NGALA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA

• Classic Ngala Lodge
• Romantic Tented Safari Camp
• In the renowned Kruger National Park
• Exhilarating Walking Safaris
• Interpretive Big Five game viewing
• Unique Specialist Tracking Safari
• Commitment to conserving African wildlife
• Small Luxury Hotels of the World member

General information

With exclusive traversing rights over 14,700 hectares (36,323 acres) of Kruger's game-rich wilderness, Ngala offers an extraordinary African wildlife safari experience.

Guests may enjoy exhilarating Walking Safaris tracking rhino, elephant bulls and buffalo herds on foot during exciting morning walks and viewing nocturnal predators on informative night game-drives. Led by specialist rangers, safety is the highest priority. Accommodation is in four spacious safari tents with en suite facilities.

Owned by CC Africa, Ngala is of one of Africa's most innovative conservation partnership agreements - jointly signed in April 1992 by the WWF-SA (World Wildlife Fund - South Africa), South African National Parks and CC Africa. Under this partnership, an annual lease, traversing fees and a percentage of Ngala's profits are paid to the National Parks Trust. As a reliable ecotourism destination, Ngala makes a significant contribution to ongoing community empowerment operations and conservation development.

Accommodation

SAFARI ACCOMMODATION AT NGALA, SOUTH AFRICA

Classic safari accommodation

Ngala Private Game Reserve is host to an exclusive Safari Lodge, luxurious Tented Safari Camp and wilderness Walking Safari Camp, all offering world-class sophistication and style in the African bush.

NGALA SAFARI LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA

Classic family safari accommodation - This gracious, colonial-style safari lodge, set in Ngala's extraordinary African wilderness, is renowned for its superb accommodation. It provides an unbeatable family safari experience in the heart of the Kruger National Park.

• 20 thatched cottages
• One luxurious Safari Suite with private pool
• En suite bathrooms and air-conditioning
• Swimming pool and game viewing sundeck
• African gift gallery
• Small Luxury Hotels of the World member

Each ensuite safari cottage features a private veranda and exudes a romantic ambience with nostalgic safari memorabilia. With its secluded position overlooking the Mopane riverbed, Ngala's sophisticated Safari Suite boasts a spacious sitting room, elegant en suite bedroom, private deck, personal pool and exclusive safari vehicle.

The main thatched dining, bar and sitting areas are open to the African bushveld, and the large swimming pool looks out over a busy waterhole where elephants are frequently sighted. Delicious Pan-African cuisine is served in the candle- and lantern-lit courtyard or in the dramatic boma (outdoor dining area). Exceptional bush banqueting is enjoyed in spectacular settings in the African wilderness.

NGALA TENTED CAMP, SOUTH AFRICA

Exclusive tented safari suites - Situated only three kilometres (1.9 miles) from Orpen Gate - one of the major gateways into the world-famous Kruger National Park - this elegant safari camp is known internationally for sophisticated tented accommodation in tranquil African bush surrounds.

• Just six luxurious tented suites
• En suite bathrooms and outdoor showers
• Overhead fans
• Intimate game viewing wooden decks
• Contoured lap pool
• Small Luxury Hotels of the World member

Set on the banks of the great seasonal Timbavati River, Ngala Tented Safari Camp was built with a light footprint to minimise impact on the environment. Rated in numerous prestigious listings such as the US Conde Nast Traveler's 'Hot List', it is a gracious camp with a contemporary feel and flamboyant styling. Guest areas feature retro pieces from the 50s, 60s and 70s and beautiful timber decks which overlook the seasonal riverbed.

Private lunch platters of delicious Pan-African cuisine can be enjoyed on the viewing decks or at the poolside. Exciting bush banquets in spectacular wilderness settings and theatrical alfresco dinners in the dry riverbed are an unforgettable experience.

Ngala's unforgettable wildlife safaris

Enjoy exciting twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles led by expert rangers and Shangaan trackers or guided, interpretive wilderness walks.

Activities

SAFARI ACTIVITIES AT NGALA, SOUTH AFRICA

Specialist Safaris

Exceptional Specialist Safaris

Ngala's exhilarating Specialist Safaris are tailored with infinite attention to detail, offering you an unforgettable African safari led by an expert CC Africa ranger and Shangaan tracker in a 4x4 safari vehicle for your exclusive use. These include:

Tracking @ Ngala

Experience the thrill of tracking animals on foot in Ngala's extraordinary wilderness, accompanied throughout by an armed specialist ranger and Shangaan tracker team in a private open 4x4 safari vehicle. Exceptional comfort, service and delicious Pan African cuisine at Ngala Game Lodge or Ngala Tented Safari Camp is also enjoyed.

Subject to availability to of Specialist Ranger and Tracker.

Cost: R 5700 per day (2007 rate) - min 1, max 6 Guests- excluding accommodation
Duration: Nightly rate
Age: 16 years and older

Leopards @ Ngala

Led by dedicated specialist ranger and tracker team in a private safari vehicle, Leopards @ Ngala is an extraordinary safari experience. Guest are taken into the African bush to track and observe these elusive and magnificent big cats., ensuring unprecedented sightings for Ngala's leopards.

Subject to availability to of Specialist Ranger and Tracker.

Cost: R 5700 per day (2007 rate) - min 1, max 6 Guests- excluding accommodation
Duration: Nightly rate
Age: 6 years and older

Safari activities

Ngala is located in the game-rich African wilderness of the Kruger National Park, offering thrilling wildlife related activities at no additional cost:

Twice-daily game drives

Enjoy Big Five game viewing encounters on interpretive game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles led by expert rangers and Shangaan trackers. Ngala offers both off-road and night game drives affording excellent sightings and photographic opportunities. Discover a host of interesting nocturnal animals on exhilarating, spot lit night game drives.

Interpretive bush walks

Explore Ngala's intriguing fauna and flora on interactive bush walks led by an experienced ranger or expert Shangaan tracker. Guided bush walks bring you face-to-face with wild Africa at its best, allowing fascinating insights into the landscape, animal tracks and a host of interesting birds, reptiles, insects and tiny mammals.

Additional activities

Ngala offers exceptional birdwatching opportunities, stargazing and spectacular bush banqueting. Unique children's activities are offered at Ngala Game Lodge, including special family game-drives (at the discretion of the lodge manager), bush walks, Planet Manager activity books, frog safaris, birding, and children's meals and menus

NGALA WALKING SAFARIS

Exhilarating Walking Safaris - Ngala's walking adventure offers an incredible up close and personal experience of the Kruger National Park and Ngala's unique wilderness - renowned for containing the best African wildlife.

• Four spacious tents
• En suite bathrooms with flush w.c.s and hot bucket showers
• Comfortable beds
• Big game viewing on foot
• Armed specialist rangers ensure guests' safety
• Maximum eight people (guests must be 16 years/older)
• Delicious bush cuisine
• Daily walking safaris (closed in December, January and February)

Nothing can compare to experiencing the incredible natural beauty of Ngala Private Game Reserve on foot. Each day, enjoy a three to five-hour morning walk tracking rhino, elephant bulls and buffalo herds, as well as learning how to identify tracks, insects and a variety of birds. Discover more about Ngala's habitats and ecology as you walk through the African bushveld. In the evening, guests may choose to enjoy a pre-sunset walk or to embark on an exhilarating night game-drive searching for Ngala's big cats. Delicious bush cuisine around the campfire, superlative service and expert rangers and trackers combine to provide you with the high possible standards.

Exceptional game viewing

Whether observing a herd of elephants from a safe distance, tracking rhino or examining spiders, ant lions and dung beetles, the excitement is never far off. Dramatic night game-drives reveal the thrilling world of predators on the hunt.

Safety is our highest priority

Rangers undergo intensive specialised instruction at the Inkwazi Ranger Training School at Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and each Walking Safari begins with a comprehensive briefing on how to behave when encountering animals on foot. An armed ranger and experienced tracker accompany guests throughout.

Game viewing

WILDLIFE SAFARIS AT NGALA, SOUTH AFRICA

Exceptional African wildlife

Situated in the world-famous Kruger National Park - the largest wildlife sanctuary in South Africa - Ngala comprises three distinct habitats, which offer an incredible diversity of game.

• Big Five
• Superlative lion and leopard viewing
• Buffalo herds of over 300 individuals
• Huge elephant herds
• Endangered African wild dog regularly den in the Reserve
• Superb birdwatching, includes abundance of raptors, owls and savanna birds
• Diversity of habitats

Ngala Private Game Reserve Wildlife Habitats

Ngala is situated at the southern edge of the vast belt of mopane woodland which blankets much of the northern Kruger National Park. This broad-leaved woodland typically grows on heavy clay soils which support rain-filled pans in summer, attracting larger mammals. Acacia and combretum trees dominate mixed bush savanna, where impressive tamboti and weeping boerbean trees grow on raised termite mounds and drainage lines. A narrow belt of riverine forest lines the Timbavati River tributaries.

Mammals at Ngala Private Game Reserve

Ngala offers unsurpassed game viewing opportunities of territorial, individually recognisable lion and leopard which are tracked on a daily basis. Cheetah tend to be nomadic but are regularly encountered. Packs of endangered African wild dog hunt on Ngala, occasionally denning to raise pups (typically May to June). Huge herds of buffalo and elephant are frequently seen quenching their thirst at waterholes which also attract white rhino and are favoured by hippo. Impala are the most abundant antelope, with resident wildebeest, greater kudu and steenbok among other common species. The rare Sharpe's grysbok occurs in mopane woodland. Lone elephant bulls and breeding herds are regularly encountered. Honey badger, African civet and small-spotted genet are among the smaller carnivores regularly seen on night game drives. Packs of dwarf mongoose live in large termite mounds.

Birds at Ngala Private Game Reserve

With 279 species recorded, Ngala ensures excellent birdwatching opportunities. Birds of prey are particularly conspicuous with bateleur, tawny eagle and white-backed vulture among species whose nest sites are monitored. After dark, Verreaux's eagle-owl, African scops-owl and barred owlet emerge to hunt. Wahlberg's eagle, woodland kingfisher and Diederik cuckoo are abundant intra-African migrants (October to April). Lilac-breasted roller, grey go-away bird, red-billed hornbill and magpie shrike are conspicuous in savanna. Dense growth along the Timbavati River is favoured by Burchell's coucal, Retz's helmet-shrike and black-backed puff back. Hamerkop, Egyptian goose and red-billed teal visit waterholes. Tens of thousands of nomadic red-billed quelea may nest gregariously in acacia savanna during the wet season (December to February).

Other African Wildlife

Chains of processionary caterpillars are conspicuous as they cross sand tracks at the end of summer (April to May). Great numbers of mopane caterpillars feed on fresh mopane leaves. There are 75 species of butterfly recorded with guineafowl butterfly, spotted joker and African monarch among the more commonly encountered. Tree monitor and water monitor are frequently observed in savanna and riverside habitats respectively. Nile crocodile, large leopard tortoise and flap-necked chameleon are other interesting reptiles. The conspicuous meringue-like nests of foam-nest frogs hang above waterholes after summer rains and 18 species of frog may breed in seasonal waterbodies

Conservation

CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY AT NGALA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA

Ngala Private Game Reserve is committed to the core principles

Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the people.

The focus is

Community equity, income generation, education and health care are a primary concern. In consultation with community organisations such as the Africa Foundation - a not-for-profit rural development organisation - Ngala has initiated many successful community empowerment projects in the Welverdiend community surrounding the Reserve.

Ngala was the first private game reserve to be incorporated in the Kruger National Park, and the first three-way partnership between the private sector, the state and a non-governmental organisation (CC Africa, the WWF-SA (World Wildlife Fund - South Africa), and South African National Parks). Under this partnership, an annual lease, traversing fees and a percentage of Ngala's profits are paid to the National Parks Trust, thus ensuring the long-term conservation of the land.

NGALA COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Building of a media centre and community computer centre at two schools in Welverdiend
• Implementing gutters and water tanks at Welverdiend Primary School
• Donating books, videos, stationery and a photocopier to the school's library
• Sponsoring numerous hospitality education bursaries
• Siya Kwamukela student (sponsored by Moët & Chandon) in his third year of internship
• Implementing Edu-peg, a self-corrective early learning tool, at local primary schools
• HIV/AIDS awareness and education
• Ongoing conservation lessons and bush schools
• Coaching cricket and organising tournaments
• To celebrate World Environment Day, 220 school children were hosted at Ngala
• Distributing 985 Hippo Water Rollers in the community
• Implementing various income generation and small business development projects, such as a pig-farming enterprise and an African theatre group
• Commissioning work from local upholsterers, carpenters and plumbers
• Supporting a local transport entrepreneur who has since provided employment to five previously unemployed local residents
• Tracking school for community members run by Ngala's senior trackers

Ecotourism in Africa

Guests play a critical role in helping realise the dream and vision: to create a model in wise land management, integrating international travellers and rural people to their mutual benefit and demonstrating that wildlife can be preserved on a sustainable basis by all.

Positive Health Programme

Our partner CC Africa strongly believes in its people and was recently listed as one of three finalists in the Investor in People category of the 2005 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The October 2005 edition of Africa Geographic featured an article on AIDS and conversation, and highlighted the activities and programmes that various African companies are implementing in order to increase AIDS awareness and, in doing so, empower the communities taking care of some of the world's richest wilderness regions.

"Probably the most attractive program ... is that of CC Africa... CC Africa launched a Positive Health program in 2003 and in April and May last year ran two seven-day courses.... Their approach focuses on home-based care, gardens, counseling techniques and gender issues.... The health of the habitat is critical to the health of the individuals in it.... The conservation industry is uniquely positioned to take the treatment of HIV/AIDS in radically new directions.... Benefits [of the program] include acquiring 'hard skills' such as maintaining clean water, producing food, and home-based methods of dealing with illnesses that are not life threatening.... It takes only the will of ecologically minded people to make sure that the wild places are not lost."

Africa Geographic, October 2005

Getting there

Ngala is easily accessible by self-drive, road transfer and air - we can pre-book and package all of your regional/internal flights and transfers, and provide a meet and greet service at all airports.

• Daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg International Airport (JNB) to Ngala private airstrip, or from JNB to Eastgate Airport followed by a one-hour road transfer to Ngala Game Lodge and an extra 45 minutes to Ngala Tented Safari Camp
• Driving time from Johannesburg is 5.5 hours on excellent roads to the Timbavati entrance gate. Ngala Tented Safari Camp is three kilometres due west of Orpen gate
• Daily scheduled flights from Cape Town to Hoedspruit via Johannesburg to Eastgate Airport, followed by a road transfer to the Lodge
• Scheduled flights from JNB to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, followed by a 30-minute light-aircraft flight to Ngala airstrip
• Daily charter flights between Ngala, Londolozi and Phinda are available

Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

Price Includes/Excludes - NGALA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

What is included:

• Accommodation
• Three meals daily
• Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits, and beers
• Teas and coffees
• Refreshments on game drives
• Laundry
• Scheduled safari activities
• Nature walks (1 hour) accompanied by experienced armed trackers, subject to availability (n/a at Madikwe)
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance
• VAT

What is not included:

• Telephone calls
• Safari Shop purchases
• Champagne, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits, and cigars
• Transfers to and from the lodge
• Gratuities
• Government levy / bed levy
• Conservancy or park entrance fees (where applicable)
• Landing fees (where applicable)

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