








Highlights
- Morning game drives
- Evening game drives
- Boat cruise along the Bushman's River
- Excursions to neighbouring Addo National Elephant Park
- Excursions to the Born Free Foundation
- Photography
- Sundowners
- Birdlife
Information
- Lodge type; Safari Lodge
- Location; Amakhala Reserve
- Lodge size; 11 Rooms
- Recommended stay; 2-5 nights
Introduction
Amakhala Safari Lodge is tucked away in a valley of indigenous bushveld at the northern boundary of the 7500 hectare Amakhala Game Reserve. Nestled between Shamwari Game Reserve and Addo Elephant National Park, its location is ideal for the best wildlife viewing South Africa has to offer.
The landscape and elements of African tribal design influenced owners and artists, Mike and Justine Weeks, in their endeavour to achieve a holistic safari experience.
This intimate thatched lodge with its unique air-conditioned safari huts offers all the comforts of a luxury 5-star lodge and is an undisturbed retreat where you can regenerate your soul and tune into the sounds of nature.
Reserve Information
The privately owned Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa that offers visitors the chance to view the "Big Five", lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and plenty of antelope species.
The reserve hosts five of South Africa's seven biomes, bushveld to savannah. For a change of pace relax on board the boat cruise while meandering lazily along the Bushman's River.
A truly special part of the country this is, the Amakhala and Shamwari Game Reserves are split only by the N2 (national road) that runs between the two.
Rooms and Suites
The Safari Lodge sleeps 22 people in 11 thatched suites. In addition to the four original safari huts, there are two new luxury suites complete with private plunge pools and separate lounge areas.
You can soak away the heat in a luxurious double bath with the sights and sounds of nature or splash off the dust in a double outdoor shower. Large beds draped with mosquito nets, sparkling wine on ice alongside a double bath filled with aromatherapy scented bubbles make this a favourite for honeymooners and the romantic at heart.
Cuisine and Wine
Enjoy award-winning South African wines and local cuisine under a magnificent canopy of stars. Amakhala Safari Lodge's resident chef will treat you with gastronomic delights presented with African flair to end off the perfect day.
Facilities
The view from the safari huts and lounge area is of the waterhole where monkeys come to play and antelope and zebra to quench their thirst.
Activities
Morning and afternoon game drives are included in the daily rates, guided by professional guides in 4x4 safari vehicles. Other activities within the Amakhala Game Reserve include;
- Family safaris
- Boat safari
- Night Drives
- Star Gazing
- Birding
- Bush Walks
- Archery
- Fishing
- And surrounding historical sites
Rates from R6 980.00 per person
- Per person per night sharing (pp)
- Rates are in South African Rands
- *Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Selected house beverages
- 2 game drive activities
- Premium branded beverages
- Transfers
- Telephone calls
- Laundry
- Items of personal nature
- Insurance
Addo Elephant Back Safari
I have been travelling in Africa for over three decades. In that time, I have been on countless safaris; by Land Rover, on foot, by canoe and horseback, up and down mountains and valleys.
The sense of wonder and appreciation of natural beauty has never left me.
There are, of course, individual animals which I prefer above all others. Some are large, very large and some small but all, for some reason or other, have endeared themselves towards me. I will start with the very large.
Samara Game Reserve Review
About three hours' drive northwest of Addo National Park (see Tuesday's blog) lies a different country.
If Addo enjoys a lush and verdant environment, Samara Game Reserve (close to Camdeboo National Park) is the opposite. Its semi-desert environment is more akin to Namibia.
Yet here we are in the middle of the Great Karoo near the historic farming town of Graaff Reinet.
Kwandwe Game Reserve Review
My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It had been many years since I had been on safari in the Eastern Cape and I was eager to see how the experience had changed.
We flew from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth where we picked up our rental car and drove the 2 hours to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. From the moment we arrived at the reception, we experienced the service that this Relais and Chateaux property is famous for.
We were met with a welcome drink, a cold towel and fresh homemade cookies accompanied by our check-in.
Death of a Cheetah
When you live in Africa, love the smell of nature and its strong call, and perhaps even more importantly, understand the natural cycles; you see the death of wildlife as part of the natural order.
The strong conquer the weak, and the old give space to the young.
When you look at a magnificent animal and predator die in an area which is desperately (and successfully) trying to rehabilitate natural corridors of flora and fauna over a previously devastated land, no one would think less of you for shedding a tear.