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Fly to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS) on daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg (OR Tambo) or Cape Town (CemAir, Airlink, FlySafari), then a complimentary 20-minute road transfer to the lodge, a private landing strip is available for charters, and it's roughly a 5-hour drive from Johannesburg
Eleven rooms across three styles. The six Superior Suites are spacious open-plan spaces with a king bed, lounge, fireplace, an oversized freestanding stone bath and a private deck with a heated plunge pool over the bush (max 2 adults + 1 child 6–11). For families and groups, the two-bedroom Villa Somopane (up to 4, children 6+) and the exclusive-use three-suite Villa Zindoga (up to 6, children of all ages) both add a dedicated ranger and private safari vehicle, shared lounges and multiple plunge pools, Zindoga is the standout for a private family buyout with its own chef and butler. Launching in 2027 are three new adults-only Signature Suites, alongside refreshed spa, kitchen, lounge and dining spaces. The JabuJuniors children's programme is included where children are welcome.
An exceptional five-star culinary experience inspired by South African flavours (recognised in the MICHELIN guide), with chefs personally catering to each guest's preferences daily, complimentary private dining, bush sundowners and intimate boma dinners at the lodge and in the wilderness, plus a fully equipped kosher kitchen (Kosher Lite, Medium and Strict on request) and halal dining available.
Neutral safari layers with a warm jacket and beanie for cold winter dawn drives in open vehicles (June–September), lighter clothing for hot summers, closed shoes for bush walks, a sun hat, sunscreen and binoculars, insect repellent and antimalarials, swimwear for the plunge pool, smart-casual for dinner, and a good camera, the elephant encounters are a highlight.
Jabulani's soul is its rescued elephant herd and the adjacent HERD orphanage, South Africa's first, so make time for the elephant experiences and the HERD viewing deck, aquaponics and wormery tour, it's what sets this lodge apart. Game drives run on your schedule (any time of day or night) with just 4–6 guests per vehicle, and there's a fully equipped kosher kitchen (Kosher Lite/Medium/Strict, 45 days' notice). Book Villa Zindoga for an exclusive-use family gathering, note the new adults-only Signature Suites arriving in 2027, and fly into Hoedspruit Eastgate for a complimentary 20-minute transfer. Add optional scenic helicopter flights over the Blyde River Canyon, golf or ballooning.
A stay at Jabulani directly supports HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development), South Africa's first dedicated elephant orphanage, located adjacent to the lodge, through a mandatory Elephant Care Levy, while the Conservation Levy funds the reserve's protection. The lodge is built around its extraordinary rescued elephant herd, has pioneered over 40 years of land restoration and wilderness stewardship in the region, and runs an aquaponics system and wormery, with guests also visiting the nearby Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC).
