Accommodation at Mkuze Falls Game Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Safari Lodges and Accommodation in South Africa

Accommodation at Mkuze Falls Game Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

MKUZE FALLS GAME LODGE

Luxurious game lodge
Mkuze Falls Nature Reserve
Exclusive chalets with private pools
Exciting twice-daily game drives

Mkuze Falls Game Lodge consists of spacious air-conditioned chalets built on stilts overlooking the river. Each chalet has an elevated viewing deck, en suite bathroom, private splash pool and outside shower.

MKUZE FALLS GAME RESERVE - PONGOLA:

Situated between the Kruger National Park and the Zululand Coast - the same Africa, a different world...
The Big Five Game Reserve is beautifully situated in Northern Zululand in the South African province of Kwa Zulu Natal and near to the southern border of Swaziland. Dominated by the Shamble and Mahlangosi mountains, the reserve is host to a tremendous diversity of flora and fauna including: lion, leopard, elephant, white rhino, buffalo, cheetah, hippo, crocodile, and an impressive quantity and variety of plains game. A wealth of bird life provides hours of interest for the keen birder.

Majestically elevated above a dramatic waterfall along the winding Mkuze River, Mkuze Falls Lodge boasts panoramic views of intriguing waters and sandbanks where crocodile and antelope meet. Awake to the stirring call of birdsong and celebrate first light on an early morning game drive, or enjoy a bush walk led by an experienced ranger. Return to the bushveld at dusk to pay homage to the nocturnal rhythms of Zululand’s wilderness. Conclude the day with a delicious dinner beneath the star-strewn sky, or in the boma with tribal dance and song.
Situated in the heart of historic Zululand in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, Mkuze Falls is one of only two Private Game Reserves in the region where you can view the 'Big 5' - lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, elephant and for bird lovers, nearly 400 species of birds are resident. Experience the unique richness that this peaceful part of Africa has to offer. It is a place of pure tastes and simple delights, celebrating the thrill of nature. This is the place with the sound and beauty of water falling... this seeps into your soul...

Sprawling wooden deck walkways link the chalets to the main lodge. The superbly decorated sitting room has views across the Falls. There is also a bush bar and dining area, large viewing deck and swimming pool.
Game drives in the Reserve with experienced game rangers provide sightings of lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, cheetah and other game. After an early morning game drive and bush breakfast, relax at the swimming pool during the day and view game from the deck or from the privacy of your own secluded veranda. After an exciting night drive, enjoy a traditional barbeque dinner in the boma to the sounds of the African night and, by request, traditional Zulu dancing.

ACCOMMODATION:
The Falls Lodge has a central complex built on raised wooden platforms with spacious verandas. The facilities include a pleasant dining area, a comfortable lounge, an indoor pub, a shady terrace and a swimming pool. The large lounge leads onto a spacious viewing deck which is built over the sloping riverbank.

This veranda provides panoramic views of the winding Mkuze River and the wild, untamed landscape beyond. In the heat of the day, you can relax under the shady palm trees and take a refreshing swim in the sparkling pool. In the evenings, enjoy some lively entertainment provided by the energetic, traditional Zulu dancers.

The luxurious Falls Lodge:
The Mkuze Falls Lodge is located along the northern bank of the Mkuze River, in the heart of Kwa Zulu Natal. Overlooking the Mkuze Waterfall, the lodge features nine luxuriously appointed Thatched Chalets and one Safari Suite, accommodating eighteen guests in utmost comfort and style.

All these rooms have a breathtaking view of the river, bush and mountains. Private plunge-pools and an outside shower provide a wild but intimate touch alongside the gratifying luxury of the air-conditioned bedroom.

The peace, scenery and style of the lodge allows for a calm atmosphere amidst the elegant decor.

Relax in the spacious lounge, view animals from the wooden deck, sip cocktails in the swimming pool or recount your sightings of the day in the bar! Taste South African food with a sophisticated flair under a star strewn sky or in the boma to the sounds of tribal dance and song.

Each chalet has:

- a viewing deck
- mini bar
- telephone
- safe

- overhead fan
- air-conditioning
- mosquito net
- en-suite bathroom
- secluded plunge pool
- outside shower

The Safari Suite:
A romantic and beautifully decorated suite for anyone who would like to experience African luxury in the purest sense. Magnificent views from the private veranda, the Safari Suite is ideal for special occasions and honeymooners or those who want to experience something a little extra.

The Mkuze Falls Safari Suite consists of a spacious living and sleeping area, both with views up and downstream the Mkuze River and the waterfall.

This suite has a small but comfortable and well-equipped kitchen and, of course, all the features of the other chalets like fans, air-conditioning and en-suite facilities. The adjoining private outside shower and splash pool area is spacious and secluded.
The Safari Suite also has its own outside terrace with a unique view over the river. A better place to enjoy your intimate dinner will be hard to find.

The Elegant Tented Lodge:
The Mkuze Falls Tented Lodge is for an adventurous experience in five "Hemingway" style East African Tents, each overlooking the Mkuze River. The tents are built on wooden decks raised on stilts with beautiful views of the lush countryside. The facilities include a lounge, bar, boma and swimming pool. Starlit evenings are enjoyed in the boma and the sounds of the Zulu drumbeat beckon the pure spirit of Africa. The evening air is broken by the call of the Night Jar, the sounds of Zebra in the distance, the unexpected roar of the Lion and the trumpet of the Elephant. The pure sounds of Africa at her best!

The elegance of the tented design is reminiscent of a bygone era, beckoned by the freestanding Victorian bath in the en suite bathroom. Each tent is completely private and well spaced apart, tucked into the bush providing an eco-friendly retreat. Each tent is air-conditioned and has a private game viewing deck with spectacular views of the lowveld bushveld and shimmering waters of the river where numerous antelope and other wildlife frequent. The atmosphere experienced in this Safari Lodge is an awesome sense of Africa, its nature, and beauty. It is where its history of the wild comes to life and captures the free-spirited peace. Enjoy starlit evenings in the boma, or on the bar deck or make use of the cosy dining room! The tented lodge provides a true African adventure with utmost comfort and style. Enjoy two game drives daily and walks on request in this Private Big Five Reserve.

Each tent has:
- a private viewing deck
- mini bar
- safe
- overhead fan
- air-conditioning
- mosquito net
- en-suite bathroom
- double or twin beds
- private shower

CUISINE:
Highly experienced kitchen and waiting staff have been trained to indulge and delight the most discerning guests. The menu varies daily and features a host of South African dishes including local venison specialities. Vegetarian meals are prepared on request. In fine weather, dinner or a South African 'braai' (barbeque) is served in the Boma. There is also a fully equipped, air conditioned conference room catering for 18 participants. You are invited to stay with us and enjoy our beautiful chalets or for the romantically inclined there is the spectacular Safari Suite. You can base your safari at our Tented Lodge and for a unique experience the ultimate Bush Camp provides the true spirit of Africa.

LOCATION:
Mkuze Falls is strategically positioned on the Kruger Park-Swaziland-Durban (N2><R66) and Johannesburg-Richards Bay-Durban (N2><R66) routes. After leaving the R66 between Pongola and Nongoma (the Lodge is signposted from both directions), you travel a further 2 kilometres along dirt road when the sugarcane fields fade away and you arrive at the main entrance of the Reserve. From there, it takes about 10 minutes to reach the Lodge.
PLEASE NOTE :
MKUZE FALLS PRIVATE GAME RESERVE and Mkuze Game Reserve are NOT the same reserves and should not be confused with one another!
Distances by road are as follows:
Johannesburg in 4,5 hours
Durban in 3,5 hours;
Richard's Bay in 2,5 hours.

For those seeking a little adventure, there is the magnificent Maputaland coast to explore and fishing is available on Pongolapoort Dam. The Zululand Battlefields are in close proximity and there are many sites of historical importance to visit. The Reserve is located on land that once formed part of the 'Boer Republic', created when the pioneer leader, Piet Retief, bought the land from Dingaan, half-brother of the great Zulu King, Shaka

Airstrip and Heli-pad:
Airplane landing strip:
South 27° 40' 237"
East 31° 40' 377"
Runway elevation : 1190 Feet
Surface: Gravel
Length :1200m
Width : 15m
Common Frequency : 124.8

Helicopter landing-pad:
South 27° 40' 637"
East 31° 39' 907"
Elevation : 1190 Feet
Surface: grass and gravel
Common Frequency : 124.8
The runway lies East-West and is marked by white stones.
The location is north of the Mkuze River.
Pilot must please advise approximate landing times.

WEDDINGS:
Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve is in a wonderful location and provides a spectacular venue for private functions, whether it be a wedding, special anniversary or birthday. The venue adds an African flavour, giving your function exceptional uniqueness. Your guests will be catered for at the Falls Lodge or Tented Lodge in comfort and style taking memories with them that would be unforgettable. Your wedding or function can be photographed in some of the most beautiful settings by a professional photographer who will capture the essence of the moment for you to treasure. A Five Star wedding!

RANGERS:
Our rangers in the field are highly experienced and have extensive knowledge of the fauna and flora of the area.

They love their work and have the opportunity to witness the changing of the seasons, monitoring the wildlife and being part of a new adventure each day.
You are invited to read their reports as they are updated throughout the various seasons.

CHILD POLICY:
* Children of all ages are welcome at the Mkuze Falls Tented Lodge in the Eat-African Safari Tents.
* We regret that children under the age of twelve years are not permitted to stay at the Falls Lodge
* Children of twelve years of age and older pay the adult rate.
* Due to safety reasons children younger than six years of age are not permitted on the game drives.
* Children younger than twelve years of age may share the tent with parents.

RATES INCLUDE:

* Three superb meals daily
* High Tea
* Game Drive Beverages
* Coffees, etc
* Morning and Evening Game Drives
* Game/Bush/Bird walks on request with Ranger
* Laundry Service

RATES EXCLUDE:
* Telephone Calls
* Faxes
* Shop purchases
* Min bar
* Drinks
* Gratuities
* Personal expenses
* Transport to and from the lodge

MKUZE FALLS RESERVE:
The Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve is host to an impressive variety of wildlife. Take a journey with us and discover the richness and diversity of this unique part of the world we call Paradise, where "rush-hour" is unheard of.

The unique ecosystems of riverine, wetland, lowveld bushveld and montane grassland provide the diversity and large quantity of bird and animal species. The reserve is home to the Big Five, cheetah, hippo and a vast number of plains game. For ornithologists and bird-lovers, Mkuze Falls and its wetlands are an absolute must. There are more than 400 species of birds in the area. More specifically the reserve is home to the Fish Eagle, Giant Kingfisher, Narina Trogon and the spectacular Purple-crested Lourie to mention a few.

The Wildlife:
Mkuze Falls Game Reserve is a haven to the African 'Big Five' as well as Cheetah, Hippo, Crocodile, spotted Hyena, Giraffe, Wildebeest and Zebra. Numerous species of antelope are also resident in the reserve and the elusive Nyala occurs in greater numbers here, than anywhere else in the world.

African Elephant:
The African elephant is the world's largest land mammal. They are are generally placid but can be extremely dangerous if threatened. An elephant will "mock charge" trumpeting loudly, flapping its ears with its trunk extended in order to frighten off intruders. If an elephant is intent on attack, the charge assumes a decidedly different approach. The elephant is completely silent, its trunk is rolled up or held down out of harm's way and the tusks are extended. Elephant live for about 65 years. Gestation is about 22 months. A female weighs about 3.8 metric tons and the male 5.8 metric tons. Males have the larger tusks weighing in at about 90kg, on average. A record pair from an elephant in Central Africa weighed 200kg.

Lion:
The African Lion is one of the most exciting animals to see for most tourists. This 'King of the Jungle' has earned its reputation for being the most fearsome and powerful predator in Africa. Prides are territorial and intruders are warned off by roaring.

Most hunting is done by the females, while the males appropriate kills generally and the cubs get leftovers. The prey includes large and small mammals, birds and even reptiles. The females leave the pride to give birth of up to six cubs. The cubs are introduced carefully to the rest of the pride at about six weeks old. The female cubs generally stay in the pride while the males will leave after two to three years.

Cape Buffalo:
The Cape buffalo has a well-deserved reputation of savagery, ferocity and cunning. They travel in large herds for protection from predators and will not hesitate to use their impressive horns to defend themselves from any perceived threat. Buffalo need to wallow in order to regulate their temperature and require good grazing, shade and plentiful water. They normally graze at night and will retire to a shady spot during the heat of the day to ruminate (chew the cud). Buffalo live for about 22 years. Males weigh about 700kg and females are about 100kg lighter. Horns are about 1.2m and they give birth to one, or more rarely two, calves.

Rhino:
The white rhino's name was derived from its original name, 'Wydt Rhino'. Wydt (wide) referred to the width of the rhino's mouth. The white rhino uses its square shaped lips and crops grass very close to the ground producing a natural lawn.

Their habitat is grassy woodland and they prefer shorter grass.

The white rhino is considerably larger than the black and is lighter in colour. The white rhino lives for about 40 years and their gestation period is about 453 days.

Leopard:
The leopard is a silent, solitary and secretive animal and the largest of the spotted cats in Africa. They enjoy surveying their surroundings from elevated vantage points where they may watch for prey. They are efficient hunters and prefer forested, hilly areas with rocky outcrops and hiding places. They are also found in long grass and bushy areas. Their favoured prey is small to medium-sized antelope, baboons, bushpigs, warthogs and jackals, although a wide variety of other animals is also hunted. The leopard usually drags its prey up into the high branches of a tree in order to protect the kill from other scavengers. The adult male is approximately 60kg and the female, 30kg. Their litters may number as many as six but normally the female gives birth to two or three cubs after a gestation period of about 100 days. The life expectancy of the leopard is 21 years.

Cheetah:
The cheetah is the fastest mammal on earth, capable of speeds of up to 75km per hour over short distances. It is believed by geneticists that all cheetah are descended from a single female, after the species was nearly wiped out thousands of years ago by disease. This fact has led to a limited gene pool which, in conjunction with the intricate courtship ceremony, has led to enormous difficulties in breeding. The cheetah is unable to retract its claws and generally prefers to live on open plains. Life expectancy is sixteen years. Females weigh about 40kg and males are generally about 10kg heavier.

Burchell's Zebra:
Burchell's zebra can be easily distinguished from other zebras by the brown "shadow" stripe between the black stripes. Each zebra's stripes are unique and the female ensures that the foal looks at her immediately after birth. Her stripe pattern is "etched" into the foal's mind and serves to identify her. Those foals unlucky enough to see another zebra cannot identify their mothers and are normally rejected by the other animal and will die. Burchell's zebra generally favour open woodland and savannah. They are preyed upon by lion, spotted hyena and wild dogs. The gestation period is about 360 days and females give birth to one foal, occasionally two, and they live for about 20 years in the wild (double in captivity). An adult weighs about 320kg. Males can be identified by their thicker necks.

Nyala:
Nyala are normally found in groups of two or three, but may form herds of up to 30 animals. The are found in the Zambezi valley, in Mozambique and in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. They are preyed upon chiefly by leopard and by lion and can be taken by crocodile. Young are taken by smaller predators including the baboon. The nyala was originally known as the Angas' bushbuck. Gestation is about 255 days. Males weigh 110kg, females 75kg. The shoulder height of the male is about 110cm. The female is slightly smaller at 95 cm. Both have yellow legs and the female is predominantly yellow. Their horns are about 80cm long.

Birdlife:
For ornithologists and bird-lovers, Mkuze Falls and its wetlands are a haven for sightings of some of the most beautiful and spectacular birds in Africa

THE PRIDE OF MKUZE FALLS
Lions are opportunists. When an excellent opportunity presents itself, they kill- whether they are hungry or not. This overwhelming drive to kill is part of their successful predatory design, since lost opportunities might mean starving to death. We recently saw this happen once again at Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve. The pride had killed a wildebeest the day before. They spent the night full-bellied, lounging about on the open area close to the old Shepherd tree. The surrounding bush was thick and visibility into the distance not too good. Or so we thought. It was early morning and the mist was still hanging in the deeper wooded valleys, where the sun had not reached. In the distance a francolin called.We were happy to have found the pride. As in most cases with lions, this pride was based on a sisterhood of related females. There was the original female and her adult female offspring, and her three half-grown cubs. Of the two males, one was an adult who joined the pride and the other a younger male, a son of the original female.

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