The Springbok Lodge

Springbok Lodge, accommodation near Ladysmith in a Big 5 Private Game Reserve near the Battlefields.

Reservations +27 (0)86 127 6237 reservations@nambiti.com www.thespringboklodge.co

Description

 The Springbok Lodge epitomises the perfect safari experience with beautifully appointed tented suites, service excellence, superb cuisine and prolific wildlife - ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Nestled in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields, the lodge offers guests a chance to unwind in a picture-perfect setting.

Well positioned on the main route between Johannesburg and Durban, Springbok Lodge is a four-and-a-half hour drive from Johannesburg (approximately 400km) and three-and-a-half hours from the coastal city of Durban). The breathtaking mountains of the central Drakensberg lie a mere one-and-a-half hours away. Bringing the lodge even closer is 1.2km landing strip for light aircraft or helicopters.

Whether Springbok Lodge is your intended destination, a base from which to explore the surrounding countryside or a stop-over while touring the country, you are assured an above-average experience - the lodge has achieved an AA Superior Accommodation Accreditation for the past two years.

Springbok Lodge is situated in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve, a conservancy offering 20 000 acres of pristine, malaria-free bushveld. The reserve is home to the Big Five, as well as cheetah, hippo and over 30 species of plains game. Nature lovers will enjoy the area's biodiversity, with Thornveld and majestic Acacia trees complementing extensive grasslands which mirror the plains of Central Africa.

The abundant natural water system, with perennial rivers and the beautiful waterfall and cascades on the Sundays River, makes for a unique sanctuary, attracting several rare bird species and an enviable array of raptors and vultures.

Feast your senses on the magnificent sights, sounds and smells of this untouched African bush. With every dawn, renew your bond with nature as you embark on a safari with your experienced and knowledgeable field guide.

Accommodation

While the Big Five experience alone is enough to attract visitors, The Springbok Lodge guests can expect so much more.

Our 15 elevated Luxury Tents sleep a maximum of 30 guests, offering 5-star opulence in the African bush. The tents are air conditioned in the warm summer months and heated in the chilly winter ones, with electric blankets keeping guests extra snug.

After a thrilling day of game viewing and birding, indulge in a deep, scented

bubble bath or enjoy the rush of an outdoor shower under the star-studded sky.

Unsurpassed views from each tent deck allow you to watch the game on the horizon whilst sipping your morning coffee or favourite sundowner.

Two of the tents are adjacent to the lodge and equipped with an access

ramp instead of stairs, catering for wheelchair-bound guests and those with mobility challenges. The main lodge and boma are accessible by wheelchair and the lodge boasts a uniquely-designed, wheelchair-accessible plunge pool. More information regarding the tents’ facilities and restrictions with regards to wheelchairs can be obtained when making a reservation.

Attractions

Activities at the lodge and surrounding areas

* Game drives (approximately 3 hours long, depending on sightings and weather)

* Boma dinners (weather permitting)

* Bush breakfasts (by arrangement)

* Fly fishing (seasonal)

* Zulu dancing (by prior arrangement and at an additional cost)

* Massage therapy (by arrangement and at an additional cost)

* Battlefield tours (by arrangement and at an additional cost)

* Leisurely drives towards the majestic Drakensberg, with superb sightseeing and curio shopping.

Game drives

Head off on an open, game-viewing vehicle at daybreak or early afternoon. A personal guide will ensure that you get the most out of the experience, enjoying the abundance of wildlife and unspoilt African vistas. You will stop to be given a chance to stretch your legs and wonder at the sounds and silences of the bush, while drinking in majestic sunrises or sunsets. The memory of sipping an Amarula coffee or sundowner in such humbling surroundings is one that will stay with you forever.

Boma dinners

On fine summer and balmy winter nights, guests can arrange to dine around a crackling fire in the boma, an experience which is sure to be a highlight of your stay.

Bush breakfasts

Bacon and eggs take on a taste of their own when savoured in the African veld. The bush breakfasts are exciting for our guests as well as our staff who literally pack up everything and set up 'kitchen' in a scenic spot. Often our plans are ‘put to bed’ though, when the Ellies invite themselves to breakfast!

Fly fishing

The reserve's well stocked dams offer the keen fly fisherman a chance to indulge in this tranquil pastime (all fishing is on a ‘catch-and-release' basis). 

Adding an extra element of enjoyment are the resident hippo.

Massage therapy

By prior arrangement, massage therapists will travel from Ladysmith, offering reflexology, full body massage, back massage and Indian head massage in the privacy of your tent or, if the weather allows, out on your deck!

Battlefields

Absorb the rich history of the area by enjoying a day tour with a registered professional tour guide. You will ‘relive’ the war as your guide shares with you his vast knowledge of and passion for the legendary bygone battles.

Visits to monuments and 'places of rest' and stories about the grand heritage of the Battlefields surrounding Nambiti make for a most interesting experience. A visit to Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana battlefields approximately 60 minutes away can also be arranged.

The Elandslaagte area boasts a history that dates back to the late 1800s when some of the bloodiest battles in history were fought as Zulu, Boer and British forces clashed over land and sovereignty. The Battle of Elandslaagte was fought on the Nambiti Private Game Reserve and the original hospital still stands within the reserve’s boundaries.

Enquire about our 'Bush & Battlefields Package' – a minimum three-night stay at the lodge including two afternoon and two morning game drives, a full-day tour of the Battlefields and all meals and accommodation.

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