Abelana Safari Camp

There are four traditional Meru style safari tents at Abelana Safari Camp. Each tent is authentic, offering guests a truly unique and immersive stay in the heart of the South African wilderness. The tents either come in twin or double configurations, and comfortable beds sit in the centre of the room, covered in crisp white bed linens, plush pillows, and colourful cushions. Wide gauze windows fill the tent with fresh breezes and bright, natural light. All the tents are ensuite, with a hand basin, toilet, and spacious walk-in shower, with hot water provided by a gas geyser.

Guests can make their way to the main tent of camp for their meals, and can enjoy them around the communal dining table or outside underneath the wide sky, immersed in the sights, smells, and sounds of the bushveld. Many of the meals are cooked over an open fire and can be catered to dietary requirements with prior notice.

Before or after dinner guests can grab a drink from the stocked honour bar, and relax in the lounge or unwind on the viewing decking, round the fire gazing up at the wide starry sky or across, over the rugged plains.

Head out on a traditional safari game drive for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see some of the amazing animals of the reserve up close and in their natural habitat. In the comfort of a 4×4 vehicle and guided by a trained and friendly ranger, guests can keep an eye on bush movements with a pair of binoculars. This is the perfect opportunity for the keen photographer to capture the perfect shot, and with game drives heading out in the mornings and afternoons, there is the opportunity to explore the bush at sunrise and sunset.

For a more immersive way to explore the bush guests can enjoy a guided walk through the wild bushveld. Exploring on your own two feet is the ideal way to become at one with nature, and these guided walks offer a more detailed experience than game drives. At a slower pace, guests can marvel at the smaller ecosystems of Abelana and can learn about the species of plants that thrive here from their knowledgeable and friendly guide.

For guests who are keen and experienced horse riders, horse riding safaris can be booked in advance from Abelana Safari Camp. With an experienced and qualified guide, explore the reserve on horseback, becoming a part of nature as you experience it. Feel the wind blowing through your hair as you gallop up alongside a magnificent tower of giraffes.

The Horse Safari Assistants programme will allow guests to gain a valuable insight into the working and running of the reserve. Guests will gain a traditional safari experience while learning about how the operation is run.

The Abelana Game Reserve is committed to protecting and conserving the local communities as well as the environment in which they operate. Croc Ranch – the largest Abelana property – was founded as a nature reserve back in 1959, and has since been claimed by the Mashishmale community who are the native land dwellers. The property has been managed in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner, with a lease being signed with MTH Lodge Holdings to implement eco-tourism projects on this property.

Many of the staff of Abelana Game Reserve are from the local communities, they receive money towards their rent, and a community levy by guests syphons money straight into the community to help with projects that develop and uplift the local communities. Many of the supplies and services of Abelana lodges are purchased from local members of the community or small businesses, and there are always additional projects under development, such as ‘an environmental education project with local schoolchildren.’