Indulge in the perfect fusion of two dessert classics with this Easy Banoffee Tiramisu! Combining the rich flavoors of coffee-soaked biscuits and creamy mascarpone with the irresistible sweetness of bananas and caramel, this no-fuss treat is a showstopper for any special occasion. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, a birthday, or simply treating yourself, this delightful dessert is guaranteed to impress and satisfy every sweet tooth at the table.
Ingredients
Salted caramel:
2.5 ml salt
360 g caramel treat , (1 tin)
Coffee soak:
150 ml strong black coffee
125 ml coffee liqueur
60 ml brandy
Mascarpone cream:
500 g Mascarpone (2 tubs) *we recommend using LANCEWOOD® Mascarpone
250 ml cream
5 ml vanilla essence
60 ml castor sugar , sifted
To assemble:
24 Boudoir biscuits
5 banana(s) , thinly sliced
15 ml cocoa powder
Method
Salted caramel: Add the salt to the caramel treat and mix well.
Coffee soak: Combine the coffee, coffee liqueur and brandy and pour into a large flat dish.
Mascarpone cream: In a large bowl, stir the mascarpone until smooth, then whisk in the cream, vanilla and castor sugar until stiff peaks form.
To assemble: Dip the sponge fingers in the coffee mixture and arrange in a serving dish in a singer layer. Add a layer of banana slices, then spread over half of the salted caramel.
Dollop over half of the mascarpone mixture, spreading it out into an even layer. Dust over half of the cocoa.
Repeat the layers and refrigerate for 4 – 6 hours.
There’s something magical about taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially when that break brings you to the tranquil and picturesque Mabalingwe Nature Reserve. A midweek escape at Mabalingwe offers a unique opportunity to unwind, reconnect with nature, and enjoy the serenity of the bush without the weekend crowds. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, here’s how to make the most of your midweek getaway at Mabalingwe.
1. Start Your Day with an Early Morning Game Drive Nothing beats the crisp morning air and the thrill of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat. Early morning game drives are one of the best ways to experience Mabalingwe, as many animals are most active during this time.
Tip: Be sure to dress warmly in layers, as mornings can be chilly. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera to capture the unforgettable moments!
2. Indulge in a Relaxing Spa Treatment at Mbali Day Spa After your morning game drive, treat yourself to a relaxing spa session at the Mbali Day Spa. Nestled in the heart of the reserve, the spa offers a range of rejuvenating treatments that will leave you feeling refreshed and pampered. From soothing massages to revitalising facials, it’s the perfect way to unwind after a day of adventure.
Pro Tip: Book your treatment in advance to secure your spot, especially during peak seasons. Opt for a midweek special or a package deal for added value.
3. Savour a Bush Picnic One of the most serene ways to enjoy the beauty of Mabalingwe is with a bush picnic. Whether you’re with family, friends, or your partner, a bush picnic allows you to savour delicious food while soaking in the sights and sounds of the reserve. Pack your own or ask about organised picnic options through the reserve, and find a scenic spot to enjoy a peaceful meal in the wild.
Tip: Be mindful of the wildlife—always follow reserve guidelines and never feed the animals.
4. Explore on Foot with a Guided Nature Walk For those who prefer a more up-close experience, a guided nature walk is a must! Walking through the bush with an experienced ranger allows you to connect with the environment on a deeper level. You’ll learn about the plants, animals, and ecosystems that make Mabalingwe so special, all while discovering smaller creatures and signs of wildlife that might be missed by a vehicle.
Did You Know? Walking trails often reveal fascinating details like animal tracks, dung, and unique flora that contribute to the balance of life in the bush.
5. Enjoy Leisure Time at the Kalahari Oasis and Pool If relaxation is at the top of your list, Mabalingwe’s leisure facilities are designed to help you unwind. Spend a lazy afternoon lounging by the pool with a refreshing drink, or head over to the Kalahari Oasis for a cold beer and a bite to eat in a unique, rustic setting. The Oasis is a favourite among guests for its relaxed vibe and friendly service, making it a perfect spot to reflect on the day’s adventures.
Tip: If you’re a sports fan, check out the Oasis during key matches—it’s a fun place to celebrate with other guests!
6. Book an Afternoon or Sunset Game Drive While mornings are a prime time for wildlife viewing, the late afternoon and early evening also offer great opportunities for spotting animals. As the day cools down, many animals become more active again. A sunset game drive adds a touch of magic as the golden light casts stunning shadows across the landscape, and you may even get the chance to spot some of Mabalingwe’s nocturnal residents.
Bonus: Sunset drives are often accompanied by sundowners—enjoy a refreshing drink while watching the sunset over the African bush.
7. Enjoy Local Flavours at Le Fera Restaurant No trip to Mabalingwe is complete without indulging in the delicious offerings at Le Fera Restaurant. Featuring a menu inspired by local flavours, Le Fera is the perfect place to enjoy a hearty meal after a day of exploring. Whether you’re in the mood for a traditional South African dish or a lighter snack, Le Fera’s diverse menu has something to satisfy every palate.
Tip: Don’t miss out on their signature cocktails or a glass of South African wine to complete your dining experience.
Book Your Midweek Stay A midweek escape to Mabalingwe Nature Reserve is the perfect way to recharge and reconnect with nature. With fewer visitors than on weekends, you’ll have more opportunities to enjoy the tranquillity of the bush, the abundant wildlife, and the incredible range of activities available. From game drives to spa treatments, and bush picnics to stargazing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
For reservations, contact us at contactus@mabalingwe.com or 014 001 7011. You can also view live availability on this link: https://bit.ly/3hhSj3H.
Exploring the natural beauty of Mabalingwe Nature Reserve is an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re watching majestic elephants roam freely, spotting the elusive leopard, or enjoying a peaceful sunset, your time in the bush is bound to create lasting memories. However, with great beauty comes great responsibility. Observing bush etiquette is essential not only for your safety but also for the well-being of the wildlife and the preservation of their natural habitat. Here’s a guide on how to make your bushveld adventure both respectful and enjoyable.
Do’s for a Respectful Wildlife Experience
1. Do Follow Your Guide’s Instructions Your guide knows the terrain, wildlife behaviour, and the reserve’s rules. Trust their expertise and follow their instructions to ensure your safety and the animals’ protection. If they ask you to stay quiet, keep your distance, or remain seated, it’s for a good reason!
2. Do Keep a Safe Distance While it may be tempting to get close for that perfect photo, remember that the animals in the reserve are wild. Maintaining a safe distance is crucial for your safety and to avoid disturbing the animals. Binoculars and zoom lenses allow you to admire their beauty without invading their space.
3. Do Stay Quiet and Respectful The bush is a place of calm and tranquility, and loud noises can disturb the animals. Speak softly, keep your movements slow and quiet, and avoid playing loud music or talking loudly. This ensures the wildlife feels safe and remains undisturbed in their natural environment.
4. Do Take Only Memories Leave the bush as you found it. This means no collecting rocks, plants, or other natural artefacts. Taking anything from the wild disrupts the ecosystem. Instead, take lots of photos and soak in the experience, leaving only your footprints behind.
5. Do Use Designated Pathways Stick to the designated tracks and pathways in the reserve. Venturing off the beaten path can disturb sensitive areas of the ecosystem, harm smaller creatures, or disrupt wildlife habitats. It’s also safer for you and ensures minimal impact on the environment.
Dont’s for a Respectful Wildlife Experience
1. Don’t Feed the Animals It’s important to never feed wildlife. Human food is not suitable for animals and can make them dependent on people, leading to dangerous encounters in the future. Feeding wildlife also disrupts their natural foraging behaviours and can result in health problems for the animals.
2. Don’t Litter Littering in the bush is not only disrespectful but also dangerous to animals. Wildlife can mistake trash for food, which could lead to injury or death. Always carry your waste with you until you can dispose of it properly at a designated area.
3. Don’t Approach Wildlife on Foot Even if an animal looks calm, approaching on foot can be seen as a threat, potentially leading to aggressive behaviour. Always remain in the safety of your vehicle or on designated walking trails with a guide. Wildlife has a natural instinct to protect their territory, and you want to respect that.
4. Don’t Use Flash Photography Flash photography can startle animals, causing unnecessary stress. It may also disrupt their natural behaviours, such as hunting or feeding. If you want to capture a photo, use natural lighting or adjust your camera settings to capture the perfect shot without disturbing the wildlife.
5. Don’t Block Animal Pathways If an animal is crossing the road, never block its path with your vehicle. Instead, switch off the engine and allow the animal to pass peacefully. This not only respects the animal’s right of way but also gives you an amazing opportunity to observe their behaviour up close.
Embrace the Spirit of Conservation
At Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, we’re committed to conserving our natural environment and protecting the incredible wildlife that calls this reserve home. By practising good bush etiquette, you’re playing a vital role in preserving the beauty and balance of the ecosystem.
Respecting the wildlife and nature during your visit ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of the bush. Remember, we are only visitors in their home, so let’s tread lightly and act responsibly.
Experience Mabalingwe
Your experience at Mabalingwe Nature Reserve should be both awe-inspiring and respectful of the delicate environment you’re exploring. By following these simple do’s and don’ts, you’ll not only ensure your safety but also contribute to the conservation of this beautiful wildlife haven. So, as you embark on your next game drive or bushwalk, remember that your actions make a difference!
Book your stay today and experience the award-winning hospitality. For reservations, contact us at contactus@mabalingwe.com or 014 001 7011. You can also view live availability on this link: https://bit.ly/3hhSj3H.
We love it when our valued guests and shareholders share their holiday experiences with us. As a new section, as part of our blog, we will feature stories that our guests shared with us – some from yesteryear and others from more recently.
Here is a story, told as seen through the eyes of shareholder, Hoffie Hofmeyr:
In 1988, is daar oor naweke bemarking by Mabalingwe gedoen by wyse van ʼn braai by die groot swembad, ‘n aanbieding van die ontwikkelingsplanne waar die muurbalbaan is en ‘n rit per wildbesigtigingsvoertuig na die restaurant en paar woonplekke in Ingwekamp, wat reeds opgerig was, om ‘n idee te kry van hoe hulle destyds gelyk het. Slegs die fondasies van 57 tot 61 was gelê, maar die pragtige uitsig suid en op die waterdrinkplek in die gebied naby waar die Tloukamp nou is, was genoeg om ‘n paar weke te verkoop.
Met die eerste besoeke vanaf 1989, is die wêreld per voet verken. Destyds, was daar nog nie olifante nie. Eers is oor die berg geklim tot by die Kubudam en dan deur die poort gestap tot aan die bopunt van die Wesselsdam, waar daar ‘n goeie piekniek plek was. Later is by die Kubudam eenhede gebou met ‘n konferensiefasiliteit. Die eenhede is gedurende die week vir konferensies gebruik en oor naweke deur deeltiteleienaars. By die piekniekplek is eers ‘n bergklimplek geskep, toe is ‘n boogskietarea ontwikkel en later ‘n klim-en-klouter-stellasie.
‘n Ander roete was langs die koppie deur waar Kwalatakamp nou is tot by Kameelperddrinkplek. In die omgewing waar die Kalahari Oasis later jare vir die Castrol-advertensies opgerig is, moes ons vir renosters uitgekyk word, want dit was een van hul geliefde uithangplekke. Dan was daar die pad oor die koppie waar die leeukamp vandag is, tot by die ou ingang wat nader aan Witland was as die huidige ingang. Daar was toe miskien nie leeus nie, maar wel pofadders.
Witland self was ‘n ou land en toentertyd sonder bome. Die verskillende boksoorte het daarvan gehou om daar te oornag en vroegoogend na sonsonder se kant, was ‘n mens verseker van ontmoetings.Trouens, dit was moontlik om daar uit te klim en saam met die Kameelperde te stap solank as wat ‘n dertig treë afstand of so gehandhaaf word. By die Tsesebbe-drink-plek was daar op ‘n stadium ‘n skuiling gewees, vanwaar die verskillende diere se manewales dopgehou kon word, soos Njalas wat spog of Koedoes wat ‘stoei’. In 1989, is by geleentheid twee luiperde voor die kantoor vrygelaat en is hulle soos blits teen die berg uit.
Die koms van die seekoeie was iets besonder en ligte is bo by die boonste swembad onder die kroeg aangebring om die onderste gedeelte langs die pad te verlig, wanneer hulle saans uitgekom het om aan voer wat uitgesit is om te vreet. Dit was aan die begin nodig sodat hulle gevestig kon raak. Soms het hulle met mekaar geargumenteer en dan is een tydelik uit die trop verdryf. Daar is gewoonlik na die watergat, suid van Ingwe, gevlug. By een geleentheid het so ‘n seekoei ‘n vrou wat wederregtelik ‘n hondjie saamgebring en gaan stap het in die pad onder na die winkel se kant toe, aangeval en by ‘n ander geleentheid is een uit Ingwe verdryf deur die werkers en personeel wat op die destyds metaalasblikke se deksels geslaan het. Die gevolg was dat daar toe ‘n lae elektriese heining om die kamp aangebring is. Die oorblyfsels is vandag nog daar, maar die seekoeie het intussen hoër op beweeg en bly hoofsaaklik in die Gorcumdam.
Die winkel by die swembad het aan die begin, afgesien van kosvoorrade, ook klere en allerlei aandenkings aangehou. Later was daar ‘n afsonderlike winkel bo by die kantore waar ‘n verskeidenheid toerisme-items aangebied is. Met die ontwikkeling van die karavaankamp en die opening van die winkel daar, het die klem egter verskuif na noodsaaklikhede en die behoeftes van kampeerders.
Soos wat meer kampe ontwikkel en huise opgerig is, het die aard van die aktiwiteite wat aangebied was ook verander. Wildbesigtigingsritte, swem, muurbal, tafeltennis en tennis is aangevul met ‘n ‘Jacuzzi’, mini-golf, vlugbal, ‘n speletjieskamer en ‘n groot verskeidenheid van vermaak wat veral vir ouers met kinders verwelkomend moes wees.Tloukamp, wat die verantwoordelikheid vir konferensies by Kubukamp oorgeneem het en ook op troues en die huisvesting van trougaste afgestem was, het ook weer ‘n gedaanteverwisseling ondergaan. Die Khoisan wat op ‘n stadium besoekers met hul danse verwelkom het en ook in die kroeg opgetree het, het verdwyn terwyl die kamp waar hulle gebly agtergebly het. Wildbesigtigings was oorspronklik beperk tot die gebied vanaf die aanloopbaan tot by die oostelike grensdraad, maar soos grond bygekoop is kon die gedeelte wes van die aanloopbaan ook besoek word. Die koms van die olifante het stappery buite die kampe uitgeskakel, terwyl die verlies van die enigste krokodil wat in die waterpoel langs die tennisbane en hoofswembad gewoon het, dit moontlik gemaak om daar te ontspan sonder om een oog oop te hou.
Mabalingwe het oor die jare verskillende dinge aangebied, maar die natuur – die berg, die bosse, die bome, die damme en sonsondergange, maak dit steeds een van die top vakansieoorde om te besoek.
Hoffie Hofmeyr
Share your Mabalingwe experiences with us by sending your stories to yourresortstory@vrs.co.za to be featured on our blog!
We love it when our valued guests and shareholders share their holiday experiences with us. As a new section, as part of our blog, we will feature stories that our guests shared with us – some from yesteryear and others from more recently.
Here is a story, told as seen through the eyes of shareholder, Friedel Wichmann:
My wife and I have had Timeshare at Mabalingwe for the past 32 years now.
We, as a family, love this place. Older folks enjoy nature, animals and birds. Younger people love horse riding, swimming, playing Mini-Golf and listening to music at Kalahari Oasis.
When we first came to Mabalingwe, Kalahari Oasis was only a stopover for a beer or cool drinks. The day the film was made for the oil advertisement, we drove through the area not knowing what was going on. As you can imagine, we were not very popular.
I still remember the site where the jersey cow raised the buffalo.
We had a narrow escape where the old elephant bull decided to storm our car at Buffel Waterhole.
Before they put the safety fence up at the Units, the warthogs came to your door looking for food. One wanted to enter our Unit, and I hit him on the bum with a newspaper, upon which he turned around and hit me with a tooth; luckily for me, it was not very deep. Friends phoned us and my wife told them “my husband is bleeding like a pig”.
In the olden days, the hippos used to walk between the Units and you had to be very careful when walking to your car at night.
The old bar called ‘Kanniedood’ was named after a Kanniedood tree – that was growing near the entrance. As you entered the bar, there was a leopard mounted between some rocks. Basie Wessels, the owner at that stage, would talk to the people in the bar. The barmen working there were Timothy and Japie. Unfortunately, Basie died in a plane crash on the farm and Timothy, I understand, in a motor vehicle accident. With the big fire at the restaurant, the Kanniedood bar and all its memories were destroyed.
The Resort has since grown to a 5-star holiday destination, from the time I first came to Mabalingwe. It is near Pretoria and Johannesburg, and I can recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing holiday.
Friedel Wichmann
Share your Mabalingwe experiences with us by sending your stories to yourresortstory@vrs.co.za to be featured on our blog!
