The Tembe National Elephant Park covers the area that was once called The Ivory Route. For ages this ancient route linked the ivory traders of Mozambique and Zululand. This is where the largest elephants in Africa - indeed, the largest in the world - once roamed.
Today, 220 of these gentle giants - the last remaining indigenous herd in KwaZulu-Natal - thrive in their ancestral homeland within the unique sand forest and grassland ecosystem of the Park.
This is where you can meet them - face to face. Enjoy the thrill of a morning and afternoon safari game drive in an open game viewing vehicle, and feel the tingle of anticipation as you edge up close to one of Tembe's giants. The Park is also home to an abundance of other game, including lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard, giraffe, zebra, and numerous antelope species.
In-beween game drives, guests can relax around the swimming pool.
In the evenings, enjoy wholesome bush cuisine served under the stars by lamplight of the communal dining boma, surrounded by the thrilling sounds of the bush. Swap tales with your fellow guests as you bask in the warmth of the campfire, watching the spectacular evening display of acapella isiatamiya singing.
The accommodation comprises of luxury en-suite safari tents that blend unobtrusively with their natural surrounds. The tents offer a remarkable experience - you enjoy all the comforts but you're virtually living out there in the ageless African bushveld.
At night a great peace and quiet descend over you and it is almost impossible not to sleep soundly in the velvety darkness under the rugged trees standing sentry around you. The mornings are announced by an enthusiastic chorus of birds.
Rates Include
All meals.; tea/coffee; morning/afternoon game drives; and transfers to the hide during the day are included.
Children Policy
Children of any age are welcome. Rates available on request.
Directions For Drivers
From Swaziland: Enter KwaZulu-Natal from Swaziland via the Golela Border Post. Once in KwaZulu-Natal, turn left on to the N2 South heading towards Mkuze.
You’ll see the Jozini Dam and Shayamoya Lodge on your left. There will be a road at the end of the dam that is sign posted for Jozini. Take this Jozini turn off.
It is 19 km to the town of Jozini. Passing through it, ensure that you stay left, when the road forks. (for signage is confusing). Go over the dam wall. This dam wall road continues through rural countryside for approx 35 km, until you reach a T-junction. Turn right at the sign reading Bhambanana/Ndumo/Kwangwanase.
Continue along this road for 29 km – through a foot ‘n mouth boundary – past the Ndumo Game Reserve turn-off until you reach the entrance to Tembe Elephant Park on your left. When you arrive at Tembe, the gate guard will radio the camp to meet you. They will show you where to park your vehicle and will take you by 4x4 to the lodge. Please note that the gate closes at 18:00.
From Johannesburg or Pretoria: From Pretoria, take the N4 (Witbank) or from Johannesburg, take the N12 (Witbank) road. Take the Hendrina/Middelburg off ramp, to N11 (Ermelo). Continue on the N2 to Piet Retief, then Pongola. Go through Pongola and head towards Mkuze. You’ll pass Jozini Dam and Shayamoya Lodge on your left. Shortly after this is the Jozini turn-off on your left. Take this Jozini turn off, and follow the directions as above.
From Durban: Proceed on the N2 North out of Durban bypassing Richards Bay, Empangeni and Mtubatuba and head towards the town of Hluhluwe. Turn off the N2 towards Hluhluwe, proceeding through the town until you reach the last roundabout, and turn left towards Mbazwana/Sodwana Bay. Proceed for 0.7 km and turn right again towards Sodwana Bay/Mbazwana. Stay on the R22 for approximately 145 km, passing over 3 roundabouts at Mbazwana and following the road up to the top T-junction (it is a roundabout). Turn left here, and it is only another 15 km to the Tembe gate.
For further information or if for any reason you are delayed, please contact the main Reservations Department on +27 (0) 31 267 0144 or phone the lodge directly on +27 (0) 35 592 0545.
General Information For Guests
All of the suites are en-suite with showers, basins and W/Cs and have electricity, fans and tea/coffee making facilities. Hairdryers are available at reception.
The lodge has a dining area, bar, relaxation spa and a communal rustic bush pool.
Wi-Fi is provided in the communal lodge area (R50 charge per unit - subject to change).
Activities available include morning and afternoon game drives.
There is mobile/cell phone service.
Spa treatments can be arranged (additional cost).
A laundry service is available (24 hour turnaround and an additional cost).
Babysitting services are also available (additional cost).
Guests are encouraged to 'cover up' in the evenings, and apply the insect repellents the lodge provides on game drives and in the individual tents. This is especially important for evening game drives - and in the summer months. The taking of malaria tablets is purely the choice of the guest. For any further questions, please consult your GP.
The lodge also recommends bringing a torch.
Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners credit cards are accepted.
Popular Alternatives to Tembe Elephant Park
These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at Tembe Elephant Park, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that Tembe Elephant Park was not available on the nights they wanted to stay, or they decided that somewhere else was better suited to their budget or itinerary.
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.
