Mavela Game Lodge

Mavela Game Lodge is nestled in the heart of the magnificent Big 5 Manyoni Private Game Reserve, near Mkuze, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

A unique all-inclusive luxury, safari-style tented bush lodge that offers both local and international travellers intimate encounters with African wildlife. The lodge is owned and run by us, the Steven’s family who are committed to conservation and preserving wildlife for future generations.

After spending a lot of our own time on the reserve, and being keen birders we know how special this region is, and as a prime birding spot with exceptional game viewing opportunities, we aim to share what makes it so special with you too.

It’s in our nature to ensure that you are greeted with friendly hospitality and the highest standards of service, and because it’s us who have put our passion into this lodge, we understand the importance of hands-on management.

It’s incredible to witness how Mavela has become a return destination for guests seeking authentic wildlife experiences and “Big 5” sightings (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino), But among the big 5, the reserve also strives to protect and conserve some of the most endangered species in Africa (Temminck’s Pangolin, African Wild Dog, Black Rhino and Cheetah) which adds an even more memorable destination for your African safari holiday.

THE MAIN LODGE
Upon the arrival of your stay, you’ll be welcomed at the main lodge. The lodge is designed as an open-plan, two-story thatched welcome area with a lounge, bar and dining facilities, all leading out to the pool and a wooden veranda that overlooks the rolling landscape of the Manyoni Reserve.

The thatched roof depicts a diving raptor in flight and presents a regal architectural feature that aims to merge the feeling of the lodge’s positioning as a “birds-eye view” over the reserve. Depending on the weather our meals are served either in the dining area or outside on the deck under the big African sky.

We’ve designed our space as if it was the comfort of your own home; fully-inclusive to all guests, meaning you can help yourself to anything you wish. The stunning upstairs bar with beautiful views of the rolling hills is open for self-service, allowing you to sit back uninterrupted to soak up your African safari escape.

On warm days we are sure you’ll spend them by the pool and on colder nights you can curl up next to the fireplace upstairs, and when the magic of an African sunset settles on the day, we know you’ll be at the bar enjoying your favourite wine, captivated by Africa.

ACCOMMODATION
Unwind and make yourself at home in one of our seven, luxury safari-style tents. Each luxury tent is tastefully and modernly decorated to show off the best in safari luxury. Each room is complete with aircon, standing fans and luxurious Afri-Earth amenities complemented with crisp white linen on either single or king beds.

There is an en-suite bathroom and shower plus an intimate outdoor shower that faces the views of the bushveld, which allows full privacy to immerse yourself in the natural surroundings.

Unwind on a large private deck looking out at the beautiful views with comfortable deck chairs and a birdbath in front of each tent, which birding enthusiasts can enjoy ticking off their lifers from the comfort of their veranda.

Or if you’re wanting to indulge in a soothing safari yoga workout, we also provide yoga mats in each room for you to breathe it out over a stunning view. The entire camp is unfenced, allowing wildlife to roam free through the camp.

In the evenings our guests will be escorted back to their rooms after dinner, for safety reasons. It’s our wish that when you stay at Mavela Game Lodge you’ll feel the intimacy of our safari lodge and gain a unique experience of what it means to truly live in the luxury of the African bush.

MANYONI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
The Manyoni Private Game Reserve has a large traversing area with varied habitats, healthy wildlife populations and is the ideal destination for a memorable African safari. Manyoni Private Game Reserve is one of the largest privately-owned reserves in Kwazulu-Natal, on the east of South Africa.

This 23,000-hectare reserve is the product of 17 dedicated landowners who dropped their fences in 2004 to create one contiguous protected area for our wildlife.

The selection of the area as a potential release site for the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project was a major driving factor in the establishment of Manyoni. When you’re on our game drives, our specialised guides will be able to show you the very best of the reserve.

SAFARI EXPERIENCES
At Mavela Game Lodge we focus on displaying the diverse beauty of the Zululand bush around our camp, on our game drives and through the hospitality of our staff.

While each game drive in the early morning and late afternoon is in search of personal encounters with a range of abundant bird species and wildlife, back at the lodge we focus on the natural flow of the day on a safari escape. Our guests can laze in the sun by the pool on a hot summer’s day or take to the shade of their private patio to enjoy a good book found at the lodge library.

Our upstairs viewing deck has stunning views of the rolling hills of Zululand and is an excellent spot to just sit, relax, and watch the wildlife come to drink from the lodge waterhole. The upstairs bar is available for self-service throughout the day and is the ideal place to meet other travellers and share stories from your adventures.

Mavela Lodge is unfenced, and as a result, you will find yourself surrounded by wildlife as you go about your day. Impala will nervously make their way down to the waterhole, while birds will be taking a dip in the birdbath in front of your luxury tent. You may even hear the lions calling at night from the comfort of your bed.

In the evening the main focus will be on the boma or outdoor fireplace where stories are shared, friends are made and the night sky puts on a show with its dazzling array of stars. After a long stare into the fire, a 3-course dinner will be served. Prepared by our own chef, using fresh local ingredients and paired with carefully selected South African wines.

GAME DRIVES 
Explore the Manyoni Private Game Reserve in a customised open-top 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser, led by a knowledgeable guide. The guide will take you on a 3-4 hour drive through the reserve in search of our renowned wildlife while pointing out the subtleties of the ecosystem around you.

Be prepared to get up close with the larger animals as the guide takes you off-road to get the best possible view. Game drives depart early morning and late afternoon when the animals are most active. This gives you the best chance of seeing incredible wildlife interactions – you may even be lucky enough to see a hunt!

MORNING GAME DRIVE 
The morning departure is usually half an hour before sunrise. with a tea/coffee break affording guests the opportunity to stretch legs and absorb the beauty of the natural surroundings.

It’s best to wear a light jacket and layers for cooler summer mornings with a large hat as the day get’s warmer. In winter more layers are required as it can get pretty cold, but here too you’ll be peeling off the layers as the day warms up.

AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
The evening game drive departs mid-to-late afternoon. The field guide customises each route, depending on what was seen previously and according to the group’s specific interest. The stop at dusk offers guests traditional, South African “sundowners” and a variety of typical South African snacks.

It is a special moment to pause and listen to the night sounds with the African sun setting over the pristine bushveld, after which it is time to search for the more elusive, nocturnal creatures of the reserve. There are blankets and ponchos supplied to each guest on the game vehicle in case it rains or gets a bit cold as the day fades.

WALKING SAFARI 
The ultimate safari activity is experiencing Africa on foot. At Mavela we specialise in walking safaris conducted by our highly trained trails guide. Each walk can last up to 3 hours and departs early morning to give guests the best opportunity to encounter the larger wildlife of the Manyoni Game Reserve.

Walking offers a wonderful opportunity to get closer to nature by stepping off the game viewer and slowing down your search of wildlife – take in the beauty of the smaller creatures and learn about the medicinal and cultural beliefs of the floral kingdom and who knows, maybe you’ll even be able to track down one of the ‘Big 5’ by following the footprints left in the sand.

A walking safari will replace a vehicle-based safari on your stay, as both take place in the early morning. We recommend sacrificing at least one drive to experience this wonderful activity. Your guide will customise the route depending on your interests and fitness level.

Take a stroll through the bush while stopping at anything that catches your eye, or tick off that exercise for the day by marching along the crests and valleys of the rolling hills of the Manyoni Reserve.

BIRDING SAFARI
Although some guests come to experience the Big Five, many leave with an everlasting appreciation of the magnificent birdlife. Mavela is renowned for its exceptional birding opportunities, with over 420 species recorded on the Manyoni Private Game Reserve.

The diversity of habitats found on the reserve invite you to go searching for all sorts of beautiful and elusive bird species. From riverine thickets to grassy plains, the bush provides an abundance of birdlife.

The Stevens family are avid birdwatchers and ensure that guests are given a glimpse into this fascinating hobby. The guides at Mavela are bird specialists and will be able to identify many of the birds by their call alone. They love a challenge, and if you wish to come searching for a specific bird, we will search high and low to get the sighting you wish.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI
At Mavela we offer photographic safari packages for wildlife and birding enthusiasts or anyone wanting to up their wildlife photography game. As part of the Photographic package, you will be given full use of a private game drive vehicle and a knowledgeable photographic guide to help with any questions you may have.

The beauty of having your private vehicle is that you can spend as much time as you like out in the bush or at a sighting of your choice. If your goal is to photograph lions, then we will focus solely on finding the animals and spending time at the sighting – so you can get that perfect photograph.

The reserve is a paradise of open grassy plains and rolling hills. Creating the perfect backdrop to photograph any animal species. Photographing the Big 5 is any nature lovers dream. Search for your species of choice and then spend time enjoying their beauty. Basic equipment is available for rent, but we suggest renting your own equipment.

RHINO DEHORNING 
Join our wildlife management team on a life-altering rhino dehorning experience. Rhino dehorning has proven to be an effective measure to deter rhino poaching and we encourage our guests to join us and participate in this heart-warming, educational, hands-on experience.

Get up close to wild rhino whilst assisting the team in collecting DNA samples and taking measurements, all of this contributing to the protection of the species.

The procedure is not harmful in any way and our veterinarian and wildlife management team is highly experienced in ensuring the welfare of the rhino during the procedure. Please inquire in your booking if you wish to participate in their experience.

PANGOLIN EXPERIENCE
The Manyoni Private Game Reserve works closely with the African Pangolin Working group in rehabilitating pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade. Everyday a dedicated member of the conservation team takes the pangolin out into the reserve where they keep a watchful eye to safeguard this precious species and allow it to learn how to survive in the wild.

Mavela Game Lodge has an exciting opportunity to spend time with this incredible animal in its natural habitat and learn about the rehabilitation process. Join us on an experience that will allow you to observe and follow a pangolin on foot through the Manyoni Game Reserve.

A trained handler will accompany you throughout the walk to explain the fascinating behaviour of the pangolin as well as the conservation efforts needed to protect these creatures.

Classified as Vulnerable, the very elusive Temminck’s Ground Pangolin is the only Pangolin species found in Southern Africa. Unfortunately, these nocturnal creatures are the most trafficked animal in the world.

Through conservation efforts such as this we are able to gradually release these wild little ones back to their natural habitat with the hopes of steadily increasing the number of Pangolins found in the wild.

Rooms: 5

Price: from 520 EUR per night

Source: www.mavela.co.za