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A birthday breakaway that I had been pining for… not hidden, not shy, but sitting proudly atop the beautiful hills overlooking the Sundays River Valley Addo region, near the Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, Hitgeheim Country Lodge truly meets everything you heart could want. Accommodation that takes your breath away: individual rooms with adjoining splash pools,  views over the orange farms and the distant hills and cuisine that melts your taste buds and hospitality second to none.

The sheer vista from Hitgeheim just blew us away. One always forgets how wonderful our own lodges and hotels are. The service was second to none, the food was just scrumptious. Fine dining at its best by a very shy chef.

The rooms were everything we could have wanted. Our own patio overlooking the valleys.Pristine linen.Lounge and bathroom comforts. Life became utterly comfort personified.

 

Being winter, our game drive was quite civilised. None of this up at 4am and into a game tracker vehicle. A casual breakfast at 7am, and then a civilised departure just before 9am to Addo Elephant Park suited me just down to the ground … not being a morning person y’all understand 🙂

A 30 minute drive to the famous Addo Elephant Park  saw us gazing at so many ellies, warthog and buck  that we were spoilt for choice. Two main waterhole areas made us sit cameras in hand  – it was pure soul food. Watching baby ellies frollick and play and older ellies stand their ground and charge older males. The odd warthog mating made for amusing viewing amongst these very large and hefty creatures.

Randel, the Duty Manager at Hitgeheim was simply amazing. From showing us his secret hideaway on the hillside; to the various room configurations and the  walking options that surround the lodge – we adored him for his friendliness and just for being himself. In particular I fell in love with him because he organised a cheese burger for my dinner – now that is service neh?

The thing about Hitgeheim is its friendliness. From owner to game vehicle driver, all made an effort to befriend us and make us feel welcome in their ‘home’. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is too much trouble for the team.

Hitgeheim is a place to unwind, relax, become intoxicated with your surrounds. It is a place that offers you privacy. It offers you wildlife and it celebrates life with you… like my birthday :).

It is a treat in the steep walkway of life. You leave feeling replenished. Fed. Souled up from the beauty of the wildlife and surrounds.

If you are looking for a soul fix, go there. If you are looking for gorgeous animals, take their game drive. If you are looking to chill and feast on gorgeous food, go there. Just go there! If you are looking to splash on the hill top , man just go there!

You just don’t know how much I am going to go there again. If you did, you would find me with Randel on the hill side.