Accommodation type: Safari tents 

Location: Southern Kruger National Park

Nearest Kruger gate: Numbi Gate (5km)

Food: Restaurant (Breakfast & Dinner included)

Budget: $$

Perfect for… A sustainable & affordable luxury safari experience

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Mdluli Safari Lodge is the story of one man’s vision for the land, and for the Mdluli people. Today this land is significant for many reasons. We invite you to be part of our story – a tale of the wonder and beauty of the Kruger National Park, the authentic charm of Siswati tradition, and a deep-rooted commitment to conservation.

 

The lodge is a sustainable tourism initiative through its proud partnership with the local Mdluli Community. After a long journey of land restitution, the 45,000-strong Mdluli Community have freehold title of 850 hectares of land, inside the borders of the iconic Kruger National Park. The Community, who live in villages adjacent to the Park, receive direct financial and indirect social and economic benefits from the lodge’s operations.

 

Alongside skills-based job creation, whereby nearly 90% of the lodge’s team comes from the Community, the lodge creates sustainable small business opportunities as well as increased land value. Mdluli Safari Lodge is a blueprint for best practice community development projects in South Africa.

 

The reception and main area of the lodge are designed around a central _lekgotla_, which means ‘the meeting place for village assemblies’. The layout of the main building surrounds the majestic Marula tree, which canopies over this central meeting place, and gently shades the bronzed statue of the late Chief MZ Mdluli, who’s outstretched arm welcomes guests into this special place.

 

Each area of the lodge is intentionally positioned to maximise views into the Park, creating a feeling of always being connected to the beauty and serenity of the natural surroundings. The main area offers guests a bar, restaurant, deck and infinity swimming pool, each looking out across the Park and the adjacent riverbed.

 

Visitors can stay and enjoy our organised game drives or can use the Lodge as a base for self-driving in the Park – just let us know your preference when booking.

 

The ambience of the safari tents and main areas is created through a carefully curated fusion of raw timbers and canvas textures with the authentic charm of Siswati tradition. Each area of the lodge is designed to create a feeling of being connected to nature, whether indoors or outdoors. The deck, restaurant, boma and oversized infinity swimming pool are cleverly positioned through their open architecture and proximity to the lodge’s fence line to allow guests to find their quiet space while a herd of elephant or buffalo amble past to the river that lies adjacent to the fence line.