And beyond Ngala Safari Lodge

Kruger National Park South Africa.

- Heléne Ramackers

Situated in the and Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park, lies and Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge, surrounded by the magical bushveld and ancient tamboti trees. This Big Five game reserve shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park, making your animal viewing fantasies a reality.

Driving through the 36,324 acre reserve en route to Ngala, you are already amongst the animals and should you encounter one, keep your windows and doors closed and don’t attempt to approach them. Should an animal cross your path, they have right of way, so stop and enjoy their beauty.

We are fervently welcomed at and Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge by Christina Messham, Kim Water worth and Beatrice Coetser. Not far behind them is our butler, Emmanuel Makhabula and our ranger Bernard Stiglingh. After a refreshing drink, Emmanuel leads the way to Room 3 and 4, where we will be spending two nights and three days. He unlocks Room 3 and disappears into Room 4 with a ‘let me do some magic’. He unlatches the inter-leading door to reveal two adjoining rooms, carbon copies of one another. Our daughter is so enthralled that she has her own room that no-one is allowed to visit without her permission.

It is time for lunch and a tasty variety of salads, main course and dessert is on offer. We meet Bernard at reception for our first game drive. Following and Beyond Ngala on Instagram and taking heed of the wonderful sightings leading up to our visit, I am eager to see what we can find. Bernard does not disappoint. From vultures waiting to feed on a carcass to the cutest lion cubs – the one plays with his mother’s tail while the other one gets groomed. The highlight for everyone on the vehicle is an African Wild Dog sighting. And this is only Day 1!