Babanango Game Reserve

Babanango Game Reserve is a malaria-free reserve that is slowly introducing the Big 5. The reserve is in the process of the statutory declaration to become one of KwaZulu Natal’s newest reserves set on the white Umfolozi River, encompassing the beautiful Babanango Valley in the Zululand. This magnificent region with a pristine coastline, rolling hills, waving grasslands, forests, rivers, mangrove swamps and cattle ranches is the perfect hideaway. Zululand is also the traditional seat of the Zulu Kingdom and is just a three-hour drive or possible flight option, north of the port city of Durban, with Babanango Game Reserve being situated inland in this diverse region.

The reserve offers 3 beautifully designed lodges for couples, families, or single travellers.

The Babanango Valley Lodge

Located in a remote valley in the southern region of the Babanango Game Reserve is the Babanango Valley Lodge which offers four-star catered accommodation in a relaxed bush setting. The lodge overlooks the magnificent Nsubeni River featuring granite koppies, sandstone cliffs and quartzite ridges which stretch into the far distance where the Nsubeni River meets the White Umfolozi River.

The lodge features cool white décor offset by accents of black and offers a sophisticated laidback appeal perfect for a bush break.

There are nine tastefully designed, spacious two-sleeper suites each boasting a garden outlook with views over the reserve. Two rooms have interleading doors to create a comfortable four-bed family unit. The generous honeymoon suite which is slightly separate from the lodge for ultimate privacy offers the perfect retreat for newlyweds or those looking to indulge in some much-needed alone time.

Chef Khumbulani offers guests South African inspired cuisine. Enjoy four-course traditional meals featuring Bobotie, milk tart, malva pudding and more.

The lodge also offers interactive Boma Dinners where guests can dine under the stars, enjoying traditional meals where the food is cooked on the braai and springbok shooters are served on arrival. The lodge also offers bush dinners and breakfasts.

Zulu Rock Lodge

Zulu Rock Lodge is situated atop a mountainside on the outer reaches of the Babanango Game Reserve and overlooks the White Umfolozi Valley. Zulu Rock Lodge offers three-star accommodation coupled with sweeping views across the sensational wilderness and an immersive bush experience.

The terrain at Zulu Rock Lodge includes mist belly grasslands, thornveld and many kilometres of White Umfolozi River frontage.

Decorated with minimalistic tastes featuring clean lines and curated Zulu artefacts, the lodge boasts stone-clad chalets which are perfectly situated for privacy and designed to maximize views allowing the natural surrounds into the built space.

The lodge features 7 units sleeping up to 18 guests as well as a honeymoon suite. Guests will fall in love with this intimate bush setting while sitting at the Lapa or cooling down at the pool. Set back from the hillside the family unit can sleep up to 4 people and boasts its own pool as well as Lapa area with space for children to play. There is also a back veranda where guests can enjoy the bush during inclement weather.

The Honeymoon Suite features its own pool and private deck boasting majestic views extending towards the White Umfolozi River in the distance. This ultra-luxurious and romantic corner of the reserve offers that ‘on-top-of-the-world’ feeling and will set the tone for a lifetime of wedding bliss.

Madwaleni River Lodge

Madwaleni River Lodge is the latest addition to the Babanango Game Reserve which was completed at the end of 2022.

Nestled on the southern bank of the White Umfolozi River, this ultra-luxurious tented camp offers guests a truly exclusive retreat. The lodge offers 12 tents, each uniquely designed and recognised for its award-winning distinction, providing unmatched comfort and style.

As this lodge is unfenced, guests are able to fully-immerse themselves in nature. The infinity pool overlooks the river with breahtaking views and blends into its natural surroundings. The restaurant has an innovative rooftop vegetable garden that supplies the lodge with organic produce, delivering a farm-to-table dining experience.

Zululand Activities

Guests staying at Babanango Game Reserve can self-drive to several places of historical and ecological interest in and around Babanango and the greater Zululand area.

• Visit The Spirit of Emakhosi which is a memorial site to all the Zulu kings buried in the valley below featuring a giant symbolic traditional Zulu beer pot on a beaded ring surrounded by sculptured horns and tusks of animals once found in this area.
• Enjoy the Vryheid tour featuring the Dutch reformed church and the Vryheid museum.
• For those interested in history be sure to visit the Isandlwana battlefield and grave which features the South African and British flag showcasing the happenings of the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879.
• Visit the Bloodriver Voortrekker monument where the most pivotal battle in South Africa took place.
• The Rorke’s Drift monument to learn about the Anglo-Zulu War.

These are just some of the activities one can do at the infamous Zululand!

About the Babanango Game Reserve

Babanango Game Reserve is home to two lodges – Valley Lodge and Zulu Rock Lodge. It also forms part of a proposed 22,000-hectare protected area (nature reserve), in partnership with the local community.

Encompassing mist belt grasslands, thornveld and river frontage, Babanango Game Reserve is a bush lover’s paradise. It harbours abundant game species including buffalo, giraffe, hyena and zebra. Rhino and buffalo have recently been introduced to the reserve with the remainder of the big five being introduced over the next two years.

There are more than 283 bird species can be found in the region. These include endemic, vulnerable and endangered species. The Reserve is also home to an array of animals, such as buffalo, giraffe, hyena and zebra, and 32 species of butterfly.

The Reserve offers a range of outdoor activities such as game drives, birding, hiking and mountain biking. In addition, weddings, conferencing and a range of accommodation options are also available.