Lalibela Game Reserve is located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, close to Port Elizabeth and Addo, which means it is not only malaria free, but spans 5 ecosystems, resulting in a breath-taking diversity of flora and fauna.

Kichaka Lodge is a five star lodge and is constructed in natural stone and thatch which blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The lodge was extensively re-built in 2020. The décor of the new Kichaka is a modern uptake of traditional safari and colonial style and the ambiance created is one of comfortable elegance.

There is a sociable cocktail bar and sitting area, opening up onto a viewing deck where there are bar stools facing the waterhole and a counter on which guests can place cameras and binoculars – and of course a cocktail from the bar.

The lodge also boasts a stately dining room as well as outdoor dining on the large main deck, and fireside dinners are held in the atmospheric boma on clear evenings.

The upstairs library area has been enlarged and provides many cosy corners to relax in. There is a rim-flow swimming pool set on the edge of the main deck, so the water in the pool blurs seamlessly with the waterhole.

The architect-designed spa, set above the waterhole, boasts floor-to-ceiling, panoramic windows – enabling guests to peer out at the nearby ‘hippo hollow’ in absolute privacy. Kichaka Lodge also boasts a well-equipped gym.

Suites

The 10 suites are decorated in the same luxurious style as the main lodge and the finest fittings in the bathrooms are an indulgence, with enormous baths, rain shower heads and “his & hers” basins. Each suite has a private deck with heated plunge pool and an outside shower. The suites have been perfectly positioned to maximise the sense of being in the bush.

Dining

They provide 5-star meals and flawless one-on-one service. The lodge offers guests the option of dining privately in their suite, in the main dining room, outside at one of the specifically created outdoor dining locations, or in the library.

This lodge has a large wine cellar with a selection of fine wines for the wine lover. Here, there is a wide and varied assortment of exquisite wines.

Safari

Lalibela is a conservation project that currently consists of 10,500 hectares (approximately 26,000 acres) and is home to the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo & leopard) as well as other predators like cheetah, hyena, jackal & lynx.

Unique to our area of South Africa, we are blessed with vast areas Savannah Grassland, the biome that has by far the highest carrying capacity – this means that we are able to sustain truly vast herds of plains game like zebra, impala, wildebeest, red hartebeest, blesbuck and eland. This, in turn, allows us to sustain a remarkable density of free-roaming lions.

Game viewing is carried out during the morning and evening when you are guided by your game ranger in an open game viewing vehicle. If you have a particular interest, please mention it to your ranger; who will be happy to merge your plans with those of the group.

The game drives will take between three and four hours, with a sundowner stop at sunset and a coffee stop in the morning. The evening game drives usually return to the lodge after dark. Game drive times are seasonally adjusted. It is always advisable to bring warm clothing along, even in summer. Please do not forget to bring your binoculars, cameras and sunhat along.