Rhulani Safari Lodge

The adventure begins the moment you arrive at Madikwe Game Reserve. An African welcome awaits you at the lodge. Rhulani means “relax” so we invite you to sit back and enjoy the African bush with us! Creating Rhulani has been both stimulating and inspirational.

We set out to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, to build a modern-day refuge, an oasis of calm, a place to nourish the soul and lift the spirit. We invite you to experience the serenity and harmony of this special place with us – come celebrate nature, celebrate life.

History & Vision
On 27 September 2003, Rhulani Safari Lodge welcomed our first guest. It was the beginning of an exciting and incredible time. From the first day on our journey was characterized by much sweat and sacrifice, but also from great joy and passion.

Since 1 March 2013 Rhulani belongs to the Swiss owners Rolf Steiner and Marisa Silva. The owners’ vision to position Rhulani as the most intriguing and beautiful safari option in Africa and motivates them every day to rethink and improve the product and service offering for our guests.

“We want our guests to decelerate from everyday life in an environment of the highest quality and excellent service, and at the same time, to hear, see and feel the fascinating nature around us.”

The African bush radiates a fascinating magic, which we can hardly describe in words. Every day we are astonished to find out what miracles nature is creating and how the elements interact.

Many of our guests tell us of how they are touched by the sunset, the silence, or an evening at the camp fire under the stars. Or they start to cry next to a peacefully sleeping lion.

As we are living in an increasingly crazy world, where we are looking for the extremes, isn’t this just amazing? It is as if we are reminded that the untouched nature offers everything we need, so that we feel completely well and we lack nothing.

At any rate, this is what has led Marisa and Rolf to invest in this small, unique place and to build an oasis of peace. The ultimate goal is to convey this special “Rhulani feeling”.

We want our guests to decelerate from everyday life in an environment of the highest quality and excellent service, and at the same time, to hear, see and feel the fascinating nature around us. Rhulani is a word in Shangaan and means “relax”.

We warmly welcome you and thank you for choosing us for your immersion in the fascinating nature of Madikwe Game Reserve. We wish you an unforgettable, magical time with us.

Conservation
Our vision is to create an unforgettable, high quality experience with the African wilderness for our guests. But it is just as important for us to make sure that this indescribly beautiful nature with the many endangered species can be preserved and admired by the next generations as well.

Rhulani makes a permanent contribution to the conservation and protection of the animal population. Although Madikwe is a wildlife reserve, where the laws of the free nature apply, there is a park management, which undertakes certain activities for the protection of endangered animal species.

“It is unique opportunity to do something meaningful and add a special experience to your holidays.”

For many conservation activities, the reserve is dependent on donations. As a guest of Rhulani, you are invited to give support, which will transform your holidays to a memorable experience.

We are glad to organize for you an exclusive program of an urgently needed “conservation activity”, where you as the sponsor will participate actively and get an insight into how conservationists works. It is a unique opportunity to do something meaningful and add a special experience to your holidays.

Examples of typical conservation activities are rhino notching, lion contraception, buffalo collar removal, and very specific activities depending on the need at the time of your request. Interested guests should contact our Front of House early enough to see what options are available to organize the activity for the time of your stay.

Rhulani will provide you with an offer that covers the effective costs of the operation, including the veterinarian, conservationist and the use of a helicopter if required. The total cost depends on the type and duration of the activity. The work is embedded in an attractive daily program, which includes:

• exclusive day for you and your group with your Rhulani Ranger
• crossing the Madikwe Reserve to the east side (where you normally do not get)
• start of the program in the Madikwe Botanical Gardens with breakfast or lunch
• briefing about the activity by the veterinarian and the conservationist
• search for the animal by helicopter (if necessary), whereby a guest can fly as a passenger
• darting of the animal from the helicopter
• work on the animal with the veterinarian, with active participation from the guests
• ensure that the animal comes back on its feet and it recovers well
• return to Rhulani

Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe is one of the largest reserves in South Africa – 75 000 hectares of pristine, malaria-free bushveld located in the North West province, just a three-and-a-half hour drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria.

The reserve is well known for its abundant wildlife (including the “Madikwe Top 10”) and diversity of habitats, ranging from the perennial Marico River, to its large open plains, woodlands, steep cliffs and boulder-strewn koppies, to the Dwarsberg Mountains which stretch across the southern border.

All private guest lodges including Rhlani offer visitors a unique and personalised bush adventure, going every extra mile to ensure their Madikwe memories linger for years to come.

There are no day-visitor facilities and the reserve is only open to those who have made a booking at one of the lodges, which ensures that all guests are able to enjoy an exclusive safari experience.

Madikwe has the distinction of being one of the few game reserves in the world to be proclaimed purely on these grounds. It is run as a joint venture between the North West Parks and Tourism Board, the private sector and local communities. The success of this approach has made Madikwe the role model for similar ventures elsewhere in South Africa.

Thousands of healthy animals have been released into the reserve, including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, cheetah, African wild dog (Madikwe is the first fenced reserve where wild dog were released), spotted hyena, giraffe, zebra and many species of antelope and herbivores. Leopards were already on the land before it was fenced off.

Madikwe also boasts an incredible 350 bird species, making the reserve a paradise for any enthusiastic birdwatcher.

Accommodation Overview
Succumb to the peace and tranquillity of this spectacular setting. Enjoy the total privacy of your own private plunge pool while you relax in the spacious luxury of your Private Chalet. Dive into the intimate atmosphere of Rhulani and choose between three room categories:

• Luxury Private Chalet – 6 rooms
• Luxury Private Chalet PREMIUM – 1 room
• Luxury Family Suite – 1 room

All our rooms are air-conditioned for warm summer evenings and have a Morso fireplace for the cool winter nights. All rooms are fully equipped with coffee and tea stations, a fully stocked bar fridge, and a Nespresso coffee machine; everything for your maximum comfort and offered by us for free.

The en-suite bathrooms have an oval bath, twin basins, indoor and outdoor showers. You can have massage treatments in the privacy of your room or on your private deck. There is free wireless internet in all chalets and common areas of the lodge.

Luxury Private Chalet
The Luxury Private Chalet is a detached, spacious bungalow, which consists of a bedroom, an en-suite bathroom and a terrace with an outside shower and a plunge pool (heated) where you have uninterrupted views of Madikwe Game Reserve.

Equipment
King size bed or 2 single beds with mosquito net, full en-suite bathroom with inside and outside shower and oval bathtub, tea & coffee-making facilities, Nespresso coffee machine, mini bar fridge, mini safe, hangers, hairdryer, climate control air-conditioning, morso fireplace, private deck with 2 deck chairs, private plunge pool (heated), wireless internet connection, international power plug and adapters

Capacity
2 adults + 1 child <16 years

Size
ca. 45 sqm, Terrace ca. 60 sqm

Luxury Private Chalet PREMIUM
The Luxury Private Chalet PREMIUM is a detached, spacious bungalow, which consists of a bedroom, an en-suite bathroom, a separate living room with TV which can also be used as a second bedroom, and a terrace with an outside shower and a plunge pool (heated) where you have uninterrupted views of Madikwe Game Reserve.

Equipment
Main bedroom with king size bed or 2 single beds with mosquito net (curtain), lounge with sofa bed and TV, full en-suite bathroom with inside and outside shower and oval bathtub, tea & coffee-making facilities, Nespresso coffee machine, mini bar fridge, mini safe, hangers, hairdryer, climate control air-conditioning, morso fireplace, private deck with 3 deck chairs, private plunge pool (heated), wireless internet connection, international power plug and adapters

Capacity
3 adults or 2 adults + 2 children <16 years

Size
ca. 95 sqm, Terrace ca. 80 sqm

Luxury Family Suite
The Luxury Family Suite consists of two separate, spacious bedrooms, both with their own access door and en-suite bathroom with outside and inside shower. The bedrooms are connected by an interleading communal lounge, as well as by a communal terrace with outside pool (heated), from where you have an uninterrupted view of Madikwe Game Reserve.

Equipment
2 separate bedrooms with king size bed or 2 single beds with mosquito net (curtain), 2 full en-suite bathroom with inside and outside shower and an oval bathtub, tea & coffee-making facilities, Nespresso coffee machine, mini bar fridge, mini safe, hangers, hairdryer, climate control air-conditioning, morso fireplace, private deck with 4 deck chairs, private plunge pool (heated), wireless internet connection, international power plug and adapters

Capacity
4 adults + 2 children <16 years

Size
ca. 140 sqm, Terrace ca. 120 sqm

Facilities
Rhulani Safari Lodge, situated in Madikwe Game Reserve, is set along a crest with commanding stunning vistas of Madikwe. Rhulani Safari Lodge offers 5 star luxury accommodation in a malaria free environment.

Early morning and late afternoon game drives will give you the opportunity to view a wide variety of wildlife species, including the legendary Big 5 mammals. Our premises are composed as follows:

• Luxury Guest Accommodation: 7 Private Chalets, 1 Family Suite
• Outdoor swimming pool, deck chairs, sunshades
• Tshembo hide: Underground lounge for animal observation at the waterhole
• Outdoor deck overlooking the water hole
• Intimate lounge and library
• Dining room, outdoor dining at pool deck or in boma
• Curio / gift shop
• Leisure / event room (for 10 persons)
• Entrance circle and Reception Office
• Private Parking

Tshembo Hide
From a comfortably furnished, underground lounge right by the watering hole, you have the opportunity to observe and photograph the wild animals up close. From the main area, you walk quietly through a tunnel so that the animals at the waterhole will not notice that you will be right next to them.

The floor-level windows give you a whole new experience of looking at the animals from a frog’s perspective and taking unique photos. For passionate animal lovers, the Tshembo Hide is also an ideal place to rest and linger. Have a coffee or drink a beer here and be curious about which and how many animals will come around to drink water.

The Tshembo Hide is also open at night, so with a little luck you may see animals that are more difficult to find during the day: a spotted hyena, or maybe even a leopard? Rhulani Safari Lodge’s observation hide is the largest construction project that we have realized since the lodge opened. It was completed in the middle of the corona crisis in July 2020.

The name “Tshembo Hide” was chosen on October 5th, 2020 through a competition on social media.”Tshembo” is a Xitsonga word and it means “Hope”.

Family & Kids
At Rhulani Safari Lodge, we welcome children of all ages and have room for the whole family.

Rhulani kids kit
The kit includes an activity book, which will accompany our younger guests during the whole stay as well as a mix of goodies to surprise them.

Bumble drives
In between the morning and the afternoon safaris, our field guiding team will be happy to provide a bumble drive (a mini safari circa one hour long), free of charge, for those who are not joining the regular safaris. The whole family may join. Tracking, bug finding and identifying animal dung are part of the programme.

Kiddies’ corner
Our kiddies’ corner is packed with adventures. From games, to books, movies and animal toys. The kiddies’ corner is located on the mezzanine in the inside lounge (unsupervised play).

Babysitting
Our trained staff are available to watch babies and young children (charges apply).

Spa treatments and face painting
Our younger guests can also treat themselves to one of our exclusive spa offers. Look for the children specials in our spa menu.

Safaris
Experience the sensational game viewing opportunities that await you at Rhulani, whether it is from an open Land Cruiser, on foot with your experienced game ranger, or from the front of the lodge at the nearby waterhole.

Bird safaris
Discover some of the 350 bird species Madikwe boasts.

Tshembo hide
During the quiet hours during the day, linger in the cozy lounge of the “Tshembo Hide”, which is our underground observation hide at the waterhole, look into the eyes of an elephant from a frog’s perspective and observe the amazing wildlife up close.

Luxury safari cuisine
Try the exquisite dining experience under the magnificent African night sky, warmed by a roaring fire. In addition, a variety of indoor and outdoor dining locations are also available. For those special occasions, enjoy a romantic dinner on your own private deck.

Our traditional Southern African cuisine is complemented by a selection of world-class South African wines.

Star gazing
Learn why mother Earth sent Scorpion to kill Orion during star gazing session. According to World Travel Market Global Trends report 2010, 50% of the world’s population can no longer see the stars so few places remain in the world where people can enjoy the skies pollution-free. So don’t miss this opportunity to experience the grandeur of the heavens under a South African sky, weather permitting.

Swimming pool & relaxation area
Enjoy a cocktail around the swimming pool that overlooks the Madikwe Game Reserve. Lie on loungers on our wooden sun-deck to enjoy the warmth of Africa.

Children’s activities
Let your children have fun in the playroom equipped with toys, art supplies and DVDs. We also have babysitters who will keep an eye on them while they are in the playroom, or while they take time off to hunt for bugs together.

Curio shop
Treat yourself to some fine souvenirs from our well-stocked curio shop that offers a wide range of South African artistic creations as well as safari clothes and curios.

Spa massages & treatments
Indulge in a variety of massages in the privacy of your own room or on your private deck. See our current Massage & Treatment program here.

Excursions to Botswana
Visit the city of Gaborone, capital of Botswana, only 40km away from Rhulani. Learn about the rich cultural traditions of the Tswana people, or explore settings for The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency – popular mystery novels by Alexander McCall Smith – now televised.

Walking safaris
Feel the butterflies in your stomach and experience the African bush by going on a guided bush walk with our qualified ranger.

Bush wedding
If you’re a bush fanatic at heart, or simply love the peace and quiet that being in the middle of nature has to offer, then why not choose to have your wedding with us?

Conservation activities
Do you want to give support to Madikwe Game Reserve’s conservation activities? Are you interested in learning more about rhino protection measures and organise a rhino-notching event for your group of travelers during your stay at Rhulani? Or are you interested in participating in lion contraception or buffalo collaring?

Conferencing
Our beautiful conference centre accommodates up to 30 delegates around our unique leadwood conference table. Conferences can be organised through our Reservations department and will be designed to suit your itinerary.

Operation Phoenix
When the Madikwe Game Reserve was established in South Africa it precipitated Operation Phoenix, the largest trans-location of wildlife by humans on earth, a feat that still holds the record today.

Prior to 1991, the area where Madikwe Game Reserve is today consisted largely of degraded cattle farms. As the area was not running efficiently, Settlement Planning Services commissioned a feasibility study to establish the best use of this land.

The study showed that the development of wildlife-based tourism in the area and the creation of a game reserve would be most beneficial to local communities. What followed was the largest translocation project in the world – Operation Phoenix.

Over a period of seven years, Operation Phoenix reintroduced more than 8’000 animals of 28 species into the newly established Madikwe Game Reserve. The project achieved a number of world-firsts with entire herds of elephant being relocated and the reintroduction of African wild dog into a fenced reserve.

Operation Phoenix is world renowned as the largest and most successful reintroduction programme to date. In fact, it has been so successful that Madikwe is able to donate or sell some of its wildlife to other Southern African Parks. Another result has been the establishment of Madikwe’s prosperous wild dog breeding programme.

The evidence of this translocation project is very clear to visitors of the park today. Madikwe appears to have been a wildlife rich reserve for centuries, however this is all the result of Operation Phoenix. This project is an ongoing effort with five cheetah and 25 gemsbok being introduced into the park in 2012.

Website: www.rhulani.com

Rooms: 8

Price: from 999 EUR per night