Ngala is the only private safari lodge in the legendary Kruger National Park, one of the greatest of all African game parks. There are no fences around Ngala. Situated on the banks of the Mapone River on the western boundary of Kruger, Ngala has exclusive traversing rights over 14 780 hectares (36 506 acres) of the park's two million hectares (4 940 000 acres). The seasonal Timbavati River runs through the southern section of Ngala Private Game Reserve. The Kruger National Park is one of the richest and most strategically important wildlife areas on the continent.

Ngala's habitats support an astonishing variety of wildlife. Grazers such as buffalo, blue wildebeest, Burchell's zebra and warthog favour open areas, while impala are most common at the edge of bush clumps. Other ungulates to watch out for are giraffe, hippo, bushbuck, grey duiker and kudu.

Breeding herds of elephant wander through the property and make for exceptional viewing. White rhino sightings increase during the dry season. These endangered animals have fascinating territoriality. Large breeding herds of buffalo - numbering up to 400 - have been moving through Ngala and making use of the waterholes.

Ngala continues to enjoy outstanding leopard and lion pride viewing. The area's vast terrain enables the wide-ranging and rare wild dog to roam free. This gives you the privilege of frequent sightings.

Elusive nocturnal animals include the endangered African wildcat and the armadillo-like pangolin (scaly anteater).


An astounding 260 species of birds may be observed. Common birds around Ngala Game Lodge include the Woodland Kingfisher, Scops Owl, Crested Barbet, Marico Sunbird, Spotted-backed Weaver and White-throated Robin.

Vultures and eagles soaring through the Ngala sky include the Lappet-faced Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Martial Eagle, African Hawk Eagle and Bateleur. Nesting sites for many of these raptors have been found and mapped throughout the reserve. This gives a picture of density, preferred habitats, territorial spacing and favoured trees.

Further down the food chain, you will find terrapins, crocodiles and lizards. Also look out for frogs such as the Foamnest Frog and insects such as minute Stingless Bees ("Mopane Bees").

The lodge area is dominated by Mopane Trees, which also cover the northern section of Ngala reserve. Trees around Ngala Game Lodge include the Magic Guarri, Jacket Plum, Kooboo Berry, Tamboti, Dwarf Boerbean and Fever Tree.

Ngala lies in the heart of the South African Lowveld. The reserve is a generally flat landscape with undulating crests. The principal habitat is bush savannah, with thickets along drainage lines and around termite mounds. There is a thin band of riverine forest along the Timbavati River which runs west to east through the private concession.

Ngala is the scene of one of Africa's most innovative groundbreaking conservation partnership agreements. CCAfrica has joined forces with the state (Kruger National Park) and the non-governmental South African Nature Trust Foundation. Under this partnership, a percentage of all profits from Ngala Lodge flow into the National Parks Trust to promote conservation projects.

Ngala uses only bio-degradable cleaning materials. We recycle all cans, paper and glass bottles.


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