There is a particular time of day in the bushveld when everything seems to slow down.
The afternoon heat begins to soften, the sky takes on shades of gold and orange, and the Crocodile River catches the last light of the day. Somewhere in the distance, a hippo might call and birds begin settling for the evening. The first sounds of the night start replacing those of the day.
At Ngwenya Lodge, this is golden hour and there are few better ways to enjoy it than with a sundowner in hand and a braai fire getting started.
Start before the sun goes down
Timing is everything.
Don’t wait until the sun has disappeared before heading outside. One of the best parts of a sundowner braai is watching the bushveld change as daylight fades.
Ngwenya Lodge enjoys two kilometres of frontage along the Crocodile River, which forms the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park. Wildlife is drawn to the river throughout the year, so those final hours of daylight can bring some memorable sightings.
Elephants may wander down for a drink, hippos can surface in the water and crocodiles might still be soaking up the last warmth along the banks. There are no guarantees in the wild, of course, and that is part of the fun.
Pour your sundowner, keep the binoculars nearby and see what arrives.
Get the fire going
A good braai doesn’t need to be complicated. Once the fire is going, there is no need to rush it.
That quiet period while the coals are getting ready is the perfect opportunity to sit back, chat and watch the river. Phones can stay inside for a while – unless you’re keeping one nearby for an unexpected wildlife photo.
What’s going on the braai? Boerewors? Almost certainly. Steak or chops? Probably. Chicken? Why not?
Then come the sides: braaibroodjies, mielies, pap, salad, garlic bread and whatever family favourite somehow appears at every gathering.
That is part of what makes a self-catering holiday so enjoyable. There is no set menu. You can keep things simple after a busy day in Kruger or turn dinner into the main event.
Keep one eye on the Crocodile River
It is easy to become distracted by dinner, but at Ngwenya it pays to keep looking up. The Crocodile River is a constant source of activity. Elephants, buffalo, antelope, hippos and crocodiles are regular visitors, and predators are sometimes spotted moving along the opposite bank.
Ngwenya also has three game-viewing hides, as well as viewing areas overlooking the river, so you can always do a little late-afternoon wildlife watching before returning to your chalet to light the fire. Binoculars are a useful addition to the sundowner table. You never know when someone will suddenly point across the river and say, “Look!”
Let the bushveld provide the soundtrack
As darkness settles over Ngwenya, the experience changes again.
The visual spectacle of golden hour gives way to the sounds of the bush. Hippos call along the river, insects start their evening chorus and, occasionally, a jackal or something larger can be heard in the distance. Ngwenya’s own accommodation information highlights these evening bushveld sounds as part of the experience. This is the time to put another log on the fire, settle into your chair and stay outside a little longer.
There is no television programme that needs your attention. The entertainment is already happening around you.
Golden hour, the Ngwenya way
There are plenty of ways to spend an evening in the bushveld, but sometimes the simplest ones are the best.
A glowing fire. Something good on the braai. A cold drink. Your favourite people nearby. The Crocodile River in front of you and Kruger stretching out beyond it.
That’s a sundowner done the Ngwenya way.
Ready to experience golden hour for yourself? Book now: https://bit.ly/bookngwenya
