December 2023

One would think that visiting Langebaan on the West Coast, you would probably be ‘beach hopping’ all day long. There are so many beautiful beaches that one can stroll on a different beach almost every day.

But who would have thought that just 12km/7.5 miles inland from Langebaan, is Thali Thali – a beautiful nature reserve. So, we swapped a day on the beach for an almost two-hour game drive. We were properly spoiled with the sight of various wild animals and ended the exciting morning with a delicious lunch at their restaurant.

On arrival at Thali Thali Game Lodge we were welcomed with a cold drink of our choice and then made our way to the game drive vehicle. Within a few minutes of the drive, we saw our first herd of springboks.

Herd of springboks

The springbok (or springbuck) is an antelope found mainly in south and southwest Africa

Thali Thali is a 1,460-hectare Cape West Coast game and fynbos reserve, which boast a wide variety of wildlife species. On their list is buffalo, kudu, oryx, giraffe, springbok, duiker, steenbok, bontebok, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, sable antelope, eland, zebra, ostrich and emu.

They also have an extremely rich birdlife, such as South Africa’s national bird, the blue crane. However, for this trip we concentrated more on the larger game.

One of my personal highlights on the game drive was seeing a buffalo up close. This incredible animal is part of Africa’s Big Five (the other four are the lion, elephant, leopard and rhinoceros).

Buffalo

Both male and female buffalo grow large, deadly horns that they use as weapons and for defense. Seeing these horns up close was impressive to say the least.

Look at those impressive horns

The buffalo form part of Africa’s Big Five

It wasn’t long before we spotted a group of giraffes in the distance. It’s one of the most graceful wild animals to me – sometimes they seem to float with those long-long legs of theirs.

Giraffes in the distance

At one point we looked around from where we were sitting on the vehicle and saw a giraffe walking behind us. It was such a magical moment.

Giraffe behind our game drive vehicle

Giraffe on a leisurely morning stroll

Soon we were surrounded by giraffes. These gentle giants are the world’s tallest living land animals (an adult male can grow to around 5.5m).

Beautiful giraffes

Group of giraffes

The guide put out feed for the giraffes and we had plenty of time to watch them while they stood calmly eating.

Chewing giraffe (Photo credit: Madeleine van Taak)

It’s a long way down to the ground

We were privileged to see these beautiful animals up close. I must add that the women in our group were quite jealous of their pretty full eyelashes!

What a lovely pose

Closer look at their short skin-covered horns

Unique brown and white pattern on its coat (‘pelage’)

‘I want to be in the picture … oh wait, me too’

While we were still in awe of the giraffes, we drove past a small group of Cape Eland. This is the largest antelope in Africa and can weigh up to 700kg.

Cape Eland

Although the nature reserve is mostly flat, there are some low hills and valleys. According to Thali Thali’s website, their primary habitat type is Saldanha Flats Strandveld with few trees and a moderately tall shrub layer. This made it easier for us to spot some of the wild animals.

Saldanha Flats Strandveld

Between some of the higher bushes we could spot two kudus, but they were quite hidden and ran away before we could get a picture of them. However, we did see an ostrich before she too disappeared into the bushes.

Camouflaged ostrich between the bushes

Towards the end of our game drive we again passed a large herd of springboks. We also spotted a black springbok among the others. Although born black, adult black springboks are two-shades of dark chocolate brown in colour with a black stripe on the side.

Spot the black springbok

Black springbok

And just when we thought we had seen most of the wildlife, two wildebeest appeared by the side of the road, busy grazing.

Wildebeest

A little further on, wildebeest and zebras grazed together. These two wild animals have a great relationship and normally travel together.

Wildebeest and zebras

Earlier, the guide mentioned that there is only one bontebok in the reserve. And would you know it … he made his appearance at the end of our drive!

The one and only bontebok of Thali Thali

Bontebok and black springbok

While our attention was still focused on the antelope, a small group of emus ran across the road. The emu is the second-tallest living bird after the ostrich and endemic to Australia. They are fast runners and reach speeds of up to 50km/hr (31 mph).

Fast running emus

I think we were completely exhausted after seeing so many different wild animals. Even the guide mentioned that we were very lucky to see so much wildlife.

It was now time for lunch and we strolled through the beautiful reception area of ​​Thali Thali to our table which was set outside.

Splash pool at Thali Thali

Wall art

Bar and inside seating area of restaurant

More wall art

Outside seating area

My mum and her two grandchildren (Photo credit: Madeleine van Taak)

After it was overcast for most of the morning, the sun was now shining and we ordered a bottle of cold white wine (and milkshakes for the kids) to enjoy with our meals.

Time to chill

The food was excellent and traditional South African dishes are served in generous portions. Among other things, there was steak, chicken schnitzel, tripe (my mum’s choice) and the traditional ‘Hunter’s Choice’ which consists of venison steak and sausage.

Hunter’s Choice

Chicken schnitzel and steak

Our visit to Thali Thali was a wonderful experience. Besides the game drive, there is also the opportunity to try your hand at archery. And you can even stay at Thali Thali in one of their self-catering chalets, ‘glamping’ tents or in the farmhouse.

After we had a delicious meal, it was time to drive back to Langebaan. As if Thali Thali didn’t show us enough of its beauty, just before we drove out of the main gate, we saw another herd of springboks on the side of the road.

Springbok

Springbok

If you ever visit the West Coast, don’t miss Thali Thali. Besides all the wildlife, you’ll also be treated to the friendliness and warmth of the people who work here – a trait so unique to the West Coast.