Notten’s Private Safari Lodge is one of the finest family run lodges in Africa, and the best kept secret in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

As one of the original game lodges it has a magical bush atmosphere and offers a truly authentic African safari experience.

The extremely high return cliental to Notten's Bush Camp is due to its impeccable standard of service and warm hospitality

    Paraffin lamps and candles replace electric lighting for ambience and all the rooms are cooled with an overhead ceiling fan.

    Facilities are available for the re-charging of video machines and camera batteries in the safari lodge's reception area.  A main line telephone facility is also available.

Number of beds    -    7 Double rooms
Style of accommodation    -
--
-    Individual suites elegantly decorated
En-suite bath, shower, toilet and hand basin
Mosquito netting on windows and doors
Private game viewing deck
Overhead fans
Lounge/Dining area    -    Open plan lounge and dining area leading onto a wooden deck overlooking a vast plain and waterhole
     -    Indoor lounge with large fire place and a fully stocked bar
     -    Open air boma for an evening around the fire
Swimming pool    -    Sparkling pool with open plan pavilion
Massage Deck    -   

Beautifully peaceful for therapeutic treatments

    There is nothing as invigorating as watching Africa's wildlife in their natural habitat. The place where nature dictates the rules and humans are mere observers. Enjoy an unforgettable African lion safari in the wide expanse of the greater Kruger National Park ecosystem.

    Driving or being guided on foot by our experienced rangers will bring you as close as you will ever get to true nature, the African way. With daily guided tours from early morning to late night drives join us for an African safari beyond your wildest expectations

        Early morning and evening game drive safaris in an open-top Land Rover with an experienced game ranger, where one can enjoy sightings of the Big 5 and other wildlife in the region.
        
        Unique walking safaris with an armed game ranger knowledgeable in all aspects of conservation, ecology and the environment of the bush.
        
        Bird watching and photographic safaris.

        Cool off next to the sparkling pool, drinking cocktails and refreshments from the fully stocked bar, or relax in the shade of the Marula trees on the wooden deck overlooking the waterhole and watch the animals wander past.
        
        Treat yourself to a deeply relaxing massage at the Notten's Nature Spa.
        
        Enjoy delicious meals and the fine company of both local and international guests.
        
        Cultural tours can be arranged into the local Shangaan community to get an insight into their unique culture.
        
        Golf trips can be arranged to the Skukuza Golf Course, which is 45 minutes away from Notten's. This gives golfers a unique opportunity of playing a round of golf within the Kruger National Park.

"One of the finest game reserves in Africa"

    The Sabi Sands game reserve is a privately owned region situated within the Greater Kruger National Park ecosystem, one of South Africa's most treasured natural sanctuaries. Notten’s forms part of the southern section of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Its neighbours are Mala Mala on its eastern boundary and Sabi Sabi on its western boundary.

    The Sabi Sand Game Reserve was formed in 1950 and comprises of many privately owned game lodges covering an area of 56,000 Ha of savannah thornveld. It is now part of the Greater Kruger National Park and there are no fences between them, so the game moves freely through this enormous natural reserve.

    The climate is sub-tropical with summer rainfall and averages about 550mm (± 22 inches) per annum. Summer temperatures reach ± 40° C (± 104° F). Winters are dry. Notten's’ Sabi Sand lodge lies approximately 300 metres (± 1 000 feet) above sea level.

    Big 5 game - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard - all roam the reserve. One therefore has an excellent chance of a close encounter with these animals.  Notten's prides itself in having highly qualified guides and Shangaan trackers who ensure that their guests experience an informative and enlightened exposure to the area

    All game drives are undertaken in an open 4-wheel drive Land Rover with an experienced game ranger and Shangaan tracker. The tracker is innately and instinctively attuned to the environment of the African bush. He uses his acute sense of sight and smell to navigate easily and swiftly through the bush to locate game.

    Night drives begin in time to experience the spectacular lowveld sunsets. On these drives one sees the nocturnal bush creatures as well as other game under spotlight. The tracker is able to spot the eyes of the animals in the pitch dark of night fall.
    Background

    History

        The birthplace of sustainable wildlife tourism in Southern Africa.
        Owned and operated by 3rd and 4th generation families.

    Focus and Foresight is on Conservation

        It is the oldest of all the private reserves in South Africa.
        Formed in 1934; and became a formal association in 1948.

    Wilderness

        Part of the largest conservation area in Southern Africa.

    Part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park

        It has only ever been a wilderness area.
        It is home to a number of endangered species, which include:

        Wild Dog: The most endangered species in Southern Africa. The Kruger National Park contains the only viable South African population of Wild Dogs.
        Bats: They are the only flying mammals that are blind; 10 of the species are on the endangered list. They play an important role through eating harmful insects and pollinating plants.
        Honey Badgets: Badgers can be useful in reducing the populations of rats, scorpions and dangerous snakes.
        Oxpeckers: With scissor-like movements the Red-billed Oxpecker combs their host's hair in search of ticks.
        Ground Hornbill: There are less than 1 500 Ground Hornbills left in South Africa.

    The lodges are involved in environmental management programs and studies

        These include:

        Alien plant control
        Micro catchment management to combat erosiion
        Monitoring of wildlife and habitat densities
        Anti-poaching units
        Control of runaway fires

    Community Empowerment

        Including activities which help them to generate income; provision of health care and provision of drinking water.

        Our way of bringing more comfort into your stay.
        Join us for complete relaxation!

        Notten's Massage Therapy

        Massage Therapy is a wonderful way to indulge yourself and rejuvenate your body and soul. A massage also has important health benefits such as stimulating your circulation, removal of toxins and bringing vital nutrients to the body's tissues. So why not come and experience a wonderful bush massage!

        Back, Neck and Should Massage

            This is a fantastic massage that relieves stress and tension situated in the head, shoulders and upper and lower back. It is the perfect light massage that will invigorate your bush experience.

        
        Swedish Massage

            The classical Scandinavian luxury massage that gently works on your muscles, creating a sense of well-being and at the same time easing muscle tension and stress, giving you the possibility for complete relaxation and comfort. This is the perfect light massage that will stimulate your bush experience.

          
        Kahuna Massage

            Kahuna offers a therapeutic massage inspired by the beautiful and sacred ways of the ancient Polynesians. This treatment offers one the opportunity to truly relax and rejuvenate, invigorating the body, soothing the mind and inspiring the soul. A massage using long rhythmical strokes mimicking the ebb and flow of the ocean and having profound effects on all aspects of the being in the spirit of Aloha.


        Sports Therapy

            The sports massage is a massage technique that works deep into the muscles, focusing on reliving muscle tension and stress. The technique also includes deep tissue, pressure points and trigger point release. This is a massage that works on the body's most important and essential muscle groups and has an extremely positive and releasing effect on the body's muscular infiltrations. The sports massage invigorates and revitalizes the body creating an opportunity for complete relaxation and body rejuvenation.



        Notten's Bush Special

            The Notten's "bush" special is a combination of techniques that focus on all the essential muscle groupings, and at the same time bringing in the natural essence of the bush in to play. This massage can be customised to suit your individual needs. We can recommend the night, candle-lit version in the privacy of your own deck. This is the perfect end to a great day, ensuring that you have a deep, peaceful night's sleep, waking up ready for the morning's bush excitement!

           
        Please note that all massages can be experienced in the comfort of your own room or viewing deck, or in the nature spa.

        To order a massage, please speak to the up front team or come to the office where we can organise a time and a massage that best suits your needs.

        Massages can be done from 8h30 in the morning to 10h30 at night.