The Balule is the place to be!

Get all the Big Five safari action at Nyala Safari Lodge and Nyala Sands

Unwind in the heart of the Greater Kruger at African Trilogy’s beautiful Nyala Safari Lodge and Nyala Sands. Located in the Mohlabetsi South Big Five nature reserve, part of the Balule Nature Reserve, these beautiful, intimate and authentic African safari lodges offer the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life surrounded by wilderness and wildlife.

At Nyala Safari Lodge accommodation is on a full-board basis so all meals are included and are prepared in the lodge’s amazing kitchen by our wonderful chefs. Two game drives per day are also included in your safari, so you’ll have more than enough time to explore the surrounding bush and spot some of the iconic species of wildlife that calls this area home.

Even though Nyala Safari Lodge is fenced, wildlife inevitably finds its way through and spends time exploring our lovely little camp. Some animals even use the camp as a safehaven, enjoying in the relative safety of the lodge. We’ve had a little female bushbuck who has become a “regular” here in camp. And we’ve even had elephant take advantage of an open gate to pay us a visit – which is always a special experience for our guests.

Elephants are probably one of the favourite animals to see on safari here on the Balule private game reserve. It’s always a thrill to come across them on game drives too and just stop and watch their behaviour and interactions with one another, learning cool facts about them along the way. For example, did you know that an elephant’s tusks are actually just two teeth? They’re incisors that keep growing throughout the elephant’s life, getting bigger, longer and thicker the older and larger the elephant becomes. Elephants favour one side over the other and can be left or right “tusked” – you’ll often see one tusk shorter than the other from increased wear and tear. This is called the “slave” tusk. The longer, lesser used one is known as the “master” tusk.

Another Greater Kruger firm favourite here at Nyala is the spotted hyena. Although not everyone’s favourite animal (they have a bit of a bad reputation) they are actually one of the most interesting animals to see on safari… Hyena clans are presided over by a single “queen” or matriarch, and far from being mindless scavengers they are skilled and intelligent hunters, able to bring down large prey such as buffalo. Although it’s true that they aren’t the prettiest mammal in the bush, their cubs are exceedingly cute and always entertaining to watch!

There’s something special about winter on safari in the African bush and the way the winter light filters through the Greater Kruger wilderness. The chilly mornings and evenings have a crispness to them that you just don’t get in an urban environment, and the skies are always a beautiful, deep blue.

Not far from Nyala Safari Lodge is its “little sister” – Nyala Sands. With this lovely little safari lodge’s main deck area overlooking a beautiful little permanent waterhole which sees a regular stream of wildlife coming down to drink throughout the days and nights, this intimate four-roomed lodge is perfect for exclusive use groups of family and friends on a self-catering basis.

It’s mid-winter now, and the bush is dry and has thinned out significantly, making water of any description a magnet for animals of all shapes and sizes. So it’s always nice to sit out on the deck, with a lovely gin and tonic in hand, and watch life in the bush unfold in front of you! It’s actually the perfect time to be on safari.

Game drives in the winter can be a bit of a jolt to the senses. In the early mornings it is still quite dark (the sun is only poking its head above the horizon at around 06h00 in the mornings!) and extremely chilly – especially on an open game vehicle. But once the sun comes up it begins to warm up exponentially. Conversely, when you set out on your afternoon game drive it will still be warm, but as the sun begins to dip the temperature will dip with it. This means you need layers of clothing! In the morning you start off with them all on and peel them off as the temperature gets higher, and in the afternoons you start off minimally and add the layers as you need them.

Believe it or not but a beanie hat, scarf and gloves will also be needed for mid-winter game drives. Yes, an African safari really does get cold, because there’s no cloud cover to keep the warmth in when the sun goes down. So please remember to pack for the season in which you are travelling! Ask us for advice if you’re not sure!

Self-drive guests are more than welcome, but if you’d prefer to fly then we can arrange transfers from Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport which is nearby. Alternatively, we can arrange shuttle transfers from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Get in Touch...

Tel: +27 (0) 61 523 5041

Email: info@theafricantrilogy.co.za

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Time Square, 391 Huilboerboon Street, Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province, South Africa, 1380

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