Chitwa Chitwa

Chitwa Chitwa Lodge has a wonderful lake-side setting in South Africa’s world-renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve. The luxurious lodge, which is privately owned by the Brink family, is a peaceful haven from which to enjoy the prolific wildlife viewing that the reserve is known for. Children of all ages are welcome.

Accommodation & Facilities
Chitwa Chitwa Lodge has seven spectacular suites, each with great views across the lake beside which the lodge is set. The individually designed suites have lounges, wood burning stoves, outside decks with plunge pools, and en-suite bathrooms with inside and outside showers and a bath. The lodge is built principally from stone, timber and thatch, and is beautifully decorated in a contemporary African style verging on the eccentric at times. Numerous extraordinary works of art and sculpture can be found throughout the lodge, including in the wonderfully bright and colourful wine cellar. Daytime meals are served in a shady dining area overlooking the lake. Dinners are often enjoyed by firelight in the boma, the outdoor, reeded dining area or around the pool, as well as in the luxurious indoor dining room and bar area. The lodge has a lovely spa, a gym, and a beautiful library for guests to relax in. The main lodge pool has a shallow end (1m).

For families, the Charlsy Suite comprises two interlinked rooms with en-suite bathrooms joined by a comfortable living area and large deck with a plunge pool (1.5m deep). The Charlsy Suite sleeps four with the option to add up to two extra children’s beds. Chitwa House is just a few minutes from the main lodge and is a great option for guests looking for an exclusive option. The house has two beautiful en-suite bedrooms, private decks and outdoor showers. The two bedrooms are linked by the lounge and dining area and a deck with a swimming pool. Private dining is available and a private guide and safari vehicle comes with this house.

Eating & Sleeping
The chef is very flexible and happy to cater for children who can have meals and meal times to suit. There is a children’s menu featuring family favourites such as chicken and chips etc. A listening service whereby a member of lodge staff can sit in or outside the room while the children are sleeping can be easily arranged. Babysitting is also offered at an additional cost of R350 per hour.

Wildlife & Activities
Wildlife viewing in the Sabi Sands is superb and it’s one of the best areas in Africa to see the Big 5. Chitwa Chitwa offers guests the chance to view the abundant wildlife on morning and evening wildlife drives or bush walks, and the animals you may see includes leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion, hyena, and if you are lucky enough, wild dog. The guides and trackers at Chitwa Chitwa are outstanding and really add to the quality of the experience. Guests are also invited to visit the nearby community of Dixie, where the community partnership with the camp is in evidence. The lodge has a mobile pizza oven built onto an old land rover, which is ideal for a fun bush lunch or dinner.

Specifically for children …
• Story time.
• Insect hunt. e.g. ultra violet light used to find scorpions at night.
• Educational mini-walks.
• Tracking and making plaster of Paris tracks.
• Baking/pizza making.
• Identifying animal sounds and copying them.
• Games and DVDs.
• Visiting Wisani Preschool and Dixie Village and learning to dance traditionally like the Shangaan people.
• Colouring and working on activity books.
• Learning some Shangaan words.
• Bush craft
• Dung spitting competition