Little Garonga

Situated west of the Kruger National Park, in South Africa's Limpopo Province, Little Garonga is located in the private 22,000 hectare Makalali Game Reserve. As well as viewing of big game such as lion, elephant and rhino on guided game drives, Garonga promises a more intimate wildlife encounter through wilderness walks, tracking and sleep out excursions.

The main lounge/public are for the camp consists of an outdoor lounge, fully air-conditioned indoor lounge with its own fireplace and 'help yourself' bar, a swimming pool area where meals are enjoyed around the fire, and a separate BBQ area. The camp also has its own boma and massage sala offering aromatherapy and reflexology treatments.

The food at Little Garonga is a fusion of the resident chef's exceptional culinary skills and there is a varied selection of excellent South African wines – making every meal at Little Garonga an unforgettable experience.

With just 3 luxury suites linked by pathways, Little Garonga was designed with exclusivity in mind, and can either be booked as an entire lodge or suite by suite. Each suite has its own platform deck complete with hammock.

The Hambleden Suite (considered the main suite) has its own swimming pool, private indoor/outdoor lounge areas, a huge bathroom consisting of a beautiful hand beaten copper bath tub, separate indoor shower and outdoor shower, as well as its own 2 bed kiddies room adjoining the main bedroom that can be closed off if not required.

The Chiltern Suite can be found 10m away, while the Buckingham Suite lies on the far side of the main lounge.

Rates Include

All meals; tea/coffee; sleep-out excursions; bush bath; all meals; drinks (including house wines and spirits but excluding special wines and champagne); laundry; and daily morning/afternoon guided game drives are included. PLEASE NOTE: There is a Rhino Conservation Levy (currently R250 per person per night and subject to change) which is not included - this will be payable directly to the lodge.

Children Policy

Children aged 6 years and older are welcome. Rates available on request.

Directions For Drivers

From Hazyview: Follow the R40 towards Klaserie and Hoedspruit. Follow the signs to Phalaborwa until you reach the Mica/Gravelotte turn-off. Go past Mica village, and just the other side of Mica, turn left towards Gravelotte. After approximately 15 km from the turning you will see the sign for Garonga Safari Camp/Little Garonga.

Dirt Road Directions: From the tar road, it is about 15 km to the camp. The dirt road is signed by arrows, however, on approaching the railway line, cross over it and you will come to a closed gate marked 'Barberton Thatcher's'. Open this gate and drive through but PLEASE REMEMBER TO CLOSE THE GATE. Continue on following the arrows to the camp.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

PLEASE NOTE: The Conservancy Gates (Including Garonga Gate) will open and close at the following times

:May to August: 6.30 am until 5 pm; September to April: 6 am until 5.30 pm

The aim of this is for the security of all guests, and to emphasise the need to seriously consider the safety implications of driving ANY time after dark in such remote areas and within a dangerous game area.

Exceptions and Call Out Fees:

1. If the arrival of your flight is a late afternoon arrival, plus if an outside transfer company is driving you in, then Garonga will meet guests at the railway gate but a charge of R120 (subject to change) will be levied against the transfer company to compensate for the journey that Garonga will be doing now instead of the transfer company. The transfer company therefore does not have to drive all the way into the camp and all the way back out again.

2. Only if Garonga have advance warning due to an emergency such as a road accident hold up. This will be at the discretion of the Owner/Manager, however this will result in R350 call out fee (subject to change).

All other cases will result in the guests not being let in until the following morning, and suitable accommodation should be sought in the local area.

From Eastgate/Hoedspruit Airport: Turn right out of the airport and then turn right onto the R40 towards Hoedspruit, and follow the directions as above.

From Kruger National Park/Orpen Gate: Exit the Park, and continue along the R531. Turn right onto the R40, and follow the directions as above.

From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take the N12 or N4 highway to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Follow the Schoemanskloof option on the N4 and then take the R36 to Lydenburg/Mashishing.

Follow the R36 to Ohrigstad, go through the Strydom Tunnel and take the R527 to Hoedspruit. Turn left onto the R40 Phalaborwa/Mica road, and continue along this road until you reach the Mica/Gravelotte turn-off, then follow the directions as above.

General Information For Guests

Each suite has air conditioning, minibar, and a platform deck complete with hammock. They are situated around centralised indoor/outdoor lounge areas, a swimming pool and a built-in braai area.

The "Sleep Out" is a viewing deck with a 4-poster bed where guests can enjoy a private dinner and spend the night alone in the bush.

The lodge also has its own host, chef, waiter and housekeeper so is totally self-contained and run separately.

The boma is a short walk away at the main camp, where guests occasionally have dinner. Complete with a bar and fireplace, it is a relaxed setting to dine under the stars.

There is complimentary Wi-Fi available around the main lodge area.

Activities that are available include game drives, wilderness walks, a unique sleep-out experience under the African sky and outdoor bush-baths.

There is a massage sala 5 minutes from camp with a resident therapist offering a range of different treatments, including aromatherapy and reflexology sessions (additional cost).

There is no dress code at the camp - relax and wear what you please!

If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the camp is a 5 minute drive away from the airstrip.

Only MasterCard and Visa credit cards are accepted.

A laundry service is included.

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If you're not sure which place might be best for your own trip then either give us a call or get in touch via the website, and we'd be delighted to run through the options with you.