Mabula Game Lodge

Our recent trip to Mabula wasa holiday of a lifetime. It has created the most incredible memories for us. Immediately from arrival - starting with the traditional drumming from Jerry and the hand wash ceromony - everything exceeded expectations. The highlight is definitely the abundance of wildlife. We were lucky enough to get very up close and personal with everything from all of the big 5 (minus the very elusive leopard) and including a very lucky encounter with wild dogs, plus countless other species We got so much closer to the amimals than I ever dremed we would. A special mention must go to Frans, our safari guide, who was simply outstanding. His knowledge, passion and ability to spot animals made every drive unforgettable. The lodge itself is luxurious, blending comfort with a traditional African feel. If I was to be very picky, I’d say the rooms are slightly dated, but they are very clean, well-appointed and authentically styled. The food was imcredible and plentiful. with so much variety and flavour. We lived the breakfasts and dinners in the bush plus the varying betwen meals in the resteraunt and at the Boma. The staff deserve high praise. They work so so hard and nothing istoo much trouble. Moses, John, Joanna and Jerry deserve a particular mention – we not only enjoyed their attentive service but also the lovely chats we had with them. We booked through Newmarket, which offered excellent value for such a world-class experience. Our daily routine was as follows: morning coffee at 6am, safari from 6.30 to 9am (with a memorable stop for hot chocolate in the bush), breakfast at 9.30, lunch at 12.30, afternoon tea at 3pm, safari from 3.30 to 6pm (complete with sundowner drinks and snacks) and finally dinner from 6.30pm. In the mornings (last week of August) you’ll definitely need a fleece and hat as it can be quite chilly, but the days warm up quickly to being very hot and sunny conditions. You can safely drink the tap water at Mabula. When packing, neutral-coloured clothing (greens, olives, khakis) is best for safaris and bush walks, along with comfortable shoes. There’s no need to pack fancy evening wear – the vibe is relaxed and comfortable. Finally, a word about the group we were part of-they were wonderful. Sharing the safaris, some meals (whislt being able to dine as just a cpuple too) and laughter with such a great mix of people really made the trip even more special. Mabula Lodge gaveus the perfect balance of adventure, luxury and warm hospitality. We left with memories we will cherish forever. If you are considering a first safari holiday, I would.highly reccomend this