LALIBELA TREE TOPS LODGE
Garden Route, Eastern Cape
Malaria Free, South Africa

South Africa Safari

Lalibela's location in the Eastern Cape means it is not only malaria-free, but spans 5 ecosystems, resulting in a breath-taking diversity of flora and fauna. The three main aspects of any safari are the game-viewing, the accommodation and the food. At Lalibela they take special care to ensure that heartfelt service combines with these three "ingredients" to make your safari a memorable one. Lalibela now consists of 7,500 hectares (approximately 18,500 acres) and is home to the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo & leopard). Lalibela is unique in the Eastern Cape in that they have no public roads running through the property. All of the animals, including the predators, are free-roaming throughout the entire reserve. They currently have three lodges - Lentaba Lodge, Mark's Camp and Tree Tops - all offering decor that is infused with the essence of Africa, as well as warm and friendly service and unforgettable game viewing. A 4th lodge, Idwala, is currently being constructed and is scheduled to open in early November 2005. Lalibela brings you the charm of authentic Africa and is a perfect blend of the formal and informal. At Lalibela, food is true safari cuisine with an emphasis on local specialties, ranging from centuries-old recipes to exciting contemporary African dishes.

Camp Description

Tree Tops, the newest lodge, opened in October 2004. Tree Tops differs from the other lodges in that it is a tented camp. The luxury safari tents perched high on thatched platforms at "tree top" level are joined by raised walkways and offer spectacular views over the thickly-wooded valley. The rooms, with their canvas walls and thatched roofs have huge window areas and give guests the feeling of being right in the bush. Each room has a private veranda where guests can sit and relax in privacy. As with the other lodges, Tree Tops has a large lounge and open-air dining deck with a view over a small waterhole. Guests can sun themselves around the swimming pool or relax in the shaded gazebo. Tree Tops sleeps 8 people in 4 rooms.

Game Viewing

Game drives in an open vehicle with an experienced game ranger bring you face to face with a multitude of game species, ranging from mighty elephant, lion, rhino and buffalo to tiny blue duiker and rock hyrax. Lalibela is also home to cheetah, hyena, hippo, giraffe, zebra, warthog and numerous species of antelope, such as eland, kudu, bushbuck and wildebeest. There are no public roads or separate enclosures within the 7,500 hectares (18,500 acres). All the animals (including the predators) roam freely throughout the reserve. On thrilling night drives under the vast African sky, you search for the elusive bat-eared fox, aardvark, black-backed jackal, aardwolf and the curious spring hare.

Note: Game drives are done in open Land Rovers, so you can feel close to Nature.

Dining

Lalibela believe that warm hospitality and memorable food are as important as the game-viewing element of your safari experience. At Lalibela food is true safari cuisine with an emphasis on local specialties, ranging from centuries-old recipes to exciting new contemporary African dishes. Dining at Lalibela is unforgettable whether it is brunch on a sunlit deck, or a safari cuisine dinner in an indoor dining room or outdoor boma. The atmosphere at their lodges is one of "relaxed informality" and they encourage interaction between guests at the dining table. Dining at all of the lodges, whether indoors or outdoors, is always around a large central table. The table is a place where guests tend to discuss the day's activities with their ranger, discuss items on the menu with the chef or just make new friends from around the world.