There are huge benefits associated with booking a holiday through us at The Cycle of Life™.
The rates with the hotels and safari lodges have already been negotiated,
which ensures that the prices you pay will be the best rate possible and therefore highly competitive.
South Africa is one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa. Many reserves and parks in South Africa have the full Big Five:
lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo
Our key focus is on conservation, so a portion of our proceeds will go towards rhino conservation.
TRAVEL WITH US AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
BEST AREAS FOR THE BIG FIVE
Greater Kruger Park | Kwazulu Natal | Eastern Cape | Western Cape
Greater Kruger Park Area
&BEYOND Ngala
Nestled between the dense riverine forest and the sandy bed of the Timbavati, in the unspoiled Ngala Private Game Reserve, lies the sophisticated &BEYOND Ngala Tented Camp, a sophisticated tented camp perfectly positioned in tranquil bush surrounds.
Set within South Africa’s largest and most well-known game reserve in the world, Ngala Private Game Reserve offers not only one of the most incredible Big Five wildlife experiences in the world, but also offers an intimate one due to our exclusive traversing rights on 14,700 hectares (36,000 acre) of wilderness land. Safaris are led by expert &BEYOND-trained ranger and tracker teams, that ensure sensitive off-roading practices to allow close-up game sightings of elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, giraffe and more.
&BEYOND Kirkman’s Camp
Located high on a ridge of the world-famous Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, overlooking the magnificent Sand River, lies Kirkman’s Kamp, a lodge with a rich history and a safari experience like no other in the world.
Sharing an unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest and most well-known game reserve in the world, the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve benefits from a great diversity of wildlife. The reserve is, however, world-renowned for its prolific leopard sightings that are just unmatched to anywhere else in the world. Guests staying at Kirkman’s Kamp have the privilege of traversing 10,500 hectares (26,000 acres) of exclusive-use land that is home to, not only the Big Five but other rare and iconic species. Safaris are led by expert &BEYOND-trained ranger and tracker teams, that ensure sensitive off-roading practices and vehicle limits at sightings ensure the exclusivity of an up-close game viewing experience.
Happy Hour: Chocolate Milk & African Safaris
Listen here to some hilarious anecdotes from our clients from the USA as they reflect on their very memorable trip to Africa. Hear about the duo’s stay at &BEYOND Ngala and &BEYOND Kirkmans, and enjoy some good laughs along the way!
Singita
Find solitude in untouched natural surrounds
Our lodges offer guests the freedom to feel their senses awaken on safaris that enrapt and revive.
Awe-inspiring landscapes form the perfect backdrop for the stillness and privacy they seek with endless opportunities to truly slow down.Singita, the Shangaan word for ‘Place of Miracles’
With limited guest and vehicle numbers, exceptionally consistent game viewing and warm-hearted hospitality, guests leave feeling transformed – with body and soul soothed by meaningful connections with loved ones, themselves and nature.
Thornybush
Luxury for every type of traveller
Set on riverbeds or overlooking waterholes, the Thornybush lodges are luxurious oases where our guests can savour the joys of the wilderness in comfort.
&Beyond Tengile River Lodge
Situated in a perfect position on the banks of the Sand River, with sweeping river views from every vantage point, lies Tengile River Lodge. Meaning ‘tranquil’ in the local language, the lodge certainly has an advantage over all others in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.The lodge’s guest area offers a mixed selection of open, interactive and private places. The viewing deck is an incredible highlight and the library is a fascinating treasury of curated objects and interesting books. Bespoke furniture, lights and unique décor pieces have been created from skilled local artists and striking fabrics have been masterfully hand-painted. A massage and gym area offers guests a space of well-being and tranquillity and a Safari Shop is stocked with beautiful handcrafted items.
Dulini
Dulini offers a sanctuary of restoration, romance and adventure, carefully curated for solo-adventurers, exclusive parties celebrating life’s special occasions together and romancing honeymooners alike.
Home to three magnificent wilderness sanctuaries – Dulini Moya, Dulini Leadwood and Dulini River, Dulini combines luxury, classic elegance, fine-dining, and an unforgettable wilderness experience, complimented by the Dulini Spirit.
Garonga Safari Co.
A luxury safari experience at Garonga Safari Co. replenishes mind, body and soul. Garonga Safari Camp, Little Garonga and MCH are safari camps in South Africa, hidden away in the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve. This is prime Big 5 wildlife territory located west of the Kruger National Park. Special indulgences celebrate our ‘safari for the soul’ ethos and make this an unforgettable retreat.
Londolozi
Londolozi is one of South Africa’s original private game reserves. A pillar of global ecotourism and a proud family-run business for nearly 100 years, Londolozi is a beacon of light for many…
Our emphasis on conservation and a village ethos stands alongside a commitment to luxurious accommodation, fine cuisine and exceptional service. In 1993, Londolozi became the first game reserve in the world to be accorded Relais & Châteaux status.
Lion Sands
Our purpose is to create life enriching experiences for our guests, and we know how impactful an African safari is – whether for the first or ‘umpteenth’ time. But it’s the way it’s experienced that makes all the difference, and this is what makes our world turn – ensuring that every precious moment spent with us is meaningful, rich and beautiful.
Our Treehouses offer big views of remote Africa, globed by even bigger star-lit skies. Below, the stillness is punctuated by animals’ whistles, huffs, growls… carried on the breeze.
Sabi Sabi
Our collection of luxury safari lodges
Since 1979, Sabi Sabi has grown our portfolio to include 4 luxury lodges, each with its own character and style that collectively express our philosophy of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, situated in the Sabie Game Reserve in the South-Western section of the Greater Kruger National Park, is a wildlife oasis where you can observe at close quarters the age-old natural relationship between predator and prey.
Last Word Kitara
Last Word Kitara alongside the Kruger National Park, our fenceless neighbour to the east, is the most exclusive address in the Greater Kruger. Our 5-star luxury lodge enjoys pride of place on the banks of the beautiful Klaserie River, a big five causeway. Discover the true meaning of a ‘soul safari’. Unrushed, untouched, unrivalled.Our six spacious suites, set along the Klaserie River, offer sweeping views of the pristine riverside setting. Suites are adjoining but not interleading. All are en-suite replete with indoor and outdoor showers. Drink in the tranquil bushscapes from your private balcony. The classic décor style, inspired by nature, is imbued with dreamy accents of Africa. Retire to your exclusive cocoon, lulled to sleep by the melee of hypnotic nighttime sounds.
Kwazulu Natal
Bayala Private Safari Lodges
One of the leading game reserves in the greater Durban region
Bayala Private Safari Lodges is a welcoming and affordable safari lodge situated in a ‘Big 5’ game reserve just 3 hours north of Durban, South Africa, in the ancient kingdom of Zululand. Vast and enchanting, the Bayala wilderness forms part of and traverses a 12 000 ha area of a 30 000 ha private safari and conservation heartland providing outstanding wildlife safaris in South Africa where all of Africa’s wildlife greats roam free. Twice-daily safaris bring spectacular sightings of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino in their natural world, along with cheetah, zebra, giraffe and a remarkable variety of other wildlife.
Fugitives’ Drift
Fugitives’ Drift, set in a 5000 acre game reserve with 22km of river frontage, is a place where the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 is brought back to life.
This private game reserve, a registered Natural Heritage Site, overlooks the famous battle sites of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. The Lodge and Guest House face roughly north-east and have commanding views of the peak of Isandlwana and of the rough country the fugitives from the battle had to traverse in order to get back across the Buffalo River into Natal.
& Beyond Vlei Lodge
Each of &Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge‘s air-conditioned suites features a beautifully designed spacious room with your own personal bar, a luxurious ensuite bathroom and a separate dressing room. The ensuite bathroom (each equipped with a bath, indoor and outdoor shower) provides a sense of old-world luxury, while the suite’s interiors showcase a mix of curated antiques and collectables inspired by the elegant, turn of the century, plantation-style homesteads of KwaZulu-Natal’s sugarcane and pineapple barons. Take advantage of the private lap pool in each suite, as well as the game-viewing deck that overlooks a grassy wetland pan system, where you can observe antelope grazing nearby, as well as a variety of birdlife. Private candlelight dinners can also be arranged should you prefer some privacy in your suite.
&Beyond Phinda Homestead
Tucked into the edge of a dappled forest in the north of Phinda Private Game Reserve, lies Phinda Homestead, a gracious sole-use safari villa, complete with a dedicated ranger, tracker, butler and chef. &Beyond Phinda Homestead blends seamlessly into the natural surroundings, while the lodge’s living areas consist of open spaces, flat-roofed walkways, and shaded areas opening out onto sun decks and a sparkling swimming pool. Designed like a contemporary bush farmhouse, &Beyond Phinda Homestead is both elegant and homely. Inspired by the breathtaking landscape and the local Zulu culture, shaded, flat-roofed walkways flow into open decks, while basketwork, pottery, carpets and textiles are celebrated interior elements.
&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Each of &Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge‘s 16 suites are built on stilts, and appear to float between the forest floor and the towering torchwood trees in the intensely canopied rare sand forest. Inventively designed in a style affectionately known as Zulu Zen, each handcrafted, glass-encased suite was constructed without damaging or removing a single tree in the forest. The interiors boast a minimalist flair that incorporates high-gloss wooden floors, richly tactile fabrics and brightly accented Zulu artefacts. The suites feature luxurious ensuite bathrooms with slate hand basins and viewing decks where guests can drink in the sight of graceful nyala and duiker in the dappled shade of the forest.
& Beyond Mountain Lodge
&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge boasts 16 suites, each cresting the mountain’s edge, and offering breathtaking raptor’s eye views of the reserve below. All 16 luxurious suites boast a spacious room, with large expansive glass windows overlooking the reserve, and an elegant ensuite bathroom with the same magnificent view. Each bathroom has a gorgeous bath, and both a large indoor and outdoor shower. The suite also hosts a beautifully appointed personal bar, a private sitting area, and a spacious decked veranda with a private rim-flow plunge pool and outdoor lounge.
&Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge
Dramatically set into a cliff face, Phinda Rock Lodge’s six intimate and private suites are seemingly suspended over the deep valley below, providing breathtaking views of Phinda Private Game Reserve.
Each romantic suite, constructed from contoured stone, boasts solid wooden shutters and doors, which open onto a private plunge pool and viewing deck. Featuring spacious ensuite bathrooms, four of the suites also offer outdoor showers.
The lodge’s guest areas offer the perfect vantage point for viewing the reserve’s abundant birdlife and the wildlife roaming in the bush below. French doors open onto an extended outdoor deck, the perfect setting for al fresco meals, while a rooftop terrace provides a romantic venue for dining beneath the stars.
Manyoni Private Game Reserve
Manyoni Private Game Reserve lies in the heart of Zululand, an area that is world renowned for its spectacular game viewing, rich cultural traditions, and conservation history. Initially formed as part of the WWF black rhino range expansion project, Manyoni has become one of the premier big five safari destinations in Kwa-Zulu Natal with a strong focus on endangered species conservation, including the reintroduction of cheetah and wild dogs. Conveniently located only 3 hours from Durban and 6 hours from Johannesburg, Manyoni is home to a range of luxury safari lodges, and boasts 23,000 hectares of magnificent Zululand scenery.
Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve
Thanda Safari is a world of wilderness and wildlife game reserve, matched with a deep commitment to Zulu culture and environmental conservation. Thanda means ‘Love’ in the language of the Zulu people, and Thanda Safari lives this ethos in the management of its 14 000-hectare reserve, its three unique properties, and its community partnerships. Experience the ultimate safari and game lodge experience with Thanda Safari, which has repeatedly been named the World’s Leading Luxury Game Reserve Lodge.
Nambiti Private Game Reserve
Nambiti Private Game Reserve is set in KwaZulu-Natal on 23 000 magnificent acres near the town of Ladysmith, conveniently close to Johannesburg/Pretoria (3.5-4 hours) and Durban (2.5 hours). Nambiti is also close to the renowned KwaZulu-Natal battlefields, a major attraction of this region. One of its major drawcards is that Nambiti is situated in a malaria-free area, meaning that guests don’t have to take medication before visiting.
This reserve boasts the attractions of the Big 5, the only one in the area to do so, and Nambiti’s biodiversity (it encompasses grasslands, riverine bush, savannah and thornveld) ensures a thrilling and unprecedented diversity of game (there are 40 other game species besides the big 5) and is a birders paradise.
Eastern Cape
Shamwari Private Game Lodges
Tucked away in the depths of the bushveld lies the tranquil Lobengula Lodge. This private lodge experience has been designed to resemble a traditional African kraal, boasting views of the mountains and valleys.
Allow yourself to be immersed in an African Experience at Lobengula Lodge. This hidden gem with a rustic atmosphere within the valley bushveld will leave you with a fulfilling experience.
Hunter Hotels – Gorah Elephant Camp
The thrill of quietly watching a herd of elephants stroll by
This exclusive lodge recaptures the romantic mystique of authentic safaris from centuries past. Experience the breathtaking natural world of Africa merged with period nostalgia and modern sophistication, to deliver an unforgettably unique 5 star adventure.
Hillsnek Safari Camp
Offering 18,000 acres of pristine private wilderness, the Bushman’s River meanders throughout this scenic landscape.
Amakhala is a conservation success story, renowned for its excellence in conservation initiatives and community engagement.
HillsNek Safari Camp is positioned within a secluded corner of Amakhala Game Reserve,and is fondly known as the ‘small’ camp with the ‘biggest’ heart.
Kwandwe
In the heart of South Africa’s Eastern Cape lies Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, 22,000 hectares of pristine wilderness stretched out on either side of the meandering Great Fish River.
Renowned for quality guiding, authentic and diverse experiences, and the thousands of animals and wildlife that call the reserve home, Kwandwe offers a range of meaningful activities and accommodation options to create lifelong memories.
Amakhala Game Reserve
Amakhala Game Reserve is renowned for its truly unique topography and wildlife
Safari Lodge is situated in a valley of indigenous bush at the northern boundary of Amakhala Game Reserve
The Safari Lodge sleeps 24 people in 11 luxury suites complete with private plunge pools and separate lounge areas. Large beds draped with mosquito nets, sparkling wine on ice alongside a double bath filled with aromatherapy scented bubbles make this a favourite for honeymooners and the romantic at heart.
Western Cape
Bushmen’s Kloof
Nestled in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains on South Africa’s dramatic lesser-known west coast, our ecological oasis is a magical wilderness retreat among open plains, sandstone formations and ancient bush art sites dating back 10,000 years.
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Immerse yourself in a landscape where wildlife and flora leave you truly captivated and transformed. Sanbona is one of South Africa’s largest privately-owned nature reserves, stretching across 58 000 hectares of rich protected ecosystems within two biodiversity hotspots. This vast track of land in the Little Karoo outside Montagu, a mere 3.5 hours drive from Cape Town along Route 62, is owned by a non-profit company focused on steering conservation to the forefront of the safari experience.
Aquila
Big 5 Safari & Spa
REAL AFRICA. REAL CLOSE TO CAPE TOWN
Acclaimed for service excellence, renewable energy, social responsibility efforts and conservation programmes, Aquila is more than just an unforgettable wildlife experience, it is an experience in luxurious African hospitality, traditional culinary delights, service excellence and the restoration of pride to the indigenous people and the land.
Gondwana
Experience an authentic Cape Safari.
“No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experiened”
―
Lots of love Anna, Chloe, Sandy and Julie xxx
We hope that one day we are able to come back here
Wow – this place is SO beautiful and 15/10 so far. We joined an elephant rescue op, saw a rifle being fired to ward away the mommy elephant and then the chopper needed to be used to keep the mommy elephant away. Kerry says she will be back and has had the best holiday ‘ever’. Not sure what the next lodge is like but this one is hard to beat. Thanks
(Tintswalo Safari Lodge)