So you’ve tracked a leopard through the bush, scaled the lofty heights of Table Mountain (yeah, the cable car counts!), and consumed more wine than is probably advisable. The end of your trip to South Africa is in sight, yet whilst you’re exhausted you don’t want to come down from your high just yet.
This is where Timamoon steps in.
Deservedly calling itself the ‘most seductive lodge on the planet’ Timamoon most certainly hit the spot with hubbie and I on our latest South African adventure. A secluded hillside paradise of peacocks and plunge pools, this romantic retreat was the perfect place to unwind. There are six lodges spread out over an extensive forest plantation, adorned with traditional African crafts and furniture inspired by the owners’ travels around the continent. It’s a bit like living in the world’s coolest museum.
We stayed in Blue Moon lodge as I had been assured by the lovely assistant managers Skye and Jessie that it was the most private. I couldn’t decide what I loved best. The ornately carved four poster bed complete with satin sheets, our sunken Moroccan style bathtub surrounded by candles and (to hubbie’s horror) incense, or the outdoor shower overlooking the valley far below. There was even a copy of the kama sutra on the coffee table, which we may or may not have referred to during our stay. They think of everything here.
Whilst the lodges themselves are decidedly sexy, it’s the plunge pools that are the real jewels in the crown. Each lodge has one, set into a panoramic terrace overlooking the Sabie River valley and across to the mountains beyond. I spent many an hour in here, becoming more prune-like by the minute, whilst hubbie was out hunting for snakes and unsuccessfully trying to show the male peacock who was boss.
Timamoon is all about privacy, and if we wanted we could have sunbathed naked all day without fear of being disturbed. Shame sunbathing isn’t really our cup of tea. The staff always call out from the other end of the garden path before coming to service the lodge or deliver a picnic lunch, so there’s plenty of time to squeeze back into that bikini if necessary.
We had to drag ourselves away from our little slice of heaven for meals, which was no hardship given that breakfast is taken outside by the pond, and dinner is served in the achingly romantic restaurant full of candle-light and exotic smells. I loved that the chef came out each night to present the menu to us, and the food tasted as good as it looked. Pre-dinner drinks were served in the star bar which was accessed by stepping stones over a pond. Much easier going in than coming out!
When you’ve had enough relaxation there are walks down to the river, excursions to the Blyde River Canyon nearby, or perhaps just a game of pool on the full-sized snooker table. My loss of the latter was due to my height disadvantage, and absolutely nothing to do with my complete lack of coordination. Honest.
So is it the most seductive lodge on the planet? I think I might have to go back again one day, just to make sure…
Written by Heather Cole from conversant traveller.
Heather blogs over at Conversant Traveller, where adventure by day meets luxury by night. She and her travelling partner hubbie both work full time but still manage to fit in several exotic escapades each year, from learning to plough rice fields with water buffalo in Laos, to sleeping under the stars in the Sahara. They call the beautiful English Lake District home and can often be found wild camping or kayaking on their days off!
You can follow Heather at www.conversanttraveller.com & follow her on Twitter & Instagram.
