About Mbazo Safari Lodge
DRINKS INCLUDED! A stunningly stylish and luxurious new lodge of 5 gorgeous suites in the private Black Rhino reserve area that will delight fans of new contemporary game lodge architecture and design!
One of the most exciting things we’ve seen at Bushscapes over the last few years has been the opening of some seriously stylish and luxurious new lodges in the Pilanesberg, a reserve previously best known for its easy accessibility from Gauteng rather than boasting any cutting edge accommodation options. That’s now very much changed, with the likes of Tambuti Lodge and Lush Private Lodge being joined by the latest new arrival at the back-end of 2021, the gorgeous Mbazo Safari Lodge!
Tucked away in a tamboti forest in the exclusive Black Rhino reserve, a private conservancy located on the unfenced north-west border of the Pilanesberg National Park, Mbazo is a stunning little 5 room lodge that will delight fans of the latest contemporary game lodge architecture and style! Forget the old conservative and traditional thatch roof and heavy brick walls aesthetic of game lodges of the past – instead Mbazo is light, bright and airy and unashamedly modern and contemporary in its architecture as well as in the décor pieces which feature to such prominent and stylish effect!
Floor to ceiling windows and doors are framed by way of modern metal frame structural construction and a common theme throughout the lodge is the use of charcoal coloured feature walls and lovely rough hewn wooden beamed ceilings, whilst depending on where you are in the lodge, floors are either cement screed or wood. Against this stylish backdrop, Mbazo sees the use of decidedly funky lightshades, as well as gorgeous contemporary chairs and other feature furniture pieces as well as colourful art works that really pop against the charcoal backdrop! Take for example the stunning mural in the dining area, an imposing and eye-catching work by talented Jo-burg street artist Dbongz Mahlathi. Funky yet classily stylish, with its clean modern lines softened by the prominent use of organic materials like leather and wood, Mbazo is a delightfully attractive contemporary game lodge that gets the balance between sleek modernity and warm and inviting luxury spot on!
The 5 lovely suites are spread amongst the tamboti forest and are some of the most attractive new rooms we’ve seen at any of the newer game lodges to have opened in recent years. The overwhelming impression you get is of openness and airiness, with the bedroom capable of being fully opened to the front through stackable floor to ceiling glass doors, so you can lie on your enormous and oh-so comfy bed whilst almost feeling at one with the bush outside.
If we had to pick a favourite element though, it would have to be the gorgeous bathrooms – again massive expanses of glass giving unrivalled views out into the forest are the order of the day here, with a stunning standalone bath that’ll have you wanting to start running the taps on first sight! Then there’s a minimalistic walk-in shower inside as well as an outside shower on your deck, so you really are spoilt for choice! Our favourite touch though has to be the delightfully bright and colourful feature mosaic on the splashback wall supporting the twin vanities! Perhaps the only thing missing here is your own private plunge pool - an increasingly common feature in newer build game lodges that would have really put the cherry on top of these otherwise stunning rooms!
The main lodge building is very similarly styled and decorated to the suites, with a funky bar area leading out onto the pool deck with it’s half-moon shaped swimming pool that overlooks a small watering hole (both of which tend to attract herds of ellies to drink!) Given that the rooms don’t have their own plunge pools, perhaps a small criticism we could level is that the pool and immediate deck area with its comfy sun loungers could be a little bigger to accommodate guests, especially when the lodge is full.
What is definitely not up for criticism though is the delectable dining on offer at Mbazo – little wonder given that the chef has worked previously in such illustrious kitchens as Singita, La Colombe and Lion Sands! Look at the reviews and you’ll see that rave reports from guests about the delicious meals on offer at Mbazo dominate the feedback!
Whilst game viewing in the Pilanesberg is obviously not generally up to the standards of the most prestigious reserves like the Sabi Sand, Mbazo being located in the private Black Rhino conservancy and having access to the exclusive wilderness area in the north-western sector of the reserve not open to the general public, does compensate to an extent (as does the much shorter travelling time from Gauteng of course!) And between game drives there’s always the opportunity to relax around the lodge, perhaps enjoying a pampering massage in the comfort of your gorgeous suite!
Interestingly, Mbazo welcomes kids of all ages (although they have to be 12 years or older to actually go on game drive, unless you hire your own private vehicle) and there's even a kid's club to keep them happy and occupied whilst mom and dad can enjoy being pampered!
