Set within South Africa’s largest and most well-known game reserve in the world, Ngala Private Game Reserve offers not only one of the most incredible Big Five wildlife experiences in the world, but also offers an intimate one due to our exclusive traversing rights on 14,700 hectares (36,000 acre) of wilderness land. Safaris are led by expert &BEYOND-trained ranger and tracker teams, that ensure sensitive off-roading practices to allow close-up game sightings of elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, giraffe and more.
Tucked under a canopy of mopane and tamboti trees, Ngala Safari Lodge boasts 20 Classic thatched cottages, including three Family Cottages with interleading rooms, and the spacious Family Suite. Each of the spacious and classic ensuite cottages exudes a romantic ambience with nostalgic safari memorabilia throughout. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows make the most of sunny safari days and a private veranda offers the perfect setting for intimate dinners. Family Cottages can accommodate two adults and two children, while the gracious Family Suite also accommodates four guests, but includes access to a private swimming pool and the use of a private vehicle.
The lodge’s swimming pool and sundeck overlook a natural riverine woodland, ideal for avid birdwatchers, while a tranquil massage sala and a well-equipped fitness room can be enjoyed in between game drives. Dinners are set in a candlelit courtyard or showcased as an African feast in the open-air boma.
Enjoy a variety of activities such as twice-daily game drives with intimate wildlife encounters, interpretive bush walks, a rhino notching conservation experience, or even a tailor-made private safari suited for your needs. While staying with us, why not spoil yourself and your partner with a magical night in our dreamy sleepout under the stars, in the Ngala Treehouse Experience.
&Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge boasts 20 classic thatched cottages, each exuding a romantic colonial ambience with nostalgic safari memorabilia throughout. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows make the most of sunny safari days and a private veranda offers the perfect setting for private dinners. Each cottage boasts a luxurious ensuite bathroom, complete with a bath chamber, double showers (indoor and outdoor) and twin hand basins. Comfortable lounge chairs on private verandas allow for gentle contemplation or even an afternoon siesta.
&Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge boasts three family cottages, each consisting of two identical regular cottages that are conveniently interlinked via a door, behind the beds, for easy access. The cottages each have an ensuite bathroom, with a bath, indoor and additional alfresco shower. Beds are convertible to twin. The family cottages can accommodate a maximum of two adults and two children.
Situated in the shade of a weeping boerbean tree on the banks of the seasonal Maponi River, the family suite at &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge consists of two ensuite bedrooms, as well as a cosy dining area where you can choose to enjoy a private dining experience or a refreshing sundowner cocktail. The family suite also entitles your family to the services of a dedicated butler, as well as a dedicated ranger and tracker team and a private safari vehicle.
The only guest suite at the lodge with views of the riverbed, each room boasts its own private deck overlooking the shaded riverbed, and even the bathrooms look out onto the dense riverside thickets. The addition of a full-sized private swimming pool ensures that both children and adults have a secluded place to cool off from the African sun.
The family suite can accommodate a maximum of two adults and two children.
Experience the romance of Africa under a blanket of stars in the luxurious Ngala Treehouse, a remote, yet safe retreat in the middle of the reserve, far from Wi-Fi and artificial light. The treehouse features two sleep levels including a covered and weatherproof space with a king-size bed, hot running shower and flushing toilets. An elevated sleep-out platform allows you to slumber al fresco under a retractable screen. Enjoy sundowner drinks and snacks on the upper deck, a picnic and midnight treats. Completely off the grid, this treehouse promises luxury and comfort while offering the most exclusive wilderness experience.
Think safari and you’re likely to conjure up adventure-filled fantasies of game drives through pristine African wilderness, encountering magnificent wildlife such as elephant, lion or buffalo along the way. South Africa plays host to an amazing array of wildlife sanctuaries; however, the iconic destination of the Kruger National Park takes pride of place as one of the world’s most renowned safari havens. A game drive here promises an exceptional experience.
&Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve shares an unfenced boundary with the world-renowned wildlife sanctuary, which also happens to be one of the biggest game reserves in the world. A spectacular diversity of wildlife moves through this immense wilderness, including breeding herds of elephant, leopard, spotted hyena, giraffe, large buffalo herds and white rhino. With its name meaning lion in the local language Shangaan, the Ngala experience lives up to its promise, supporting several large prides of these powerful cats. African wild dog can also be spotted moving through the reserve.
Designed for photography enthusiasts, our expert guides will use their extensive experience in wildlife, birding and landscape photography to help you get the shot of a lifetime by providing advice on shutter speed, lenses, filters, angles, lighting and so much more. Combining their understanding of animal behaviour with their photography skills, they will help you plan every step of your safari.
For those looking for an active thrill beyond the excitement of Big Five sightings on a game drive vehicle, a guided bush walk offers an opportunity to connect with the African bush, learning about its fascinating fauna and flora of Ngala Private Game Reserve.
Embark on an adventure where your feet tread in the tracks of Africa’s wild inhabitants, your nostrils fill with the scent of crushed wild grasses as you push through the bush and all six senses reawaken as Africa touches you and you touch Africa. At one with nature, discover a range of natural wonders in the company of your experienced, walking safari guide. Learn how to track, seeing how close you can come to smaller game like impala or nyala antelope without them being aware of your presence. Smell and taste wild herbs, learning their traditional uses, and explore the smaller marvels of the bush, from the magnificent tapestry of a spider’s web to the microscopic world of the dung beetle.
Undoubtedly a highlight on any tour to South Africa, a community trip offers a wonderful opportunity to engage with the enchanting communities surrounding &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve. Hosted by Africa Foundation, &Beyond’s community development partner, who has been active within these rural communities for 25 years, you will gain first-hand knowledge of the foundation’s various projects to improve education, healthcare and water access as well as the development of local businesses in the area.
You will have the opportunity to visit projects in the communities of Welverdiend or Hlabekisa. These tours offer insight into the everyday lives of community members as well as the difficulties they may face. For instance, in the Welverdiend community, the Nhlalala Crèche was operating out of temporary shelters before Africa Foundation came to its aid, building two classrooms, a waterless sanitation block, and assisting with a kitchen, borehole, vegetable garden and playground equipment. Mtembeni Primary School is one of three primary schools in the Welverdiend community. The school has an enrolment of approximately 500 learners, Africa Foundation has worked with the school to develop its infrastructure, including the construction of a kitchen and EnviroLoos.
