Imbali Safari Lodge

Imbalu Safari Lodge Kruger National Park

Elephanst crossing the river bed at Imbali Safari Lodge

Nestled discreetly amidst a canopy of impressive trees in the central area of the iconic Kruger National Park.

Situated in one of the first private concessions in the Kruger National Park, the Mluwati concession, this pristine wilderness area allows guests to enjoy some of Kruger’s most spectacular landscapes and an extraordinary variety of wildlife, birdlife and plant life within the Mluwati Concession, ensuring that each safari experience will be unique.

The Mluwati Concession is a 10 000-hectare private concession located within central Kruger National Park. Safaris are conducted on the private Mluwati Concession and with access to the greater Kruger National Park but no private vehicles are allowed to drive on this concession.

Imbali Safari Lodge offers the ultimate safari experience combining diverse wildlife with authentic African hospitality. From the warm welcome you receive upon arrival, to luxury suies, hearty home style cuisine and experienced rangers, every guest departs with unforgettable memories and the imprint of Africa in their soul.

The Kruger National Park

The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of 19,485 km2 (7,523 sq mi) in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa, and extends 360 km (220 mi) from north to south and 65 km (40 mi) from east to west. Areas of the park were first protected by the government of the South African Republic in 1898, and it became South Africa's first national park in 1926.

The Central Kruger Park encompasses only 30% of the Kruger Park’s surface area, yet the central region supports nearly half the park’s lion population (an estimated 60 prides) as well as numbers of leopard, hyena and cheetah. Possibly the main reason for this is the quantity of sweet grasses and abundant browsing trees found in this area that support a large group of antelope, giraffe, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest.

Accommodation

12 luxury suites each with their own private plunge pool and en-suite bathroom with magnificent views either onto the river bed or over the Savannah grasslands.

Large French doors run the length of the room to let the beautiful outside wilderness in, on your terms; an expansive deck overlooks the N’waswitsontso River or savannah grasslands with outdoor pool to complete your leisure bush experience. Relax on the sunbed with a book or let those bubbles soothe your weary muscles; the chattering of weavers, thrushes and kingfishers providing a magical bush playlist for your relaxation.

The spacious stone and marble bathroom features a Victorian style bathtub and walk in shower with signature bath amenities, a hairdryer and fluffy bathrobes. Soak your stresses away as you soak away the modern day stresses in natural bath salts while looking out on to the peace of the Kruger bush.

Rest for your soul: in to the comfortable king-size bed for a quick siesta or a nights rest after your safari; a mosquito net envelops the entire bed in the evening ensuring you are cocooned in comfort. Expect a bedtime story on your pillow or a sweet treat to enjoy before retiring for the night.

The sparkling swimming pool in the main area promises a refreshing dip while providing the opportunity to enjoy the rich and varied wildlife that visits to the Imbali Safari Lodge water hole daily to enjoy for a cooling drink. Spa treatments are available in the privacy of your suite. These are charged separately, according to the treatment you choose. In-room gym bags available for use at the lodge, click here to find out more.

Imbali Safari Lodge continues the safari tradition of a bygone era, incorporating every comfort and luxury in the serenity of the African bush. Complimentary wi-fi in the main lodge area allows you stay in touch with your loved ones, to tell them about your safari adventures each day.

Imbali Safari Lodge dinner - all they need is you!

Dining the lodge

At Imbali Safari Lodge enjoy an extensive buffet breakfast or order a delicious hot plated breakfast to indulge in after your morning safari either in our gorgeous dining room which boasts an impressive hundred year old Jackalberry rising through the deck of the dining room and thatched roof or under the tree’s on the outside decks.

Lunch is a light, informal affair with a buffet laden with tasty salads and dishes served in relaxed surroundings; the sounds of the bush providing all the accompaniment you need for a memorable dining experience.

Indulge in High Tea with a delicious selection of cakes and pastries freshly baked at the lodge before embarking on your afternoon’s safari.

Then enjoy a magical three-course table ‘d hotel menu under the stars. Good wine and good conversation flow while you listen to the enchanting sounds of the surrounding bush coming alive at night. We enjoy outdoor dining in our Boma on Tuesday and Friday evenings hosted by your Safari Guide.

Although both lunch and dinner are served at the main lodge, guests can arrange for a private meal on their deck or in-suite on request

Enjoying the lodge

Imbali offers

Five star lodge with only 12 luxury suites each with a private plung pool
Experienced and knowledgeable game rangers and trackers
Big Five game viewing in one of the best areas of the Kruger Park, a hundred square kilometres of exclusive safari space – only their own vehicles traverse this area
Perfectly positioned in the Central Kruger National Park,and borders the Sabi Sands and Manyeleti Game reserves to the West. The entire area is unfenced and creates a massive corridor for game movement.
The game vehicles are permitted to leave the road and drive off-road to get closer to the wildlife and capture that perfect image
Due to the remote location of the camp, there is no cellphone reception at the lodge, but there is Wi-Fi at the main lodge
Children from the age of 8 years are welcome and will enjoy a special kiddies safari.Extra camp beds are available for your children from twelve years old, to share with parents. Please note that we allow a maximum of two children per suite. Safaris for children are at Management discretion. Private vehicles are available at a surcharge which allow guests to be guaranteed safaris for children.
Very easy access by road and air

Safari activities

Imbali Safari Lodge an authentic safari experience in the Kruger Park.

Game Drives As one of the first private concessions in the Kruger National Park, Mluwati is a sanctuary for over 114 reptiles, 34 amphibians and 147 mammal species, including Africa’s Big Five. With some of Kruger’s most spectacular landscapes and an extraordinary variety of wildlife, bird life and plant life within the concession, each safari experience is unique. Guests can enjoy a morning and afternoon safari in open 4 x 4 vehicles. The early morning safaris are very rewarding with light for photography. Lions are still lively and on the move at this time, antelope are more energetic and an abundance of birds may also be seen. The afternoon safaris provide an opportunity to see nocturnal animals and perhaps even the elusive Leopard.
Bush Walks The guided bush walks allows one to get close up and have an intimate experience of the local flora and fauna. Walks are available on request. The safety of guests is top priority so guided bush walks may be unavailable if the guide deems the conditions to be unsafe for walking.

A day at Imbali Safari Lodge

Game drives are planned for mornings and evenings as this is the time when the animals are most active. The game drives last for about three hours and include a coffee stop for the morning drive and a sun-downer stop in the evening.Imbali Safari Lodge adjusts safari times accordingly to the seasons in order to maximise game-viewing opportunities and ensure that guests enjoy a comfortable experience.

Summer / Winter
05h00 / 05h30 – Wakeup call
05h30 / 06h00 – Kick-start your day before the sun rises, dunking a homemade rusk into a steamy cup of coffee before setting off on your morning safari with your assigned ranger.
06h00 / 06h30 – Depart for morning game drive
09h00 / 09h30 – Return to the lodge after the morning game drive
09h30 / 10h00 – Enjoy an extensive cold and hot buffet breakfast in Imbali Safari Lodge’s comfortable dining room; an impressive Jackalberry rising right through the deck of the dining room and the Tsonga-styled thatched roof.
Retire to your room and relax, laze at the crystal-clear infinity pool or request a bush walk for an up-close encounter with the Kruger.
14h00 / 14h00 – Lunch is is a relaxed, informal affair. Served on the deck with beautiful views of the surrounding bushveld and the Nwaswitsontso River, guests are treated to light salads and tasty desserts before retiring to their rooms for an afternoon siesta.
16h00 / 15h00 – Afternoon tea, served on the deck, heralds the imminent departure of your special evening safari through the Mluwati Concession
17h00 / 16h00 – Depart for afternoon game drive
20h00 / 19h00 – After a three hour game drive with a stop to Sip a sundowner G&T as you watch the sky turn from the brilliance of an African sunset to a bright band of stars return to the lodge and meet for Pre-dinner drinks
20h30 / 19h30 – Dinner on the deck or a romatic dinner in your suite

We suggest that guests arrive in time for lunch on their day of arrival not to miss out on any game drives during their stay.

Keen birders will delight in the hundreds of bird species that call Kruger home. Over 500 species, many of which occur in the Mluwati Concession including the Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Crested Barbet and Burchell’s Glossy Starling. Savour the rich smells of the bush, hear the shrill calls of the Magpie Shrike and see the wind blowing through the feather grass dotting the savannah plains.

Guests will enjoy some of Kruger’s most spectacular landscapes and an extraordinary variety of wildlife, birdlife and plant life within the Mluwati Concession, ensuring that each safari experience will be unique. Experience a morning and evening safari during your stay at Imbali Safari Lodge. Witness the excitement of the first rains; the terrapins playing in river pools, the call of the Pied Kingfisher and steady chirping of sociable tree frogs.

A safari at Imbali will reveal new scents, curious sounds and the beauty of an extraordinary African landscape to delight your senses.