The story goes that when the owners of this upscale lodge in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve first came upon the land where it is built, a leopard in a rock fig tree eyed them lazily, not at all fazed by their presence. They later found out that she was named ‘Rock Fig’ because of her favourite perch, and the name for the new lodge was immediately obvious to all.
Today Rock Fig the leopard may be gone but you can still see her descendants roaming thousands of acres of land during a classic game drive or on a guided walking safari. All the other members of the Big 5 – lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo – also thrive here, not to mention rarer favourites like cheetah and wild dog. If your luck is really in, you may even be lucky enough to spot Timbavati’s most special inhabitants: its snow-white lions with their clear blue eyes (in fact, the traditional Shangaan name, ‘Timbavati’, alludes to these other-worldly creatures as it translates as ‘the place where something sacred came down to earth from heaven’).
The suites at RockFig are very spacious but the true luxury involves the service: families are guaranteed their own game-drive vehicle, and up to two solo travellers can use single rooms without paying a supplementary fee. Children are welcome and the lodge is fenced for parents’ peace of mind. Add a swimming pool, Wi-Fi, an outdoor pizza oven and spa treatments on request, and you have all the makings of an unforgettable safari at RockFig.
