Activities And Relaxation At Babanango Valley Lodge

You can do as much or as little as you like at Babanango Valley Lodge. Simply relax with a good book surrounded by breathtaking views or submerge yourself into the refreshing waters of the pool before soaking up the African sun with a cocktail in hand.  

The more adventurous can take to our hiking and mountain biking trails that snake across the diverse landscapes of the reserve. The reserve is a nature lover’s paradise and is home to giraffe, hyena, zebra, several types of antelope as well as the elusive aardvark and aardwolf. Rhino and buffalo have recently been introduced to the reserve with plans for the remainder of the Big-Five over the next two years.

 The trails on the reserve vary from beginner to advanced, allowing everyone to enjoy what Babanango Game Reserve has to offer.

For The Birds

The birding is exceptional, with some 250 species recorded in the area. There are good sightings of riverine and grassland birds. Local specials including Southern Bald Ibis, Buff-streaked Chat, Mountain Wagtail and African Finfoot. Raptors include the Lanner Falcon and African Hawk-Eagle, and if you’re lucky you may see the endangered Southern Ground Hornbill.

Mountain Biking

Mountain bikers are welcome at Babanango Valley Lodge. Our trails are graded to suit beginners through to hardcore enthusiasts, and include flat sections from which you can take in the view, to technical (and steep) ascents and descents.

Game Drives

Morning and evening nature drives are conducted daily, with possibility of seeing buffalo, impala, zebra, giraffe and kudu, not to mention a variety of birdlife.

Nature Walks

Our trails are suitable for short strolls as well as all-day traverses of our beautiful habitats.
A guided bush walk will expose you to the microfauna and flora that call our reserve home – from grassland flowers and butterflies, to interesting lizards, beetles and ground birds. Your guide will point out any interesting spoor or other signs left by the reserve’s wild inhabitants, giving you a true wilderness experience with the added option of visiting our unique copper mine.

Horse Safari

Experience the beauty of the African bush on a one-hour, half day or full day outride on horseback. Babanango’s horse trails explore some of the deepest recesses of the reserve, and our Boerperd horses are renowned for their strength and gentle nature. Being on horseback allows you to get close to wild animals, as they don’t see you as a threat – this makes for truly extraordinary game viewing! Horse riding is offered from Matane Lodge, and guests are required to self-drive to Matatane for this activity.

Helicopter trips

A ride like no other, Babanango offers you a 20-minute flip with our professionally trained security team. These flights are key to the reserve’s conservation efforts, and you will assist in observing the fence line for any damage that the animals could have caused. Though the scenery is gorgeous, this is not primarily a scenic flight, and so the flight pattern may be erratic should the pilot spot something of interest. Helicopter flips are offered from Valley Lodge; internal transfers may be arranged from other lodges, and charges may apply. Please enquire on arrival.

Cultural And Historical Tours

The Reserve is also in close proximity to various historical events and locations unique to South Africa. These include;

  • The Voortrekker-Zulu conflicts
  • Anglo-Zulu War,1879  
  • First and Second Anglo-Boer Wars, 1880-1881 and 1899-1902
  • The Blood River Battlefield, 1838

Landmarks and graves can be found all over KwaZulu-Natal. Zululand is home to some of the most iconic of these, and tours are led by knowledgeable local guides who bring the past to life. Isandlwana, a Sphinx-like hill where the Zulu nation so famously defeated the British Army can also be visited during your stay at Babanango Valley Lodge.

Tours of traditional Zulu villages as well as local townships can also be arranged and present culturally rich experiences that provide you with the opportunity to immerse yourself into the traditions of the Zulu people.

Group bookings can be accommodated in advance. Contact us to find out more.

Contact Us