trip comfortably in three hours, but you could get there faster if you feel the need. Bushlands has 120ha of bush and is close to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi and Greater St Lucia Wetlands parks. It's also a good springboard to Mkhuze, Sodwana Bay and Kosi Bay, further north.
Twenty-four lodge rooms are available - all en suite, air-conditioned and with bar fridges - plus seven self-catering units.
There are walking trails on site and game drives can be arranged. The rooms are connected to the reception, pool, bar, dining room and viewing area by raised wooden walkways.
Just down the drag, and part of the same hospitality group, is the DumaZulu Cultural Village, which offers accommodation and three shows a day.
The village is home to more than 50 residents, who
form part of a living museum.
Standard rates at Bushlands Lodge are R1 400 a night for two, which covers dinner, bed and breakfast, but discounted rates are available in the low season (June to August).
E-mail the Gooderson Leisure Corporation, call (031) 337-4222 or fax (031) 368 2322 for more information.