 There
is a place in Africa where lion, elephant and rhinoceros walk
ancient paths once trodden by the First People of our continent,
the San (Bushman). Their gallery of more than 200 rock frescoes
is a priceless legacy.
When you walk through the narrow rock passage leading here,
legend has it that you may become more fertile.
This place is Bongani Mountain Lodge, a piece of Africa perched
atop a granite mountain with views that will open your mind
and heart.
Sir Percy Fitzpatrick roamed these giant rock walls with
his dog, Jock of the Bushveld. He wrote: "a place to
rest and dream, where there is neither stir nor sound".
But there are sounds: the roaring of a lion, the shussh shussh
as a herd of elephant moves through the valleys below, the
cough of a leopard and the grunts of buffalo as they move
through the 8 000 hectare Mthethomusha Game Reserve, an exclusive
extension of the Kruger National Park.
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Games Drives
Africa's most impressive wildlife can be enjoyed during
morning and evening game drives in open Land Rovers with
expert rangers, at your own cost. The evening drives are
spotlit and offer insights into the activities of nocturnal
animals including leopard, civet and genet.
Interpretive Walks
Guided bush walks bring you face-to-face with wild Africa
at its best and is an optional extra. The scenery surrounding
the lodge is breathtaking.
Adventures
Activities include nature walks exploring the wealth of
San (Bushman) rock art sites for which the area is famous.
Bongani also has a strong cultural tourism program. The
Matsulu theatre group perform plays with powerful environmental
and social messages for CC Africa guests as an optional
extra. One of their soul-stirring performances depicts
the history, aspirations and indigenous problem-solving
skills of the local community, who have inhabited the
mountains for hundreds of years ("Brothers").
They also perform a play ("Horn of Sorrow")
enacting a story of the plight of the black rhino. A community
visit is also available. More optional extras are a Community
Trip and a Kruger Park Day Trip.
Library
For cosy winter nights beside the fireplace or quiet moments
during the day, take a journey of the imagination through
our collection of wildlife books, magazines and videos.
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- Endangered Wildlife Trust award
- Links with university Rock Art Institute
- Appealing chalets and suites
- Awe-inspiring mountain views
- "Big five"
- Rhino, elephant, buffalo often sighted
- 320 bird species in reserve
- Nocturnal animals - lion, leopard, genet
- San (Bushmen) rock art
- Morning and evening game drives
- Guided bush walks
- Community theatre
- Four and a half hour drive from Johannesburg
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Chalets and Suites
Bongani has 20 chalets, nine suites and one Presidential
suite. The rooms are spread out across the mountain ridge
and surrounded by impressive outcrops of granite.
All the chalets and suites have a verandah and en suite
bathroom with air-conditioning and ceiling fans. Suites
are ideal for families with small children as there are
sleeper couches in the lounge area.
The Presidential Suite, also known as the Madiba Suite,
is exceptional, with a large private lounge, a sweeping
view of the valley below and a kitchen for private dining
(not self-catering). The name is inspired by Nelson Mandela
who favours the lodge as a holiday retreat. Madiba is
Mr Mandela's clan name, and the name by which he is affectionately
known throughout South Africa.
Interiors
Bongani Mountain Lodge is a subtle balance between timber,
thatch and striking coloured fabrics. The design emphasis
is on modern elements interspersed with decorative African
motifs.
The furniture is a funky, eclectic mixture of traditional
ethnic design and Afro-chic.
Living Spaces
Arriving at Bongani, the first thing you see is a bank
of mammoth granite rocks. Like a gateway to another world,
this narrow natural rock passage is the only access to
the lodge reception.
Local legend holds that walking through this rock crevice
will enhance your fertility. Central guest areas overlook
a timber game viewing deck and have breathtaking views
of the imposing Lebombo and Malalane Mountain ranges.
The lodge has a lounge, bar, well stocked curio shop and
inviting swimming pool.
Cuisine
Pan-African dinners are generously distributed in the
traditional fire-lit Swazi boma (reeded enclosure) or
offered in the dining room.
Community theatre, good food and good company are enjoyed
on fire-lit evenings in the boma.
Bush Banquets
Bush breakfasts and sundowners on the mountain, and candlelit
dinners in the bush are offered. Bush banqueting at Bongani
offers Pan-African cuisine at its best.
Conferences
Laid out like a mountain village, Bongani offers complete
privacy for groups. There are facilities for formal and
informal meetings.
The fully equipped air-conditioned conference centre has
facilities for up to 60 people. It is tucked away from
guest accommodation, and close to reception.
Between sessions delegates can take time out on the centre's
viewing deck, which commands sweeping views of the Lebombo
and Malalane Mountain ranges. |
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Landscape
The lodge is in a mountainous setting surrounded by impressive
outcrops of granite boulders. Huge boulder outcrops rising
to just over 1000m dominate the landscape. The valleys
dip to as low as 488m.
These stark topographical differences create significant
variations in climate. Once used for grazing cattle, Mthethomusha
Game Reserve has been restocked with diverse game and
restored to its original, pristine state. Stones that
once made up a sacred shrine at Bongani Mountain Lodge
are reminders of the colourful ancient history of the
Reserve.
Game
Characteristic species are the "big five", spotted
hyena, impala, nyala, majestically horned kudu, white
bushbuck, sable antelope , zebra, giraffe and wildebeest.
Rhino, elephant and buffalo are frequently sighted. Sightings
of civet and genet cats, porcupine and honey badger have
also been noted.
The granite hilltops and boulder outcrops at Bongani provide
an important habitat for a number of plant and animal
species that are not found or are rare on the wooded slopes
and valleys. The agile, solidly built klipspringers are
confined to rocky places and the socially complex chacma
baboons use the highest peaks as lookout points. Predators
include lion and leopard. Critically endangered wild dog
can be seen in the Mthethomusha Game Reserve as well as
in the adjoining Kruger National Park. |
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