Ridge editor Garth Johnstone travelled to the 5-star Umzolozolo Private Safari Lodge in the Nambiti reserve near Ladysmith.
March 2012: A 2.5-3 hour drive from Durban, Umzolozolo Private Safari Lodge – one of a number of private reserves within the 10 000ha Nambiti conservancy near Ladysmith – boasts the all-important 5-stars to show for excellence and quality, but truly impressed with its magnificent setting and the service excellence of its dedicated staff.
With its hilltop situation and breathtaking views over a game-rich valley, Umzolozolo (the Zulu name for the African Hoopoe) makes an immediate visual impact, and we were keen to see whether all the bells and whistles associated with 5-star game lodges would be matched by the required attention to detail and service excellence.
But we needn’t have worried … all members of staff, led by management team Debbie and Dave Peckham, made us most welcome, and ensured that all requirements – from a cool towel to freshen up after a game drive, to making sure that we were never wanting for a chilled beverage before supper – were well taken care of. Front of house man Ephraim and our ranger Brad also did a great job. Brad’s bush knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for his job helped make our game drive memorable.
Guidance
A stay at Umzolozolo includes two game drives a day and we were pretty fortunate in this regard, as with Brad’s guidance we spotted lion, hippo, loads of giraffe, wildebeest, kudu, impala, red hartebeest, black backed jackal, while some of the other guests reported spotting buffalo, elephants and rhino. A large bull elephant is a regular visitor to the lodge itself, although he didn’t wander through during our stay.
The Nambiti conservancy land is owned by families in the local community, with the private lodges acting as commercial entities, paying for the use of the land and ensuring the highest environmental standards are maintained. The reserve holds the big five, but leopard are extremely elusive. More than 250 species of birds have been counted. Brad informed us that the stocks are pretty healthy and the reserve generally prefers to swop animals rather than having to cull.
At the time of our visit plans were being made to introduce new cheetah to the reserve’s stunning savannah grassland environment (Brad did point out that up to 12 years ago the land was used largely for cattle farming, and thus trees and thorn bushes had been allowed to thrive, slightly changing the original grassland environment. This had allowed species such as kudu, in particular, to thrive, and we saw plenty of these magnificent beasts).
More travel reviews here: “A taste of Thonga!”
Umzolozolo sleeps a maximum of 12 guests, its exclusivity helping to create a truly personal experience. The spacious main lodge including bar, dining area and lounge, complete with ample fireplace and reading area is the hub of all activity with sleeping units close by.
Meal times were greatly anticipated by our crew of visitors, the kitchen team delivering the goods with delicious, well presented fare. Coffee and cereals are available in the morning ahead of game drives, with a full breakfast served upon your return about 9am.
And don’t let me fail to mention spa treatments carried out in your own room … tried and tested, they got a big thumbs up.
But really, for me, it’s all about that incredible view. Switch into bush mode and feel all your city troubles melt away.
Contact info: E-mail tracey@umzolozolo.com
083 267 9582
Lodge cell: 083 376 3682/083 378 2708
www.umzolozolo.com
PS: Namibiti is right in the heart of battlefields country: Colenso, Elandslaagte, Spioenkop, Weenen, Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift are all within and hour or so’s drive away.
Article and pictures by Garth Johnstone