Getaway at a glance:

WHERE IT IS:

Babanango is located 50km from Vryheid in malaria-free northern KwaZulu-Natal. It is roughly six hours’ driving time from Johannesburg and three hours from Durban.

ACCOMMODATION:

Babanango has two (soon to be three) separate lodges — now the farm-style Valley Lodge and Zulu Rock Lodge, which has chalets atop a mountainside overlooking a valley. Their ultra-luxe Travellers’ Camp launches in May.

RATES:

Babanango is running a special for SA residents until March 31 2022 (for Zulu Rock Lodge and Valley Lodge). Weekends are R1,920 per person per night sharing (Friday to Sunday). Week nights are R1,700 per person per night (Sunday to Thursday). Includes all meals, drinking water, tea and coffee, two activities per day (game drives, walks and, at Valley Lodge, the copper mine tour). Excludes reserve fees of R180 per person per day and all other drinks not mentioned. Ts&Cs apply.

HORSE TRAILS:

The horse safaris, available for intermediate and experienced riders, are set to launch in March, with multi-day offerings based on seasonality. During low rainfall seasons, guests will be based at the fly camp, where they can sleep in a tent or under the stars. In summer, during the rainy season, the offering will be tailored to host guests at Babanango Valley Lodge. The reserve is already home to leopard, rhino and buffalo, with plans to introduce lion and elephant by May. When it does, it will be one of only a handful of big-five overnight horse-safari operations in SA. Trips will be priced from R7,500 per person per night.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Helicopter safaris, hiking, birding and butterflying, game drives, guided walks, bush dining, coppermine tours, private dining, camera-trap experiences, animal-release experiences.

See babanango.co.za.