Mabalingwe Nature Reserve Lodge Bela Bela

Spread over 12,500 hectares of rolling hills, the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve is home to South Africa's 'Big Five' and is located 28 kilometres west of Warmbaths. Housed in chalets set in the Tlou Lodge, guestrooms feature African decor with dark wood furniture and have patios with views of the bush. All include separate bedrooms and living areas and offer bathrooms with hair dryers, coffee/tea makers, telephones and cable television. Guests can wine and dine in the Tshukudu Restaurant which serves international cuisine and South African specialities from an a la carte menu, while the Kubu Boma, open on Tuesdays and Saturdays only, offers a traditional venison menu with a bonfire setting and a live Marimba band. Pub lunches are available at the Kanniedood Ladies Bar which features an open deck area with a view of the mountains. The nature reserve is home to over 250 species of birds and bird spotting drives twice weekly. Organised game drives are on offer day and night for a chance to view the 'Big Five' as well as hippos, giraffes and hyenas, to name but a few of the 36 species of wildlife that live in Mabalingwe. For relaxation, guests can swim in the outdoor pool, enjoy a game on the pool table, unwind in the sauna and relax with a cocktail from the bar and watch the sun set over the bush. Other activities include tennis, horse back trails, paint balling, abseiling and 4x4 trails. There are laundry services and a grocery shop on site and the conference centre can cater for functions of up to 250 people. The hotel is approximately 200 kilometres (124 miles), or a two-hour drive from Johannesburg Airport.

From 2:00 PM

Prior to 11:00 AM

NATURE RESERVE

Mabalingwe Country Club - 21 kilometres (13 miles) Shingwedzi Cheetah & Wild Dog Breeding Project-25 kilometres(15.5 miles) Mokopa Reptile and Snake Park - 40 kilometres (25 miles) Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm - 40 kilometres (25 miles)