South African Lodges

White Elephant Safaris Reviews & Information

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Below detailed information about the White Elephant Safaris is available.
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Restaurants

Dining at the White Elephant Safari Lodge

Sumptuous meals are available on the verandah of the main house in the Pongola Game Reserve, which is a restored colonial homestead, in the dining room, garden or on the wooden deck alongside the swimming pool.

Guests can indulge in continental breakfasts, afternoon high tea and three-course lavish dinners alongside the boma during their stay at the White Elephant Safari Lodge.

Activities, Sports & Leisure

Wildlife activities

Guests can enjoy game drives, bush walks and boat cruises while staying at the White Elephant Safari Lodge in the Pongola Game Reserve in South Africa. Open game drive vehicles conduct safaris in the early morning and the late afternoon. Safari walks and tailor made walks are the lodge's specialty.  Black Rhino Walks bring excitement during a stay at the White Elephant Safari Lodge.  The winter months provide good game viewing by boat while Birding is good all year round, from the water and waterside.

Guests can also soar over the Lebombo mountains with planes that bring medical assistance to the rural people of this area. Venture a little further and a host of other game and nature reserves can be found including Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, Mkuze, Itala, Ndumu, Tembe and the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park.

Excursions

A visit to the Dumazulu Cultural Village and the Illala Basket Weavers are available with the White Elephant Safari Lodge. Additional trips to visit rural schools, Zulu chiefs and herbal doctors can also be organised for guests.

Trips to the Ubombo Children’s Care Village are also popular with guests and here orphaned, sick or needy children from the community are cared for.

Nearby attractions
  •     Zumat scenic flights
  •  Dumazulu Cultural Village
  •  Illala Weavers (museum and sale of Zulu Art)
  •  Ubombo Children’s Care Village
  •  Arabian Horse Riding
  •  Pongola Golf Course
  •  Emdoneni game reserve
  •  Zulu Croc (crocodile farm)
  •  Bayete Zulu Elephant Interaction.

Services

Check in and Check Out Times
  • Check in: 14:00
  • Check out: 10:00
General Services
  • Airport transfers
  • Housekeeping service
  • Safari drives
  • Wake-up call
  • Walking safaris
Malaria Status and Animals
  • Pongola Game Reserve has no risk of malaria, guests travelling from Mpumalanga, Swaziland & Mozambique are advised to take Malaria tablets.

    Visitors are advised to consult their doctor before flying while the lodge does provide anti-malaria medication and mosquito nets in the tents.

Children Policy
  • Children over twelve years are welcome at the White Elephant Safari Lodge.

    Children under the age of sixteen are not allowed to join the elephant trips, or the rhino walks.

Social Responsibility
  • White Elephant Safaris supports various conservation initiatives, community projects, and social activities. The lodge utilises organic waste as compost to grow herbs and vegetables while the tags of tins are collected for a wheelchair donation project, and recycled glasses are used in lodges.

    Energy saver globes are utilised where possible while the lodge makes minimal use of high-energy appliances and gas and paraffin lanterns are used instead of electrical lights outdoors. White Elephant Safari Lodge donates used linen and towels to the Ubombo children’s home while excess stationary, paper, magazines and books go to the local schools. Water is transported by the lodge to local community homes, especially during drier months.

    The lodge also supports local soccer clubs by providing time off for staff to attend matches as well as assisting with transport for team and supporters. 

    The Lodge endeavours to support local community projects such as The Ilala Weavers and KZNSA Gallery by purchasing their work for promotional gifts and the curio shop.

    The money collected from gate fees is deposited into the Elephants Foundation Trust Fund, which in turn allocates these funds to local community projects. Where positions allow for it, the lodge recruits new staff from one of the neighbouring communities while film crews and advertising companies that utilise the lodge are encouraged to recruit extras from the nearby communities.

Available Rooms

Luxury Safari Tents

# Rooms:
8

The Safari Lodge at the White Elephant Game Lodge was originally built in the 1920's. This exclusive lodge reflects the history and romance of the colonial era.  

Eight luxurious safari-style tents are available at the White Elephant Safari Lodge, each of which is equipped with an en-suite bathroom, an outdoor canvas shower, a private veranda, mini bar, tea and coffee facilities, ceiling fans and mosquito nets.

 

GPS Co-Ordinates

Latitude: -27.379629

Longitude: 31.898510

Directions

Directions to the White Elephant Safari Lodge from Johannesburg (approximately 5 hours drive):

1. Take the N12 to Middelburg.
2. Turn of onto the N11 to Hendrina and continue to Ermelo.
3. From Ermelo follow the N2 to Piet Retief and Pongola.
4. Approximately 40 km after Pongola towards Mkuze at the sign on your left-hand side that reads Pongola Game Reserve (SOUTH) White Elephant, turn left at the White Elephant main gate.
5. The lodges are signposted from here with the White Elephant marked stones up to Safari Lodge or Bush Camp.

Parking

On site parking facilities are provided for guests.

Star Rating

5 Star