We drove back to the lodge through the dry Msuthlu River, where the animals congregate to cool down and drink water. Louis spotted three lion cubs, only 18 months old, feasting on a Bushbuck. The rotten scent of death crawled up my nose. I could hear the sound of bones breaking, a desperate cry for help and a deep, guttural roar. While I was listening, Jamiel passed me tactile aids: animal sculptures, soft fur that he had collected from around the reserve, brittle snakeskin, and much more from what he called his “bag of tricks”.
After the game drive, we returned to Earth Lodge, one of 13 guest suites at Sabi Sabi and our home for the next few days. Our room was hidden under the earth, where elephants roam above and a breeze floats in from the vast expanses beyond. The lodge is built into the terrain and made using local materials. Inside the main reception, the sound of the water fountains from the indoor pool bounces off the walls.
When we first arrived, I was given a guided tour of the space before being shown around my suite. I noticed how the room was filled with sensorial amenities, from the scent of fresh flowers to the feel of textured walls. I took my socks off—the floor felt smooth, but rough—almost like we were still outside. Alta, the lodge manager, made sure I could work the shower, and helped me access the phone so I could call reception if needed (there was a raised dot on the corresponding button). Opening the lodge patio door, we were hit with the sounds of the bush. I could hear a warthog snuffling around nearby the swimming pool. Hippos were grunting happily as they bathed in the watering hole a little further away.
