Lee Family Safari - South Africa

Our six days together began in mist and ended in sunshine, but the real brightness of this safari was the Lee family themselves....

Days 1–3: Phinda Forest Lodge

Our journey started at the enchanting Phinda Forest Lodge, tucked deep into one of South Africa’s rarest ecosystems: the sand forest. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had stepped into a quiet, green cathedral. The forest has a hushed, almost secret quality. Even the pathways between rooms feel like they are sharing something sacred with you—roots curled like old hands, branches arching overhead, the thick, sandy soil crunching softly underfoot.

Phinda is famous for its cheetahs, and it did not disappoint. Over the next couple of days, we were spoilt with a few cheetah encounters. The Lee Family's excitement to see these magnificent creatures in the wild was priceless!

One of the highlights for the Lees was an e-bike adventure through the sand forest. It was the perfect way for them to experience the smaller details of the ecosystem: butterflies lifting from puddles, bird calls we rarely notice from a vehicle, the delicate patterns of lichen on tree bark.

Evenings at Forest Lodge were all about warmth and contrast. Outside, the weather turned cold and rainy: grey skies, wind, and the rhythmic drumming of drops on the thatched roofs. Inside, lanterns glowed, fires crackled, and the Lee family gathered around the table with steaming bowls of soup and hearty dishes. We talked about life in China versus life in South Africa—school routines, family traditions, food, festivals, and dreams for the kids’ futures.

Communication with Grandma became one of the most delightful parts of the trip. She spoke no English, and I speak no Mandarin, so we built our own small language of hand signals, hugs, smiles, and shared laughter. A raised thumb for a good sighting. Hands miming binoculars when she wanted another look. A delighted clap and a soft pat on my arm whenever we found something special. By the second day, we didn’t need words to understand each other’s excitement.

Days 4–6: Tengile River Lodge – Sunshine and Big Cats in Sabi Sand

From Phinda, we flew to the Sabi Sand, trading sand forest and rain for open savanna and finally, sunshine. As the plane dipped toward the airstrip, the clouds broke and shafts of light poured down over marula-dotted plains. It felt like the weather was giving us a fresh start.

Tengile River Lodge sits gracefully along a quiet stretch of river, merging elegance with wilderness. The name “Tengile,” meaning “tranquil” in Tsonga, fits perfectly.

The sun, which had hidden from us in Phinda, now seemed determined to make up for lost time. Game drives were bathed in a warm, amber light. We bumped along sandy tracks, crossed shallow riverbeds, and watched elephants bathe in pools of melted gold at sunset. The cold, wet beginnings of the trip felt far away.

Back at the lodge, the conversation flowed more easily than ever. Over six days, we had moved beyond polite introductions and into real connection. We compared city life in China to life in small South African towns. They told me about their childhoods, the pressures and joys of modern Chinese life, the importance of education and family ties. I shared stories from the bush, strange encounters with wildlife, and how the seasons govern everything here.

More Than a Safari

By our last day together, it felt as though we had shared much more than a wildlife checklist. Yes, we had seen cheetahs, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and countless antelope. We had ridden e-bikes through ancient forest, breathed in the sharp smell of rain on dry earth, and watched the bush wake up in cold dawns and fall still in warm evenings.

But what stayed with me most was the human side: the way a shared sunset can bridge languages, how a grandmother’s quiet smile can say “thank you” without a word, and how six days in the wild can turn strangers into something that feels very much like extended family.

Traveling with the Lee family on their first-ever safari was a reminder that the magic of these journeys lies not only in the animals we find, but in the connections we make—across cultures, across generations, and across the invisible lines that usually keep our worlds so separate.

When we said goodbye, there were hugs all around, promises to exchange photos, and a final wave. The bush returned to its usual rhythm, but I walked away knowing that somewhere in China, a beautiful family would always remember the sand forests of Phinda, the rivers of Sabi Sand, and the six shared days when Africa welcomed them home.

Until we meet again!

Love

Louise