Ngala Safari Lodge
Timbavati Nature Reserve, South Africa
 Return
to Map
of Lowveld Game Reserves
View images of Ngala Safari Lodge: Ngala
Lodge Images
NGALA SAFARI LODGE RATES: Ngala Safari Lodge Rates
NGALA SAFARI
LODGE -
TIMBAVATI NATURE RESERVE
Ngala, meaning "Lion" in
the local Shangaan language, is the only private
safari reserve in the world-famous Kruger
National Park. Ngala Private Game Reserve is host
to two exclusive properties - classic Ngala Game
Lodge in the north and contemporary Ngala Tented
Safari Camp in the south. Ngala has exclusive traversing
rights over 14,780 hectares (36,506 acres) of Kruger's
two million hectares (4,940,000 acres), one of the
richest and most strategically important wildlife
areas on the continent.
When you enter
Ngala Game Lodge, you encounter a world capturing
the romance and elegant traditions
of a bygone time, the era of classic safari. The
lodge is set on the banks of the Mapone riverbed
and features antique-filled interiors and a timeless,
unhurried atmosphere. CC Africa has also opened its
first tented safari camp in South Africa, Ngala
Tented Safari Camp, set on the banks of the great Timbavati
river. This absolutely luxurious and lavish new camp
acts as a satellite camp to Ngala Game Lodge, about
a 45 minute drive away.
At Ngala, you
can experience remarkably close encounters with
breeding herds of Elephant
and Buffalo. See
Black and White Rhino, Giraffe and a host of antelope,
along with the great cats and occasionally, Wild
Dog. At sunset, sip sundowners at the waterhole
and experience life in Africa as described by legendary
author and philosopher, Sir Laurens van der Post: "All
Africa was in that moment for me. Yes, the whole
cast of the first natural, primordial, legitimate
theatre of Africa seemed gathered there to make its
final curtsy in the limelight of the sunset hour
and receive twilight applause before the night dropped
its final curtain."
Ngala has even more to offer. It is the scene of
one of Africa's most innovative conservation partnership
agreements. CC Africa has joined forces with the
natinonal park authorities (Kruger National Park)
and the non-governmental South African Nature Trust
Foundation. Under this partnership, a percentage
of all profits from Ngala flow into the National
Parks Trust to promote conservation projects.
Both the lodge and the tented camp are members of Small Luxury Hotels of the
World.
Accommodation  For
images of Ngala Safari Lodge, click Ngala
Lodge Images
Ngala
Game Lodge has 20 luxury thatched cottages
with verandahs and elegant cream décor.
The Safari Suite is the height of luxury with a
butler service,
large deck and private swimming pool. The impressive
guest areas overlook a busy waterhole.
Cottages: The 20 thatched cottages
are shaded by Mopane Trees, providing a gracious retreat.
All feature air
conditioning,
intimate verandah and green slate en suite bath and
shower. The focal point of each room is the inviting
bed. During winter nights, the air conditioner becomes
a heater, turning the cottages into cosy retreats.
Bed heaters add a warm feeling of luxury. A decanter
of sherry in the room is also a welcome touch.
The Safari Suite is truly luxurious. This superb suite
boasts a spacious mahogany lounge, en-suite bathroom,
outdoor shower, large deck and private swimming pool.
You also have sole use of a Land Rover as well as a
butler service. The expansive sundeck of this superior
suite overlooks the Mapone riverbed, where private
meals are served at the guest's request. This suite
is ideal for honeymooners.
Care has been taken to ensure that the lodge design
is in harmony with nature. As a result, there is
a multitude of birds and small animals in and around
the camp.
Interiors: Memories of safaris of
bygone eras echo through Ngala. Antique-filled interiors,
priceless
rugs and
cut-glass
crystal furnish this opulent retreat. The antique
furniture in the rooms is of a light wood, while
the soft décor is cream and beige. The living
spaces are tastefully decorated with large African
artwork.
Living
Spaces: The
main spacious, thatched lounge, bar and dining
area offer guests
an unashamedly old-world, elegant and luxurious
haven in the midst of the African bush. A portion
of the thatched lounge forms an open deck area,
where afternoon tea and breakfast are served.
Ngala even inspired a guest to write a tribute.
There are impressive open fireplaces. Ngala's
main guest areas are secluded in leafy woodlands.
The shaded swimming pool and sundeck overlook
a busy waterhole near the Mopane woodlands. The
pool is a good size and is surrounded by sunloungers.
Large herds of Elephants are frequently sighted
at the waterhole.
The curio shop and gallery are filled with African treasures. The shop has a
good range of African artefacts, basketware, jewellery, paintings, pottery and
safari clothing, as well as some necessities like toiletries, film, postcards,
stamps, sunblock and hats. If you would like any of your treasures to be shipped,
feel free to ask and this can easily be arranged.
Conferences: Ngala
is the ideal choice for an important conference.
The lodge's air-conditioned, well-equipped facilities
hold up to 42 people. The room is situated in a
quiet corner away from the main guest areas.
Cuisine
Lavish meals with Pan-African
influences are served in a romantic, lantern
lit courtyard or around the traditional African
boma (reeded enclosed area) fire. Old-world interiors,
an unhurried atmosphere and sumptuous cuisine
are the order of the day. Romantic candle-lit
dinners around outdoor fires recreate the timeless
feeling of life on safari. The courtyard at Ngala is an unusual, perhaps even
unique, feature for a safari lodge. You walk through
large wooden doors to an open-air courtyard, warmly
lit by large freestanding candelabras and crackling
fires. The atmosphere is one of casual elegance,
with tables beautifully set up under the trees. A
three-course dinner is carried to your table, mingling
the early evening air with the food's mouth-watering
aromas. Towards the end of the evening, staff entertain
you with traditional song and dance or a stirring
guitar solo.
Bush dinners or boma dinners are slightly more traditional
than the more formal courtyard dinners. Delectable
dinners include squash soup, smoked salmon crostini/steak
with mushrooms and turkey with herb crust/baked pears.
Bush Banquets: Ngala
offers moonlit bush dinners and bush sundowners.
Bush
banquets
are served in
a clearing in the bush under a star-studded sky.
The incredible effort, the spectacular settings,
the visual impact and the fairytale atmosphere of
a dinner under the stars make for an unforgettable
feast.
Activities
Game
Drives: You can enjoy excellent game viewing
encounters on the
twice daily game drives in open Land Rovers.
Ngala offer both off-road and night game drives.
Ngala offers prime sightings of big five game as
well as
numerous other species. On exciting night drives
you will see nocturnal animals, adding a dramatic
dimension to your safari.
Interpretive Walks: Ngala's
knowledgeable guides and trackers will lead you on
guided nature
walks
through
the heart of the
bush, revealing some of nature's most closely guarded
secrets. You will have a chance to experience the
African bushveld close-up as you tread past intriguing
plants and spy more elusive, smaller creatures
such as birds, reptiles, insects and tiny mammals.
Adventures: It is possible to fill
every minute of your safari with a range of exciting
activities including
stargazing,
stunning bird-watching opportunities, swimming
in Ngala's sparkling pools, fairytale-like moonlit
bush dinners and spectacular bush sundowners. Ngala
Game Lodge offers unique activities for children.
At Ngala Lodge, mouth-watering
al fresco dinners are served on the impressive
Timbavati riverbed,
which is dry for most of the year. Enchanting islands
of reeds are a bird-watcher's paradise. All activities
are at no extra charge to guests.
Library: To
further your interest in the African wilderness, Ngala
has an extensive collection of wildlife books,
magazines and videos.
Wildlife
Landscape: Ngala is the only
private game reserve in the legendary Kruger National
Park,
one of the richest and most
strategically important wildlife areas in Africa.
There are no fences around Ngala, allowing game to
move freely. Ngala has exclusive traversing rights
over 14 780 hectares (36 506 acres) of Kruger's two
million hectares (4 940 000 acres).
Ngala Game Lodge is on the banks of the Mapone River
in the north of the reserve, while Ngala Tented Safari
Camp is situated on the banks of the seasonal Timbavati
river, which runs through the southern section of
Ngala Private Game Reserve. The Timbavati comes down
in flood once or twice a year, but is dry for the
remainder of the year.
Game: Ngala's
habitats support an astonishing variety of wildlife
including
the "big five".
Grazers such as buffalo, blue wildebeest, Burchell's
zebra
and warthog favor open areas, while impala are most
common at the edge of bush clumps. Other ungulates
to watch out for are giraffe, hippo, bushbuck, grey
duiker and kudu.
Breeding herds of elephant make for exceptional
viewing. White rhino sightings increase during the
dry season. These endangered animals have fascinating
territoriality. Ngala offers sightings of both black
and white rhino. Large breeding herds of buffalo
- numbering up to 400 - have been moving through
Ngala and using the waterholes.
Ngala continues to
enjoy outstanding leopard and lion pride viewing.
The area's vast terrain enables
the wide-ranging and rare Wild Dog to roam free.
This gives you the privilege of frequent sightings.
Also, elusive nocturnal animals including the endangered
African Wild Cat and the Pangolin (Scaly Anteater)
are often sighted.
Birds: Around 260
species of birds may be seen. Birds around Ngala
Private
Game Reserve include the Woodland Kingfisher,
Scops Owl, Crested Barbet, Marico Sunbird, Spotted-backed
Weaver and White-throated Robin.
Colorful birds to
look out for are the Southern Yellowbilled Hornbill
and the Redbilled Hornbill.
With their large, colourful bills and confiding nature,
hornbills are among the most conspicuous birds in
African savannahs.
Vultures and eagles
soaring through the Ngala sky include the Lappet-faced
Vulture, White-backed Vulture,
Martial Eagle, African Hawk Eagle and Bateleur. Nesting
sites for many of these raptors have been found and
mapped throughout the reserve. This gives a picture
of density, preferred habitats, territorial spacing
and favored trees.
The impressive dry riverbed of the Timbavati features
islands of reeds, a bird-watcher's paradise.
 Top Return
to Map
of Lowveld Game Reserves Return
to Map
of Limpopo Province
For
tourist information and activities in the
Limpopo Province, click More
Limpopo
For further information about Kruger National Park, click More
Kruger
For further information about South Africa, click More
South Africa
|
