Rediscovering Africa at Mavela Game Lodge

Hey there! Looking to get back in touch with the heart of Africa? Well, I’ve got just the place for you – Mavela Game Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and reconnect with the magic of the bush.

Let me fill you in on something exciting. My wife’s family moved to Australia about four years ago, and they recently planned a trip back to South Africa for a three-week vacation. My father-in-law, knowing how much we longed for Africa, asked me to find a safari lodge where we could all indulge in some precious family time and rediscover the essence of this incredible continent.

My family and I wanted to immerse ourselves in an authentic African experience, so we decided to book a three-night stay at Mavela Game Lodge in the beautiful Zululand Rhino Reserve, located in KwaZulu-Natal.

Discovering Zululand Rhino Reserve

If you haven’t heard of it before, the Zululand Rhino Reserve is a captivating 23,000-hectare Big Five game reserve in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, not far from Mkuze. Created in 2004, the reserve came into existence when a group of landowners decided to remove their internal fences, allowing wildlife to roam freely and establishing the reserve. Its main focus was the Black Rhino range expansion project, which encouraged the creation of the reserve. Since then, the reserve has reintroduced numerous species and continues to do so.

Welcome to Mavela Game Lodge!

From the moment we arrived, the team at Mavela made us feel incredible. Our awesome guide, Andre, quickly got to know us and tailored our game drives to match our group’s vibe.

Now, my brother-in-law Ashley is only 17 and hasn’t been to South Africa’s wildlife spots since he was around 12. So this trip was a chance for him to really experience a true safari in his own country. Andre played a crucial role in making sure Ashley had the best time ever. It’s not easy to keep teenagers interested during those long game drives, but Andre did an amazing job of connecting with Ashley throughout our stay.

When I went on a safari trip with my father-in-law, I noticed that we had different approaches to wildlife sightings. While I was eager to chase after every reported sighting, my father-in-law had a more laid-back attitude. He simply enjoyed being in the bush and was happy to explore the park at a leisurely pace. Because of this, our drives were never rushed. In fact, we hardly encountered any other vehicles during the three days we were there. We also didn’t have to deal with the annoyance of regular interruptions from a vehicle radio. Andre, our guide, did keep an ear on the radio, but we didn’t feel the need to frantically respond to every sighting and rush across the reserve. It was a refreshing and peaceful way to experience the beauty of the wildlife.

Even though we weren’t actively searching for wildlife, we still had some amazing encounters during our three-day stay. We were lucky enough to see elephants, rhinos, buffalos, and a thriving population of other animals. However, the highlight for me was definitely when we unexpectedly came across a black rhino and her calf one morning on our way back to the lodge. The rhino exhibited typical black rhino behavior, but stayed around long enough for me to finally capture the black rhino photos I’ve been wanting for years.

A truly unforgettable sighting of a black rhino at Mavela Game Lodge.

My wife and I are bird watching enthusiasts and we were amazed by Andre’s incredible knowledge of birds and the diverse range of species found in the reserve. Mavela is known for its expertise in birding, and Andre is their dedicated bird guide. He is truly passionate about birding and this passion shines through during his daily game drives. Whenever we spotted a bird, Andre would quickly identify it, share fascinating facts about its behavior, and sometimes even imitate its call so we could remember it later.

After the thrilling game drives, we had plenty of opportunities to unwind and relax at the lodge. The lodge has a simple yet comfortable design, with a spacious dining area and a bar and deck on the upper floor that offers a breathtaking view of the reserve. We also had the pleasure of enjoying the small swimming pool and the cozy loungers, which were perfect for the hot afternoons.

When you walk along the pathway at Mavela, you’ll see the guest tents spread out, each with its own deck overlooking the stunning reserve. Inside, the rooms are roomy and have cozy beds and a private bathroom. These rooms may not be super fancy, but they provide everything you need for a comfortable safari. Personally, I love the atmosphere of tented safari camps, so I really enjoy the look and feel of Mavela.

During our visit, we had an amazing time at Mavela. It had everything we were looking for in a short safari, and we will definitely book it again when our family visits from Australia.

Hey there! So, let me tell you about this amazing place called Mavela Game Lodge. My father-in-law had such a great time there, he just had to share his experience on the lodge’s Tripadvisor page. He said, and I quote, “Mavela was simply delightful and elegant. The staff was super friendly and always ready to assist. The game drives were absolutely breathtaking, and the guide’s knowledge was exceptional. And let’s not forget about the food – it was brilliant and so diverse. All in all, it was an incredible experience, and I highly recommend Mavela as a safari destination. Thanks, Mavela!” Wow, doesn’t that sound fantastic?

By the way, let’s talk about one of the most memorable things that happened during our stay at Mavela Game Lodge – dinner under the stars on the lodge’s deck. It was truly magical!

Now, here’s a little disclaimer: I want to be upfront with you. While I do work with Mavela Game Lodge on an ongoing basis, this particular trip was a paid-for family vacation. So rest assured, all the things I’m telling you here are my own genuine thoughts and feelings.

If you want to find out more about my adventures and experiences, be sure to check out my other articles on Capturing Africa Journeys. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!