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Chisomo Safari Lodge

Karongwe Game Reserve

Karongwe Game Reserve

Karongwe Game Reserve is a 9000-ha Big5 game reserve against the grandiose Drakensberg Mountain Range, on the outskirts of Hoedspruit in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. This private game reserve is 60 km from the Orpen Gate Kruger National Park. This Out-of-Africa wildlife park has 5 lodges ranging from 5 to 25 luxury suites. These lodges set themselves apart from other Game Reserve Lodges with the extraordinary lengths that they are willing to go to ensure that your stay with them is an African Wildlife Safari experience. The dedication of the staff is also reflected in the standard of accommodation available within the Karongwe Portfolio. This is why they can say ‘one experience, a thousand moments’.

Is Karongwe a malaria-free area?

Karongwe Private Game Reserve is in a low-risk malaria area. However, it is always advisable to take precautions by spraying yourself every evening with mosquito anti-repellent spray. All lodges provide sprays and normally sell repellents in their curio shop. If however you are concerned and feel you should take medication, please consult your doctor or chemist before arriving.

What must I pack for a safari holiday?

Always wear neutral colors, not white or any other brightly colored clothes. Blend in with the environment.

Mid-Summer: It gets very hot during the summer months, so you need to bring along cool clothing, a hat, and sunglasses. If you burn easily in the sun a long sleeve cotton shirt and trousers are a must. You will sweat a lot, so bringing clothing that dries easily, it will make your life a lot easier.

Mid-Winter: Early morning and evening safari game drives can be very cold, especially with the wind-chill factor in an open-sided safari vehicle. You will need a hat/scarf/beanie, gloves, and a warm jacket. However, once the sun’s up, you’ll want to strip and pop on your sun hat and shades.

Rest of the year: Always come prepared. Bring along protective covers for your camera equipment in case it rains. Don’t worry about a raincoat as every lodge provides them on game drives.

Bush Walks: Most camps offer morning bush walks so make sure to pack some closed-toe comfortable walking shoes to protect your feet from thorns. Try to blend in with the bushveld. This is especially important on a bush walk.

Don’t forget to bring along the following items

1: A camera with an extra memory card if you plan to take a lot of photos.

2: Bring a pair of binoculars to enhance your viewing opportunities. If possible bring along an 8×42 binocular as that’s best birding.

3:Sunglasses and suntan lotion. A body cream will help if you are prone to dry skin.

Who owns Karongwe Game Reserve?

This 9000-ha game reserve is a collection of cattle farms that turned into a game reserve. The property is collectively owned by the Karongwe Association which also owns the Karongwe Game (Pty) Ltd. The company was specifically formed to manage the game reserve and the animals so as to restore the land back to its natural bush veld.

How big is Karongwe Game Reserve?

Karongwe Game Reserve is 9000 ha (22 240 acres)

What animals are on the Karongwe Game Reserve?

Karongwe is a Big Five Game Reserve (leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino). There are many plains game like the cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, impala, and bushbuck to name a few. There are more than 40 wildlife species in the game reserve.

Karongwe Wildlife Conservation Project

Karongwe Game Reserve runs a very successful Wildlife Conservation Project. You can join one of their flagship research projects to develop hands-on practical fieldwork experience or complete an independent research project as part of your undergraduate or postgraduate dissertation.  For more information of this project click here

There are five lodges on the Karongwe Game Reserve – part of the Karongwe Portfolio.

Becks Safari Lodge

10 Suites

For rates and availability, click here

Becks Safari Lodge

Kuname Lodge and Manor House

Main Lodge has five suites, and the Manor House sleeps six people

For rates and availability click here

Kuname Lodge

Shiduli Private Game Lodge

25 Suites

For rates and availability, click here

Shiduli Private Game Lodge

Chisomo Safari Camp

22 Suites

For rates and availability, click here

Chisomo Safari Lodge

Karongwe River Lodge

12 Suites

For rates and availability, click here

Karongwe River Lodge

All these lodges offer a unique unrivaled African Wildlife Safari experience. With excellent Pan-African cuisine, gourmet plated meals, and romantic touches like private dinners and bush picnics. Spa treatments are available at 2 of the lodges, or you can request a private spa treatment in your room.

Your culinary experience awaits you under the stars in the boma (around a fire pit) or inside the spacious dining rooms overlooking the bushveld. Some of the lodges have conference facilities, and small intimate wedding venues, and cater to birthday or wedding anniversary celebrations that can be tailored to your specific dreams.

A 9000-ha Big Five Game Reserve

The Karongwe is home to the Big5 – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino buffalo – and predators like a wild dog, hyena, cheetah, and other game like giraffe, impala, kudu, nyala, and wildebeest. There are over 350 birds on the bird list with an abundance of small birds and birds of prey that offers plenty of photographic opportunities to add to your bird list. You go out on 2 game drives daily in an open safari vehicle with a qualified guide and tracker.

Morning drives start with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate served with rusks. Your game drives last about 3 hours and then it’s breakfast time. Lunch is from 13h00 to 15h00. Then it’s off on another 3-hour afternoon game drive. Arriving back at the lodge just after dark, dinner is served in the boma – weather permitting.

Karongwe Game Reserve is only a 45-minute drive from the Big Five Kruger National Park Orpen Gate. Day trips to the Blyde Canyon, a boat trip on the Blyde Dam or a balloon flight are all just around the corner from the Reserve. A day trip to the Panorama Route with historical towns like Pilgrims Rest, waterfalls, God’s Window, and the Graskop Zipline will keep you busy the whole day.

Karongwe Portfolio offers an unrivaled African wildlife safari experience with gourmet food and staff who are dedicated to making sure your safari memories will stay with you for a lifetime.

Karongwe Game Reserve venues

Karongwe Lodges are suited for the following type of events below. The intimate Kuname Lodge has 5 suites, the Kuname Manor house sleeps 6 people, Becks Safari Lodge has 10 suites, Karongwe River Lodge has 12 suites, Chisimo Lodge has 22 suites and Shiduli Lodge has 25 suites.

     Family and, child friendly

Karongwe Kids

     Honeymoon

     Buddymoon

     Weddings

Karongwe Game Reserve

     Birthday celebrations

     Wedding anniversaries

Spend your next African safari holiday at one of the Karongwe Lodges. email bookings@destinationafrica.net to enquire about your next safari vacation and how we can help you make your dreams come true.

To check out the SA Resident’s (SADC) Rates in the Karongwe Portfolio click here

For more information on the Karongwe Portfolio click here

You can book directly with any of the 5 lodges on the Destination Africa website, or email Anthony at bookings@destinationafrica.net

Your African wildlife safari starts at Karongwe

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