Mpumalanga Province (meaning,
"where the sun rises") is South Africa’s eastern-most province and the site
of the country’s prime game viewing area. This is where Kruger National Park is
located and several privately owned game reserves – including Timbavati, Klaserie,
and Sabi-Sand. This extraordinary wilderness area sits about 200 miles east of
Johannesburg at the foot of the Drakensburg Mountains. It extends from Tzaneen in the
north, past Nelspruit, and south to the Swaziland border. To the east is Mozambique. A
significant geographic feature of the area is the "Great Escarpment" where
ground elevations drop as much as 5000 feet from the high, cooler, inland plateau (the
Highveld on which Johannesburg sits) to the low, hot, rolling scrubby plain below the
Escarpment (the Lowveld). This area is home to a superb array of wildlife including the
"Big Five" - elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, and rhino -- and a fantastic
collection plants, trees and bird life. No fences separate the private reserves from
Kruger. Animals roam freely throughout the region. Accommodations at private reserves are
substantially better (and more accessible by air) than Kruger Park itself. A game viewing
expedition in southern Africa should include at least one stop of at least two nights in
this area.
Escarpment Flying Weather: Johannesburg and much of interior South Africa sits on a high
plateau at 5,000 feet MSL. East of the Escarpment, ground elevations drop abruptly to 1300
feet and then slope gradually to sea level at the coast. Orographic lifting of moist,
tropical air from the Indian Ocean often produces cloud cover along the escarpment. The
presence of clouds along the escarpment is normal but conditions are usually good enough
for VFR flight. However, pilots and their passengers should accept the possibility of
delays to flights moving across the escarpment.
High atop the escarpment is the Blyde River Canyon, a red sandstone gorge with cliff faces
plunging in a nearly sheer drop to the plain below. From the excellent viewing sites of
the Canyon you can enjoy extraordinary views of the immense lowland plain below. There is
no big game in the mountains.
CLICK ON ANY LODGE THAT IS UNDERLINED AND BLUE TO VISIT THE LODGE'S WEB SITE
HONEYGUIDE – Manyaleti Game reserve
Private airstrip
We'd just come around a bend in the road when a leopard dashed across our path.
"Alfred", the tracker, perched on the front of the landrover, pointed left --
into dense bush. The chase was on! We churned past termite mounds, dropped into gullies,
bounced over stumps, and drove over saplings in pursuit of the handsome cat. Alfred was
nearly thrown from his seat but he never lost the track. Finally, there she was, 20 feet
away, sitting on her haunches, unperturbed -- spotted, golden splendor. I ran out of film
but I'll never forget the scene. HONEY GUIDE is a small, informal place in the Manyeleti
Reserve. Comfortable, tented accommodation, hot shower, solar-powered electric's, with a
private deck set in the cool shade of riverine forest. Splash pool, separate bar, boma,
and a good chef with meals served in the boma -- guests and guides together. Caution:
Animals wander through camp. Your ranger will escort you to your tent after dark.
LONDOLOZI - Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Londolozi Airstrip
Chris and I parked the plane and got out to stretch our legs, tie down, and watch a Cessna
Caravan on final approach. Abruptly, a landrover drove up -- fast enough to kick up dust.
"Either get back in the plane or get in the landrover," the driver advised. He
pointed. "There's a pride of lion at the end of the runway and there and they're
watching you!" We jumped in the plane. (I’ve always felt safe there). The
Caravan pilot spotted the cats and did a go-around. Londolozi Lodge is world renowned for
the "Big Five" and luxury living in the bush. For us, it set the standard:
gourmet dining, excellent wines, service and comfort, and close-quarter game viewing.
They're all here: leopard, cheetah, lion, rhino, hippo, elephant, wildebeest, buffalo,
giraffe, zebra, warthog, spotted hyena, impala, and more.
Set along the lush banks of the Sand River, adjacent to South Africa's famous Kruger
National Park, Londolozi is comprised of three exclusive camps where the splendor of the
bush melds with luxury living. Your accommodation is an air-conditioned chalet, with a
private deck, a plunge pool, as well as indoor and outdoor shower. Each lodge has a lounge
and dinning area, leisure deck, bar, swimming pool and boma for outdoor meals. Your day
begins at dawn with an early morning game drive in an open landrover. Midday is spent on
bush walks or lazing by the pool. After tea, an evening game drive.
MAKALALI LODGE
Private airstrip
The variety of game is extraordinary. Here’s where I saw a Sable antelope for the
first time. But the thing about the accommodation itself is the architecture. This place
is unique in the world. Nothing like it. Nothing like the menu, either. Luxury
accommodation in unique African-style thatched chalets. This is a place to relax in exotic
privacy, to read a book, listen to the sounds of the bush, or to lounge on your private
raised verandah viewing birds and other wildlife that wanders by. Game drives and walks.
Some of the tastiest and most creatively thought out menus of all bush lodges – and a
well-stocked wine cellar.
MALA MALA - Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Private airstrip
South Africa’s original luxury bush lodge. Operated by Mike Ratray, this camp caters
to well-heeled, jet-setting clients from around the world. Comfort, convenience, gourmet
food, and unparalleled service are the hallmarks of MalaMala main camp. The newly
renovated central lodge is exquisitely appointed with large fireplaces, hunting trophies,
animal hides, and comfortable furniture, and a separate, intimate bar. Up to 50 guests
stay in the nearby cluster of thatched cottages, sporting "his" and
"her" bathrooms, wall-to-wall carpeting, 24-hour room service, direct-dial
telephones, and air conditioning (heat in the winter months). Swimming pool, exercise
gymnasium.
A more intimate option on the Ratray Reserves’ menu of accommodation is
Kirkman’s Kamp – an original homestead built 80 years ago. The central lodge is
decorated with paintings, old maps, farm implements, hunting trophies, overhead fans, and
reminiscent of an earlier time. Guests (20 maximum) stay in rectangular huts with a
telephone, air-conditioning, individual verandah, and private bathroom. Kirkman’s
Kamp, makes you feel part of a "Big Game" hunting safari, but this time you
shoot with a camera. Very nice.
MOTSWARI GAME RESERVE
– TIMBAVATI RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA
Private airstrip
Located in the heart of the Timbavati Nature Reserve, Motswari has 15
lovely chalets, which have views either to a riverbed or into the bush. The
lounge area overlooks a rewarding waterhole and the open-air boma is the central
focus for evening meals and entertainment. Great food, Wonderful staff.
SINGITA – Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Singita’s game viewing vehicles traverse the same territory as Londolozi and the two
lodges work together to provide guests with unparalleled game viewing opportunities. While
Londolozi set the standard for comfort and luxury in the bush, Singita has raised the
standard. Intimacy is the hallmark of Singita's style - exquisitely appointed double
suites, separated into exclusive camps set in shady woodland above the Sand River. Each
expansive suite ensures absolute privacy and features its own en-suite bathroom, open-air
shower, double-sided fireplace, air-conditioning, private leisure deck, and living area,
with views across the river to the plains beyond. Excellent cuisine and wine cellar. We
have found nothing finer in southern Africa.
Umlani Bush Camp
An exclusive rustic lodge overlooking the Nshlaralumi
river course in the Timbavati Nature Preserve, Umlani
accommodates only 16 guests in en suite reed and thatch rondavels. Early morning
and evening is spent on a game drive. During the heat of the day with a coolbox
of refreshments at one of the hides, you can watch for birds swooping down to
the water and mammals materializing out of the bush. Or maybe laze in hammocks
around the splash pool sipping iced drinks. At the end of your spotlighted night
drive return to the welcoming comfort of UMLANI, a bush camp in the tradition of
old Africa, with the romantic glow of paraffin lamps to light your way. This is
owner run and operated.