Highlights
- Malaria-free game viewing and safari experience
- Abundant wildlife photography opportunities
- Luxurious and intimate accommodation options
- Gourmet cuisine and wine from South Africa
- Exclusive safari activities with a private game ranger
- Impressive manor and villa facilities, including swimming pool
- A family-friendly private safari getaway
Information
- Lodge Type: Exclusive-Use Villa
- Location: Lalibela Game Reserve, South Africa
- Lodge Size: 5 Luxurious Bedrooms
- Recommended Stay: 3-5 nights
Experience Unforgettable Luxury at Lalibela Mills Manor: Your Exclusive Safari Retreat in the Heart of Eastern Cape's Wilderness
Lalibela Mills Manor presents an exclusive home-style villa, providing an idyllic and secluded safari retreat for families or small groups seeking a truly unforgettable experience. Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscape of the Lalibela Game Reserve, this century-old farmhouse offers a comfortable haven for generations of families to come together and create cherished memories.
The villa is designed with a relaxed ambience, exuding a sense of warmth and tranquillity. Its charming, wide wrap-around veranda invites guests to unwind while soaking in the captivating surroundings. As you step inside, you'll be transported back in time, immersing yourself in the distinctive features of Edwardian farmhouses that once dotted the region. From the elegant gables to the lofty ceilings and spacious rooms, every corner of this stately home reflects the affluence and grandeur of its era.
Lalibela Mills Manor is perched atop a gentle hill, offering breathtaking panoramic views of a nearby waterhole. From the comfort of the villa, you can observe the mesmerizing wildlife that frequents the area, creating an immersive and continuous safari experience long after the exhilarating game drives and game viewing.
To ensure an unparalleled safari experience, the villa provides a dedicated team of professionals, including a private game ranger and vehicle, a chef, and a housekeeper. Your knowledgeable game ranger will guide you through unforgettable wildlife encounters, sharing their expertise and passion for the African bush. The skilled chef will delight your taste buds with exquisite meals, incorporating local flavours and fresh ingredients. Meanwhile, the attentive housekeeper will ensure that every aspect of your stay is taken care of, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquillity of this extraordinary destination.
Escape to Lalibela Mills Manor and embark on a remarkable journey into the heart of the Eastern Cape's wilderness. Discover the allure of a bygone era while indulging in modern comforts and luxuries.
Reserve Information
Size: Lalibela is a vast game reserve spanning approximately 10,500 hectares (equivalent to around 26,000 acres). This expansive area provides ample space for wildlife to roam freely and thrive.
Wildlife: Lalibela is home to the renowned Big 5, including majestic lions, mighty elephants, agile rhinos, formidable buffalos, and elusive leopards. However, the wildlife encounters don't stop there. This remarkable reserve also houses other predators, such as cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, and lynxes, adding an extra layer of excitement and diversity to the safari experience.
Malaria-Free: One of the remarkable features of Lalibela is that it is a malaria-free game reserve. This ensures that visitors can fully immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and wildlife without any health concerns.
Abundant Game: Lalibela boasts an impressive population of game species, with one of the densest populations of free-roaming lions in South Africa. This provides a unique opportunity for guests to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, creating unforgettable memories.
Location: Situated just 90 km (approximately 55 miles) from Port Elizabeth, Lalibela's main reception is easily accessible via a tarred road. For those arriving at Lalibela Kichaka reception, a scenic journey of 100 km awaits, consisting of tar and a short 3 km gravel road.
Rooms And Suites
With its spacious layout, Lalibela Mills Manor offers guests a comfortable safari retreat with five bedrooms. Among these are three king rooms, perfect for those seeking a touch of luxury, and two king/twin rooms, providing the flexibility to accommodate different preferences.
Each room is thoughtfully designed with air-conditioning for optimal comfort and features wide stack doors that open onto charming verandas or indigenous gardens, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the surroundings.
From these vantage points, one can enjoy breathtaking valley views that extend as far as the eye can see, creating a truly picturesque setting for a memorable stay.
Cuisine And Wine
Indulge in unforgettable al fresco dinners, where you can savour delectable dishes under the mesmerizing African sky. Immerse yourself in a fine dining experience curated by a talented personal chef who will craft culinary masterpieces to delight your taste buds.
Enhance your meal with an exquisite selection of South African wines, carefully chosen to complement the flavours and elevate your dining experience to new heights.
Manor Facilities
Within the villa, you'll find an inviting bar with a wide range of beverages to choose from when staying at Lalibela Mills Manor. The spacious lounge provides ample room for relaxation, while the gracious dining room sets the perfect scene for enjoying delicious meals.
Step outside and immerse yourself in the refreshing swimming pool and sun deck, or gather around the large fire pit and barbeque area for unforgettable al fresco dinners under the vast African sky. For moments of respite from the sun, the wide and shady veranda offers a cool and tranquil retreat.
And to ensure you stay connected, complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the villa.
Safari Activities
During your stay at Lalibela Mills Manor, you will have the exclusive service of a private guide and safari vehicle. Meaning that you can explore the wilderness at your own pace, taking in the breathtaking sights and sounds of the African bush.
Embark on morning and evening game drives, with the timings adjusted according to the season. The evening game drives offer a unique opportunity to witness the nocturnal activities of the wildlife as you venture into the wilderness under the blanket of darkness. Don't worry; the experienced guides will ensure your safety and lead you back to the lodge after sunset.
To maximize your chances of encountering the majestic "Big 5", off-road driving is permitted. This allows you to venture into the heart of the wilderness, following the tracks of these magnificent creatures and getting up close to their natural habitat.
For those seeking a more immersive experience, guided game walks are available at an additional cost. Accompanied by an experienced guide, you can explore the landscape on foot, learning about the flora and fauna that thrive in this unique ecosystem.
If you're craving an extraordinary safari experience, you can arrange optional late-night game drives with the lodge at an additional cost. This gives you the chance to witness the secrets of the night as nocturnal creatures come to life and the African wilderness takes on a whole new allure.
Family Friendly
Perfect for families and small groups of friends, Lalibela Mills Manor offers a secure and private safari getaway. With its discreet fencing, parents can have peace of mind knowing that their children are safe while enjoying the surroundings.
Please note that for the safety of all guests, no children under the age of 6 years are accommodated.
In Conclusion
Lalibela Mills Manor offers a truly unique, safe, and exhilarating safari retreat, seamlessly blending luxury with natural beauty. With its rich wildlife, serene location, game drives and top-notch facilities, it ensures an immersive and unforgettable experience for all its guests.
Whether you're an avid wildlife enthusiast or a family seeking an adventurous getaway, Lalibela Mills Manor welcomes you to explore the wildlife, savour exquisite cuisine and wine, and create priceless memories under the expansive African sky.
Rates from R10 200.00 per person
- Lalibela Mills Manor 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.