Singita Castleton — Local services in Bushbuckridge

Singita, meaning place of miracles, is a heafty promise and certainly an audacious goal to set as a promise to those fortunate enough to experience it - an how our trip delivered on the promise, in fact over delivered.||Having visited Singita 2 years ago with 2 other families, going again I was sure that our previous experience could not be matched - boy were we pleasantly surprised. Again what separates Singita apart from their peers is not the meticulously thought out consumer experience, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, the unmatched hotel facilities, our own personal chef – Walken who would easily put pressure on the most renowned London and New York Chefs , unmatched culinary choice daily, wine that you would only expect to have when frequenting a Michelin star restaurants supported by the most knowledgeable Michelle and Jared who can speak to the both the wine itself as well as the region of origin with detail and flair, the variety and choice for our kids aged between 7 and 11, the 7 star facilities (Gym, Tennis Court, Trampoline, Swing, Outdoor Movies) and the daily choreographed wild animal and game processions (Elephant, Impala, Buffalo, Waterbuck, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog, Wildebeest etc etc) to the nearby watering hole. The game drives guided by incredible Daniella and Wesley, Orange and Johnson always produced something extraordinary. On night 2 we experienced a Leopard taking on a 2.5 meter Python – what an experience with the Python narrowly coming within an inch of its life and a cautious Leopard opting to leave the battle with his dignity intact. Every drive produced amazing photo opportunities and information about the bush, grasses and animals that we had never heard before.||||We were fortunate enough to hop on a small charter flight to the Singita Labombo Lodge, situated on the Eastern Border of the Kruger, what an offering, a place of miracles for the younger city slicker, the familiarity of cutting edge architecture and design but in the bush, underpinned by the classic Singita Bush Feel making it both stylishly contemporary and authentic at the same time. Perched on the top of the Labombo mountains where 2 rivers converge this property is truly distinctive , lush bushveld and rivers guarded by dramatic cliff overhangs gives you an amphitheatre like experience where one can appreciate the wildness of the big 5 imposing themselves on the wildlife around them. Singita continues to pioneer new boundaries of service excellence and sustainability, marked by the fully supported Labombo Lodge Solar Energy Solution making it almost 100% self-sustainable certainly another reason to believe in the preservation of our precious earth for the tomorrows generations.||||What truly sets Singita apart is something less obvious than what meets the eye, but absolutely part of their finding DNA – the utter love, recognition and appreciation for their surroundings both animals and communities and the desire to protect this for future generations..||I was asstounded at the foresight of Singita and the inclusive way that this incredible group is rallying, nurturing and building symbiotic communities of conservationists, students for the future and enriching the communities of tomorrow through thought leading education around wildlife preservation. Singita is truly a life changing experience – 7 star game viewing, 7 start hotel experience, incredibly authentic staff who are so welcoming and knowledgeable the entire experience enriches your soul.||||A huge thanks to Luke, Beneatha, Mikey and Sean as well as all of the Singita staff for yet another experience that cannot be matched.||||We love...

We were five couples and so were delighted to get a Singita property to ourselves on a waterhole. |We were all excited to stay two nights and make it memorable as we were celebrating my birthday. |I must admit the only thing good was the great local group they called for that evening and the setting on a full moon night they organised for my birthday .|Rest was all very callous casual and far from the Singita 110percent precision they are known for. |We had informed them well in advance that we are vegetarians. |No avacados (in south africa.)??|No asparagus |And then at one meal they said no tomatoes .. That was really shocking !! Our first lunch just a. Couple of cold salads. Had to ask for bread for some hot pastas really strange .. Having stayed at Singita boulders and ebony before they are known for their large spread . the price you pay is no less ..|Then we leave for our drive and mr Claude one of the rangers and also a manager if the property talks about the big five and says ohh lets see what we will see..and we leave for the ride. He definitely had an attitude which I read as a proud Singita team and why not . but as the days got along he was getting arrogant callous pompous and on our ride to the airport downright rude . shocker . so beware .. |"Can't show you big five in one day . be patient . showed you the lions be happy."||Asked about a restaurant in Capetown test kitchen and he said the owner sets their menu . so I asked very tough to get bookings can you help? And the reply." we don't do reservations " so I said can u connect the telephone to them and I shall talk . which they never did . so on my way to the airport I asked him that can you share the number of test kitchen and he retorts "didn't I tell you we are not here to make reservations mam you should know that .." My friend and I looked at each other and were in complete disbelief and I said sir I asked you to connect and now I am asking for the number I never asked you to make reservations .but that was the last parting salvo.|The sundowners were so shabby . a cheese platter after asking for it ..had shaved Parmesan cheese crumbled cottage cheese and some cream cheese ..can you believe at Singita ?? |And had to ask for canopies as they served us some hummus on the first drive .|Ask them about zebras and giraffe and he goes oh people come here for big fives we don't radio when we see the others but I will ask them for you . what attitude and respect to animals mr Claude .|Does not end here . we gave them all little gifts and he did not have any manners to even say thank you . his wife who also works there as a team of managers was at least polite but neither were there after 7 pm . don't know if that is normal but certainly not at boulders and ebony . |I can go on and on.. But certainly not a Singita standard in courtesy food hospitality ride quality nothing I would give 2 on 0 whilst ebony and boulders would get 11 on10 |My husband dropped his cellphone whilst watching a leopard and forgot his reading glasses. The other ranger said he would try and locate but no news at all . at least a yes and no is expected !! |Mr Claude also needs to learn to be quiet by the animals . whilst taking a Video we had to request him to keep quiet but he thought he was such an expert that he just would not be silent ..at one time we spotted a leopard and our ranger mr camelon was superb . we were quietly watching at a safe distance and arrives mr Claude with his car and t. Speed and disturbs the animal which obviously leaves .. He went too close came to fast and didn't keep quiet ....

The 3rd visit to Castleton and it continues to surprise and delight. Castleton is not a singular experience but rather sum of all its parts, extremely difficult to describe in words but this is my attempt:||||Service I thought was the differentiator at Castleton and the Singita Portfolio, exceptional and always on point. The personal touch and consideration from the initial booking confirmation, the transfer support from the Nelspruit to the almost pre-emnting of your every thought while relaxing at the pool or discussing the unity and diversity of life mid-morning with friends, the staff are always present but out of sight drizzling their special fairy dust and making sure that you are always hydrated and most certainly well fed ahead of the outstanding game drives.||||The true essence of Singita became so apparent in the singular purpose all "Singitan's" (my made-up name for people that positively contribute to the Singita Experience). Their purpose and commitment to a sustainable and better ecosystem that they are all building that results in a better tomorrow for all that are impacted by the brand and people. ||||Every detail is covered from the broad knowledge of the BIG 5 down to the smallest details of the flora and fauna, insects, plants, tree's and fruit that exist on this superb property.||||Last but by no means least the food was just incredible. Surprises galore with mexican nachos in the bush to incredible fine dining at the poolside under candle light. The Boma Braai was incredible, under the rawness of the African sky. Daily saw freshly baked pastries, exquisite meat and fish options and off course a selection of wine that is beyond compare, from small batch vineyards in France to the southern slopes of the Stellenbosch and Swartland vineyards, the selection of the award-winning wines would keep you busy deep into the bight if discipline did not prevail.||||So, what did we see? Lion Cubs, Leopard Cubs, Elephant Babies, Hippo’s, Buffalo, Journeys of Giraffe, Venues of Vulture's the list of big game sightings is endless flanked by the Hyena's and incredible sounds of territorial Baboon's and female Lions. Elephant Bull's testing their tusks against one another was a common sight as these young Bull’s tried to display dominance, something Claude our guide was exceptionally careful about and brilliant in ensuring we were well out of harm's way.||||I could write for days trying to describe this incredible experience but will leave it to you to book directly with Singita for an experience that will leave you wondering if there is a better one out there||||Well done Luke and the...