SAFARI

Take advantage of our photographic assistance and expertise to get the most out of your wildlife and landscape shots. During a session in the Photo Studio, you will learn about photo composition, various tricks of the post-processing trade, and how to maximise the visual impact of the photos taken during your stay. At the end, you will be given the option of printing your favourite images on our state-of-the-art Epson Photo Printer. A set of beautiful photographs is the ultimate souvenir to take home for you or to give as presents for friends and family. We take bookings for the Studio in one-hour slots, which costs R675 and an A4 print is R150. A huge benefit of printing onsite is that the printer and computer screen have been calibrated so you can be confident that your images will print exactly as you have edited them.

Our Curio Shop stocks a beautiful range of locally produced, high quality items. They make the ideal gift for family and friends back home or as keepsakes for yourself as a reminder of your stay. From traditional jewellery, robes and hats to lovingly created artworks, something will undoubtedly catch your eye.

Take to the skies for a unique perspective of the Makalali Reserve. Herds of game animals and fascinating landscapes will unfold below you, with the Drakensberg Mountains making a dramatic backdrop.

Mindfulness, meditation and well-being are all part of our ‘safari for the soul’ ethos. Our Yoga Deck is the perfect space to slow things down and fully appreciate the peace and beauty of the nature surrounding you.

A walking safari in South Africa is a very different experience to a traditional game drive. This is your opportunity to discover the surrounding flora and fauna, paying attention to the small things that might otherwise be missed. You will also learn the basic tracking techniques used by our guides and trackers, who make it look so easy on your game drive that you won’t even notice them doing it! The guides will share tales and tips from the bush, such as how to make and use a catapult, how to create a bracelet from a plant, and how to identify different dung. Who knows, you might even bump into some of the bigger creatures en-route too. But don’t worry, our guides are fully trained and experienced to ensure a safe experience for all.

A solitude walk is also available for those that want to fully embrace Garonga’s ‘safari for the soul’ ethos. During a completely silent walk through the bush, your guide will identify various points of interest along the route. They will explain only by pointing at something and leave it for you to decipher what insect, plant or track lies before you. The purpose here is to be exposed to the sights and sounds of the bush without interruption. At the end of the walk, the guide will confirm what they had pointed out, after which you will have the chance to sit alone for 20 minutes to think, meditate and absorb nature around you. Walking safaris last approximately three hours.

Dining at Garonga is truly an event of its own. Our resident chef will spoil you with their unique creations including traditional South African dishes with plenty of international influences, and paired with an abundance of South African wine, of course. And it is not just Bush Boma dinners that will make your mouth water. Indulge in rich afternoon teas, light lunches and an incredible breakfast spread after the morning’s safari. Safari dining at its best!

Unwind with a deep, relaxing massage in our very own safari spa known as the Massage Sala. The sweet sound of nature combined with the masterful hands of our resident therapist will ensure you drift off and completely let go of those everyday stresses from home.

The Bush Boma is where stories are shared, new friendships formed, tummies filled and glasses emptied. Your night in the boma is hosted by one of our safari guides and starts with drinks around the campfire where you can swap tales with other guests. You will then take a seat at the communal lantern-lit table where you will feast on a hearty and delicious meal washed down with plenty glasses of South African wine.

Sink into the warm water of the outdoor Star Bath with your loved one and stargaze as you think back on the day’s adventures in the bush. This bath is partially covered by a grotto, while the rest of your view will be of the dreamy, clear night sky above.

Game drives are at the heart of the Garonga experience, allowing you to encounter the Big 5 and other wildlife up close. Your stay will typically include a morning and afternoon game drive in our open-air Land Rovers. Two of our experienced and qualified guides will lead you through the bush, impressing you with their knowledge of the great variety of wildlife in the reserve. Their tracking skills are exceptional, giving them the advantage of locating animals based on their recent movements and enabling your safari sightings dreams to come true. On a morning game drive, as the animals are waking up, tuck into tea, coffee and snacks in the bush. Then, in the late afternoon, sip on a cocktail or glass of wine as the sun slowly dips below the horizon. In addition to the Big 5 (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino), look out for cheetah, spotted hyena, black rhino, African wild dog, hippos, crocodiles, diverse plains animals and colourful birdlife.

Soak up the bubbles, in both the bathtub and your glass, while marvelling at the African night sky. The Bush Bath is a free standing, open-air safari bath tucked away privately within the main camp grounds and overlooking the bush landscape. This is the ultimate romantic and indulgent safari experience.

Spend a night in the wilderness and under the stars on our safari Sleep Out Deck, complete with four-poster bed and dining table for two. After a 20-minute drive from the main camp, you will be fully immersed in your natural surrounds, excited at the possibility of ‘visitors’ at the popular waterhole below. Enjoy a hearty meal as the sun sets and then settle down to sleep (or not!), listening to the unique sounds of the bush. An incredible experience never to be forgotten.

Game drives are at the heart of the Garonga experience, allowing you to encounter the Big 5 and other wildlife up close. Your stay will typically include a morning and afternoon game drive in our open-air Land Rovers. Two of our experienced and qualified guides will lead you through the bush, impressing you with their knowledge of the great variety of wildlife in the reserve. Their tracking skills are exceptional, giving them the advantage of locating animals based on their recent movements and enabling your safari sightings dreams to come true. On a morning game drive, as the animals are waking up, tuck into tea, coffee and snacks in the bush. Then, in the late afternoon, sip on a cocktail or glass of wine as the sun slowly dips below the horizon. In addition to the Big 5 (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino), look out for cheetah, spotted hyena, black rhino, African wild dog, hippos, crocodiles, diverse plains animals and colourful birdlife.