Some of our favourite moments were beneath the baobabs; the “upside-down trees” that make Luvhondo so special. There was one particular morning, when all four of us tried to reach around a single baobab with our arms outstretched. Even together, we couldn’t make it anywhere near across its girth. You realise, standing there, how small and fleeting we are compared to these giants that have watched over this land for centuries.
Our mornings began with yoga on the deck and breath work with the sunrise. We took time to enjoy the simple pleasure of journaling and luxuriating in a robe with a mug of steaming coffee. Sometimes we swapped the mat for hiking boots and mountain bikes – a brilliant way to experience the bush. (Confession: I, may have taken a spectacular tumble off my mountain bike - naturally, the one time there wasn’t a camera rolling! Despite my sore knee and more sore ego, what I was most upset about was the missed viral moment if ever there was one.)
One of our hikes was to a waterfall with the clearest rock pool I have ever seen. After checking for crocodiles (this is still Africa!), we played under the waterfall and swam in the icy autumn water –a completely unforgettable experience. Our swimsuits from Tiger Lilly made it even more fun, bold, and distinctly us.
Wellness takes on new meaning in the VHUDZIKI Spa. Picture full body and foot massages with Healing Earth balms, BaoCare skincare, and the most exquisite carrier and essential oils from Soil Organics.There’s an outdoor bath with bougainvillea petals, a rain shower built from local eucalyptus, and a commitment to eco-luxury that’s as real as the mountain views - carbon neutral from day one, and always focused on regeneration.
Game drives here come with their own unique twist. Because the owners of Few & Far are originally from the United States, the vehicles are rugged Jeeps and not the usual Land Rovers or Land Cruisers we typically see. There’s something unexpectedly fabulous about bouncing along in a Jeep, wind in your hair, as you spot kudu and zebra beneath the trees. Coffee stops on the riverbank, as is almost compulsory on Safari, meant mugs of Amarula-spiked warmth, a chorus of birds, and (on one memorable morning) the curiosity of a baby crocodile. Sundowners were pure golden hour magic, especially when shared with a bottle of Genevieve MCC - a South African sparkling wine we adore, and whose founder, Melissa Nelsen, brings as much joy as her bubbly does.
But the real revelation? The food at Few &Far Luvhondo. This was not typical safari fare; this was, without exaggeration, some of the best food we’ve ever had at any lodge, anywhere. The menu was inventive and full of surprises, with many dishes drawing on Asian inspiration and a focus on umami. We had a fish and chips with crisp shoestring fries that was nothing short of astounding, and breakfasts that featured earthy, aromatic mushroom dishes alongside perfect eggs, homemade granola, thick yogurt, mimosas with just-squeezed orange juice, and fruit platters as bright as the morning sky. Every dessert was a work of art, with homemade ice creams that disappeared in seconds. Some nights brought spice beer butter chicken, or BBQ lamb loin with honey-glazed root veg and a charred tomato salad that I will remember forever. Everything was beautifully plated and accompanied by fresh roosterkoek, paprika hummus, confit garlic, and a silky parmesan custard; layers of flavour in every bite. Each meal felt like a highlight, and food lovers will find as much to swoon over here as in any celebrated Cape Town restaurant.
Few & Far Luvhondo’s special secret? The quiet. Here, you can hear the wind move through the canopy, the hush of mountain stillness, and your own laughter echoing on the veranda. Hot chocolate on the deck (the best we’ve ever had) was an invitation to linger in the moment; wrapped in Skoonma layers, watching the sun set behind the peaks, grateful for friendship and the gentle luxury of doing nothing at all.
Every space at Few & Far blurs the lines between outside and in. The bar, with its natural stone and wooden archways, is open to the elements. We shared stories and toasted with delicious, creative mocktails, with wellness never having tasted so good! The bath tub, decorated with bougainvillea blooms, became a sanctuary of solitude. The outdoor shower a space to embrace the wide open spaces and our suites deck, with a cup of rooibos tea in hand, became a space to surrender to the sound of the wind and the distant call of birds.
Style, of course, is part of every Safari Gals trip. Leen & Luna, Sitting Pretty and Elula gave us elegant, safari-appropriate looks for bush breakfasts and long, laughter-filled brunches. NaturallyEvie and Coconut Active (both available from Tiger Lilly) kept us comfortable and chic for yoga, hikes, and swims. We loved supporting local, female-owned brands - each piece felt like a celebration of women’s creativity and strength.
Few & Far Luvhondo isn’t just a safari lodge; it’s a wellness retreat, a design lover’s dream, and a tribute to the beauty of slowing down. Every detail, from the carbon-neutral ethos to the immersive connection with nature, speaks to travellers who want more than “just” a game drive. Here, you rediscover yourself - your friendships, your body, your joy.And that, to me, is the greatest luxury of all.
Ready for your own soul safari? Join us and experience the magic for yourself at www.safarigals.com and Few & Far Luvhondo.
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