Ngala Safari Lodge
Ngala, meaning 'lion' in Shangaan, is situated at the junction of the Mopane forests and the Timbavati flood plains, sharing unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park. This gracious, colonial-style safari lodge provides an unbeatable family safari experience.
Highlights
- Excellent game viewing, known for large prides of lion and herds of elephant and buffalo
- Air-conditioned in summer and heated in winter
- Main guest areas secluded in leafy woodlands
- Open fireplaces
- Private intimate verandah, en-suite bath and separate shower
- Swimming pool with view over the waterhole
- Pampering spa and well-equipped gym
- Minibars in chalets
- Gift shop
Ngala Safari Lodge is a classical, colonial-style safari lodge located beneath a shaded canopy of immense Mopani and Tamboti trees, renowned for superb accommodation and old world charm. There are 20 cottages (including 3 family cottages) all with air conditioning, a private deck and an en-suite bath and shower. There is also an exclusive Safari Suite which is perfect for honeymoons and romantic getaways with its own sitting room and swimming pool, en-suite bathroom with outdoor shower, sole-use safari vehicle with dedicated guide and butler service. Private meals can be served on its expansive private deck.
Main camp
The main guest areas feel very cosy and private, shaded by massive, ancient indigenous trees. The spacious thatched lounge, bar and dining area have a distinct old-fashioned charm and elegance in the midst of the African bush. A spacious deck area has wonderfully comfortable armchairs from where you can relax and watch the animals come to visit the busy waterhole in front of the lodge. There's a cooling pool to refresh you from the midday heat and a romantic, lantern-lit courtyard at night where you can enjoy delicious dinners beneath the starry African skies. Huge buffet breakfasts and sumptuous afternoon teas are served on the open deck, overlooking the busy waterhole.
Extraordinary game viewing
Ngala was the first private safari reserve to be incorporated into the world-famous Kruger National Park - the largest wildlife sanctuary in South Africa. With exclusive traversing rights over 14 700 hectares (36 323 acres) of Kruger's game-rich wilderness, Ngala offers an excellent African wildlife safari experience, renowned for its frequent Big Five game sightings and with twice-daily game drives in open safari vehicles and interpretive, interactive bush walks with experienced, armed guides (only for those over 16).
Getting there
By road: Ngala is a 6-hour drive from Johannesburg. 4WD not necessary. Road transfers are available.
By air: Daily Federal Air flights connect from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) directly to Ngala Airstrip. There are also daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Hoedspruit's Eastgate Airport, from where it's a 1-hour road transfer to the lodge. Transfers can be arranged.
Our take on Ngala Safari Lodge
As part of the AndBeyond group of luxury lodges, you can expect an unforgettable stay where the staff are welcoming, efficient and unobtrusive and your every need is expertly taken care of. The setting overlooking the waterhole is enviable. Excellent guides ensure you get the best safari experience and it's a game-rich area known for its healthy populations of lion, elephant and buffalo. Wild dogs are also a fairly common sight here. It's also child-friendly with special programmes dedicated to 'edu-taining' the little ones.
Includes
- Accommodation
- Three meals daily
- Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers
- Teas and coffees
- Refreshments on game drives
- Laundry
- Nature walks (1 hour) accompanied by experienced armed trackers, subject to availability
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Transfer to and from the airstrip (where applicable)
Excludes
- Champagne, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits and cigars
- Transfers to and from the lodge
- Extras
- Government levy/bed levy
- Conservancy or park entrance fees (where applicable)
- Landing fees (where applicable)
You may also want to look at
Kings Camp
Kings Camp is a luxury lodge situated in the Timbavati Game Reserve in South Africa. The lodge lies on the boundary of the Kruger National Park and is known as one of the top safari destinations in South Africa. Kings Camp offers luxury accommodation, world-class cuisine and various game activities.
Timbavati Game Reserve
The Timbavati Game Reserve is most famous for its white lions, which are still spotted in this area from time to time. The Timbavati is a collection of privately-owned game reserves which share an unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park. It is a vast Big 5 game reserve situated to the west of Kruger, and to the north of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The bush and game viewing in the Timbavati is similar to what you will find in the Kruger National Park.
