Babanango Game Reserve
Babanango Game Reserve, located in the heart of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, is home to one of Southern Africa's most major rewilding efforts in recent years. Set within the beautiful scenery of the upper White Umfolozi River Valley, the reserve is a large wilderness region of over 20,000 hectares steeped in Zulu heritage and rich with geological features dating back to the beginning of time. The rough mountains and valleys provide habitat for a wide range of birds, plants, insects, reptiles, and mammals, including the secretive aardvark and aardwolf. Babanango Game Reserve is now Big 5 after the African elephant returned.
Babanango Game Reserve is a unique project in rural Zululand that combines sustainable conservation, eco-tourism, and community development. The majority of the land in the reserve (74%) is held by three community trusts. The dedication of these three trusts is critical to long-term conservation success. In turn, the distribution of land-lease income, conservation levies, and other benefits from the Babanango Game Reserve is critical to the economic well-being of the local people, which have traditionally relied on unsustainable cow grazing. The collaboration between the game reserve and the community trusts is strengthened by the reserve's commitment to employ and train local community members. The reserve offers four discrete lodges that suit to individual needs.
- A unique project
- In the Heart of Zululand
- Four discrete lodges located in the reserve
- Big 5
Madwaleni River Lodge - located along the southern bank of the White Umfolozi River, provides an exclusive hideaway with exquisite safari tents.
Zulu Rock Lodge - located on a high point of the reserve, captivates guests with stunning views across the broad terrain from the brink of a mountain cliff.
Valley Lodge - located in the south of Babanango Game Reserve, provides a peaceful getaway into nature. The nine neighbouring luxury suites offer stunning views of indigenous gardens.
Matatane Camp - allows guests to enjoy a primitive yet comfortable "back to basics" bush experience that encapsulates the essence of the African nature.
Babanango Game Reserve is strategically located near major cities and transportation hubs. For guests coming by air, the reserve is about a three-hour drive from Durban International Airport, while OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is around a six-hour drive away. These short distances make it easy for both local and international travelers to reach the reserve and begin their wildlife journey in Babanango.
Whether you're drawn to the region's natural beauty, cultural legacy, or historical significance, Babanango Game Reserve is a mesmerising place that guarantees an outstanding experience for every visitor.
Babanango Game Reserve has a variety of activities aimed to provide guests an immersive experience on the reserve. Guests can have a classic safari experience by joining a guided game drive through the reserve's remote hills and valleys, with refreshment stops along the way. Aside from the breathtaking views, you might see buffalo, hippo, rhino (black and white), elephant, and lion, as well as other notable fauna like caracal, klipspringer, and kudu. Walking safaris provide the opportunity to explore the reserve on foot with an expert guide for those seeking a more 'up close' experience, as well as those with a special interest in birds or flora. History buffs can take a guided tour of the surrounding Anglo-Zulu battlefields, while those seeking a private escape can have a gourmet bush lunch on the reserve surrounded by stunning scenery. Adrenaline seekers can go zip-lining in Matatane. Valley Lodge visitors can tour the ruins and shafts of a former copper mine. For tourists interested in contributing to wildlife monitoring and research, the lodges can provide helicopter patrols, camera trap servicing, and other activities in collaboration with the reserve's conservation team.
