Lodges in Nambiti Private Game Reserve
Cheetah Ridge
Elephant Rock Private Safari Lodge
Nambiti Hills
Nambiti Plains Safari Lodge
Ndaka Game Lodge
Springbok Lodge
Umzolozolo Safari Lodge
Lions Valley Lodge
The Farmhouse
About the reserve
Nambiti game reserve ( or to give it, it’s correct name, The Nambiti Conservancy ) was the vision of 2 businessmen and bush enthusiasts. They bought a large piece of farm land near Ladysmith in 2001 and have slowly added to it over the years all the while returning it to it’s natural wild self.
What we have today is one of the most diverse, landscape wise, Big 5 game reserves in Southern Africa. There are just 9 Game Lodges in the Reserve and it is positioned just an hour away from the Drakensberg Mountains and about half way between Johannesburg and Durban.
It makes for a game destination that is easily combined with one of the resorts or lodges in the Drakensberg or as a wonderful 2 or 3 night stopover on the way down to Durban for a beach holiday.
For a package for any of these or other combinations please do not hesitate to contact us for a quote.
Nambiti Founder
When founder Rob Le Sueur first rode Nambiti on horseback around the turn of the century, the vast open expanses, waterfalls and primal beauty of the land left him transfixed. An experienced outdoorsman, Rob had long been involved in conservation in Botswana and northern Zululand
Nambiti was a tapestry of six cattle farms when it was acquired in 1998, crisscrossed by barbed wire fencing and scoured by overgrazing. The goal was to restore the space to its natural ecological state. Careful management of veld condition and monitoring of animal populations as they were introduced has been a focal point, particularly in the supervision of the populations of lion, rhino and elephant.
Building Nambiti
Turning the 22,000 acres into a viable preservation area was no mean feat. Over 100 kilometres of conservation fencing, an in-depth ecological research project, the sourcing of game and intensive community outreach campaign took years to complete. Today, over 40 species of big game and an abundance of rare and wonderful birdlife make Nambiti an experience of Africa that will remain with you long after you leave.
Nambiti boasts nine independently owned and managed lodges, many incorporated into original farmhouses, offering experiences from the understated to the sublime.
Directions to
The Nambiti Private Game Reserve is situated 25 km’s east of Ladysmith and is only 3½ hours from Johannesburg, 2½ hours from Durban and 40 minutes from the Drakensberg.
Depending on which lodge you are staying at, you will enter the reserve at one of two gates, where you will be checked against the guest list and signed in. You will then drive a short distance inside the reserve to the secure parking areas where you will be met by your lodge ranger.
Please check your travel/ accommodation voucher to confirm the times you need to be at Nambiti.
By Road:
NAMBITI DIRECTIONS TO MEMORIAL GATE
(Lodges that use this entrance are Ndaka Lodge, Nambiti Plains Lodge, Lions Valley Lodge, Idwala Lodge and Esiweni Lodge )
Directions from Johannesburg
- Head for Ladysmith on the N3. Once you have entered Kwa Zulu Natal via Van Reenen, take the Ladysmith Toll off-ramp.
- Turn left and drive towards Ladysmith on the R103. Drive straight through Ladysmith, and follow the N11 road to Newcastle.
- From the last robot leaving Ladysmith, continue on the N11 for about 27km. (Ignore the sign that says Nambiti, as this will lead you to Woodlands gate on the South Side of the reserve.)
- Turn right at the Glencoe Dundee ( R602) turn off.
- Travel for 2.3 kms. Turn right at Elandslaagte (P555), a dirt road.
- Cross the double railway line and continue for about 200m.
- Turn left at the Military Cemetary sign.
- Drive 3.8km to the Nambiti Memorial Gate-house which is staffed.
- Please phone + 27 36 6319026 in the event of you getting lost or check your Southern Routes travel voucher for the office number or the emergency after hours number
Directions from Durban
- Head for Ladysmith on the N3.
- Take the Ladysmith / Bergville Toll off-ramp.
- Turn right and head towards Ladysmith, Drive straight through Ladysmith, and follow the N11 road to Newcastle.
- From the last traffic light leaving Ladysmith, continue on the N11 for about 27km.
- (Ignore the sign that says Nambiti, as this will lead you to Woodlands gate on the South Side of the reserve.)
- Turn right at the Glencoe Dundee ( R602) turn off.
- Travel for 2.3 kms. Turn right at Elandslaagte (P555), a dirt road.
- Cross the double railway line and continue for about 200m.
- Turn left at the Military Cemetary sign.
- Drive 3.8km to the Nambiti Memorial Gate-house which is staffed.
- Please phone + 27 36 6319026 in the event of you getting lost or check your Southern Routes travel voucher for the office number or the emergency after hours number
NAMBITI DIRECTIONS TO WOODLANDS GATE
( Lodges that use this entrance are Springbok Lodge, Elephant Rock Lodge, Umzolozolo Lodge, Woodlands Lodge and Nambiti Hills Lodge )
Directions from Johannesburg
- Head for Ladysmith on the N3.
- Once you have entered KwaZulu Natal via Van Reenen, take the Ladysmith Toll off-ramp.
- Turn left and drive towards Ladysmith on the R103. Drive straight through Ladysmith, and follow the N11 road to Newcastle.
- From the last traffic light leaving Ladysmith, travel on the N11 for about 7km.
- Turn right onto the D45 Road, follow for 10km.
- At the T- Junction turn right, and travel alongside the game fence for 4km until you reach the Woodlands Gate-House which is staffed.
- Please phone + 27 36 6319026 in the event of you getting lost or check your Southern Routes travel voucher for the office number or the emergency after hours number
Directions from Durban
- Head for Ladysmith on the N3.
- Take the Ladysmith / Bergville Toll off-ramp.
- Turn right and head towards Ladysmith, drive straight through Ladysmith, and follow the N11 road to Newcastle.
- From the last traffic light leaving Ladysmith, travel on the N11 for about 7km.
- Turn right onto the D45 Road, follow for 10km.
- At the T- Junction turn right, and travel along side the game fence for 4km until you reach the Woodlands Gate-House which is staffed.
- (Please phone + 27 36 6319026 in the event of you getting lost or check your Southern Routes travel voucher for the office number or the emergency after hours number)
