Unplugged in the Eastern Cape - Finding Stillness and Wonder at Sibuya - Blessing Bello

In April, I had the opportunity to visit Sibuya Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. It was the kind of journey you go on to really get to know a place, its people, and its rhythm. What I found at Sibuya was more than just a luxe lodge experience; it was a stripped-back, grounding encounter with the wild that made me reconnect with nature in a way I hadn’t expected.

My journey began with a 12-hour flight courtesy of Norse Atlantic Airways. The flight itself was smooth and comfortable, and the adventure truly began after touching down in South Africa. I unfortunately missed my connecting flight to Port Elizabeth (PE) and had to wait a few hours before catching the next one.

Because of the delay, I missed the usual late afternoon boat transfer to Forest Camp, a journey that serves as your first entry into the reserve – and instead took a 30-minute road transfer. It was past 8:30 PM by the time I arrived and the cheerful, accommodating and warm welcome from the staff made up for the long day.

Sibuya has two camps – River Camp and Forest Camp – both operate on solar power. Forest Camp is nestled deep in the canopy of indigenous trees. From the first moment, I realised life here runs on a different current – slower, quieter. The rooms don’t have charging points, so everyone gathers in the main lounge for any device charging or WiFi needs. At first, it was a bit of an adjustment, but within a day or two, it became just another part of the experience and a rare chance to unplug and be truly present.

My assigned tour guide, Reece, who stayed with me throughout the trip, was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also deeply connected to the land. He wasn’t just pointing out animals – he was interpreting the bush, reading the tracks, the sounds, even the smells. It gave me a deep appreciation for how much life goes unnoticed unless you’re really looking.

The daily routine had a rhythm: an early morning game drive, followed by a hearty breakfast, downtime or an activity like kayaking, lunch, then another game drive in the late afternoon. One of the highlights of the first full day was kayaking along the quiet estuary — just the sound of paddles slicing through the water, and the occasional bird call. I’ve never been a birding enthusiast, but something shifted during this trip. With over 400 bird species in the reserve, we were constantly surrounded by movement and song, and by the end of the trip, I found myself eagerly pointing them out, feeling more connected to the subtle rhythms of the landscape.

The game drives introduced me to elephants, giraffes, buffalos, and rhinos, with each sighting bringing a new appreciation for life in the wild. On the first day, we saw “Cheeky Boy,” a particularly memorable elephant known in the reserve, for getting up close and personal. It was the giraffes that fascinated me. We tried and failed to track lions that first morning but finally spotted them on our last game drive before departure — a dramatic and fitting end to my time in the bush.

Sibuya isn’t home to the full Big Five – there are no leopards – but it hardly felt like anything was missing. The sweeping landscapes, lovely pauses for coffee with a scenic view mid-drive, and the patience it takes to track animals lends the whole experience an unhurried, mindful feel. And in between the drives, forest walks, and boat cruises (complete with lunch served drifting through the estuary), you never feel like you’re just ticking things off a safari checklist.  I even got to touch rhino poop and try my hand at fishing.

The evenings, for me, were the most magical part – gathering around the fire, sharing stories under a sprawling, star-encrusted sky. There’s something ancient and reassuring about firelight and meaningful conversation in the middle of wilderness. It reminded me how little we really need to feel at home.

By the end of the trip, Sibuya had given me ample space to slow down, observe, and reconnect.

If you ever get the chance to visit, come with an open heart you’ll leave feeling lighter, more grounded – and maybe knowing a few birds by name too.

Special thanks to the team at Sibuya who made me feel so at home and to Norse Atlantic Airways for kindly sponsoring my flight.

https://sibuya.co.za/ | https://flynorse.com/en-US