Abelana Safari Camp

Description

Abelana Game Reserve is a 15,000ha (36,000 acre) Big Five game reserve 50km west of the Greater Kruger National Park and bordering the Selati Game Reserve, close to the town of Phalaborwa in South Africa’s beautiful Lowveld – the country’s prime big game region.

Characterised by breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, varied topography and a mixture of vegetation types, Abelana Game Reserve has a 10km stretch of the semi-perennial Selati River in its northern section, as well as numerous other seasonal watercourses.

The camp is small, accommodating eight guests in five Meru-style tents. It’s located in an elevated position in the remote southern part of the reserve amid spectacular granite outcrops known locally as “koppies” and overlooks a large watering hole below the camp’s expansive viewing deck.

The views over the bushveld are spectacular and daily guided walks and game drives allow guests to explore large tracts of bush in absolute exclusivity.

The Meru-style tents are simple yet comfortable and well-appointed, offering an authentic safari experience. The tents are all equipped with beds offering a twin or king size configuration with lighting provided by solar power.

Abelana Safari Camp offers morning walking safaris and afternoon game drives each day.

Walking safaris are perhaps the most authentic way to experience the African bush. It’s only on foot that you cease to be an observer and become part of the environment, truly taking in the uniqueness of your surroundings and all the smaller components that make up the broader ecosystem. On foot in the bush you will feel a sense of belonging to something much bigger than yourself.

Abelana is home to a rich diversity of fauna and flora, from the hippos and crocodiles that make the Selati River their home and the famed Big Five – elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo – as well as cheetah and wild dog, which are occasional visitors, to an impressive number of endemic bird species including the African fish eagle, peregrine falcon, Arnot’s chat, thick-billed cuckoo, bat hawk and elusive Pel’s fishing owl.

Abelana Game Reserve offers guests the chance to enjoy a unique feeling of exclusivity while on safari while offering exceptional value for money. With just two lodges – Abelana Safari Camp in the south of the reserve and Abelana River Lodge in its northern section – guests could easily be in the only vehicle exploring the reserve’s 15,000ha at any one given time.

This low density approach allows us to offer a completely immersive, authentic safari experience which can be easily tailored to suit guest preferences. Geographically, the reserve is blessed with a range of eco-systems, from the distinctive granite outcrops and koppies of the south to beautiful riparian forest in the north, dominated by large riverine trees.

We offer an authentic safari experience with a sensitive ecological touch, creating memorable transformative experiences for our guests. Our staff and local community are a priority and staff development and skills enhancement are an essential tenet of our philosophy. The reserve works with the community on several projects including an environmental education programme for local schoolchildren, outsourcing of services and food production.