A Safari Lodge That Pulses to the Rhythm of Africa's Heartbeat

Offering unparalleled luxury, situated in Sabi Sand, a recognised hotspot of biodiversity within the greater Kruger National Park, the Reserve is blessed with an astonishing variety of habitat and wildlife.

Guests have an excellent chance of close encounters with the Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino - as well as cheetah, wild dog and all species indigenous to the area.

Here one will experience Africa's ever-changing landscapes and rhythms; from the clear light of dawn and the pastel haze of late afternoon, to the fiery sunsets and sudden onset of night. Against this backdrop, the abundant animals and extraordinary variety of birds exist in their unfenced natural environment, as they have done for centuries.

Exciting morning and evening open Land Rover safaris, as well as environmental awareness walking safaris, are led by experienced rangers and trackers.

Deep in the bushveld overlooking a waterhole and an open plain. The lodge is vibrant and hospitable and steeped in tradition. With a history spanning over 30 years, the lodge has earned a reputation of warmth, service excellence and personalised attention.

A rebuild and revamp has seen its conventional safari style made new and exciting with a vibrant and eclectic mix of furnishings and decor garnered from all corners of the African continent.

To maintain privacy and intimacy, the lodge accommodates only 25 couples in total, with 13 individual suites on one side of the central relaxation areas and 12 on the other. Each stunningly remodelled air-conditioned suite features sumptuous linens an fabrics, beautiful leather and wood furnishings, and an en-suite glass fronted bathroom with indoor and al-fresco shower leading onto a private patio.

The Presidential Suite with its plunge pool and ultra-luxurious interior comes complete with a private safari vehicle.

The Lodge has been sensitively designed to allow ample space to relax, unwind and savour the tranquility of the bush. The two swimming pools and enormous covered viewing decks overhanging the Msuthlu River are an invitation to cool off in the filtered water or sit in comfort while spotting game at the well-utilised pan. An exquisitely furnished lounge, atrium and intimate bar area are perfect meeting places for friends old and new. As an extra indulgence, the new spa at the Lodge offers the ultimate African Spa experience.

A wonderful new addition to the Lodge experience is the recently completed EleFun Centre, a fully-fledged children's facility. Interesting environmentally themed activities, including hands-on 'edutainment' for several distinct age groups, are designed and supervised by qualified childcare professionals. The beautifully planned centre has been strategically placed within the lodge environs, minimizing any disturbance to the adult guests. Parents can relax and enjoy some private time, knowing that their children are safe and happy, revelling in their own, age-appropriate, fun-filled bushveld experience.

The lodge is situated within the Sabi Sands Reserve, a recognised 'hot spot' of biodiversity which makes for an astonishing variety of wildlife - including over 200 mammals and 300 bird species.

Morning and evening safaris are enjoyed in open Land Rovers with close encounters with the Big 5 being a regular occurrence. Environmental awareness walking safaris add an extra dimension to the bush experience, allowing a close-up look at the fascinating smaller creatures of the bushveld.

While maintaining a deep respect and bond with the wilderness, the award-winning Lodge has rightfully taken its place as one of the world's premier safari destinations.

Rates from R 4950 to R 8100 per person per night.

Rates include open Land Rover safaris by day and at night to see Africa's big game accompanied by qualified rangers and Shangaan trackers, environmental awareness walking safaris, breakfast, lunch and "boma" dinner, selected beverages and South African house wines. A fine selection of sundowner drinks during your evening safari as well as return transfers from the Reserve's airstrip are complimentary.

For further enquiries, contact info@theholidayzebra.co.za or call +27 722 88 3366

Wild Safaris in Mpumalanga Province

Experience wildlife safaris and nature encounters in the Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon.

Mpumalanga is a lush, land-locked province, filled with deep ravines, verdant valleys, crystal-clear streams, magnificent waterfalls and plenty of wildlife.

It is found north-east of Gauteng, and shares a long border with Mozambique. It forms the heartland of South Africa’s classic safari territory, and is comprised of the Lowveld and the Highveld.

The Lowveld is restricted to broad valleys below 1000m above sea level; the Lowveld is what many people consider to be the ‘real’ Africa. In this low-lying subtropical climate, broad-leafed and thorn trees co-exist happily in relatively open woodland, interspersed with long grass, and of course, game. In the far north it gets hotter and the vegetation changes to Mopane woodland.

In the very northern part of the country, huge baobab trees dominate the landscape. Much of the Kruger National Park falls into this biome. However, the division between the Bushveld and the Lowveld is somewhat blurred.

The rivers here tend to be broad and slow moving and may consist of no more than a few unconnected pools at the end of the dry season, which is when wildlife congregates around the few water sources making it a good time to view them.

The Highveld, as its name suggests, is situated at a higher altitude and is much cooler than the Lowveld. On the opposite site of the Drakensberg to KwaZulu-Natal, it consists of rolling grassland with many wild flowers and pretty streams. Much of the area has been cultivated as pine plantations, but there are still some pockets of indigenous forest. Trout fishing is very good in the dams and streams in the Dullstroom and Lydenberg areas.

The mighty Kruger National Park is the principal tourism feature of the province, a vast wilderness region larger than the country of Israel. The Kruger National Park forms an elongated stretch of wilderness, from the southern border town of Komatiepoort into the Limpopo Province, right up to South Africa’s northern border with Zimbabwe. Roughly half of the Kruger National Park falls within Mpumalanga and half into the Limpopo Province.

The northerly Limpopo regions are drier and more arid than the dense Bushveld of Mpumalanga, which s hotter and humid. Animals move at will through the various biospheres. And this reserve is world renowned for having the greatest diversity of species in Africa – more than 140 mammal species, 500 bird species and more than 300 different tree species, including baobabs, marulas and mopanes.

Accommodation the Kruger National Park ranges from clean campsites to very comfortable and luxurious game lodges. The private reserves on its borders are, without exception, very luxurious. Exclusive lodges offer outstanding accommodation, five-star food, evening “braais”, or barbeques under African skies and night game drives led by experienced game rangers.

The province is very fertile and there are many huge plantations growing produce ranging from avocado pears to citrus, which has made “agri-tourism” popular. There are also hundreds of thousands of hectares of timber plantations in the province, making driving around the region extremely enjoyable.

Mpumalanga is also home to part of the great Drakensberg range, a magnificent canyon called Blyde River Canyon, which is the third largest and only green canyon in the world.

  

This system of canyons and escarpments is responsible for one of the world’s most breathtaking views from a place known as “God’s Window” on the very edge of South Africa’s shield-shaped interior plateau. The Blyde System includes another famous site called “The Three Rondavels”, with magnificent views.

The painted geometric patterns of Ndabele homes and their beaded traditional clothes can be seen at villages such as the Botshabelo Historical Village.

Must-Do’s While in Mpumalanga:

View the Big Five

Enjoy the amazing scenic beauty

Visit Pilgrim’s Rest

Hiking, biking and trout fishing