General Information:

Meaning ‘lion’ in Shangaan, Ngala was the first private safari reserve to be incorporated in the world-famous Kruger National Park – the largest wildlife sanctuary in South Africa. With exclusive traversing rights over 14 700 hectares (36 323 acres) of Kruger's game-rich wilderness, Ngala offers an extraordinary African wildlife safari experience.

Accommodation:

Classic safari accommodation: Ngala Private Game Reserve is host to an exclusive Safari Lodge, luxurious Tented Safari Camp and wilderness Walking Safari Camp, all offering world-class sophistication and style in the African bush.

• Ngala Lodge - 20 classic, thatched chalets overlooking a busy waterhole
• Ngala Tented Safari Camp - six luxurious and romantic tented suites on raised platforms

Lodges: This gracious, colonial-style safari lodge, set in Ngala's extraordinary African wilderness, is renowned for its superb accommodation. It provides an unbeatable family safari experience in the heart of the Kruger National Park. The 20 thatched cottages are shaded by Mopane trees and overlook the riverine below. All feature air conditioning, intimate verandahs and green slate en suite baths and showers. Tented Safaris: Set on the banks of the great seasonal Timbavati River, six luxurious tented suites feature en suite bathrooms with spacious baths and outdoor showers. A lap pool merges with the contours of the riverbank – great for laid-back game viewing. In true CC Africa style, Ngala Tented Safari Camp was designed to provide minimal impact on the environment.

Dining:

Lavish meals with Pan-African influences are served in a romantic, lantern lit courtyard or around the traditional African boma (reeded enclosed area) fire. Old-world interiors, an unhurried atmosphere and sumptuous cuisine are the order of the day at Ngala Game Lodge. Romantic candle-lit dinners around outdoor fires recreate the timeless feeling of life on safari. The courtyard at is an unusual, perhaps even unique, feature for a safari lodge. You walk through large wooden doors to an open-air courtyard, warmly lit by large freestanding candelabras and crackling fires. The atmosphere at this game lodge in the Timbavati Reserve is one of casual elegance, with tables beautifully set up under the trees. A three-course dinner is carried to your table, mingling the early evening air with the food's mouth-watering aromas. Towards the end of the evening, staff entertain you with traditional song and dance or a stirring guitar solo. Ngala Game Lodge in the Timbavati Reserve offers moonlit bush dinners and bush sundowners. Bush banquets are served in a clearing in the bush under a star-studded sky. The incredible effort, the spectacular settings, the visual impact and the fairytale atmosphere of a dinner under the stars make for an unforgettable feast.

Activities:

At Ngala Game Lodge, it is possible to fill every minute of your African safari with a range of exciting activities including stargazing, stunning bird-watching opportunities, swimming in sparkling pools, fairytale-like moonlit bush dinners and spectacular bush sundowners. There are impressive open fireplaces on this African safari. Ngala's main guest areas are secluded in leafy woodlands. The shaded swimming pool and sundeck overlook a busy waterhole near the Mopane woodlands. The pool is a good size and is surrounded by sunloungers. Large herds of Elephants are frequently sighted at the waterhole. The curio shop and gallery are filled with African treasures. The shop has a good range of African artefacts, basketware, jewellery, paintings, pottery and safari clothing, as well as some necessities like toiletries, film, postcards, stamps, sunblock and hats. If you would like any of your treasures to be shipped, feel free to ask and this can easily be arranged.

Bush dinners or boma dinners are slightly more traditional than the more formal courtyard dinners. Delectable dinners include squash soup, smoked salmon crostini / steak with mushrooms and turkey with herb crust / baked pears. Ngala Game Lodge offers unique activities for children. At Ngala Game Lodge, mouth-watering al fresco dinners are served on the impressive Timbavati riverbed, which is dry for most of the year. Enchanting islands of reeds are a bird-watcher's paradise during an African safari. All activities at Ngala Game Lodge are at no extra charge to guests. Ngala is the ideal choice for an important conference. The lodge's air-conditioned, well-equipped facilities hold up to 42 people. The room is situated in a quiet corner away from the main guest areas.