White Elephant Safari Lodge

Tel:+27 (0) 31 916 1449 | (0) 39 975 1466
Email:abemeyer@roamingafrica.com

White Elephant Safari Lodge - - Kwazulu Natal Accommodation -

White Elephant Safari Lodge is located in the Pongola Game Reserve, which is situated east of the N2, in Maputaland, north eastern Zululand. The lodge is approximately 485km from Johannesburg and 330km from Durban. The closest major center is Richards Bay, which is 180km south east of the N2 freeway.

The sweeping views and tranquil setting provide the venue for a unique African experience. Eight luxurious safari-style tents, each with en-suite bathroom, outdoor canvas shower, private veranda and personal bar, ensure a secluded retreat in unspoilt savanna bushveld teeming with game and birdlife. Unwind with dusky birdcalls, moonlit vistas and the distant gentle lapping of water.


Sumptuous meals are served at the main house (a restored colonial homestead) on the wide verandahs, in the dining room, garden or on the wooden deck alongside the swimming pool.

• Luxurious, tented safari lodge with the ambience and romance of a bygone era.
• Spectacular views of the majestic Lebombo Mountains and distant waters of Lake Jozini.
• Game drives, guided walks and elephant tracking. Brilliant bird-watching and game viewing.
• Tiger-fishing and sunset lake cruises.
• Excellent cuisine and personalized service. Private, exclusive experience
  
  

Journey into the bush on a game drive or a bush walk with one of our professional guides who will share with you what we have learnt and explore together that which we still need to learn.  A cycling safari on dusty African roads in the late afternoon sun will heighten your senses and invigorate the soul.

Gentle boat cruises on lake Jozini add a new dimension to game viewing and birdwatching. Hear the haunting fish eagle cries, hippos snorting, feel the winds whispering against your skin, inhale the tranquility and solitude of Africa. Test the shimmering waters for 'tigers' with our expert fishing guide to assist you.

From the novice fisherman to the expert anglers fishing with a fly, Lake Jozini offers you the ideal location for tigerfishing of a lifetime, while you enjoy the pristine wilderness setting that compares favorably to the wilds of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe

Rhino walks are an exhilarating experience, allowing you to gain a closer understanding of these prehistoric mammals, their ways and their battle against extinction.  Elephanting' will give you so much more than the mere thrill of sighting elephants. As you participate in our Research Program, you will learn to 'see' elephants differently. Stand in their footsteps and feel their mighty presence. Explore with us their problems in today's world and learn with us about our 'silent' elephants.

Soar over the majestic Lebombo mountains and our corner of Africa with Zululand Mission Air Transport. This special 'flying doctor' service brings medical assistance to the people in the remote rural areas of Maputaland. You will gain a new insight into Africa's soul and her needs, from ZUMAT's committed pilots.

Discover the mystery and magic of Zulu culture by taking part in our Umgano or Uthambothi tours. A visit to Dumazulu Cultural Village and Illala Basket Weavers can be arranged, as well as visits to rural schools, Zulu chiefs and herbal doctors. Venture a little further into some of Maputaland's other wonderful Game and Nature Reserves (Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, Mkuze, Itala, Ndumu, Tembe and the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park).

Located in the middle of the village of Ubombo, you will find a special place known as the “Ubombo Children’s Care Village”. It is where children are nurtured & cared for in a loving environment. The project began with no fixed income. Through the help of many remarkable and generous people, the property has been purchased to provide a secure home for the children and enable the organization to grow.

Pongola Game Reserve

The Pongola Game Reserve was first proclaimed in 1894 and is the second oldest reserve in the world. It is a sanctuary to a large variety of wildlife, including giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala, hyena, buffalo, rhino and leopard. Exactly 100 years ago after the last sighting of elephant in the Pongola area, two breeding herds were reintroduced.

Birdlife is prolific due to the diversity of habitats, with in excess of 350 species recorded.

Pongola Game Reserve is a co-operative conservation project between private landowners, tribal communities and government conservation services, and aims to form the heart of a large ecological and socio-economically viable "Big Five" reserve. Allied to this quest the "Space for Elephant" Foundation has been formed to realize the goal of a biosphere large enough to viably sustain an elephant population of a thousand elephants and allow the re-establishment of the ancient elephant migration routes.

White Elephant Safari Lodge and Bush Camp are officially located on the periphery of a low risk malaria area in northern Zululand of KwaZulu Natal.

Mosquitoes need stagnant water pools to breed and multiply. Due to low annual rainfalls (+ 400 mm) caused by the rain shadow along the western slopes of the Lebombo mountain range, White Elephant has very few mosquitoes. The mosquito that transmits Malaria, Anopheles sp, is absent from White Elephant and Pongola Game Reserve.

However, should your travels take you north into Swaziland, Mozambique and the Mpumalanga lowveld i.e. Kruger National Park and adjacent private game reserves, one must focus on the prevention of mosquito bites. Prophylaxis should be seen only as ancillary to mosquito avoidance measures.

Road Access
Road access to White Elephant Safari Lodge from Pretoria is via the N4 and from Johannesburg via the N12 to Middleburg, branching off to Hendrina and Ermelo on the N11. The route from Ermelo is on the R29 to Piet Retief and Pongola. The lodge entrance (Pongola Game Reserve) is 40km of Pongola and 30km North of Mkuze village. Access from Durban is directly north on the N2. The entrance to WHITE ELEPHANT LODGE is through the PONGOLA GAME SOUTH RESERVE GATE, situated on the N2. There is a gate entrance fee of R20.00 per vehicle.
Kindly note our gate times are from 06h00 to 18h00.

Air Access
SA Express operates daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport. Private air charter from Durban to Mkuze can be arranged. The lodge also has its own private landing strip for light aircrafts (co-ords: S27 24 671 E31 52 822) and a helipad (co-ordinates: S27 23 32
E31 54 545).

Malaria
Pongola Game Reserve is a low risk malaria area. However, guests are advised to take prophylactic precautions before entering Zululand, in view of the new malarial strains, which have developed over the past few years. We advise guests to consult their GP or pharmacist regarding the most effective anti ~ malaria prophylactics.

Clothing
The ambience of White Elephant Safari Lodge is colonial but informal. Khaki clothing and good walking shoes are advised for those guests who wish to participate on game activities. During the summer months (October to March) cool cotton clothing is advisable as well as anoraks or raincoats as afternoon thunderstorms often prevail. Jerseys and pullovers are suggested for the winter months of May through to August. Hats and sunscreen are recommended for use throughout the year.

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