The largest elephant park in South Africa, along with rhino, buffalo, leopard, hippo and antelope species in a 190 sq.mi. park on the Mozambique border. Excellent birding opportunities and nearby access to the Tongoland reefs and scuba diving areas.
Situated in Maputaland, the north-eastern region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, adjoining the Mozambique border, Tembe is home to the province`s biggest elephant herd and its only indigenous elephants.
The magnificent elephants, more than 140 in number - from massive full-grown adults to juveniles - are Tembe`s main attraction and make for spectacular viewing. The larger adults are physically the biggest in South Africa and signs of their presence are everywhere, clearly evident through the broken branches and foliage left behind from their voracious foraging.
Tembe`s mosaic of sand forest, woodland, grassland, and swampland, comprises an ideal habitat for highly-visible elephant spotting, enabling them to be observed at close-quarters from game-drive vehicles or from the discreetly-located hides which overlook their watering holes.
At 300 square kilometres in extent (190 square miles),Tembe is the third largest game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, home not only to the unique elephant population but to a profusion of wildlife - including the Big Five.
Black and white rhino, buffalo, leopard, hippo, serval, eland, zebra, giraffe, hyena, jackal, wildebeest, nyala, kudu, water buck, reed buck, red duiker, warthog, and other small mammals thrive in abundance.
Tembe is also home to the rare and elusive suni antelope, one of the smallest and shyest species of buck in southern Africa, and the patient game-viewer is often rewarded with a sighting.
Tembe is a bird-watcher`s paradise, with more than 340 species recorded in the park - including the rare Rudd`s apalis, the rufous-bellied night heron, the Natal nightjar and the Woodward`s batis.
This is an Africa that tourists seldom see, where an abundance of game and rare species live in an environment unchanged by time.
The Tembe experience will take you to a distant world of Africa as it once was - unspoilt, natural, and light years away from the pressures of civilisation.
Rooms
The lodge comprises luxury en-suite and semi-luxury safari tents that blend unobtrusively with their natural surrounds and are tucked away in secluded areas around the lodge.
A swimming pool and open-air braai area lends itself to a rustic ambience and guests can enjoy campfire meals and the unforgettable experience of Africa under the stars.
All amenities are catered for and tariffs include; accommodation, meals, teas, coffee, two daily game drives and transfers to & from the hide during the day.
Activities
Game drives are conducted by an experienced guide and are included at no extra cost.
Excursions that can be undertaken from Tembe Elephant Park:
Bird watching at Ndumo Game Reserve
Turtle watching along the coast from Kosi to Ponte de Oro.{Seasonal}
Exploring Lake Sibaya and the coastal forests
How to get there See Map
Road Transport
Tembe is a four hour drive on a tarred road from Durban. You will be met at the entrance gate to the Park, directed to the secure parking area where you can safely leave your vehicle for the duration of your stay. From there, you will be driven in a 4x4 to the lodge.
Visitors requiring transport fron Durban will be met at their hotel or preferred pick-up point and driven to Tembe in a luxury air-conditioned vehicle.
Air Transport From Durban
If required, a return air service is available from Virginia Airport, just north of Durban, direct to the airstrip at Tembe or to the neighbouring Manguzi airstrip, depending on weather conditions.
Clothing & Accessories
Swimming Costumes
Health & Climate
Tembe Elephant Lodge has a regular chemical-spraying programme at the lodge and, as a result, mosquitoes are rarely found in the camp.
We do however encourage guests to ‘cover up’ in the evenings, and apply the insect repellents we supply on game drives and in the individual tents.
The taking of malaria prophylactic tablets is purely the choice of the guest. For any further questions, please consult your General Practitioner.
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