Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge is a hidden jewel in one of the most beautiful private reserves in South Africa.
Here you will enjoy the peace and serenity of the great outdoors, comfort and privacy in your suite, the traditional French savoir vivre, dining under the stars, gazing out over the world from your panoramic terrace overlooking the Sunday River and encounter the big five accompanied by your Ranger.
At Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge you will have a unique experience in the heart of the Zulu land with your family or friends, conveniently located only 3 and a half hours by car from the International Airport of Johannesburg. Esiweni, a dream lodge, for an unforgettable one on one with nature.
Esiweni is an exclusive and luxurious African lodge nestled at the top of a cliff. We welcome you and provide you with personalized service to discover one of the most beautiful safaris of South Africa.
Situated in the very discrete Nambiti Big 5 Private Game Reserve, between Johannesburg and Durban, in the heart of Zulu land, this luxurious African lodge hosts a maximum of 10 guests to its ideal surroundings.
The 5 Esiweni suites overlook the Sunday River and offer staggering views of the savannah and the bush as well as several relaxing areas for your pleasure; the boma, the bar, the beautiful terrace, the patio and the infinity pool.
Our staff will provide service and attention at all times in order to make your stay memorable and insure that you enjoy the natural freedom of Africa.
Facilities:
- Heating floor
- Personal tracker and guide
- Outdoor shower and bath
- Pool
- Traditional Boma and Cuisine
- Large private decks with sun beds
Accommodation at Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge:
Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge offers five, luxurious, individual suites. Each has an indoor shower, magnificent views from the bath and a private, outdoor shower. Two of the suites are interconnected for use as a family unit.
Each suite has underfloor heating for cold winter nights and overhead fans for warm, summer evenings. Our honeymoon suite has a private, outdoor bath with stunning views across the valley.
Fully retracting patio doors open onto private decks where you can enjoy the majestic views of the Sundays River, waterfall and valley below. The dcor of the main lodge is elegant depicting a colonial safari theme.
Large, stone hearths warm the lounge and dining areas on cold, winter nights . During good weather, outdoor dining overlooking the valley is served on the vast, wooden deck. An intercom system is in place to connect each suite to the lodge staff in case of emergencies. Safes are also provided.
Activities in the Reserve:
Safaris
Esiweni invites you to take part in an adventure in the Nambiti Reserve at sunrise and sunset aboard an open air 4X4 allowing you to fully enjoy your safari. You will be in complete safety accompanied by an experienced ranger. He will explain how to follow animal tracks and successfully spot them hidden in the bush or the savannah. He will help you look for, not only lions, rhinoceros, elephants, buffalo and leopards, called the Big Five, but also other animals such as cheetahs who are endangered. He will explain to you plant life and birdlife and will tell you a thousand one anecdotes of his life in the bush allowing you to discover all of the facets of this wild world.
Spa
Esiweni Lodge is now associated with the famous Maison PAYOT to offer you a unique relaxation experience in the middle of the bush inspired by nature. After a safari in the beautiful Nambiti Reserve, allow yourself to be lulled by the musical ambiance and the scents of the African bush. Our massage therapists will offer a massage in the comfort of your suite or on your private terrace. The charming setting in combination with the beautiful scenery will easily submerge you into a universe of ultimate relaxation and you will find serenity and peace in the heart of the Savannah.
Fly Fishing
In the Nambiti Reserve you will find a large number of ponds filled with fish allowing you, if you desire, to fish accompanied by one of our guides.
Mountain Bike
Hire a mountain bike to get up close and personal to Nambiti`s rich flora and fauna.
Activities outside the Reserve:
- Golf
- Rafting
- Horseback Riding
Esiweni Lodge is distinguished by its cliff-top location and panoramic views. Guests can relax in the tranquil setting while enjoying the sounds of the bush and the river below. In addition, Esiweni Lodge also offers:
* Extensive bird life.
* Cheetah, hyena, hippo and more than 30 mammal species.
* A Big-5 wildlife and nature conservancy in the 20 000 acre Nambiti Private Game Reserve.
* A wide biodiversity including grassland, savannah, thornveld, ravine bush, acacia trees, grasses and aloes with topography ranging from plains to valleys, mountains and waterfalls.
* Two game drives per day conducted by a fully qualified, experienced game ranger in a comfortable game-viewing vehicle.
* Night drives where you can enjoy and learn about the stars of the Southern Hemisphere in skies free of light and pollution.
* Close proximity to the historic Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battlefields.
* Elandslaagte battlefield and memorial is located on the edge of the Reserve.
The 5 Esiweni private suites appeal to the great outdoors. The suites are constructed on the side of a cliff overlooking the Sunday River and offering an exceptional view of the Nambiti Reserve.
Our very spacious suites combine luxury and elegance. Independent from one another, each suite offers a private terrace for you to enjoy the landscape from your lounge chair. The sliding glass windows open entirely and offer a breathtaking view from your bed.
Each suite equipped with floor heating, an interior bath and shower, as well as an exterior bath or shower, separate toilet, a lounge area, a coffee/tea machine and a safe deposit box.
GPS Coordinates for North Gate S28 24,317 E29 57,424
When the guests arrive at the North Gate they will have to sign the reserve indemnity. The gate guard will contact the lodge via the radio. If the guests have phoned from Ladysmith, which is preferable, then a Field Guide from ESIWENI will already be waiting for them at the visitors car park. The gate guard will then inform the guests to proceed to the car park and how to get there.
If the guests have not phoned from Ladysmith, the gate guard will ask the guests to wait at the gate for an ESIWENI ranger.
Directions from Johannesburg
Head for Ladysmith on the N3. Once you have entered KwaZulu Natal via Van Reenen, look out for the Ladysmith Toll off-ramp (at the bottom of Van Reenen's Pass).Turn left and drive toward Ladysmith on the R103. When you arrive in Ladysmith, drive straight through the town, following the N11 Road to Newcastle.
Follow the N11 through Ladysmith and continue on this road. From the last traffic light (at the Ezakeni Crossing) leaving Ladysmith, travel 20.1km to the Glencoe/Dundee turnoff.
Ignore the first signs that say Nambiti as these will lead you to the South Gate. Wait until you see the sign that says Elandslaagte and then turn right. You will then be on the Glencoe Dundee R602. Travel for 2.3 km.
Turn right at the Elandslaagte Memorial sign onto the P555 (gravel road).
Cross the railway line - follow the Elandslaagte Memorial sign for 200m, then turn left following the Elandslaagte Memorial sign.
Drive 3.8 km to Nambiti north gate, which is just after the Elandslaagte Monument
Directions from Durban
Head for Ladysmith on the N3 - Take the Ladysmith / Bergville Toll Off Ramp.
Turn Right and head for Ladysmith, drive straight through Ladysmith on the N11 Road towards Newcastle. Follow the N11 through Ladysmith and continue on this road. . From the last traffic light leaving Ladysmith, travel 20.1km to the Glencoe/Dundee turnoff)
Ignore the first signs that say Nambiti as these will lead you to the South Gate. Wait until you see the sign that says Elandslaagte Memorial and then turn right. You will then be on the Glencoe Dundee R602. Travel for 2.3 km.
Turn right at the Elandslaagte Memorial sign onto the P555 (gravel road).
Cross the railway line - follow the Elandslaagte Memorial sign for 200m, then turn left following the Elandslaagte Memorial sign.
Drive 3.8 km to Nambiti north gate, which is just after the Elandslaagte Monument
