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| ACCESS |
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| Q: |
What method of transportation is recommended to reach Bongani Mountain Lodge? |
| A: |
Bongani Mountain Lodge is easily accessible by self-drive, road transfer or air. There are daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg International Airport to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit, followed by a short road transfer to the Lodge gate to camp. It is a one-hour drive from Nelspruit to the Lodge, and about a 3.5-hour drive from Johannesburg to Nelspruit on excellent roads. It is a 35-minute transfer from the Lodge gate. Daily scheduled pick-up times from the carpark to the Lodge are 12h00, 14h00 and 18h00, but further pick-ups can be arranged at an additional cost. We can pre-book and package all of your regional/internal flights and transfers. |
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| AFRICAN WILDLIFE |
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| Q: |
What are the characteristic animal species of the area? |
| A: |
Elephant, lion, buffalo, white rhino, leopard, giraffe, nyala, zebra, klipspringer, kudu, rock elephant shrew, and 269 bird species. |
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| CHILDREN |
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| Q: |
Are children welcome? |
| A: |
Yes, children under 11 are warmly welcome at Bongani Mountain Lodge. Recommended age for children on safari is six years and older.
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| Q: |
Where can children sleep? |
| A: |
Family suites can accommodate two children under 11 years old.
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| Q: |
What are the activities available for children? |
| A: |
Activities depend entirely on the age of the children and may include the following:
- Special family game-drives (at the discretion of the Lodge Manager and subject to availability)
- Special one-hour children's bush walks within the camp perimeter
- Planet Manager activity books
- Special programmes can be compiled such as tracking for children, frog safaris and birding
- Children’s meals and menus available
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| FOOD |
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| Q: |
What style and type of meals are on offer? |
| A: |
All CC Africa lodges are world-renowned for their delicious Pan-African cuisine – fresh ingredients, simply prepared with an African flavour.
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| Q: |
Do you cater for specific diets? |
| A: |
Yes, all dietary requirements will be catered for. When making your reservation, please advise
us of any specific dietary requirements that you may have, and these will be communicated immediately to the Lodge. Should specific items such as kosher meals need to be flown in, there will be an additional charge, which will be quoted separately. Two weeks notice is required for kosher meals. |
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| GUEST SAFETY |
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| Q: |
Will I be safe? |
| A: |
Guest safety is of paramount importance – fully trained security staff monitor animal activity within the Lodge areas, and always escort guests to/from their chalets or suites (especially between dusk and dawn). |
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| HEALTH |
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| Q: |
What kind of medical precautions do I need to take? |
| A: |
Please consult your physician or health department for the latest health and anti-malarial precautions. Some countries require advance inoculations (and certificates thereof) – we will advise you of these.
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| Q: |
How is emergency medical cover and travel insurance arranged? |
| A: |
Emergency medical evacuation insurance is included in the rate at all CC Africa lodges. This guarantees all reasonable, practical assistance in obtaining primary or emergency medical services for an insured person who suffers illness or injury. Please note that this is evacuation insurance only and does not replace normal travel insurance. Trained first-aiders are on standby at the Lodge at all times, and emergency evacuation by air is available. |
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| INTERNET/TELEPHONE FACILITIES |
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| Q: |
Do you have Internet access? |
| A: |
Internet facilities are available. |
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| LAUNDRY SERVICE |
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| Q: |
Do you have a laundry service? |
| A: |
We offer a daily laundry service – no dry cleaning facilities available. |
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| PACKING SUGGESTIONS |
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| Q: |
What do I pack? |
| A: |
- Light cotton trousers
- Cotton shorts
- Light cotton shirts (long and short sleeved)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sandals
- Shower-proof rain jacket/windbreaker
- Sunhat
- Fleece
- Insect repellent
- Small torch
- Bathing suit
- Suntan lotion
- Sunglasses
- Camera (recommended Telephoto Lens)
- Binoculars
For winter, pack an extra:
- Warm jacket
- Woollen hat
- Scarf and gloves
Batteries, camera film, sunscreen and an extensive range of branded safari wear can be bought at the Lodge’s crafts shop.
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| POWER |
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| Q: |
Do you have electricity? |
| A: |
220v current is available 24 hours a day. International adaptors can be supplied on request, and hairdryers are available in all rooms. |
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| SAFARI ACTIVITIES |
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| Q: |
What are the activities? |
| A: |
Bongani Mountain Lodge offers a range of exciting activities (some at an additional cost), from game-drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles and guided bush walks – including walks to view the ancient San (Bushman) rock art in the Reserve – to excursions to the Kruger National Park.
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| Q: |
What are the approximate starting times of the game-drives? |
| A: |
Dependent upon the seasons, these are approximate times only:
- Spring and summer (September – April)
- Morning game-drive 5:30am
- Afternoon/evening game-drive 4:30pm
- Autumn and winter (May – August)
- Morning game-drive 6:00am
- Afternoon/evening game-drive 3:45pm
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| Q: |
What is the length of the game-drives? |
| A: |
Approximately three to four hours.
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| Q: |
What is the maximum number of guests allowed on the game-drives? |
| A: |
Between seven and nine guests per open game-viewing safari vehicle.
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| Q: |
How are CC Africa’s trackers and rangers trained? |
| A: |
We employ over 200 full-time rangers, guides and trackers across the group who are trained at
CC Africa’s Inkwazi Ranger Training School at Phinda in South Africa, and are renowned for their heartfelt enthusiasm and excellent knowledge of the African bush and wildlife.
Guest safety is paramount at all times.
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| SAFARI SEASONS |
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| Q: |
Which are the best months to visit Bongani Mountain Lodge? |
| A: |
Bongani’s dramatic landscape offers excellent safari experiences and wildlife viewing throughout the year. Summers (September to April) are hot and wet – usually in the form of magnificent afternoon thundershowers – and winters (May – August) are dry and warm. Daytime summer temperatures can be high, often rising above 30°C/86°F, and nights are usually warm. Winter days are fine and warm, with chilly nights and crisp early mornings – minimum temperature is
6°C/43°F.
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| Q: |
When is the rainy season? |
| A: |
Rainfall occurs predominantly in summer. The average annual rainfall within the Mthethomusha Game Reserve varies according to the altitude. Land above 900m receives about 850mm a year, and land below 500m around 675mm. |
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| WATER |
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| Q: |
Is the water safe? |
| A: |
Tap water is safe to drink, but bottled water is available for purchase from the bar. |
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