A home away from home, this is a place that will make you want to stop in your tracks and rethink the meaning of life, define dreams and return to what really matters. From the moment you arrive, there’s a feeling you can’t quite describe — warmth, ease, belonging. It doesn’t feel like checking-in: it feels like coming home.
We escaped for a weekend at the end of February — just a 2.5-hour drive from the Overberg — that sweet spot of the season where the air is gentler and temperatures balmy. Check-in was effortless, and we were welcomed in a way that softened our shoulders before we even realised they were tense. We settled into our glamping unit and slipped into a slower pace.
We made our way to the restaurant for dinner which turned out to be one of those unexpected highlights. Homely, generous portions, the kind of meals that make conversation. After a relaxing time, we booked our game drive for the next morning as well as archery lesson and retired to our unit for the evening.
COLLABORATION PARTNER: Thali Thali Game Lodge, Langebaan – South Africa
DATE OF TRAVEL:
February 2026
OFFERING:
2 nights stay in a glamping unit, welcome drinks, x2 breakfasts, game drive and archery lesson.
A Day of Adventure Awaits
We were really excited to jump on the game vehicle the next day, going on safaris has quickly become one of the things we love to do as a family. It is a gift to watch your children fall in love with nature and deepen their curiosity for the great outdoors. With friendly game rangers who spend time teaching your child and answer their questions making the experience even more beautiful.
This one was particularly special as we had our baby who is 4 months old join us for his first game drive – to my surprise he slept most of the way.
And then — giraffe.
Almost as if they had planned the welcome themselves, a herd appeared not long after we set out. We paused and learnt about their distinct personalities and histories, which transformed the sighting from beautiful to intimate. When the ranger fed them and they stepped closer, towering and graceful, it felt surreal to be so close to them. A calf stood among them too which felt personal to me having my own baby with me.
We continued on, spotting various buck, zebra, camels (a surprising West Coast twist), and even a leopard tortoise slowly making its way across the terrain — a small but joyful reminder to notice the quiet things. Disclaimer: my son and I might have hopped off the vehicle to look at it more closely which was really special. We passed a large herd of buffalo and once again, the ranger fed them which meant they were close enough to touch which was a unique experience.
After two hours, we returned happily tired and grateful for a rest. We then headed for our first ever archery lesson. Having no idea what to expect, we had to take the lead from the instructor who explained so nicely and built confidence in what we learnt was decent aiming abilities. Our little one really enjoyed archery – trying something different and learning new skills is something we truly value. We love that he’s had the chance to try new things to figure out what he enjoys.
There is something priceless about giving your children space to try, to learn, to surprise themselves.
Thali Thali Feels Like Family
Once more, we enjoyed dinner at the onsite restaurant which by this point felt like dinner with friends as we had become acquainted with some other guests as well as the staff at Thali Thali. We rounded up our evening with some star-gazing and snuggled together as it was a chillier evening. Luckily each unit is equipped with heaters and blankies so cosying up with your loved one(s) is well aided.
On our final morning at Thali Thali we were treated to a beautiful buffet breakfast, making sure we were ready for the journey home. I would like to close with a piece of the Thali Thali story which we can say with certainty was our experience and is taken from the owners favourite quote to summarise their offering:
“We are not a fancy lodge, we are a family lodge”. Inclusive not exclusive, rustic and real instead of shiny and styled. Based on the West Coast, this is what our region’s culture is – authentic, down to earth – with bucket loads of warm Weskus hospitality. If you are from overseas, you will quickly realize that people from the Southern Tip of Africa have a natural friendliness and spontaneity that cannot be taught – it runs through our veins, it translates into song and dance – it shines in our eyes.
Thank you for creating a haven many can call home.
