Have you been surfing the internet for the ideal getaway for you and your family or friends this winter? We can’t think of anything better than a group getaway ─ pair it with great game viewing opportunities and you have the perfect cure to fight the cold this winter! Finding a house that is big enough for the whole lot can be tough, so we’ve rounded up 15 of our favourite self-catering houses in the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve.
Mabalingwe is a 9 500 hectare nature reserve located 38 kilometers west of Bela-Bela in Limpopo. The reserve is home to 36 species of wildlife, including the Big 5, hippo, giraffe and hyena, and a bird watcher’s paradise with more than 220 bird species to look out for! So, book a stay and keep an eye out for the free roaming game while you’re relaxing in extreme comfort.
Tiru Lodge
Tiru is a privately owned house with the perfect boma/lapa combination ─ sit around the boma fire underneath a well-designed thatched roof while listening to the nightly sounds, or close the canvas when it’s a bit chilly outside. Alternatively you can also spend time inside around the built-in braai or fireplace. Spend your days sitting on the deck or in the Jacuzzi and enjoy breathtaking views over the reserve.
Capacity: 9
Price per night: R2300
Amenities: Swimming pool, Jacuzzi, braai area, fire pit, full DStv, fireplace, wooden deck, fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning and secure parking
Activities in the area: Horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming, birdwatching and mountain biking
Uzuri Lodge
This lovely lodge is situated high on a hill, offering beautiful north-facing views over the reserve. We recommend relaxing on the deck, in the splash pool or in the Jacuzzi with a cocktail in hand while you enjoy the views. Keep an eye out for the kudu saying hello at the kitchen window or an elephant passing by. To make the absolute best of your getaway you can rent the 11-seater 4×4 game drive vehicle as an extra to enjoy your own private safari drive.
Capacity: 10
Price per night: R3000
Amenities: Swimming pool, Jacuzzi, braai area, fire pit, Wi-Fi, selected DStv, deck, fireplace, games room, fully equipped kitchen and undercover parking
Activities in the area: Guided walks, tennis, horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming, birdwatching and mountain biking
Dream Of Nature
This bush house boasts a lapa with a braai area and fire pit, as well as a pool to take a refreshing dip after a long day of game viewing. End the day off with a glass of wine, light the braai fire and take in the spectacular views of the surroundings from the deck.
Capacity: 8
Price per night: R3400
Amenities: Swimming pool, braai area, fire pit, well-equipped kitchen, deck, fireplace, satellite TV and secure parking
Activities in the area: Tennis, horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming and birdwatching
Warthog Lodge
Nestled amongst the rolling hills and natural dams of the reserve, this lodge offers a relaxing retreat away from the busy city life. With its watering hole in front of the house, spotting some game from the deck is almost guaranteed! There’s even an outside shower for those of you who truly wish to be extra close to nature.
Capacity: 8
Price per night: R3700
Amenities: Wheelchair-friendly, swimming pool, braai area, wooden deck, Wi-Fi, selected DStv, fully equipped kitchen and secure parking
Activities in the area: Fly-fishing, guided walks, tennis, horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming, birdwatching and mountain biking
Kanya Lodge
This comfortable house is tucked away in the bush and previous guests have seen game come right up to the house. The house is perfect for a group of couples as there are 2 separate romantic chalets with their own kitchenettes, as well as a communal splash pool, boma and braai facilities where the group can spend some quality time together.
Capacity: 8
Price per night: R3750
Amenities: Swimming pool, braai area, boma, fully-equipped kitchen and secure parking
Activities in the area: Tennis, horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming and birdwatching
3 on Cliff
This triple-storey lodge on a hill in the reserve boasts fantastic views, a spacious interior and a quiet atmosphere. Take a dip in the swimming pool after an exciting day of game viewing in the self-drive game viewing vehicle, available at an extra cost per day, and spend some quality time with your loved ones around the braai.
Capacity: 10
Price per night: R4000
Amenities: Swimming pool, braai area, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, wooden deck, well-equipped kitchen, full DStv and secure parking
Activities in the area: Tennis, horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming and birdwatching
Kolobe Lodge
Kolobe is a secluded unit with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The entrance hall leads to a large open-plan lounge, which in turn leads to a wide open wooden deck with picturesque views, a swimming pool, built-in braai and boma. Kolobe also offers an optional game drive vehicle available at an additional cost per day. What more could you want?
Capacity: 7
Price per night: R4075
Amenities: Swimming pool, braai area, boma, fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, wooden deck and secure parking
Activities in the area: Guided walks, horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming, birdwatching and mountain biking
Idwala View
Idwala View’s setting is truly something special and offers you everything you can wish for in a luxurious bushveld stay. Experience the magic of an evening under the stars and around the open-air boma and, if you’re lucky, get a surprise visit from the Klipspringer couple in the morning. Remember to book the game drive vehicle as an extra!
Capacity: 14
Price per night: R4100
Amenities: Swimming pool, braai area, boma, fully equipped kitchen, wooden deck, selected DStv, Wi-Fi and secure parking
Activities in the area: Fly-fishing, fishing, guided walks, tennis, horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming, birdwatching and mountain biking
Tashang Lodge, Cyferfontein
This modern, fully furnished lodge consists of a loft and 2 en-suite bedrooms that make it ideal for families with children looking for a leisure breakaway in the bush. The living area leads out to the elevated entertainment deck ─ the ideal place for you to sit back and relax while you keep one eye on the children in the pool and the other one on the game grazing in the veld.
Capacity: 8
Price per night: R4300
Amenities: Swimming pool, braai area, fire pit, fireplace, air conditioning, deck, well-equipped kitchen, TV and secure parking
Activities in the area: Tennis, horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming, birdwatching and mountain biking
Tashang Lodge
Tashang Lodge is a beautiful thatched home that can accommodate 10 guests. When you’re not enjoying the view from your bed through the floor-length windows, you can relax out on the covered porch and large deck, cool off in the swimming pool or enjoy a braai in the open-air boma while keeping an ear open for the sounds of the wild.
Capacity: 6
Price per night: R4475
Amenities: Swimming pool, braai area, fireplace, boma, well-equipped kitchen, deck, full DStv and secure parking
Activities in the area: Tennis, guided walks, horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming and birdwatching
Bush Haven
This house is ideal for a group looking for a getaway in the bush with all the modern finishes of home. After you’ve taken the game drive vehicle for a spin, spend your days relaxing on the large deck with a swimming pool and laze your nights away around the open-air boma braai area.
Capacity: 6
Price per night: R4475
Amenities: Swimming pool, braai area, indoor braai, boma, deck, air conditioning, laundry, well-equipped kitchen and covered parking
Activities in the area: Game drives, game viewing, swimming and birdwatching
Thiane Lodge
Thiane offers comfortable self-catering accommodation in a lovely and bright thatched home. Watch the sunset while enjoying a cocktail on the spacious deck. With the swimming pool, deck and outdoor braai area all overlooking the valley, guests have a great chance of spotting some game while enjoying the spectacular view.
Capacity: 6
Price per night: R4475
Amenities: Swimming pool, braai area, air conditioning, fireplace, wooden deck and well-equipped kitchen
Activities in the area: Game drives, game viewing, swimming and birdwatching
Mafuta Lodge
This unique lodge caters for all weather conditions with air conditioning for the bushveld’s sweltering summers and an indoor built-in Jetmaster braai for chilly winter evenings ─ the perfect house for a family getaway with a lovely veranda for game viewing and enjoying the sunset with a cocktail in hand.
Capacity: 8
Price per night: R4650
Amenities: Swimming pool, braai area, indoor braai, boma, fireplace, air conditioning, deck, fully equipped kitchen, full DStv and secure parking,
Activities in the area: Guided walks, tennis, horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming, birdwatching and mountain biking
Chingwe Lodge
With a large open-plan dining room that opens onto a stunning deck with a built-in swimming pool, this house is a lovely entertainment home that is ideal for a group of couples. There are 4 separate cottages that give couples enough privacy when they are not spending time together as a group around the swimming pool or braai.
Capacity: 8
Price per night: R5295
Amenities: Swimming pool, fireplace, boma, deck and well-equipped kitchen
Activities in the area: Game drives, game viewing, swimming and birdwatching
Mthente Game Lodge
Bring the little rascals along for a stay in this lovely lodge. You have access to a veranda, a swimming pool, a games area with pool table and a separate lounge area. Take the game drive vehicle out for a drive before heading home for a true bushveld braai in the open-air boma which is just a short walk into the veld.
Capacity: 6
Price per night: R5550
Amenities: Swimming pool, braai area, boma, well-equipped kitchen, veranda, air conditioning, TV and games area
Activities in the area: Guided walks, horseback riding, game drives, game viewing, swimming and birdwatching
With these lovely self-catering lodges all over the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, you have no excuse to stay at home this winter. Get the group together and plan your game getaway today!
Feature image: Idwala View – Mabalingwe Nature Reserve (TravelGround)
