One of the best things about living in South Africa is the easy access we have to some of the best holiday destinations in the world. We have beautiful beach, exquisite mountain and breathtaking wildlife safaris to choose from. Depending on where you live in the country, these places can be only a short drive or plane journey away.
A few weekends ago, my family and I went on a (very) last-minute weekend away to an amazing game lodge in Bela-Bela in the Limpopo province – this was a place that we had never been to before. My husband planned the entire trip on a Thursday afternoon, and we left the next day. It was only a two-hour drive from where we live – and we were completely awestruck by our experience.
Where did we go?
Let me fill you in on our experience.
We were a party of five – my husband and I, our two children under ten years old and their grandmother. We did a self-drive from the Gauteng province which, like I said, took us around two hours. We used our GPS for a short while as we passed through Bela-Bela (Warmbaths), but other than that, the trip was fairly easy and uneventful.
Without boring you with all the finer details, let me highlight what you and your family can expect from your stay at Mabula Game Lodge.
Getting To Mabula Game Lodge
When entering the lodge, you have to pass through a security check-point where they’ll check all the necessary details before allowing you access. Once through, you’re completely off tarred road and it immediately feels like you’re in the wild! The large mounds of animal dung were clear indications that there were animals close by.
It took us about five minutes or so of off-road driving before we reached the entrance to the lodge, where we were immediately greeted by a herd of kudus roaming freely and in very close proximity to the people and cars. Exhilarating!
The Accommodation
There are self-catering and ‘hotel’ options. We chose the ‘hotel,’ which isn’t really a hotel, but rather independent thatched rooms. Our unit consisted of two rooms, linked by a little corridor. Each room had its own amenities. The bathrooms were modern and spotless. They have all the usual items one would expect, including a cleaning service. The TV channels were a bit limited, especially with little children. Then again, there was so much to do that there was almost no need to watch TV. Overall, the accommodation was clean and functional – which is all you really need. In addition, I have to add that even though we were there during the last week of June (which is winter in South Africa), the rooms were so well insulated that we didn’t once have the need of our air conditioner.
The Game Drives
This is absolutely the highlight of the stay at Mabula. Each party is assigned a specific ranger for the duration of the stay. As we were a small party, we shared the game drive vehicle with another family.
There are two game drives per day, which are all-inclusive.
The morning game drive starts at the main reception area at 06h15 with tea, coffee and biscuits. The open game drive vehicles depart promptly at 06h30. With it being winter and absolutely freezing at that time of the morning, each passenger is thoughtfully supplied with a hot water bottle and fleecy blanket, which was greatly appreciated! Your ranger will then take you all around the 12 000-hectare reserve in the hopes of spotting some wild animals.
Halfway through the morning drive there is a pit-stop where everyone can stretch their legs. The ranger also supplies coffee and hot chocolate during this short break. You return to camp at 09h00, just in time for breakfast. And trust me, all that cold, fresh air certainly makes you work up an appetite.
The afternoon game drive departs at 15h30, after lunch. No hot water bottles this time, but your ranger will supply you with a blanket as the temperatures dip. The afternoon drive will be on a different route to the morning one, in the hope of spotting different animals. There is also a sundowner pit-stop halfway through where the ranger supplies beverages and snacks. It is absolutely breathtaking being out in the wild (literally) at sunset. You will return to camp around 18h00 – with just enough time to freshen up for the 19h00 dinner.
Breathtaking wildlife at Mabula
Mabula Game Lodge is home to Africa’s Big Five. And let me assure you, these are real wild animals. During our stay there we were absolutely delighted to have spotted four of the Big Five – with only the elusive leopard not spotted.
Here is a list of the animals we managed to see:
Baboons, wild dogs, giraffes, kudu, zebras, rhinos, eland, lions, elephants, wildebeest, buffalo, crocodiles, hippos and lots of other little animals.
Some of the animals we spotted in the distance, and some animals were right up close to us.
On one of our afternoon game drives, we saw a lion feasting on a zebra that had been hunted earlier that day. So, if you’re squeamish, just bear in mind that you never know what you might see out in the wild.
The Other Amenities
There is also a lovely outdoor area with waterfalls, where you’re able to relax. In Limpopo, winter is the dry season. The mornings and evenings are cold, but the afternoons are usually sunny and pleasant.
There is a cold and warm pool and a lovely spa, where my husband and I managed to squeeze in massages. There is a curio shop selling souvenirs and a little superette selling all kinds of things.
For the children, they are given access to a play area and a tennis court equipped with tennis racquets, cricket bats and wickets, soccer balls with soccer nets, scooters, motorbikes, a swing, a supervised indoor activity area and more.
The Dining
This was certainly an experience in itself. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in the cost of your stay.
Our first dinner was quite dramatic. We were whisked off in the dark night on the game drive vehicle, driving through bush and unknown terrain, to a charming venue somewhere out in the wild. The gas heaters were going, making it warm and inviting, and there was a scrumptious buffet prepared.
Breakfast the following morning was just as well-prepared. It took place in the dining area off the main reception, with all the usual fare one expects at a breakfast buffet.
Lunch was equally generous, with a variety of hot and cold meals prepared.
Dinner on our second night was outdoors at the boma, complete with traditional dancers and hearty food to warm you up.
There is over enough food. To be honest, we didn’t even really feel the need to eat lunch while there.
Value for Money
As South African citizens (with a struggling Rand) we found this to be worth the money spent. I can only imagine that, for international travellers, this destination must be an absolute bargain.
I would highly recommend this venue to both local and foreign visitors alike. We are already planning our next trip back.
A few additional tips to remember when planning your trip to Mabula Game Lodge:
- If you’re driving in, remember that you’ll have to drive a fair distance on untarred roads, so make sure the vehicle you’re travelling in is capable of driving in this terrain.
- If you’re going during the winter months, remember to pack in lots of warm clothes. A beanie and warm jacket are an absolute must.
- Remember: There is never a guarantee that you will see animals. Don’t hold the ranger or the establishment liable should you only manage to spot a few animals during your stay.
- On that note, we were advised by our ranger that visiting during the dry months in Limpopo (May to October) is probably the best option. Summer is the rainy season and it will be more difficult for you to spot animals.
- When they say that dinner is from 19h00 to 21h00, they actually mean that you have to be there at 19h00 – not, you’re able to arrive any time between 19h00 and 21h00 (as we found out).
- Your activities are basically set out for you at Mabula. Game drive at 06h30, breakfast at 09h00, lunch at 12h30, game drive at 15h30, dinner at 19h00. Of course, the game drives are not obligatory. But why would you go there and NOT go on the drives, right?
- Go with an open mind. You have no idea what you’ll see when out on a game drive. Be prepared to witness some proper wildlife scenes. Bear this in mind as well when travelling with younger children.
- Be in the moment and enjoy the experience!
The writer travelled at her own expense.
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