About Elephant Rock
Accommodating just 10 guests in total, this is one of the most intimate lodges in Nambiti - guests rave about the warm hospitality whilst another highlight are the great views over the waterhole below!
The Nambiti Reserve has quickly become one of our biggest sellers and it’s not hard to see why – for one it’s easily accessible from both Johannesburg and Durban; game viewing is reliably good, the scenery very attractive and there’s a wide choice of reasonably priced lodges to choose from. So what makes Elephant Rock a decent choice? Well for us what really stands out about the lodge is that it is one of the smallest on the reserve – with just 4 rooms (3 Luxury Chalets and 1 Luxury Double Chalet) accommodating a maximum of 10 people, Elephant Rock excels at offering the type of truly personal service and warm hospitality that other larger lodges struggle to. It really does make for a “home from home” type atmosphere and this is ultimately reflected in the feedback of guests who almost invariably rave about Elephant Rock and particularly its friendly staff!
One of the lodge’s other main selling points is that it boasts a great position on a hillside overlooking an active waterhole below. Sure, it would be great if the waterhole was even closer, but whether you sit on the lodge’s comfortable main deck or in one of the hanging chairs on your room’s private deck, you’ll enjoy lovely views of the animals coming through to slake their thirst at the waterhole.
There are definitely more stylish and luxurious lodges in Nambiti, but Elephant Rock offers 4 comfortable air-conditioned rooms (including a family unit consisting of 2 interleading rooms) made from local stone and with traditional thatched roofs. A highlight has to be the spacious bathrooms with their indoor and twin outdoor showers as well as a bath overlooking the waterhole. A small veranda area with twin hanging chairs is a comfortable spot to while away the hours with a good book whilst casting an occasional glance at what new arrivals have made their way to the waterhole.
The Nambiti reserve can get pretty boiling in summer which will no doubt have you making a bee-line for the small plunge pool which has been sculpted into the hillside to resemble a natural rock pool. The adjacent deck is the perfect place to chill on a lounger with an ice-cold drink and to keep an eye on proceedings at the waterhole. Close by lies a small fire-pit boma area – perfect for relaxing under the stars and reliving the day’s game viewing excitement with fellow guests.
One of the most common bits of feedback from satisfied Elephant Rock guests is that the meals are truly superb and accompanied by excellent service. With a staff ratio of one staff member per guest, you’re ensured phenomenal service and personalised attention to detail! Mouth-watering meals are prepared by the in-house chef and a variety of dining experiences and locations are offered – you may find yourself enjoying a sumptuous dinner next to the fire in the main lodge on a cold night, a traditional meal complete with roaring fire in the boma, or a meal under the stars on the magnificent deck overlooking the waterhole! With just 10 guests meals are often served at a communal table which allows you to cement the friendships built up on the game drives and those pre-dinner drinks at the bar.
As a smallish 10 000 hectare reserve, Nambiti obviously isn’t able to deliver the massive herds that the Kruger can produce for example, but the feedback that we get from guests regarding the reserve’s game viewing is usually extremely positive. The Big Five is on offer (although you’re very unlikely to see leopard if we’re being honest) and there is a generous amount of general game to be seen too (including more kudu than we’ve ever seen before!) And that’s before we mention the very attractive landscapes through which you’ll traverse on your game drives – including Serengeti-like extensive grassy plains, rolling hills covered in thick bushveld and even the spectacular valley carved through the reserve by the Sundays River (including not insubstantial waterfalls)
No wonder guests return happy from Elephant Rock: take excellent game viewing, lovely varied landscapes, comfortable rooms, exquisite cuisine and high standards of personal service - all at exceptional value for money – and it adds up to a winning combination!
