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Babanango Valley Lodge
Babanango, KwaZulu Natal,
South Africa
| Set in a 10 000 acre natural heritage site, with magnificent views, personal attention, luxury and charm, as well as excellent cuisine and settings. |
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Babanango Valley Private Nature Reserve has been described as one of the most beautiful valleys in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Its outstanding scenic beauty is emphasised by well-vegetated granite koppies, quartzite ridges and sandstone cliffs. Because of this and the occurrence of the rare Aloe gerstnerii, a number of red data book birds and animals and the existence of stone age sites, it was declared a Natural Heritage Site (no. 30) in 1986.
It’s position on the transition between highveld and lowveld gives rise to a strikingly large and interesting diversity of fauna and flora. Already present are Implala, Mountain Reedbuck, Grey Duiker, Steenbuck, Reedbuck, Kudu and Bushbuck.
The number of mammals recorded is 53 of which most are, however, small, rare or nocturnal. There has been an increase in smaller carnivores such as Caracal, Serval, Civets, African Wildcat, Genets and Honey Badger.
256 bird species have been recorded with 36 raptor species, a large proportion of which nest in the Nature Reserve including Black, Crowned, Wahlbergs, Tawny and African Hawk Eagles.
We have also recorded 142 tree species and there is an incredible diversity of grasses and wildflowers.
Babanango Valley is situated in the heart of Zululand, an area steeped in history, close to the birth place of King Shaka, founder of the Zulu Nation, also most central to the Battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and within easy driving distance to the Umfolozi Hluhluwe Game Reserve, a "Big 5" reserve.
Rooms
Situated within the Babanango Valley Private Nature Reserve are a Luxury Lodge and a Bush Camp.
1. Babanango Valley Lodge combines attentive personal service with luxury and charm. The cozy lounge, with it's crackling log fire in winter is the gathering point for a pre-dinner drinks.
The gentle candlelight, silver and crystal in the elegant dining room, furnished in Stinkwood, compliments the exquisitely presented cuisine. On warm and sunny mornings, breakfasts are served on the patio. The nine en suite bedrooms are tastefully appointed. Anticipating our guests every need.
Guests may relax around the sparkling pool, with its stunning view or participate in the many possible activities on offer from the Lodge.
2. Rock Pools Bush Camp, an African dream bush experience - informal with subtle luxury, where good hospitality and service blend in a relaxed atmosphere. The cottages under canvas are tucked into the riverine bush ensuring privacy, each with its own access to the river.
Activities
Enjoy the space and beauty of the magnificent Babanango Valley Private Nature Reserve, take a guided walk or simply meander along the self-guided walking trails, birdwatching and wandering among the Wildebeest, Warthog, Zebra and Impala.
Participate in some of the exciting guided wildlife / Zulu cultural or historical tours to Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift, Ulundi Battlefield, Dingaanstad, Prince Imperial Monuement or the iMfolozi Game Reserve offered from the Lodge.
Take a guided walk through the beautiful Babanango Valley incorporating a visit to the stone age site, rock art, a rare isivivane and the ruins of the old copper mine.
Take a delicious picnic lunch and self-drive into the area to visit some of the many attractions in the Babanango area.
For guests not wishing to be fettered with organised activities, we have 30 km of self-guided walking trails for those who just want to quietly amble along and soak up the scenery at their own pace. It is also ideal mountain biking country.
How to get there
From Johannesburg proceed to Newcastle and continue south passed Newcastle for about 25km, turning off left to Dundee. From Dundee take the R33 towards Vryheid for 6km and turn right on the R68 towards Nqutu (NB: the sign at this junction only mentions Melmoth and Ulundi but is clearly marked R68).
Proceed 45km to Nqutu, turning right at the stop street and continuing on the R68 towards Melmoth. Continue for about 50km where you will see our turn off to the left marked both with a D139 route as well as a big brown information sign "Babanango Valley".
From Durban follow the N2 north past Ballito and Stanger until you reach the Dokodweni off ramp and proceed towards Gingindlovu. Continue along the R68 passed Eshowe to Melmoth.
As you leave Melmoth, take a left-hand turn marked Babanango, still on the R68 and travel to Babanango. Please be mindful that there is a right turn approximately 30 km from Melmoth. At the stop street in Babanango, turn left and proceed for 4km.
Here you will see our turn off to the right marked both with a D139 route as well as a big brown information sign "Babanango Valley". Proceed for 12km's, following the Lodge signs, down a good condition farm road.
Health & Climate
We are not in a Malaria area.
Click here for Rates/Bookings |
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Location: Babanango,
KwaZulu Natal |
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