Abelana River Lodge

The suites at Abalone River Lodge exude an atmosphere of safari chic, wooden furniture fills the room, and exposed thatch ceilings add character and dimension to the space. The suites are filled with bright, natural light which floods the room through wide windows and sliding glass doors. In the centre of the room sits a comfortable king size bed, adorned with crisp bed linen and plush pillows. The bed is romantically draped with mosquito netting to allow guests to have a bug free night’s sleep.

All the suites are ensuite and come complete with double hand basins, an indoor shower and a unique outdoor shower. Private and expansive deckings sit at the front of all the suites, and offer guests the perfect place to unwind after a long day exploring, gazing over the panoramic view of the luscious bushveld.

Guests can make their way to the main dining room for mealtimes. Enjoy feasting on delicious and fresh food prepared by talented chefs in an elegant and chic dining room, with views overlooking the luscious bushveld. Weather dependent, guests can dine outside on the decking, underneath the wide starry sky, in the fresh air of the bush. Guests can head to the bar after dinner to grab a night cap which can be enjoyed around the fire pit.

Head out on a traditional safari game drive for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see some of the amazing animals of the reserve up close and in their natural habitat. In the comfort of a 4×4 vehicle and guided by a trained and friendly ranger, guests can keep an eye on bush movements with a pair of binoculars. This is the perfect opportunity for the keen photographer to capture the perfect shot, and with game drives heading out in the mornings and afternoons, there is the opportunity to explore the bush at sunrise and sunset. Marvel at the amazing animals, up close and in their natural habitat.

For a more immersive way to explore the bush guests can enjoy a guided walk through the wild bushveld. Exploring on your own two feet is the ideal way to become at one with nature, and these guided walks offer a more detailed experience than game drives. At a slower pace, guests can marvel at the smaller ecosystems of Abelana and can learn about the species of plants that thrive here from their knowledgeable and friendly guide. Guided walks are also a great time to look at the treetops with a pair of binoculars and see if you can see some of the colourful bird species that inhabit the reserve, which your guide will be able to identify.

In the middle of the wilderness, unpolluted skies offer breathtaking evenings of stargazing. Gathered around the fire pit to keep warm, guests can turn their gaze to the sky and the millions of stars which are visible. Try to find constellations such as the Southern Cross and Southern Pleiades, as well as viewing the Milky Way.

The Abelana Game Reserve is committed to protecting and conserving the local communities as well as the environment in which they operate. Croc Ranch – the largest Abelana property – was founded as a nature reserve back in 1959, and has since been claimed by the Mashishmale community who are the native land dwellers. The property has been managed in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner, with a lease being signed with MTH Lodge Holdings to implement eco-tourism projects on this property.

Many of the staff of Abelana Game Reserve are from the local communities, they receive money towards their rent, and a community levy by guests syphons money straight into the community to help with projects that develop and uplift the local communities. Many of the supplies and services of Abelana lodges are purchased from local members of the community or small businesses, and there are always additional projects under development, such as ‘an environmental education project with local schoolchildren.’