Mdluli Safari Lodge

About Mdluli Safari Lodge and the Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park is the flagship of South Africa’s national parks and offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa!
Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this renowned national park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies and, at nearly 2 million hectares of land that stretches for 352 kilometres (20 000 square kilometres) from north to south along the Mozambique border, it is by far the largest game reserve in South Africa.

This massive expanse of wild bushveld provides a vast range of scenery, diverse flora, and wild animals of all sizes and species, with the park having the highest population density of the Big Five in South Africa. Approximately 147 mammal species occur in the park. It is possible to see all the classic African big game, including elephant, black and white rhino, hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog and many antelope species.
Large carnivores include lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. There are also many smaller and equally fascinating mammal species found in the park. 507 bird species have been recorded with hornbills, starlings, rollers and shrikes being typically seen. The seven rivers that cross the Kruger National Park, and numerous water points, support an extremely rich aquatic life with 49 fish and 34 amphibians found. 336 different trees and 114 reptile species have also been recorded in the park

About Mdluli Safari Lodge

Mdluli Safari Lodge is situated within the world- renowned Kruger National Park and is a sustainable tourism initiative through its partnership with the local Mdluli Community. Situated near Pretoriuskop Rest Camp, and approximately a 20 minute drive from Kruger’s Numbi Gate, this private safari lodge was developed with the purpose of sustainably improving the lives of the Mdluli Community, who have freehold title of 850 hectares of land within the borders of the Kruger National Park, following a long quest for land restitution. The Community live in villages adjacent to the park and receive direct financial benefits and socio- economic wellbeing from the lodge’s commercial activities through skills-based job creation and sustainable small business opportunities.

Designed by renowned eco-design specialists, Luxury Frontiers,this exclusive lodge makes use of natural, locally sourced building materials and decor, thereby ensuring it blends seamlessly into its bushveld surroundings. The expansive wooden deck, lounge, coffee bar, restaurant, boma, bar and infinity swimming pool are all spacious and light, and positioned in close proximity to the lodge’s fence line to maximise the incredible views of the bushveld, the adjacent riverbed, and a majestic granite rock formation.
Guests can look forward to delicious breakfast and dinner buffets in the lodge’s restaurant or under the stars in the traditional open- air boma. An ala carte menu is available for light lunches on the deck or at the sparkling infinity pool, and can be enjoyed whilst looking out for wildlife drinking from the river, just metres from the perimeter fence. A traditional bush braai (barbeque) dinner is a highlight where groups of 10 or more guests can enjoy dinner in the bush around the open fire, just metres from the Mdluli Dam.

Guest accommodation comprises 50 contemporary, luxury tents. Each tent is air-conditioned, spacious and has an en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers. The suites are on elevated wooden platforms and offer stunning views from their private patios.

Activities available to guests include Big 5 game viewing and sundowners in open safari vehicles, led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. (The option to self- drive in the Park is also available to guests) Guided bush walks are also highly recommended as guests get to experience the nature and wildlife around them on a more intimate level and the guides share stories of bushveld experiences as well as tracking and spoor identification skills.(Bookings can be made directly at Mdluli Lodge Reception)
In between safari activities, guests can indulge in a relaxing spa treatment; enjoy a gin- tasting experience; or simply relax by the beautiful pool and soak up the sun.

Each area of Mdluli Safari Lodge offers a quiet space to take in the Park’s views and any wildlife that may be ambling past, and this - combined with the Mdluli team’s warm hospitality, vibrant enthusiasm and commitment to establishing a harmonious relationship between tourism, environment and community- will ensure an unforgettable safari experience.

Location & gate entry options to Mdluli

Although Numbi Gate is the closest entry gate, the lodge is also conveniently accessible via Phabeni, Malelane and Kruger Gates, all of which offer a scenic drive ( as well as the opportunity for lots of sightings too) en route to the lodge.

Approximate driving times:

Whichever entry gate you choose, you will access the lodge via a private road which is located inside the Park near the Numbi Security & Control Point.

The private road to the turnoff to the lodge is well signposted. Once on this private road, it will take you approximately 20 minutes (6km) drive to reach the lodge main gate.
Note, once you have entered the Park through any of the above gates, you do not exit the Park to get to the lodge.

Numbi Gate is the closest access gate to the Park from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA). Shuttles can be arranged.

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