This Family owned, Self Catering Safari Lodge is the perfect escape to
relax in the African bush. We are a short 35 min drive from Sun City or
2 hr drive from Lanseria Airport. Nkala is situated in the Big 5,
Malaria free, Black Rhino Game Reserve and forms part of the 55 000
hectare Pilanesberg National Park.
The lodge was named Nkala (Mongoose in the Xitsonga language) after the
first animal the owner’s children saw on their game drive at
our lodge. View the Big 5 in their natural habitat as well as South
Africa’s other rare species in the comfort of your own
The Nkala lodge is an Exclusive Self Catering Lodge and it is rented
out as a whole lodge. This means that you get the entire
lodge for yourself. Included in the package is 2 x 2.5 hr
Guided game drives per day on a Private Safari Vehicle. Maximum number of adults
is 12. Maximum number of children under 10 is 4.
The perfect family and friend’s getaway, Nkala lodge is child
friendly and encompasses 5 free standing en suite luxury suites and 1
standard room with a maximum occupancy of 12 guests.
The Accommodation comprises 3 x Luxury Suites, 1 x Luxury Family Suite
(1 suite and 1 bedroom interleading), 1 x Honeymoon Suite all included
in the Exclusive Use lodge rates.
Game drives are included in your stay and conducted with a professional
guide in your private 4 x 4 Safari Vehicle on the exclusive Black Rhino
Game Reserve. Nkala Lodge is privileged to have traversing rights to
the whole Pilanesberg National Park allowing the Big 5 and other
endangered species such as African Wild Dog, Cheetah and Black Rhino to
roam free.
Note: A maximum of 10 guests allowed on the vehicle during game drives
| Rates
inclusive of 15% VAT • South African Rand • Subject
to availability |
Description
- Sleeps 12 adults + 4 children under 10yo. 16 Max Occupancy.
6 bedrooms (5 suites +1 interleading bedroom) |
1
Jan to 31 Dec '26 |
| Entire Lodge midweek
rate per night Sundays-Thursdays ( LOW) |
R23 000 |
| Entire Lodge Fridays,
Saturdays, public holidays, school holidays & long weekends
(PEAK) |
R27 500 |
Description
- Sleeps 12 adults + 4 children under 10yo. 16 Max Occupancy.
6 bedrooms (5 suites +1 interleading bedroom) |
1
Jan to 31 Dec '27 |
| Entire Lodge midweek
rate per night Sundays-Thursdays ( LOW) |
R27 000 |
| Entire Lodge Fridays,
Saturdays, public holidays, school holidays & long weekends
(PEAK) |
R31 500 |
Exclusive use lodges,
so you have to book the whole lodge for a
minimum of two nights and no
food & drink items are provided.
Our three lodges, Nkala, Ntamba and Tsholo Safari Lodge are
in the same fenced “node” so you can walk between
them. Nkala and Ntamba are connected with a pathway and Tsholo Lodge is
just across the road, so a great option for bigger groups to book all
the lodges together.
- Located in the private Black
Rhino Game Reserve
- Free roaming Big 5 game
reserve
- Malaria-free area
Children 10 years and older
count as adults at our lodges.
We are governed by the Black Rhino Game Reserve and they limit the
number of guests permitted. The maximum number of guests allowed at
each lodge is therefore not negotiable.
Look at our Special Offers
for SA Residents under our special offers section!
GPS Co-ordinates:
- S25 deg. 10.54’
- E26 deg. 57.21’
When using a GPS for directions, please use Sun City as a “via” point.
- From Johannesburg take the R512 past Hartebeespoort Dam and exit onto the N4 toll road to Rustenburg.
- From Pretoria take the N1 North and exit onto the N4 towards Rustenburg.
- Travel along the N4, then take the R556 (Sun City/Pilanesberg National Park) exit.
- Turn right at the stop onto the R556,and continue on towards Sun City.
- Pass the Sun City gate and then Sun Village Shopping Centre(both on the right).
- At the four way stop, turn right onto the R565 Derdepoot road.
- Continue on for approx 27km-the Entrance of Black Rhino Game Reserve is on the right.
Available by prior arrangement with Nkala, at an additional charge. Please enquire when booking
- Guided morning bush walks
- Golf at the nearby championship Gary Player and Lost City golf courses
- Hot-air balloon flights over Pilanesberg
- Mountain Biking
- Sun City Day Trips
- Outing to Predator world
GAME DRIVES

Indulge in the luxury of having the lodge to yourself and your guests as our professional game ranger guides you through one of the richest diversities of fauna and flora in Africa. Game drive starting times are flexible as you have use of a private safari vehicle.
?Game drives are conducted in a 4 x 4 Safari vehicle on the 2000 hectare Black Rhino Game Reserve, which is open to the 55 000 hectare Pilanesberg National Park allowing the Big 5 and other endangered species such as African Wild Dog, Cheetah and Black Rhino to roam free.
Note: Maximum capacity on the vehicle is 10 guests.
RATES INCLUDE
- Accommodation: exclusive-use
- A private game ranger and safari vehicle and two guided game drives per day (2.5hrs-3h each) in the Black Rhino Reserve & Pilanesberg Nature Reserve.
- Daily housekeeping services (until 15:00)
- Firewood & Ice
- Daily park and conservation fees
RATES EXCLUDE
- All food and drink items
- Staff tips
- Services of the cook (Nkala only). Enquire to reserve. R600 per meal for the group.
Game Drives:
- Please note the game drive vehicle can only accommodate 10 guests at a time;
even small children/babies count towards the total of 10.
- Our policy states that children of all ages are welcome on the game drive, but at the discretion of the ranger. When you are on game drive and go into an animal sighting it is imperative for everyone’s safety that all guests can remain still and quiet.
- No self-driving is allowed in the Black Rhino Reserve.
Family Friendly: Each lodge has its own -
- Small grass lawn area
- Small pool with safety cover (cocktail pool/plunge pool; can be heated slightly)
- A small range of books, toys and board games for children & adults
- Boules court
- Cot, nappy-changing unit with mat, highchair (feeding) & baby bath seat (infant)
- Nkala only: Small shaded play area including jungle gym (climbing frame)
Accessibility: Please note that the lodges are not considered ‘accessible’ as they do not have key accessibility features.
The lodges may be suitable for guests with reduced walking ability as each lodge has at least one suite with a wheelchair-friendly entrance (wide door, ramp/single level).
- Nkala: Suites 3 & 5
- Ntamba: Suites 1 & 5
The living areas (kitchen, lounge, dining, outdoor dining) are single level. However, the suites are connected to the main living area lodge by pathways (wooden boardwalk or paved), some with steps. Most steps are low and wide.
The viewing decks are raised and there are a few steps; therefore not wheelchair accessible.
The game viewing vehicles are accessed by steps.
Nkala’s family suite is ideal for a guest needing a carer to sleep nearby. There is an interleading door between the main suite and a smaller room with two single beds, ensuite bathroom and exterior door.
OTHER:
- WiFi: A 6MB connection available in all areas of the lodge, but please note that the strength of the connection can be affected by weather conditions. Due to the remote location, we cannot guarantee connection at all times.
- We have a full gym and small business centre on our property. They sit between the two lodges, and are also shared with the neighbouring lodge. It’s the only “shared space” the lodges have. The rest of our offering is totally private and exclusive to each lodge.
- No self-driving is allowed in the Black Rhino Reserve.
- No household pets are allowed to enter the Black Rhino Reserve.
- For nearby activities, we can provide contact details for walking bush tours in the reserve, and we suggest looking at the ‘Activities & Adventures’ tab of the Black Rhino Game Reserve website. We can also provide some suggestions for other activities such as golf or a spa to visit the lodge, but we don’t make these arrangements for guests.
BIGGER GROUPS
- Ntamba has a Sister Lodge (Nkala) situated right next door and connected by a footpath. For bigger groups these two lodges can be booked out together.
- For context, Nkala, Ntamba and Tsholo are all in the same electrific fenced node so guests can walk between all of these lodges - great for big groups!
-
Nkala - up to 12 guests (self-catering*)
-
Ntamba - up to 10 guests (self-catering*)
-
Tsholo (3 lodges) - 14 rooms. They will have a restaurant so they will offer catered or self-catering options. They will also have some hotel-style single suite options as well as exclusive-use options.
Tsholo will also have a spa and events facilities (weddings, conferences, etc).
Check-in: 14:00 - 18:00 Check Out: 10:30
Smoking is permitted outside but not in the chalets or main building.
Accessibility:
Please note that the lodges are not considered accessible as they do not have key accessibility features.
The lodges may be suitable for guests with reduced walking ability as each lodge has at least one suite with a wheelchair-friendly entrance (wide door, ramp/single level).
Nkala: Suites 3 & 5
Ntamba: Suites 1 & 5
The living areas (kitchen, lounge, dining, outdoor dining) are single level and wheelchair friendly.
However, the suites are connected to the main living area lodge by pathways (wooden boardwalk or paved), some with steps. Most steps are low and wide.
The viewing decks are raised and there are a few steps; therefore not wheelchair accessible.
The game viewing vehicles are accessed by steps.
Nkala’s family suite is ideal for a guest needing a carer to sleep nearby. There is an interleading door between the main suite and a smaller room with two single beds, ensuite bathroom and exterior door.
Deposit Policy
For all bookings made within 30 days of travel
Full payment Is required within 48 hours of your booking. This payment can be made via bank transfer or credit card (Master/Visa).
For all bookings made more than 30 days of travel
A 50% deposit Is required within 48 hours of your booking and the balance 30 days prior to arrival. This payment can be made via bank transfer or credit card (Master/Visa).
Cancellation Policy:
- If cancelling 7 days OR less before arrival, you forfeit 100% of the booking total
- If cancelling 14 days OR less before arrival , forfeit 50% of the booking total
- If cancelling 21 days or less before arrival , forfeit 25% of total booking
- If cancelling 30 days or less before arrival, forfeit 20% of total booking
Service fees are non-refundable.