Djuma Vuyatela Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve,
South Africa
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DJUMA VUYATELA LODGE RATES: Djuma Vuyatela Lodge Rates
DJUMA VUYATELA
LODGE - SABI SAND GAME RESERVE
Djuma
Vuyatela Lodge is both extraordinary, wonderful and
probably the most unusual bush camp you will ever
see on South African safari. It is the actualised
dream of its idealistic visionary owners, Jurrie
and Pippa Moolman, who aimed to create a camp which
perfectly combines the natural and the contemporary
cultural components of Africa for the South African
safari experience.
This new and unique South African safari lodge is a
recent addition in the African savannah. Local building
techniques provided the inspiration for Vuyatela and
the successful blend of modern materials and unique,
vibrant architecture is clearly evident. All talents
in the Djuma South African safari team have been pooled
and the craftsmen have created a set of mosaics for
each room with the colorful patterns and symbols adding
to the artistic atmosphere of the lodge. Perfect for
your next South African safari.
Sip a cocktail by your private pool while watching
animals meander in front of your deck. Marvel at
the detail of the contemporary African artwork and
frequent the gym, relaxation room and library. You
are able to send an email home and check on your
favourite website from the privacy of your deck or
utilise the main terminal in the Vuyatela library.
Game drives and guided
bush walks are conducted daily and offer you the
chance to view animal and
birdlife close up. There are also daily tours to
a nearby Shangaan village, where you can learn about
the customs and traditions of the local people.
Vuyatela means
'come visit again' in Shangaan, and this artistic
and uniquely designed
lodge, ‘hand-crafted’ here
in the beautiful African savannah, will definitely
tempt you to do just that.
Accommodation  For
images of Vuyatela Lodge, click Vuyatela
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Vuyatela comprises
eight luxury suites including bedroom, dressing-room
and bathroom with outdoor shower, separate lounge,
private deck and plunge pool. The suites are also
equipped with air-conditioning, fans, mosquito
nets, IDD telephone and bar fridge.
Accommodation
is spacious and eclectic. The chalets, with private
deck, pool and detached sitting room, reflect
local architecture. Builders used corrugated
iron, mud and dung to achieve an authentic effect
without sacrificing luxury in any way. Pippa,
an artist, is responsible for creating the attractive
mosaics which adorn the en-suite bathrooms.
Each of the
buildings that make-up a chalet, or "Kaya" (Shangaan
word for house), is decorated using a different
technique and has been attractively
hand painted by nearby Shangaan villagers -
a contest was held for the best designs.
The main lodge is
constructed of dark hardwood and stainless steel,
with a tall viewing platform. A long dining table
stretches
beneath two amazing chandeliers made
from hundreds of clear Coca-Cola bottles. Behind
the table is an enormous fish tank set into glistening
glass blocks. The waiters and waitresses wear trousers
printed with a bright fish motif. The lodge also
includes a large double deck, outdoor dining area,
wine
cellar, a bar overlooking the
watering
hole, and a suspended
bird-watching tower. There is also an internet
library with detailed
wildlife websites, a gym and a relaxation room.
When scanning
the dry bushveld stretching forever around the
camp, the fish theme seems curious. It has logic,
however, in that Jurrie did
a PhD in ichthyology - concentrating on four species
of
fish endemic
to the Kruger area, which he celebrates in the
tank. Even the walls of the lodge have a story
- the lighter colour of some walls is the result
of their having been plastered with buffalo dung
collected in the winter; the darker ones were
covered with dung collected during the summer.
The Rubbing Post Spa
The Rubbing Post is a convenient log, rock or tree that is used by animals such as Rhino, Elepant and Buffalo to scratch that itch and remove their mud bath mud. The Rubbing Post spa and treatment centre is situated at Djuma Game Reserve's Vuyatela Lodge, but services all three Djuma lodges. We all live stressful, busy lives. When we get the chance to be away from all our day-to-day activities we slowly allow our bodies to rejuvenate. Tucked away here in the bush there is the additional benefit of pampering and time to reflect on the positive aspects of our lives with the pampering treatments offered by the resident therapist.
Dining & Cuisine
The cuisine served at Vuyatela takes you back to
the basics of Southern African food with classic
African dishes made from quality ingredients and
impressively presented.
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and fresh bakes
are served daily and keep you refreshed between game
drives and bush walks.
"The
idea of the cuisine is to take guests back to
the basics of Southern African food with classic
dishes but placing an emphasis on quality ingredients.
Along with the simple, but impressive presentation,
and the richness of African cuisine, the intent
is to intrigue the palates of guests,
leaving enough mystery
for a return visit."
Activities
The cultural theme also runs through activities.
After morning game-drive guests may accompany their
Shangaan guide to his nearby village, where they
will have the opportunity of interacting with his
family and friends in a very authentic and contemporary
African environment.
Two guided game drives
per day are offered as well as a guided walk
in the bush. Game viewing drives
through the reserve are taken in open-top Land Cruisers,
allowing you a panoramic view of this terracotta
landscape and the menagerie of wildlife that make
it their home.
Perhaps the most
extraordinary thing about Djuma is that it is the "mothership" of
Africam (www.africam.com), one of the world's 10
biggest internet site, where visitors can experience
a virtual game drive twice a day and watch game convening
at waterholes all day and night. As such, it is one
of the only bush camps with internet access!
Wildlife and Environment
With
over 20,000 acres of privately owned land, Djuma
is the fourth largest private reserve in the Sabi Sand. Located in the north of the Sabi Sand Reserve,
the terrain is quite different from lodges in the
south,
and Djuma combines very well with Singita, MalaMala,
or Londolozi. Game-viewing is very good (as it is
anywhere in the Sabi Sand) - although sightings of
the cats are not quite as frequent as at the 3 'big
players' in the south, and Djuma is probably the
best place in Kruger for viewing the highly endangered
African Wild Dog.
Djuma offers ‘Big Five’ viewing – Lion,
Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino, as well as
several other species, including Warthog, Cheetah,
Hyena, Wildebeest and rich plant and bird life.
Djuma Philosophy
"Our philosophy has always
been to conserve the land so that future generations
can enjoy the pristine
glory of the African Savanna. To this end we see
responsible commercialization as the key to preserving
this natural wonder. Such responsible commercialization
is not only essential for the maintenance of Djuma
Game Reserve, but the job creation associated with
the commercial process allow neighbouring communities
to have a stake in these lands, and as such an
incentive to help conserve the environment.
We acknowledge the past history of South Africa
and believe that it is essential to the creation
of our new country that formerly advantaged and disadvantaged
sections of society reach across to each other and
work together as a single community. Djuma has been
active in creating and maintaining such links. We
are proud of our country and our history and believe
that if we all work together we will have a bright
future.
However,
most importantly, we strive for our guests
to leave
here with a sense
of the magic of Africa.
To create an atmosphere of warm hospitality and to
see to our guests’ needs with a "can do" attitude.
We do our utmost best to show our guests the splendid
sights and sounds of the African Savanna without
disturbing Nature unnecessarily. We see it as our
responsibility to impart our knowledge and to inform
our guests, not only in the way of the Savanna, but
also of the wider South African culture. We want
our guests to leave Djuma Game Reserve at the end
of their stay rested and happy with a perfect holiday."
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