Lebala means ‘wide open spaces’, and the camp is located in the Kwando Reserve’s 232,000 hectares of private unfenced wilderness. Here, the southerly flowing Kwando River disappears into the vast marshland to the east, outside of the Kwando Reserve. Lebala sits on the floodplains of the Kwando River and the special ecosystem is home to a wide variety of Africa’s plains game such as zebra, wildebeest, impala, giraffe, and tsessebe. The wonderful variety of wildlife also includes elephant, hippo, buffalo and the ever present predators of lion, cheetah and hyena. Lebala’s location away from the dense mopane woodland to the east of the Reserve facilitates the ease of traversing the concession looking for big game.
The camp itself is comprised of nine custom designed tents, with unique mosquito net walls, allowing an unobstructed flow of cooling breezes and stunning views. Each spacious tent has its own viewing deck, bathroom and luxurious double outside showers.
There is also one family tent which consists of an additional twin bedroom within the unit itself, ensuring that parents and young children sleep in the same tent for their peace of mind.
The main areas of the camp include a small swimming pool, a communal fire place and dining room, a curio shop, bar and lounge area complemented with a small library.
Outdoor private dinners can be organised by the poolside or by the fireplace for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and honeymoons.
We operate our game drives using a guide and tracker, this adds to the experience
on two levels. You have two sets of eyes searching out the action, looking for tracks
– this ensures a good chance of sightings, especially predators.
In addition, having the tracker out front, concentrating on tracking, means that the
guide is more able to talk to clients, keep them informed and answer all their
questions, it leads to a more relaxed, convivial game drive atmosphere.
As Lebala is in a private concession we have the opportunity to drive off road in
search of sightings – we have often been able to follow the wild dogs on their hunts.
It also means we are able to drive at night with spotlights. 30% of fascinating
mammals are mainly active at night, so this gives us more opportunities to view
them.
It is also possible to do guided walks year round. An area is chosen at the guide’s
discretion and in keeping with safe distances from large herds of elephant and
buffalo . The distance and area for each walk may vary seasonally at the guides’
discretion.
We are now able to operate a boat activity at Lebala when the water levels permit,
taking you through the winding channels that overspill from the Kwando River
system.
