Ngala Safari Lodge
Ngala Safari Lodge is located in a 14,700 hectare private concession in the 75,000 hectare Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, on the western boundary of the world renowned Kruger National Park in South Africa. Ngala means ‘Place of Lion’ in Shangaan, and children of all ages are welcome.
Accommodation & Facilities
Ngala Safari Lodge has 17 air-conditioned cottages, three family cottages and one private family suite dotted around the well-tended gardens. Each stone built cottage has an en-suite bathroom, a shaded private verandah, and is comfortably and classically decorated in colonial style with antiques and nostalgic safari memorabilia. Public areas at the lodge include a spacious thatched living and dining room with an impressive open fireplace, a bar and a library, a swimming pool with a shallower children’s section, a viewing deck overlooking a busy waterhole, and a safari shop. Dinner is either served in a romantic candle lit walled courtyard or around a roaring fire in the traditional boma. The lodge also has a gym and a massage room.
The three family cottages each consist of two back to back suites that are conveniently interlinked via a door for easy access. The cottages can accommodate two adults and two children.
The family suite features two ensuite bedrooms, each with its own private terrace overlooking the river and watering hole beyond. The suite has a private swimming pool with steps. In addition there is a sitting room, dining area for private dinners, the services of a dedicated butler, and a private ranger and safari vehicle. The family suite can accommodate a maximum of two adults and three children under 12 years.
Eating & Sleeping
Children can eat at separate times to suit. Families get their own butler, so upon arrival the guests can talk directly to their butler and organize meals and mealtimes. There is a Children’s menu including nursery favourites such as spaghetti bolognaise, cheese burger, pizza etc…
Babysitting is provided by the housekeeper and is payable locally at a charge of R50.00 per hour.
Wildlife & Activities
The area is bisected by the iconic Timbavati River and is rich in Mopane forest and acacia bushveld. Home to lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, as well as wild dog, hyena and giraffe, the area is particularly well known for its herds of elephant and prides of lion up to 25 strong. Guests can enjoy morning and afternoon wildlife drives in open 4x4s, and join armed guides for a walking safari, including tracking white rhino. There’s also the option to spend a night under the stars on the romantic sleep-out treehouse. When guests are not viewing wildlife, the afternoons may be spent beside the pool or enjoying a massage or wellness treatment at the lodge spa.
Specifically for Children …
Ngala Safari Lodge offers the WildChild programme where children under 12 years are given a backpack and tick lists upon arrival. Daily activities are arranged for children including Plaster of Paris spoor moulding, dart gun shooting, pellet gun shooting, sand art and cookie baking. Most of the guides here are very good with kids and most of them are family men. Often the rangers can also play soccer or kick a ball with the kids.
For safety reasons nature walks are available for kids aged 12 years or older. For safari walks into potentially dangerous animal areas (Rhino, buffalo herds, elephant bulls etc…) children need to be 16 years or older.
The minimum age for joining shared wildlife drives with other guests is 6 years. If a family books a private vehicle, younger children can go on a drive with parents and siblings at the ranger’s discretion.
