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Kruger
National Park Accommodation - North
Kruger Park Game & Safari Lodges
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Thornybush
Game Reserve
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Kruger
National Park
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South
Africa
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SHUMBALALA
GAME LODGE - WHERE THE LION SLEEPS ...
It's a
vast, wild place where the lions roam at Shumbalala Game Lodge, deep in
the Thornybush Game Reserve, one of the country's great tracts of untamed
game-viewing.
Set as
it is in a dry, singeing savanna of Mopane, Acacias and Umbrella thorns,
quartered by easterly-flowing rivers densely shrouded in giant figs, fever
trees and phoenix palms, the land is an ancient tapestry of natural wonder.
Overhead,
Loeries call their sharp warning while horn-bills swoop in an ungainly
ballet between trees and vultures elevate on thermals portending an electric
storm.
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As
you push on through the bush, it is the serendipity of nature that amazes
most, as your vehicle skirts art deco zebra, dozy giraffe, bright eyed
bush babies, wildebeest (made, it is said, by the committee of left-over
parts) and the rest Africa has to offer.
It
is even more of an adventure when you stumble upon a leopard lazing in
the V of a Jackalberry tree or; a hyena giving you a lazy yellow eye in
the gathering dusk; a majestic bull elephant crashing its way through the
riverine thicket in search of sweet reeds or; a surprise sunrise encounter
with a lion pride on the prowl.
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| TYPICAL
DAY
A typical
day in the bush starts off at around 5:30 am (depending on the time of
year) with a wakeup call by your ranger after which follows early morning
tea/coffee before you set off on your game adventure for the day.
An
informative and professional game drive with the excitement of tracking
down the untamed game and big 5 is interrupted by a stop over in the bush
for tea or coffee with a light snack.
The
adventure continues and you return back to camp at around 9:30 am to freshen
up. This is followed by a sumptuous brunch with a choice of continental
and hot breakfast.
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Following
brunch the possibility of a bush walk lures the more adventurous or young
at heart offering unexpected insight and knowledge of the eco-system to
learn more about the fauna & flora unique to the area.
You
then have time to rest or relax at the pool, browse our curio shop, visit
our library or sit on your private or the lodge deck enjoying the sounds
and smells unique to the African bushveld. You are most likely to encounter
wild animals browsing the camp grounds or a herd of elephants at the water
hole directly in front of the lodge. This is also a unique time for bird
lovers to indulge their passion in the abundance of the species found.
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| Afternoon
high tea is a time to interact with other guests and is served at around
3:30pm with a selection salty and sweet treats. Following directly thereafter
you are off to an afternoon & evening game drive adventure with a stop-over
in the bush for sundowners watching the splendour of the African sun setting
over the mountains. Drinks are accompanied by snacks and some South African
specialties.
You
return after dark to be welcomed with a sherry at the lodge at around 7:30
pm to freshen up for the evening's events. Fetched by your ranger at your
room (Shumbalala is not fenced so it is unwise to walk around by yourself
after dark) for a drink at the bar or to select your wine from our wide
selection in our underground cellar. |
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Dinner
is a five course affair prepared by our in-house chef with fresh ingredients.
Dinner is served at various settings - around the fire, by candle light
in the dining room, on the lodge deck, in the underground cellar or even
in your suite for a more romantic affair!
You
will retire to your bedroom prepared for the evening (including a roaring
log fire if it is cold) after a long but refreshing and fulfilling day
in Africa - our staff are renowned for their pampering of guests who almost
always depart as friends with a tear in their eyes.
We
are looking forward to welcoming you at "where the lion sleeps".
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Lodge
Facilities:
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Pool
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Library
with Internet Station
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Lounge
with Fireplace
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Wi-Fi
Enabled Public Areas (Complimentary)
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Underground
Cellar
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Outside
Boma
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Laundry
Service
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Transfers
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Airstrip
(on the Reserve)
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| Superior
Suite:
Set
under shady African trees lining the seasonal Monwana River, Shumbalala
Game Lodge comprise of a select number of superior suites with privacy
and luxurious comfort in mind.
To
ensure absolute exclusivity and privacy, the lodge prides itself in giving
personalized attention to a select number of guests at a time.
The
spacious private suites each comprise of a bedroom and lounge, en-suite
bathroom, large glass sliding doors and private viewing decks with a view
over the ever active water hole. Natural colours, wooden decks and thatched
roofs compliment the bushveld surroundings. |
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Standard
amenities include overhead fans and air-conditioning providing welcome
relief from the bushveld climate. Open fireplaces for the cooler winters,
and designer "picture window" bathroom suites provides for an atmosphere
that is Africa and romance at once. Features like the additional secluded
outside showers cater for the more adventurous!
Comfortable
beds with embroided percale cotton linen with lush duvets and choice of
pillows is romantically draped by mosquito netting. Relax in the lounge
or on your private viewing deck, read a book or just soak up the tranquility,
smells and sounds of the bush that surround you!
Enjoy
the unspoilt nature and African bushveld with it's dramatic vistas in the
comfort and luxury of your superior suite. |
Superior
Suite Facilities:
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Individual
Air-conditioning
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A choice
of king or twin bedded rooms
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Pure Cotton
Percale Linnen with a choice of pillows
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Mosquito
Netting
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Overhead
Fans
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Mini-Bar
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Safe in
room
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Tea &
Coffee Making Facilities
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Direct
Dial Telephone
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Cellphone
Reception (3G)
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Fireplace
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Full En-Suite
Bathroom including:
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Shaver
Plugs
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Additional
Outside Shower
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Hairdryer
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Full range
of amenities
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| Presidential
Suite:
OUR
EXCLUSIVE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
In
addition to the Superior Suites our Presidential Suite is a true haven
of opulence and space offering unexpected luxury and exclusivity in the
African bush.
The
Presidential Suite, a total of 225sqm includes two full en-suite bedrooms,
a private dining room, private lounge, fireplace, wrap around private deck
with outside dining facilities, a private boma and private plunge pool
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The
understated décor is African modern while the expansive wooden decking
around the suite provides a perfect platform from which to experience the
spectacularly wild african game and bush. |
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If
you prefer, meals can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own suite either
in the private dining room next to the fireplace or outside next to a roaring
open boma fire during the hot summer evenings. All complimented by friendly
and professional service.
The
spacious private suites each comprise of a bedroom and lounge, en-suite
bathroom, large glass sliding doors and private viewing decks with a view
over the ever active water hole. Natural colours, wooden decks and thatched
roofs compliment the bushveld surroundings.
Standard
amenities include overhead fans and air-conditioning providing welcome
relief from the bushveld climate. Open fireplaces for the cooler winters,
and designer "picture window" bathroom suites provide for an atmosphere
that is Africa and romance at once. Features like additional secluded outside
shower cater for the more adventurous! |
| Comfortable
beds with embroided percale cotton linen with lush duvets and choice of
pillows is romantically draped by mosquito netting. Relax in the in-room
lounge or on your private viewing deck, read a book or just soak up the
tranquility, smells and sound of the bush that surround you!
Enjoy
the unspoilt nature and Africna bushveld with it's dramatic vistas in the
comfort and luxury of your suite. |
Room
Facilities:
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Two en-suite
bedrooms, king and twin bedded with
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Pure Cotton
Percale Linnen with a choice of pillows
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Mosquito
Netting
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Private
Boma with outside fireplace
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Private
Dining Room
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Private
Lounge
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Pirvate
Plunge Pool
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Bulters
Kitchen
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Private
Service Available
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Individual
Air-conditioning
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Overhead
Fans
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Mini-Bar
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Safe in
room
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Tea &
Coffee Making Facilities
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Direct
Dial Telephone
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Cellphone
Reception (3G)
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Fireplace
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Full En-Suite
Bathrooms including:
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Shaver
Plugs
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Additional
Outside Shower
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Hairdryer
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Full range
of amenities
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Game
Drives
Your
knowledgeable and experienced ranger conducts professional early morning
and later afternoon / evening game drives in an informative and relaxed
fashion. Fully equipped custom built game viewing vehicles offer all the
comfort and luxury for our guests. Your qualified ranger will be happy
to share all their knowledge of the bush - from the prized big five (leopard,
lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino) to the smaller game, plants, trees, insects
and more.
Two
game drives are conducted at the best suited times of the day to maximize
the number of sightings. An early morning game drive start directly after
morning coffee at approximately 5h30 in the morning (and a half an hour
later in the winter). The excitement and rush of the adventure is interrupted
by a stop over in the open bush for tea or coffee with a light snack -
often with a view over nearby game. The adventure continues and you return
back to camp at around 9:30 am to freshen up before brunch. |
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| Following
afternoon high tea the afternoon game drives start at approximately 16h00
(and half and hour earlier in the winter) and continues into the night.
The game drives are again interrupted by a stop-over in the bush for sundowners
watching the splendour of the African sun setting over the mountains. The
game viewing at night offers the opportunity to view the nocturnal animals
including the possibility of lions out on the prowl.
You
return after dark to be welcomed with a sherry at the lodge at around 7:30
pm to freshen up for the evening's events.
Generally
game drives return 3-4 hours after departure.
Whilst
there is an emphasis on showing our guests the renowned big five, our rangers
realize the importance of all fauna & flora and is dedicated to ensuring
your utmost enjoyment of all aspects of the bush. |
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Amongst
many other expect sightings at close range of abundant game including but
not limited to Leopard, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, Elephant,
Cheetah, Zebra, Impala, Giraffe, Hippo, Waterbuck, Nyala, Warthogs, Eland,
Baboons, Monkeys, Kudu, Hayena, Blue Wildebeest, various smaller game,
birds of prey, smaller birds and nocturnal animals.
The
Thornybush Reserve is blessed with an abundance of species which includes:
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147 mammals
including the "Big Five"
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114 reptiles
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507 birds
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49 fish
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34 amphibians
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336 trees
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warm climate of the lowveld ensures optimal game viewing throughout the
year.
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Game
Walks
Following
brunch guests are welcome to enjoy the relaxing facilities at the camp
but for the more adventurous informative bush walks are offered. This is
one of the best ways to experience detail of the bush that would not be
possible by vehicle.
These
walks are conducted by your knowledgeable and experienced ranger accompanied
by his tracker – both there to ensure the walks are done professionally
and safely.
Reservation
Enquiry - Book
right now
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Wildlife
Photography, Birding and Special Interests
For the
birding and photography enthusiasts the reserve has plenty to offer and
game are encountered at close range. Rangers are trained to consider your
special interests during game drives and walks. In addition their knowledge
of the finer things within the eco-system, bush and plants as well as astronomy
offers an insight into more than just the extraordinary wildlife.
"Close
encounters of a different kind" are the experiences that will linger in
your memory long after your visit to Shumbalala Game Lodge - an African
Safari not to be missed! |
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Activities
in the Area
Whilst
our game viewing activities will keep you occupied throughout your stay,
additional activities in the area can be organized (at a fee) for longer
staying guests wanting to explore all the wildlife of the area. These
include:
ELEPHANT-BACK
SAFARIS
Following
the farm invasions by war veterans during the political unrest in Zimbabwe
early in 2002, a group of 12 trained elephants was in jeopardy as their
natural habitat was systemically taken over. A rescue mission ensured their
safety and the elephants were consequently relocated to the Hoedspruit
area.
A truly
unforgettable experience where you will soon discover that the elephants
enjoy the ride as much as you do! You will be comfortably seated on the
elephant’s back behind an experienced elephant handler directing the elephant
as required. Needless to say this method of game viewing offers the opportunity
to get close to the wildlife in a natural environment. The tour takes approximately
and hour and a half including a short lecture and refreshments. Unfortunately
children under 12 cannot participate. |
HOT
AIR BALLOON FLIGHTS
A flight
in a hot air balloon over the big game areas and with its unique beauty
of the African wilderness is a truly rare experience.
Your
adventure begins before sunrise with coffee whilst the balloon is prepared
for flight. Followed by a safety briefing, you take to the air in time
to witness sunrise in the African bush and the flights lasts approximately
1 hour. When game is spotted, the main burners are switched over to a "whisper"
burner as not to disturb the animals.
The
flight lasts about an hour, after which the pilot will select a suitable
landing site where refreshments are served for your enjoyment. |
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GOLF
A short
hour's drive away towards Phalaborwa, you will find the championship Hans
Merensky Golf Estate. Excitement is the spice of life where hippos yawn
while the crocodile's lazy gaze follows the ball's flight. A unique course
with indigenous bush, tranquil pools and velvet greens.
HORSE
RIDING SAFARIS
Beginners,
intermediate and advanced riders are welcome! The horse trails are conducted
on the scenic Moholoholo Mountain View Game Reserve bordering the Blyde
River Canyon. The Reserve boasts a variety of game including eland, giraffe,
kudu, wildebeest, klipspringer, warthog, impala, hippo, nyala and duiker. |
HOEDSPRUIT
CHEETAH PROJECT
A video
presentation is followed by the opportunity to view cheetah, including
the beautiful King Cheetah, African Wild Dog, Ground Hornbills and many
other rare species. The tour also enables one to view the specialized breeding
and rehabilitation camps for the Barbary Lion and Rhino. The tour lasts
approximately one and a half hours.
MOHOLOHOLO
- WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTRE
The Wildlife
Rehabilitation Centre at Moholoholo contributes to the conservation and
rehabilitations of endangered or injured species and with this also facilitates
a number of successful breeding programs. |
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| Situated
in the shadow of the majestic "Mariepskop" mountain, the conservancy is
a haven to many wild animals. Here injured and orphaned birds and animals
are cared for with the aim to release back to the wild where animals that
are not so fortunate are cared for in captivity to educate the visiting
communities and tourists. Common and rare species are seen on the guided
tours, often in close contact - an unforgettable experience not to be missed.
BLYDE
RIVER CANYON
Enjoy
a guided informative boat cruise and view the 3rd largest Canyon in the
world. The magnificent Blyde River Canyon is 1000 meter deep and 30 kilometers
long. Learn about the age of times, birds and trees or spot the crocodiles
and hippos while enjoying the beautiful escarpment that rears 1900m above
the Lowveld.
HOW
TO GET THERE
Shumbalala
Game Lodge is situated in the heart of the Thornybush Reserve adjacent
to the Kruger National Park, approximately 50km (30miles) from Hoedspruit.
Guests
can choose from a number of different options to reach Shumbalala Game
Lodge:
SA
EXPRESS AIRLINES
SA
Express Airways has two daily flights from OR Tambo International Airport
(previously know as Johannesburg International Airport) to Hoedspruit Airport
(also known as Eastgate airport). Bookings must be made directly with South
African Express Airlines at www.flysax.com. From there we will arrange
a short transfer of approximately 30 minutes to the reserve.
SA
Airlink also fly daily from Cape town to KMIA (Kruger Mpumalanga International
Airport) close to Nelspruit. Bookings must be made directly with South
African Airways at www.flysaa.com. From there guests can either take a
short charter by air (of 25 minutes) directly onto the reserve or alternatively
a road transfer of between 2 and 3 hours can be arranged.
PRIVATE
CHARTERS
These
can be arranged from Johannesburg or Cape Town for flights directly onto
the reserve which has a private tarred airstrip where your ranger will
collect you and take you on a short game drive to the camp of Shumbalala
Game Lodge
Reserve
airstrip location details:
Co-Ordinates:
24
DEGREES 24’50sec S -
31
DEGREES 09’30sec E
Radial:
HSV
140 DEGREES DME 7.6 NM
Runway:
05/23
– Land uphill 23, 1200 metres (Tar)
Elevation:
1900
ft
Radio
Frequency:
131.75
TRAVEL
BY ROAD
Guests
also have the option of travelling to Shumbalala Game Lodge by guided or
private transfers. This offers the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy
the towns and scenery en-route. Average drive time from Johannesburg is
5 hours but a stopover in the scenic town of Dullstroom for lunch will
extend this to 6 hours….or more
Drive
time from Nelspruit KMIA airport is between 2 and 3 hours.
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Rates
available on enquiry
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