The Springbok Lodge KZN - Ladysmith, KWAZULU NATAL

Location:

Well positioned on the main route between Johannesburg and Durban, Springbok Lodge is a four-and-a-half hour drive from Johannesburg (approximately 400km) and three-and-a-half hours from the coastal city of Durban). The breathtaking mountains of the central Drakensberg lie a mere one-and-a-half hours away. Bringing the lodge even closer is 1.2km landing strip for light aircraft or helicopters. Springbok Lodge is situated in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve, a conservancy offering 20 000 acres of pristine, malaria-free bushveld. The reserve is home to the Big Five, as well as cheetah, hippo and over 30 species of plains game. Nature lovers will enjoy the area's biodiversity, with Thornveld and majestic Acacia trees complementing extensive grasslands which mirror the plains of Central Africa. The abundant natural water system, with perennial rivers and the beautiful waterfall and cascades on the Sundays River, makes for a unique sanctuary, attracting several rare bird species and an enviable array of raptors and vultures. Feast your senses on the magnificent sights, sounds and smells of this untouched African bush. With every dawn, renew your bond with nature as you embark on a safari with your experienced and knowledgeable field guide.

Facilities:

• 4WD tours
• Air conditioned rooms
• Conference and/or Meeting Facilities
• Conference facilities
• Disabled access
• Evening Meals Available
• Fishing along the bank
• Friendly Staff
• Game viewing
• Licensed Dining
• Lovely setting
• Meeting facilities
• On-site manager
• Tranquil bush setting
• Wheelchair accessible

Business Facilities:

For the corporate visitor we offer the convenience of a fully equipped conference venue and on-site accommodation for up to 40 delegates (sharing). This venue represents a perfect base for strategic meetings, team building or motivational sessions. If required, additional accommodation can be arranged at one of the nearby lodges on a bed-only basis. Make the most of this unique venue to encourage your team to excel. The conference room is equipped with a big screen TV, data projector, flip charts and a PA system and customised seating and table layout. Conference packages are tailor-made to your specific needs. Our competitive rates offer value for money without compromising the world-class experience that the corporate market is accustomed to. Our corporate clients have already chosen The Springbok Lodge as their venue of choice for incentives and rewards for clients and team members. We are suitably equipped to host: * Conferences * Team-building * Product launches * Gala events * Awards events * Year-end celebrations * Company breakaways Weddings at Springbok Lodge Springbok Lodge has become a venue of choice to host smaller, intimate weddings and unions. Our picture-perfect venue with its distinctive ambiance lends itself to making your big day unique. Packages are personalised to suit your requirements, including excellent accommodation and superb cuisine.

Car Parking:

There is an electrified fenced area for overnight parking at your own risk.

Things to do:

Activities at the lodge and surrounding areas * Game drives (approximately 3 hours long, depending on sightings and weather) * Boma dinners (weather permitting) * Bush breakfasts (by arrangement) * Fly fishing (seasonal) * Zulu dancing (by prior arrangement and at an additional cost) * Massage therapy (by arrangement and at an additional cost) * Battlefield tours (by arrangement and at an additional cost) * Leisurely drives towards the majestic Drakensberg, with superb sightseeing and curio shopping. Game drives Head off on an open, game-viewing vehicle at daybreak or early afternoon. A personal guide will ensure that you get the most out of the experience, enjoying the abundance of wildlife and unspoilt African vistas. You will stop to be given a chance to stretch your legs and wonder at the sounds and silences of the bush, while drinking in majestic sunrises or sunsets. The memory of sipping an Amarula coffee or sundowner in such humbling surroundings is one that will stay with you forever. Boma dinners On fine summer and balmy winter nights, guests can arrange to dine around a crackling fire in the boma, an experience which is sure to be a highlight of your stay. Bush breakfasts Bacon and eggs take on a taste of their own when savoured in the African veld. The bush breakfasts are exciting for our guests as well as our staff who literally pack up everything and set up 'kitchen' in a scenic spot. Often our plans are ‘put to bed’ though, when the Ellies invite themselves to breakfast! Fly fishing The reserve's well stocked dams offer the keen fly fisherman a chance to indulge in this tranquil pastime (all fishing is on a ‘catch-and-release' basis). Adding an extra element of enjoyment are the resident hippo. Massage therapy By prior arrangement, massage therapists will travel from Ladysmith, offering reflexology, full body massage, back massage and Indian head massage in the privacy of your tent or, if the weather allows, out on your deck!

Local Attractions:

Battlefields Absorb the rich history of the area by enjoying a day tour with a registered professional tour guide. You will ‘relive’ the war as your guide shares with you his vast knowledge of and passion for the legendary bygone battles. Visits to monuments and 'places of rest' and stories about the grand heritage of the Battlefields surrounding Nambiti make for a most interesting experience. A visit to Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana battlefields approximately 60 minutes away can also be arranged. The Elandslaagte area boasts a history that dates back to the late 1800s when some of the bloodiest battles in history were fought as Zulu, Boer and British forces clashed over land and sovereignty. The Battle of Elandslaagte was fought on the Nambiti Private Game Reserve and the original hospital still stands within the reserve’s boundaries. Enquire about our 'Bush & Battlefields Package' – a minimum three-night stay at the lodge including two afternoon and two morning game drives, a full-day tour of the Battlefields and all meals and accommodation.

Getting There:

Directions & Location Nambiti Private Game Reserve, Ladysmith The Nambiti Private Game Reserve is situated 25 km's east of Ladysmith and is only 3½ hours from Johannesburg, 2½ hours from Durban and 40 minutes from the Drakensberg. Please see map for details. Directions from Johannesburg Head for DURBAN on the N3. Once you have entered KwaZulu Natal via Van Reenen, look out for the Ladysmith Toll off-ramp and go through it. (pay R27.00) This is at the bottom of Van Reenen's Pass Continue straight on R103 to Ladysmith When you arrive in Ladysmith, drive straight through – you will be on the road called HARRISMITH STREET, (look out for the following landmarks on this road) BP Petrol / Gas Station on the left, traffic lights then Caltex Petrol / Gas station on the left. Continue on… (landmark : FET College on the left) At the 3 way traffic light intersection keep right till you get to the next set of 4 way traffic lights. (landmark: SHELL Petrol / Gas station on the right) Turn Left into Murchison Street. Continue on down Murchison Street going through 2 sets of traffic lights. At the third set (landmark: CALTEX Petrol / Gas Station on the right) TURN RIGHT and then TURN LEFT at the traffic light intersection. Continue on this road (landmark : BP Petrol / Gas Station on the right) On the outskirts of Ladysmith you will find another set of traffic lights and a 4 way intersection – travel on straight – in the direction of NEWCASTLE (this is the N11) Continue till you see our brown NAMBITI sign on the left as well as a small sign which reads D45. (Distance from Caltex to N11+D45 intersection = 10.9km) Turn Right onto the D45 Road (sand road), follow for 10.3Km’s At the Y - Junction turn right, travel along side the Game fence for 2 km until you reach our gate and thatched guard – house Please phone (036) 637 9604/083 268 9026 in the event of you getting lost. Directions from Durban From Durban take the N3 to Johannesburg From Mooi River Toll Gate Travel +/- 90Km Take the Bergville Toll Plaza offramp Turn right and head for Ladysmith (About 12km's) At the T-Junction, turn left. Take Glide off to N11/Ladysmith Turn right at the stop street and follow this road towards Ladysmith After the bridge (look out for Wimpy/ Engen on Left) Turn left onto Murchison Street. Continue down Murchison Street until you reach the intersection with traffic lights and the Caltex Petrol/ Gas station on your right At this intersection turn right, then left at next traffic light intersection. Continue on this road (N11) out of town At the traffic lights continue straight on the N11 towards Newcastle for approx 7km. Look out for the brown 'Nambiti' sign on the left and a small sign reading 'D45'. This sign is also on the left of the N11 Turn right onto the D45 road, travel for 10.3km's Turn right at the Y-Junction (onto the D46) and travel for 2km until you reach the entrance to Nambiti Private Game Reserve. (Electronic Gate and Thatched Gate-House) Our Gate Guard will direct you to the undercover parking area where our ranger will meet you and transfer you to the lodge Please note that cellphone reception in this area is erratic