Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge, Balule Reserve

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Overview

Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge is comfortable family-run safari camp situated in the Balule Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Balule is in prime game viewing country. The emphasis here is upon close-up encounters with Africa’s spectacular wildlife, from the mighty elephant, the impressive lion to the miniscule termite.

Mohlabesti is a small intimate lodge where the focus is on quiet attentiveness and intimacy with nature. The lodge is easily accessible, yet you seem to enter an entirely different world once within the camp. Life slows down to the rhythms of nature. The rising and setting of the sun dictates your movements.

Accommodation at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge

Mohlabetsi has only six African rondavels and two family suites, all decorated in a simple African style, ensuring an intimate safari ambience. Each rondavel is twin or double bedded, with insect-proofed windows, ceiling fan, en-suite bathroom and a marvelous al fresco shower. The new Impala Lily Suite offers superior accommodation with a private plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers, romantic free-standing bath and nothing but unspoilt nature as a view.

The Lodge is nestled under age-old trees with a panoramic view over the bush and a well-frequented waterhole. The shady lawns create a wonderful scene of tranquility. There’s a lounge, bar and dining area. True African bush cuisine is served in the boma with its crackling log fire and bushveld ambience.

A sparkling pool also has a view of a well frequented waterhole. Morning and evening safaris in open Landrovers or on foot may reveal a herd of elephants bathing at a waterhole or a scarab beetle busy at work. There’s also a tranquility Lapa in a quiet area of Mohlabetsi Lodge. This offers relaxing aromatherapy massages during the day.

Children at Mohlabetsi

Children are welcome at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge and they are one of the few lodges to allow younger children on game drives (However we recommend from 4/5 years upwards). The two family suites offer superb comfort for families or close friends. Each suite has two en suite rooms with an interleading door for privacy. They can add a sleeper bed to accommodate a family of five. However there is no kids programme of activities so this lodge suits families who want to spend as much time together as possible.

In Pictures

Cedarberg Travel | Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge

Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge on the map

Rooms

Double or Twin Rondawel

A beautiful four star African style rondawel under thatch, decorated in an ethnic theme, with a king size bed. There is a wonderful al fresco shower. Bunk beds may be added for children under 12 sharing with their parents. The rate includes 2 safaris

Family Chalet

A beautiful 4 star African style chalet under thatch, decorated in an ethnic theme. There are 2 interleading rooms, one with a queen-sized bed & one with 2 single beds. Bunk beds may be added for children under 12 sharing. There are 2 al fresco showers.

Impala Lily Suite

Superior suite with a private plunge pool, indoor & outdoor showers, romantic free-standing bath & nothing but unspoilt nature as a view. Selected romantic dining experiences, a couple’s massage; preferential game viewing seats with a front row view.

Natasha’s review of Mohlabetsi safari lodge in Balule

Mohlabetsi continues to offer great value for money with friendly, welcoming staff!

This is an unpretentious, moderately-priced lodge, with traditional rondavel-style rooms. Important to note that they only have outside showers, which may be a little chilly in winter! Rooms can accommodate a 3^rd adult (on an extra bed). Alternatively they have 2 sets of inter-leading family rondavels, each with en-suite bathroom. These can also sold individually (as each room has an en-suite bathroom).

We had good game viewing right off the bat! We were spoiled with large herds of buffalo and the largest pride of lions I’ve certainly ever seen (approx. 18). We had seen all of the Big Five by the next morning’s game drive, with great leopard sightings. (Leopard sightings are quite frequent in the Balule). Our tracker displayed some of the most phenomenal skills. And the guiding was very informative and entertaining at the same time. Their food was of a very good standard. (There was a Dutch couple returning for the 7^th or 8^th time, having been to many reserves in Southern Africa, yet Mohlabetsi is the only safari lodge in Africa to which they return every year. They mentioned the staff as one the key drawcards.)

Children of all ages are allowed on game drives, still at the ranger’s discretion - which is very unusual in the Greater Kruger Park. But they have no babysitting facilities or family safari programme. So its ideal if you are happy to entertain children in between game drives.

NEW: They were busy converting an old storage room to a luxury suite, set further way (now open). The room is a definite notch up from the rondavels. It has a private plunge pool, and they will offer some meals privately in the suite, with the option of dining with other guests.