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JACKALBERRY RIDGE, MARLOTH PARK

The Kruger Park is a wonderful place, but sometimes it feels like you’re paying a lot for what is a fairly basic rondavel. You’re surrounded by wild animals, so you try to justify the price…

Well, at Jackalberry Ridge you have a great place to stay, several animals will come by to visit, and you’re only 20 minutes from the Crocodile Bridge gate.

Each safari tent is set in its own patch of mopane veld. The owners thought of everything when they designed the place: The safari-style decor inside the tents will make you feel like an explorer on an expedition; and outside, each tent has a splash pool, a braai, and a dining table and two deckchairs under an awning.

Set your alarm so you’re on the deck on the roof of the kitchen early in the morning with a cup of coffee to watch the animals: A mongoose family might trot past the braai – look at the babies, cute! – while a warthog boar grunts from behind a tree.

Later, when you drive to the communal recreational area, you’ll stop whenever you see movement: a monitor lizard slipping away under the deck of a safari tent, or a kudu head popping out from behind a branch.

The recreational area has a swimming pool, a jungle gym, a big outdoor chess set, a trampoline and more deckchairs. My favourite pastime was looking for a lesser honeyguide in the tree canopy while my kids and their new friends played Marco Polo. Facilities: The safari tents offer privacy. Each tent has a kitchen and bathroom. The kitchen has everything you’ll need, but it’s a little cramped. Rather plan to prepare your meals on the fire outside. The tents sleep two to eight people. The camping stands have a kitchen and a private bathroom. Where? Jackalberry Ridge resort is in Marloth Park, about 20 km from the Crocodile Bridge gate. Rates: Camping R550 per night for four people, plus R60 per extra person (max six people per stand). Safari tent from R1 300 per night for four people (sleeps four, six or eight people; some have sleeper couches for children). Contact: 0861 010 347; dreamresorts.co.za