As we do every year, our guides and guests at Amakhala Game Reserve met at ‘’God’s Window’’ on 16 November to remember Chippy, Isipho and Geza - three precious Amakhala Rhinos tragically lost to poaching - and to recommit ourselves to ensure the survival of this iconic species for generations to come.

This December, 13 Grade 2 and 3 pupils from Sidbury Primary School enjoyed a life-changing experience at the first ever ABC Reading Camp. The Amakhala Books and Conservation Camp is an exciting new Amakhala Foundation initiative, and one that is sure to become a firm favourite.

The Reading Camp was held over two days on 3 and 4 December at the Amakhala Conservation Centre, led by local legend and uber-storyteller Basil Mills, who is employed by the National English Literature Museum (NELM) in Grahamstown. Each child received a book bag with a copy of Chris van Wyk's iconic Mr Hare meets Mr Mandela, as well as another reading book donated by the KidzdaLite Preschool in Port Elizabeth, who also provided some of the funding for the camp.

The ABC Reading Camp is a fine example of Amakhala’s commitment to education in their surrounding community.  It addresses one of the critical challenges for our youth: poor reading skills which place the children at an educational disadvantage and at a higher risk of dropping out of school early.

“We are trying to make reading and storytelling fun and exciting with programmes such as the ABC Reading Camp,” says Cathy Gush, Amakhala Foundation’s Community Co-ordinator and manager of its community projects. “With someone as experienced as Basil Mills, great books, game drives and nature walks to inspire storytelling, reading and journaling, these children will not only enjoy an amazing adventure, but hopefully also experience something that will ignite a love of reading and storytelling that will benefit them greatly throughout their schooling and into the future.”    

Totally secluded, tucked away in luxury in the African bush – it is as romantic as a honeymoon can be! And at Safari Lodge, newly-weds can also look forward to special experiences, as the new Mr & Mrs Posse recently discovered! One hot afternoon, the couple decided to swop their game drive for a relaxing massage on the cooled veranda, overlooking the watering hole. Just minutes later, the lodge’s well-known elephant and popular attraction - wandered along to spend 45 minutes by the watering hole, turning the afternoon into the unforgettable, thrilling highlight of all their special honeymoon days! 

Just in time for summer, HillsNek Safari Camp’s new boma truly immerses our guests into the bush.
Nestled away in a thicket in front of the lodge, it is the ideal spot to enjoy delicious and authentic bush breakfasts after a morning game drive, and to spend romantic starry evenings, while our chefs cook ‘pot’ brood, potjies and traditional braais over an open fire, using local cooking styles. The fabulous gin bar offers a selection of local craft gins, perfect for watching glorious sunsets in this patch of paradise. There is no better way to enjoy Africa and all its beauty!

Leeuwenbosch has been abuzz with fantastic game viewing, engagements, birthdays - and the arrival of a new baby! Lodge guests and Day Safari guests have been delighted with the game viewing. Our staff sang birthday wishes and created a special and different day for each of our birthday guests. We also orchestrated another beautiful engagement with Mr Derks, treating the very delighted Mrs Derks-to-be with a beautiful dinner, followed by a surprise bubble bath and champagne in the room. We have also welcomed the beautiful arrival of a baby elephant – watch this space for pictures! 

If some real Rest & Relaxation is on your wish list, Woodbury Tented Camp is the place to be! Camp life is centred around the thatch and canvas main dining and lounge area, with its expansive deck overlooking the Woodbury plain and waterhole, where a variety of game pass by and fish eagles soar overhead across the valley. And just in time for summer, the braai area offers guests an authentic African braai dining experience while the pool area is ideal for soaking up the African sun while lazing on a recliner next to the newly refurbished sparkling pool between the game drives, river cruises, bush walks and horse trails guests can enjoy.

At Bush Lodge, the holidays are all about family – inviting our guests into our family and offering undivided, personal attention that ensures your stay is pleasurable and unforgettable.

This year, our family has grown with Anelisa Ntsete joining our team! Anelisa grew up in the area and her grandparents, Boniswa Betty Ntsete and Tamsanqa Joseph Ntsete, have been part of our family for more than 20 years, when Bush Lodge was still Reed Valley and dairy cows and crocodiles - instead of elephants and lions - roamed the valley!  

Come and meet our family and experience far more than just a safari!

At Hlosi Game Lodge, we love family! We are celebrating the season by inviting the kids for a fantastic safari holiday, while mom & dad sit back and relax, with our Kids Stay Free promotion between December and January.
Our lodge facilities, dining experiences and safari activities all include kid-friendly options - without compromising a luxurious and rejuvenating experience for adults. Our Kids Programme includes Cubs on Safari (ages 3 – 12), which offers a range of fun activities. Children aged 0-5 can join in a Kiddies Game Drive with their parents, and children aged 6 – 11 can enjoy normal game drives.

Woodbury Lodge is ready for summer! Our new outdoor relaxation areas now offer guests the opportunity to experience our unique and breath-taking views at their leisure. In addition to the luxurious accommodation and heartfelt service, guests can enjoy the newest upgrades, including a refurbished lounge and a newly built pool with a pool deck area, ideal for taking time out to enjoy the sun in the company of beautiful birds. In the evenings, guests can relax under the African stars around the central fire place and a well-stocked bar, the perfect way to end each beautiful day.