Nambiti – “More than just Big Five”
Nambiti is a private bush retreat and game conservancy of 20 000 acres which is ideal for the exclusive use families and small groups of friends. Nambiti is a mere 2½ hours drive from Durban and 3½ hours from Johannesburg.
UmZolozolo Lodge:
UmZolozolo Lodge is an exclusive camp for the use of families or small groups of up to ten. The camp is small in order for guests to enjoy exclusivity and privacy. UmZolozolo graces a hillside summit above a river valley with magnificent views across the African bushveld.
Elephant Rock Private Safari Lodge:
Superbly sited overlooking a waterhole, Elephant Rock is a charming boutique safari lodge offering luxury accommodation for up to 10 people. Experience a ‘home-away-from-home’ true bush lodge experience for the entire family including extraordinary game-viewing, game drives, exquisite cuisine and high standards of service – all at exceptional value for money.
Elephant Rock Private Safari Lodge Chalets:
Elephant Rock Private Safari Lodge boasts five well appointed luxurious suites including one family unit. All suites are well spaced for total privacy and include an en-suite bathroom, private deck and outdoor shower, and all have great views of the waterhole or the indigenous bushveld.
Enjoy the magnificent viewing deck, relax whilst viewing the many species of game and birdlife or just cool off in the pool. Delicious meals are prepared by the in-house chef and can be enjoyed in the open boma, under the stars on the viewing deck or in the comfort of the main lodge.
Big 5 at Nambiti Private Game Reserve:
The Big Five and other game are plentiful and roam freely over the Nambiti Private Game Reserve on which Elephant Rock is situated. Nambiti is a 10 000 hectare reserve of diverse wildlife habitat and includes the Big Five – lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant and leopard, as well as cheetah, hyena and many other species. Birdlife abounds with over 250 recorded species. Nambiti is ideally situated 2½ hours from Durban and 3 ½ hours from Johannesburg, in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal battlefield country, including Rorke’s Drift, Isandlwana, Elandslaagte and Ladysmith.
Book the lodge exclusively:
Why not book the entire lodge? Elephant Rock is also available on a sole and exclusive basis.
Chalet accommodation:
The sumptuous individual suites, each with full en-suite facilities, outdoor shower and private deck area have either sweeping views of the active waterhole or indigenous bushveld with abundant birdlife.
There are five suites, including one family suite and accommodation at the lodge caters for a maximum of ten people. Attention to highly personalised service makes for a memorable stay.
Facilities at Elephant Rock Private Safari Lodge:
Elephant Rock offers the thrill of Big 5 game-viewing, as well as the creature comforts of a top-class resort. A staff ratio of one staff member per guest ensures phenomenal service and personalised attention to detail. Relax on the deck next to the delightful pool or enjoy a sundowner on the main viewing deck overlooking the waterhole. The bar is an ideal meeting place for pre-dinner drinks.
Safari conferences and workshops:
The lodge is ideal for small exclusive conferences or workshops for up to ten people. Exclusive use of the lodge allows a conference, activities and meals to be planned to the guests’ requirements.
Elephant Rock Private Safari Lodge Cuisine:
Elephant Rock is proud to offer its guests a selection of dining venues. Choose from a sumptuous dinner next to the fire in the main lodge on a cold night, a traditional meal complete with roaring fire in the boma, a meal under the stars on the magnificent deck overlooking the waterhole or. by arrangement, a bush dinner or breakfast in the heart of the Nambiti Private Game Reserve.
Head chef Fanele Mthembu prides herself on the preparation of mouth-watering dishes that appeal to guests from all walks of life. Brunch is served upon returning from a game drive and consists of either a continental breakfast or hot dishes made to order. A light lunch is served prior to the afternoon safari and a sumptuous dinner awaits guests upon returning from the late afternoon safari. Guests’ individual dietary requirements are respected and visitors are requested to advise of any special dietary requirements at the reservation stage.
Elephant Rock is the perfect facility for a celebratory getaway. Sole and exclusive use of the lodge is available. Plan your own menu, time of drive and location of meals by arrangement.
Activities offered at Elephant Rock Private Safari Lodge:
Waterfall picnics: Try something different in your spare time – a bush braai (barbeque) or picnic at the waterfall and a swim in the Sundays River. Feel at one with nature, surrounded by the sound of cascading water and abundant birdlife;
Fishing: Enjoy some quiet time at one of the many well-stocked dams fishing for Bass or Yellowtail. Fishing rods are available at the lodge;
Battlefield tours: For the history enthusiast, trips to any of the nearby battlefields, including Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana, can be arranged:
Golf: Golfing enthusiasts can book at a golf course in the vicinity.
*Please note: Waterfall picnic’s and golfing trips are by arrangement only.
About the area – Nambiti Big 5 Game Reserve:
The Elandslaagte battlefield and memorials of the British and Boers fall within the Nambiti Private Game Reserve boundary.
The Nambiti Private Game Reserve is located in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields, a short drive from the legendary Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana battlefields.
The original military hospital building still exists today.
For more information visit www.elephantrocklodge.co.za
Springbok Lodge:
The Springbok Lodge epitomises the perfect safari experience with beautifully appointed tented suites, service excellence, superb cuisine and prolific wildlife – ensuring an unforgettable experience.
Nestled in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields, the lodge offers guests a chance to unwind in a picture-perfect setting.
Well positioned on the main route between Johannesburg and Durban, Springbok Lodge is a 4½ hour drive from Johannesburg (approximately 400km) and 3½ hours from the coastal city of Durban). The breathtaking mountains of the central Drakensberg lie a mere one-and-a-half hours away. Bringing the lodge even closer is 1.2km landing strip for light aircraft or helicopters.
Whether Springbok Lodge is your intended destination, a base from which to explore the surrounding countryside or a stop-over while touring the country, you are assured an above-average experience – the lodge has achieved an AA Superior Accommodation Accreditation for the past two years.
Springbok Lodge is situated in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve, a conservancy offering 20 000 acres of pristine, malaria-free bushveld. The reserve is home to the Big Five, as well as cheetah, hippo and over 30 species of plains game. Nature lovers will enjoy the area’s biodiversity, with Thornveld and majestic Acacia trees complementing extensive grasslands which mirror the plains of Central Africa.
The abundant natural water system, with perennial rivers and the beautiful waterfall and cascades on the Sundays River, makes for a unique sanctuary, attracting several rare bird species and an enviable array of raptors and vultures.
Feast your senses on the magnificent sights, sounds and smells of this untouched African bush. With every dawn, renew your bond with nature as you embark on a safari with your experienced and knowledgeable field guide.
Accommodation:
While the Big Five experience alone is enough to attract visitors, The Springbok Lodge guests can expect so much more.
Our 15 elevated luxury tents sleep a maximum of 30 guests, offering 5-star opulence in the African bush. The tents are air-conditioned in the warm summer months and heated during the chilly winters with electric blankets keeping guests extra snug.
After a thrilling day of game viewing and birding you can indulge in a deep, scented bubble bath or enjoy the rush of an outdoor shower under the star-studded sky.
Unsurpassed views from each tent deck allow you to watch the game on the horizon whilst sipping your morning coffee or favourite sundowner.
Two of the tents are adjacent to the lodge and equipped with an access ramp instead of stairs, catering for wheelchair-bound guests and those with mobility challenges. The main lodge and boma are accessible by wheelchair and the lodge boasts a uniquely-designed, wheelchair-accessible plunge pool. More information regarding the tents’ facilities and restrictions with regards to wheelchairs can be obtained when making a reservation.
Activities at the lodge and surrounding areas:
- Game drives (approximately 3 hours, depending on sightings and weather);
- Boma dinners (weather permitting);
- Bush breakfasts (by arrangement);
- Fly fishing (seasonal);
- Zulu dancing (by prior arrangement and at an additional cost);
- Massage therapy (by arrangement and at an additional cost);
- Battlefield tours (by arrangement and at an additional cost); and
- Leisurely drives towards the majestic Drakensberg with superb sightseeing and curio shopping.
Game Drives:
Head off on an open game-viewing vehicle at daybreak or early afternoon. A personal guide will ensure that you get the most out of the experience, enjoying the abundance of wildlife and unspoilt African vistas. You will stop to be given a chance to stretch your legs and wonder at the sounds and silences of the bush, while drinking in majestic sunrises or sunsets. The memory of sipping an Amarula coffee or sundowner in such humbling surroundings is one that will stay with you forever.
Boma Dinners:
On fine summer and balmy winter nights guests can arrange to dine around a crackling fire in the boma, an experience which is sure to be a highlight of your stay.
Bush Breakfasts:
Bacon and eggs take on a taste of their own when savoured in the African veld. The bush breakfasts are exciting for our guests as well as our staff who literally pack up everything and set up ‘kitchen‘ in a scenic spot. Often our plans are ‘put to bed’ though, when the Ellies invite themselves to breakfast!
Fly-fishing:
The reserve’s well stocked dams offer the keen fly fisherman a chance to indulge in this tranquil pastime (all fishing is on a ‘catch-and-release’ basis). Adding an extra element of enjoyment are the resident hippo.
Massage therapy:
By prior arrangement, massage therapists will travel from Ladysmith, offering reflexology, full body massage, back massage and Indian head massage in the privacy of your tent or, if the weather allows, out on your deck!
Battlefields:
Absorb the rich history of the area by enjoying a day tour with a registered professional tour guide. You will ‘relive’ the war as your guide shares with you his vast knowledge of and passion for the legendary bygone battles. Visits to monuments and ‘places of rest’ and stories about the grand heritage of the Battlefields surrounding Nambiti make for a most interesting experience. A visit to Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana battlefields approximately 60 minutes away can also be arranged.
The Elandslaagte area boasts a history that dates back to the late 1800’s when some of the bloodiest battles in history were fought as Zulu, Boer and British forces clashed over land and sovereignty. The Battle of Elandslaagte was fought on the Nambiti Private Game Reserve and the original hospital still stands within the reserve’s boundaries.
Enquire about our ‘Bush & Battlefields Package’ – a minimum three-night stay at the lodge including two afternoon and two morning game drives, a full-day tour of the Battlefields and all meals and accommodation.
Conferences and events:
The Springbok Lodge leads the way as one of only two Big Five conferencing venues in KwaZulu-Natal. Join us and experience it!
For the corporate visitor we offer the convenience of a fully equipped conference venue and on-site accommodation for up to 40 delegates (sharing). This venue represents a perfect base for strategic meetings, team building or motivational sessions. If required, additional accommodation can be arranged at one of the nearby lodges on a bed-only basis.
Make the most of this unique venue to encourage your team to excel.
The conference room is equipped with a big screen television, data projector, flip charts and a PA system and customised seating and table layout. Conference packages are tailor made to your specific needs.
Our competitive rates offer value for money without compromising the world-class experience that the corporate market is accustomed to. Our corporate clients have already chosen The Springbok Lodge as their venue of choice for incentives and rewards for clients and team members.
We are suitably equipped to host:
- Conferences;
- Team-building;
- Product launches;
- Gala events;
- Awards events;
- Year-end celebrations; and
- Company breakaways.
Weddings at Springbok Lodge:
Springbok Lodge has become a venue of choice to host smaller, intimate weddings and unions.
Our picture-perfect venue with its distinctive ambiance lends itself to making your big day unique. Packages are personalised to suit your requirements, including excellent accommodation and superb cuisine.
For more information visit www.thespringboklodge.co.za
