Nkala Safari Lodge

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.

• Self-catering lodge
• Entire lodge is booked as one unit (exclusive use)
• 3 x luxury freestanding suites, 1 x luxury family suite (2 rooms), 1 x honeymoon suite
• Located in the private Black Rhino Game Reserve
• Free roaming Big 5 Game Reserve
• Malaria-free area
• Maximum of 12 adults; Children 10 yrs and older count as an adult
• Additional 4 small children can be accommodated (9 yrs old or younger)
• Maximum occupancy including children 16 pax
• Child-friendly lodge: Please enquire re cot & amenities
• Outdoor jungle gym/play area
• Children allowed on Game Drives at the Game Ranger's discretion (no minimum age)
• Minimum 2 nights stay
• Supermarkets en route to the lodge are located at Waterfall Mall, Rustenburg or Village Mall, Hartebeespoort
• Please note Nkala is a self-catering lodge and no food/meals are provided.  The nearest small supermarket is 35 min away
• A staff cook is available on request.  She can assist in preparing meals with the groceries that you provide.  We charge an additional fee for the services of the cook (subject to availability). Email info@nkalalodge.com to book. 
• Nespresso Classic coffee pod machines as well as plungers are available.  Please bring your own pods and ground coffee.
• Instant coffee, tea & milk are complimentary in the suites
• Maximum of 10 guests allowed on game viewing vehicle at any time.  Each person including children to be on their own seat.
• Game drives conducted by a qualified Game Ranger
• Maximum of 2 x game drives per day (up to 5 hours per day in total)
• No self-driving allowed
• Game Ranger lives on the premises and has first aid and emergency training
• Situated in a node with non?intrusive electrified fencing to keep guests safe,  however some animals cannot be kept out
• Exercise or walking to be done on main roads and in daylight hours within the node
• Limited cell coverage at the lodge
• Complimentary Wifi (Please note that due to our location, Wifi cannot be guaranteed as signal can be intermittent)
• TV Lounge with 55' Flat screen and DSTV.

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.

Weather

The Pilanesberg region enjoys a warm climate with distinct summer and winter seasons.

Summer (October to April) is the rainy season: Warm to hot days with afternoon thunderstorms, often followed by clear skies and sunshine.

What to pack: Lightweight, breathable clothing, a light rain jacket, sun protection, and swimwear. ?

Winter (May to September) is generally dry, with mild, pleasant days and noticeably colder mornings and evenings.

What to pack: 

Warm layers are essential for game drives, including a fleece, jacket, and hat. Temperatures can be surprisingly cold before sunrise; layers can then be removed as the day warms.

• Neutral, natural-toned clothing is ideal for game drives
• Don't forget binoculars, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera 

Rates Include

• Self-catering accommodation for 12 guests in 5 suites & one children's/twin room
• Exclusive use of the entire lodge, including private viewing deck
• 2 x 2.5hr guided game drives per day on a private safari vehicle
• All daily park entrance and conservation fees
• Tea & coffee in rooms
• Complimentary Wifi
• Daily housekeeping
• 3 x bags of firewood per day (incl. firelighters)
• Applicable VAT

Rates Exclude

• All food and drink items
• Staff tips
• Services of the cook (Nkala only). Enquire to reserve. R600 per meal for the group.

• Self-catering lodge
• No food, beverages or meals are provided
• A staff cook is available on request (subject to availability). She can assist in making meals with the groceries that you provide.  We charge an additional fee for the services of the cook. Email info@nkalalodge.com to book.
• Entire lodge is booked as one unit (Exclusive use)
• Maximum occupancy including children is 16 guests (max 12 adults)
• Children 10yrs and older count as an adult
• Minimum 2 nights stay
• Maximum of 10 guests allowed on game drive vehicle at any time.  Each person including children to be on their own seat.
• Game drives conducted by your own personal guide
• No self-driving allowed
• Guide stays on the premises and has first aid & emergency training
• Child friendly: please enquire re cot & amenities
• Children allowed on game drives at the game ranger's discretion
• Limited cell coverage at the lodge
• Wifi signal cannot be guaranteed

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.

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.