Safari Lodge: 8 luxurious safari tents each have their own indulgent bathroom with ball and claw bath, outdoor canvas shower, private veranda, personal bar, and tea/coffee facilities. Insect gauze on windows and tent-flaps, overhead ceiling fans, mosquito nets and crisp white percale bed linen provides luxurious comfort as well as old-world romance. Bush Camp: 7 thatched, spacious, en-suite chalets (each with private verandah, ceiling fans, crisp white bed linen). Open plan kitchen, dining room, bar, and swimming pool with spectacular views ensure 'close to nature' relaxed ambiance. UmKhaya Cottage: UmKhaya is a private self-containing thatched cottage, with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an open plan kitchen & lounge, and large veranda. It is within short walking distance of White Elephant Bush Camp, and the cottage can be booked on its own or as part of Bush Camp if the group is >16 guests.
White Elephant Safari Lodge and Bush Camp is located in the beautiful Pongola Game Reserve (South) in Northern Zululand near the Swaziland border. White Elephant is easily accessible from the N2 (national route between Johannesburg and Durban) and Pongola Game Reserve (South) is a malaria-free reserve. Pongola Game Reserve, the first proclaimed game reserve in Africa, is host to four of the "Big 5" species. Wildlife includes buffalo, elephant, rhino, leopard, hyena, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, 12 different antelope species, over 350 bird species, and an interesting array of smaller mammal and insect life. The reserve consists of a consolidation of privately owned land which totals 30 000 hectares including Lake Jozini. Tranquil views of the Lebombo Mountains across the waters of Lake Jozini, magical evening skies, a variety of game & fishing activities and total privacy will ensure that your stay at White Elephant is a truly special, exclusive experience. The Pongola Game Reserve is an amazingly calm and beautiful place that takes a more eco-friendly and less consumerist approach to the safari experience. We have persuaded various South African landowners to work together to reintroduce the elephants and black rhino. We have great connections with local community projects and can help organize trips such as flying doctor flight (which helps pay for a doctor's visit to a local village) or a visit to an orphanage.
White Elephant Safari Lodge and Bush Camp is the only lodge in South Africa to offer Kariba-like, water-based safari activities (motorized and canoeing) as well as the traditional land-based activities. This sets us apart from other safari destinations. We are passionate about conservation and offer a superb Black Rhino tracking experience (with an excellent chance of viewing Black Rhino on foot), as well as fascinating Elephant research activities. We also offer conventional activities such as game drives, educational bush walks, and incredible boat cruises on Lake Jozini. These varied activities as well as the chance of catching tiger fish and superb bird-watching possibilities, make us a truly unique South African Safari experience.
Safari Lodge facilities include a dining room, garden and wooden deck with a 13m long rimflow swimming pool. Bush Camp facilities include a swimming pool, well equipped open plan kitchen for self-catering, dining area, bar, upstairs lounge and viewing deck.