Highlights
- Luxurious accommodation with private plunge pools
- Exquisite cuisine and exceptional wine selection
- Lounge areas and upstairs library area
- Safari Adventures in the Lalibela Game Reserve
- Spa and Wellness Treatments at the Kichaka Spa
- Ten beautiful stone and thatch suites
- Incredible "Big 5" wildlife sightings
- Just 90 km from Port Elizabeth Airport
- Complimentary WiFi and internet services
Information
- Lodge Type: Luxury Safari Lodge
- Location: Lalibela Game Reserve, South Africa
- Lodge Size: 10 Safari Suites
- Recommended Stay: 3-5 nights
Unveiling the Majestic Lalibela Kichaka Lodge: Where Architectural Brilliance Meets Timeless Elegance
Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscape, the exquisite Lalibela Kichaka Lodge stands as a true masterpiece of architectural brilliance. Its central guest area, meticulously constructed with natural stone and thatch, seamlessly blends with the surrounding picturesque scenery, creating a harmonious and captivating environment.
Recently renovated in 2020, the new Kichaka takes safari and colonial style to new heights, offering a contemporary interpretation that exudes refined comfort and timeless elegance.
Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of Lalibela Kichaka Lodge, where every detail has been thoughtfully crafted to ensure an unforgettable experience.
Reserve Information
Lalibela Game Reserve spans an impressive 10,500 hectares (approximately 26,000 acres). Get ready to be mesmerised by the magnificent Big 5 - lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, and leopards - along with other predators such as cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, and lynxes.
Rest assured, the Lalibela Game Reserve, Kichaka Lodge is a malaria-free game reserve and property.
It boasts an abundance of game, including one of the highest concentrations of free-roaming lions in South Africa. Located just 90 km (55 miles) from Port Elizabeth, the main reception at Lalibela is easily accessible via a well-paved road. For those heading to Lalibela Kichaka reception, it's a 100 km journey on a tarred road followed by a short 3 km stretch of gravel road.
Rooms And Suites
The ten exquisitely designed suites at Lalibela Kichaka Lodge exemplify the same opulent style found in the main lodge.
For added luxury, each suite features a private deck with a heated plunge pool, offering a tranquil oasis to unwind and rejuvenate.
Additionally, an outdoor shower allows guests to connect with nature while enjoying the ultimate in relaxation. The bathrooms are indulgent, boasting the finest fittings, including expansive baths, invigorating rain shower heads, and "his and hers" basins.
Carefully positioned within the lush bush surroundings, the suites provide an unrivalled sense of immersion in the natural environment.
Cuisine And Wine
At Lalibela Kichaka Lodge, guests are treated to an exquisite culinary adventure that highlights local flavours, presented with international flair. Each dish is a testament to the creativity and skill of our seasoned chefs, utilising the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers to ensure an authentic South African dining experience.
The five star Kichaka Lodge boasts a carefully curated selection of South African wines to complement your culinary journey. Sipping on a robust, full-bodied red or a crisp, refreshing white against the backdrop of the stunning African landscape makes for an unforgettable wine-tasting experience.
Lodge Facilities
Lalibela Kichaka Lodge features a friendly cocktail bar and a comfortable sitting area that opens onto a viewing deck, offering bar stools with a view of the waterhole. Guests can place their cameras and binoculars on the counter while enjoying a refreshing cocktail. A stately dining room awaits, along with the option for outdoor dining on the spacious main deck. On clear evenings, intimate fireside dinners are held in the atmospheric boma.
The library area upstairs has been expanded, providing numerous cosy corners for relaxation. An exquisite rim-flow swimming pool is nestled on the edge of the main deck, seamlessly blending with the waterhole.
Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the main lodge and all the suites, ensuring connectivity for all guests.
Safari Activities
Experience the magic of the African wilderness with our morning and evening game drives, carefully timed to match the seasons. As the sun rises or sets, embark on thrilling adventures searching for Africa's iconic "Big 5".
Expert guides will take you off-road for the best sightings, ensuring an unforgettable safari experience. For those seeking a more intimate encounter with nature, guided game walks are at an additional cost, allowing you to explore the untouched beauty of the bush on foot. And if you're up for a truly extraordinary experience, arrange a late-night game drive with the lodge at an additional cost, where you can witness the nocturnal wonders of the wild under the starry African sky.
Spa And Wellness
The architecturally-designed spa at Lalibela Kichaka Lodge, positioned above the waterhole, features expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that allow guests to gaze out at the nearby 'hippo hollow' in complete seclusion. Adding to the allure, Kichaka Game Lodge also houses a well-appointed gym.
One of the remarkable advantages of a safari is the opportunity to unwind and reconnect with oneself. Keeping this in mind, the opulent and serene spa at Kichaka Game Lodge offers an array of wellness and rejuvenation treatments for guests to indulge in between their game activities. With a treatment room, sauna, steam room, well equipped gym, and a dedicated couple's retreat, it serves as the ultimate sanctuary and escape for the senses.
In Conclusion
Lalibela Kichaka Lodge is a true gem in the heart of South Africa's wilderness. A lodestone for luxury, tranquillity, and immersive experiences, it promises a unique journey punctuated with exquisite cuisine, world-class accommodations, and thrilling wildlife encounters.
It seamlessly blends the thrill of a safari with the luxury of a five-star resort, offering the rare opportunity to become one with nature while indulging in unparalleled luxury.
Whether you are seeking an adventurous game drive, a rejuvenating spa day, or the simple pleasure of relaxing in your private plunge pool, Lalibela Kichaka Lodge is a destination that beckons discerning travellers seeking an African escape with a difference.
Rates from R12 500.00 per person
- Lalibela Kichaka Lodge Rates
- Per person per night sharing (pp)
- Rates are in South African Rands
- *Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- All meals
- 2 game drives per night stayed
- All drinks
- Premium wines and drinks
- Additional safari activities
- Transfers and flights
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Conservation and community levies
- Travel Insurance
Kwandwe Game Reserve Review
My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It had been many years since I had been on safari in the Eastern Cape and I was eager to see how the experience had changed.
We flew from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth where we picked up our rental car and drove the 2 hours to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. From the moment we arrived at the reception, we experienced the service that this Relais and Chateaux property is famous for.
We were met with a welcome drink, a cold towel and fresh homemade cookies accompanied by our check-in.
Samara Game Reserve Review
About three hours' drive northwest of Addo Elephant National Park (see Tuesday's blog) lies a different country.
If the Addo Elephant National Park enjoys a lush and verdant environment, Samara Game Reserve (close to Camdeboo National Park) is the opposite. Its semi-desert environment is more akin to Namibia.
Yet here we are in the middle of the Great Karoo near the historic farming town of Graaff Reinet.
Death of a Cheetah
When you live in Africa, love the smell of nature and its strong call, and perhaps even more importantly, understand the natural cycles; you see the death of wildlife as part of the natural order.
The strong conquer the weak, and the old give space to the young.
When you look at a magnificent animal and predator die in an area which is desperately (and successfully) trying to rehabilitate natural corridors of flora and fauna over a previously devastated land, no one would think less of you for shedding a tear.
Eastern Cape Travel Bucket List
Embark on an unforgettable journey through South Africa's Eastern Cape. Discover diverse landscapes, rich culture, and thrilling adventures. From wild coastlines to wildlife encounters, explore hidden gems and must-visit attractions.
Create your own Eastern Cape travel bucket list and make memories to last a lifetime.
Pack your bags and let’s explore the Eastern Cape’s hidden gems and must-visit attractions that promise lifelong memories - your very own Eastern Cape travel bucket list.
Addo Elephant Back Safari
I have been travelling in Africa for over three decades. In that time, I have been on countless safaris; by Land Rover, on foot, by canoe and horseback, up and down mountains and valleys.
The sense of wonder and appreciation of natural beauty has never left me.
There are, of course, individual animals which I prefer above all others. Some are large, very large and some small but all, for some reason or other, have endeared themselves towards me. I will start with the very large.