The Kruger National Park is one of South Africa’s biggest tourism draw-cards.Not too far from the Kruger, you’ll find the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, home to the Beverly Hills of luxury game lodges
However, it must be said - in Mpumalanga there is game lodge accommodation for every budget.
So what exactly can you expect from a visit to a game lodge? According to the AA Travel Guides, the game lodge experience can be defined as follows: ‘Luxurious accommodation. The game experience is central to the guests’ stay. Generally within a reserve, offering game drives and all meals as part of the inclusive rate.’
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is a 65 000 wildlife sanctuary that shares an unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park. Valuable water supplies are provided to the area by the Sabie River and the Sand River, which attracts a high level of bio-diversity and fantastic game viewing. Here, you are almost always guaranteed of seeing the Big Five. Luxurious lodges can be found in the Sabi Sand region, offering the ultimate in comfort. International publications such as Travel and Leisure (US), Tatler (UK) and Conde Nast Traveller (both US and UK) regularly acknowledge these superior establishments. It must be said that lodges such as Singita, Mala Mala, Sabi Sabi, Londolozi and the like, do come with hefty price tags attached to them.
Best of the Best:
Mala Mala consists of 3 camps: Rattray’s on Mala Mala, Sable Camp and Mala Mala Main Camp. The camps offer all the luxury one could imagine, including exquisite cuisine, game drives with a private guide, bush walks and luxurious accommodation. It’s not surprising then that Mala Mala was voted as ‘One of the Top Hotels Worldwide’ by Fodor’s for 2006. This was followed by the Travel & Leisure magazine award (2nd Place) for Best Service for Africa and the Middle East.
Londolozi Private Game Reserve is one of the most progressive eco-tourism locations in Africa. There are 5 camps to choose from at Londolozi – Pioneer camp, Founders camp, Bataleur camp, Tree camp and Londolozi Safari Lodge. Guests can enjoy interpretive Big Five Safaris and day and night safaris. Again the accommodation, cuisine and service is top-notch. An added bonus is that Londolozi offers some of the best leopard viewing in Africa.
One cannot mention the top game lodges in South Africa, without speaking of Singita in the same breath. Singita has 5 spectacular lodges on offer: Ebony, Boulders, Lebombo, Sweni and Castleton Camp. The décor, attention-to-detail, personal service and sheer beauty of the various locations has also won multiple awards for Singita including the Conde Nast Traveller UK Awards for ‘Best Hotel in the World’ for 2004 and Travel & Leisure Magazine’s ‘World Best Service Awards’.
Other notables:
- Lion Sands Ivory Lodge in the Sabi Sand neighbourhood, has also been lauded by international magazines and was a finalist in Tatler Magazine UK’s Hotel of the Year Awards for 2006.
- Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge. The Spa at Earth Lodge is a fore-runner of the African spa philosophy - using nature in healing and therapeutic treatments.
- Ulusaba Rock Lodge. This lodge has every comfort one can imagine, which is not surprising as Virgin’s Richard Branson owns the place.
- Jock Safari Lodge – consisting of 12 luxury suites with great views and an excellent bush spa. Jock’s is part of the renowned Mantis Collection properties.
As you can see, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury lodges in Mpumalanga, so make sure you explore your options beforehand.
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