 Ngala,
meaning "lion" in Shangaan, is the only private safari
reserve in the world-famous Kruger National Park. Ngala Private
Game Reserve is host to two exclusive properties - classic Ngala
Game Lodge in the north and contemporary Ngala Tented Safari
Camp in the south.
Ngala has exclusive traversing rights over 14 780 hectares (36
506 acres) of Kruger's two million hectares (4 940 000 acres),
one of the richest and most strategically important wildlife
areas on the continent. |
|
 |
Game
Drives
You can enjoy excellent game viewing encounters on our
twice daily game drives in open Land Rovers. We offer
both off-road and night game drives. Ngala offers prime
sightings of big five game as well as numerous other species.
On exciting night drives you will see nocturnal animals,
adding a dramatic dimension to your safari.
Interpretive Walks
Our knowledgeable guides and trackers will lead you on
guided nature walks through the heart of the bush, revealing
some of nature's most closely guarded secrets. You will
have a chance to experience the African bushveld close-up
as you tread past intriguing plants and spy more elusive,
smaller creatures such as birds, reptiles, insects and
tiny mammals.
Adventures
It is possible to fill every minute of your safari with
a range of exciting activities including stargazing, stunning
bird-watching opportunities, swimming in our sparkling
pools, fairytale-like moonlit bush dinners and spectacular
bush sundowners. Ngala Game Lodge offers unique activities
for children.
At Ngala Tented Safari Camp, mouth-watering al fresco
dinners are served on the impressive Timbavati riverbed,
which is dry for most of the year. Enchanting islands
of reeds are a bird-watcher's paradise. All activities
are at no extra charge to guests.
Library
To further your interest in the African wilderness, Ngala
has an extensive collection of wildlife books, magazines
and videos. |
 |
|
|
|
 |
The lodge is set on the banks of the Mapone
riverbed and features antique-filled interiors and a timeless,
unhurried atmosphere.
We were thrilled to open our first tented safari camp
in South Africa, Ngala Tented Safari Camp, set on the
banks of the great Timbavati river. This absolutely luxurious
and lavish new camp acts as a satellite camp to Ngala
Game Lodge, about a 45 minute drive away. |
|
|
|
Ngala Game Lodge
Ngala Game Lodge has 20 luxury thatched cottages with
verandahs and elegant cream décor. Our Safari Suite
is the height of luxury with a butler service, large deck
and private swimming pool. Our impressive guest areas
overlook a busy waterhole.
Cottages
The 20 thatched cottages are shaded by Mopane Trees, providing
a gracious retreat. All feature air conditioning, intimate
verandah and green slate en suite bath and shower. The
focal point of each room is the inviting bed. During winter
nights, the air conditioner becomes a heater, turning
the cottages into cosy retreats. Bed heaters add a warm
feeling of luxury. A decanter of sherry in the room is
also a welcome touch.
The Safari Suite is truly luxurious. This superb suite
boasts a spacious mahogany lounge, en suite bathroom,
outdoor shower, large deck and private swimming pool.
You also have sole use of a Land Rover as well as a butler
service. The expansive sundeck of this superior suite
overlooks the Mapone riverbed, where private meals are
served at the guest's request. This suite is ideal for
honeymooners.
Care has been taken to ensure that the lodge design is
in harmony with nature. As a result, there is a multitude
of birds and small animals in and around the camp.
Interiors
Memories of safaris of bygone eras echo through Ngala.
Antique-filled interiors, priceless rugs and cut-glass
crystal furnish this opulent retreat. The antique furniture
in the rooms is of a light wood, while the soft décor
is cream and beige. The living spaces are tastefully decorated
with large African artwork.
Living Spaces
The main spacious, thatched lounge, bar and dining area
offer guests an unashamedly old-world, elegant and luxurious
haven in the midst of the African bush. A portion of the
thatched lounge forms an open deck area, where afternoon
tea and breakfast are served. Ngala even inspired a guest
to write a tribute. There are impressive open fireplaces.
Ngala's main guest areas are secluded in leafy woodlands.
The shaded swimming pool and sundeck overlook a busy waterhole
near the Mopane woodlands. The pool is a good size and
is surrounded by sunloungers. Large herds of elephants
are frequently sighted at the waterhole.
The curio shop and gallery are filled with African treasures.
The shop has a good range of African artefacts, basketware,
jewellery, paintings, pottery and safari clothing, as
well as some necessities like toiletries, film, postcards,
stamps, sunblock and hats. If you would like any of your
treasures to be shipped, feel free to ask and this can
easily be arranged.
Cuisine
Lavish meals with Pan-African influences are served in
a romantic, lantern lit courtyard or around the traditional
African boma (reeded enclosed area) fire. Old-world interiors,
an unhurried atmosphere and sumptuous cuisine are the
order of the day. Romantic candle-lit dinners around outdoor
fires recreate the timeless feeling of life on safari.
The courtyard at Ngala is an unusual, perhaps even unique,
feature for a safari lodge. You walk through large wooden
doors to an open-air courtyard, warmly lit by large freestanding
candelabras and crackling fires. The atmosphere is one
of casual elegance, with tables beautifully set up under
the trees. A three-course dinner is carried to your table,
mingling the early evening air with the food's mouth-watering
aromas. Towards the end of the evening, staff entertain
you with traditional song and dance or a stirring guitar
solo.
Bush dinners or boma dinners are slightly more traditional
than the more formal courtyard dinners. Delectable dinners
include squash soup, smoked salmon crostini/steak with
mushrooms and turkey with herb crust/baked pears.
Bush Banquets
Ngala offers moonlit bush dinners and bush sundowners.
Bush banquets are served in a clearing in the bush under
a star-studded sky. The incredible effort, the spectacular
settings, the visual impact and the fairytale atmosphere
of a dinner under the stars make for an unforgettable
feast.
Conferences
Ngala is the ideal choice for an important conference.
The lodge's air-conditioned, well-equipped facilities
hold up to 42 people. The room is situated in a quiet
corner away from the main guest areas. |
|
|
|
|
|
Landscape
Ngala is the only private game reserve in the legendary
Kruger National Park, one of the richest and most strategically
important wildlife areas in Africa. There are no fences
around Ngala, allowing game to move freely. Ngala has
exclusive traversing rights over 14 780 hectares (36 506
acres) of Kruger's two million hectares (4 940 000 acres).
Ngala Game Lodge is on the banks of the Mapone River in
the north of the reserve, while Ngala Tented Safari Camp
is situated on the banks of the seasonal Timbavati river,
which runs through the southern section of Ngala Private
Game Reserve. The Timbavati comes down in flood once or
twice a year, but is dry for the remainder of the year.
Game
Ngala's habitats support an astonishing variety of wildlife
including the "big five". Grazers such as buffalo,
blue wildebeest, Burchell's zebra and warthog favour open
areas, while impala are most common at the edge of bush
clumps. Other ungulates to watch out for are giraffe,
hippo, bushbuck, grey duiker and kudu.
Breeding herds of elephant make for exceptional viewing.
White rhino sightings increase during the dry season.
These endangered animals have fascinating territoriality.
Ngala offers sightings of both black and white rhino.
Large breeding herds of buffalo - numbering up to 400
- have been moving through Ngala and using the waterholes.
Ngala continues to enjoy outstanding leopard and lion
pride viewing. The area's vast terrain enables the wide-ranging
and rare wild dog to roam free. This gives you the privilege
of frequent sightings.
Elusive nocturnal animals include the endangered African
wildcat and the pangolin (scaly anteater).
Birds
Around 260 species of birds may be seen. Birds around
Ngala Private Game Reserve include the Woodland Kingfisher,
Scops Owl, Crested Barbet, Marico Sunbird, Spotted-backed
Weaver and White-throated Robin.
Colourful birds to look out for are the Southern Yellowbilled
Hornbill and the Redbilled Hornbill. With their large,
colourful bills and confiding nature, hornbills are among
the most conspicuous birds in African savannahs.
Vultures and eagles soaring through the Ngala sky include
the Lappet-faced Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Martial
Eagle, African Hawk Eagle and Bateleur. Nesting sites
for many of these raptors have been found and mapped throughout
the reserve. This gives a picture of density, preferred
habitats, territorial spacing and favoured trees.
The impressive dry riverbed of the Timbavati features
islands of reeds, a bird-watcher's paradise.
Insects, Reptiles and Amphibians
Further down the food chain, you will find terrapins,
crocodiles and lizards. Also look out for frogs such as
the Foamnest Frog and insects such as minute Stingless
Bees ("Mopane Bees").
Flora
Trees in Ngala Private Game Reserve include Mopane Trees,
the Magic Guarri, Jacket Plum, Kooboo Berry, Dwarf Boerbean
and Fever Tree.
The band of riverine forest of tall trees and thickets
along the Timbavati river remain green throughout the
year. This forest is characterised by Jackalberry, Weeping
Boerbean, Tamboti, Rain Tree, Knob Thorn, Weeping Wattle,
Potato Bush and Broadpod Albizia. Sweet grasses flourish
on the fringe of this riverine forest. Attractive Wild
Date Palm often grow on the outer fringe of reedbeds.
Habitats
Ngala lies in the heart of the South African Lowveld.
The reserve is a generally flat landscape with undulating
crests. The principal habitat is bush savannah, with thickets
along drainage lines and around termite mounds. There
is a thin band of riverine forest along the Timbavati
river which runs west to east through the private reserve.
Conservation
Ngala is the scene of one of Africa's most innovative
groundbreaking conservation partnership agreements. CC
Africa has joined forces with the national park authorities
(Kruger National Park) and the non-governmental South
African Nature Trust Foundation. Under this partnership,
a percentage of all profits from Ngala flow into the National
Parks Trust to promote conservation projects.
Ngala uses only bio-degradable cleaning materials. We
recycle all cans, paper and glass bottles. |
|
|
|
