SAY ‘YES’ - OUR NEWEST OFFERING AT BABANANGO GAME RESERVE , WEDDINGS
We are excited to introduce Babanango Game Reserve as your new wedding destination in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Exchange vows on the banks of the White Umfolozi River at our Madwaleni River
Lodge, with rolling hills and valleys as your backdrop. Say 'I Do' at Babanango, where your love story unfolds in the wilderness, surrounded by stunning views, exclusive lodges, and unforgettable, tailored moments. Watch our short video on Weddings at Babanango Game Reserve.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S '25 BEST PLACES IN THE WORLD TO TRAVEL TO IN 2025'
Babanango Game Reserve has been recognised as one of National Geographic's '25 best places in the world to travel to in 2025.' "The nearly 50,000-acre Babanango Game Reserve is home to the nation's most ambitious rewilding project in decades, successfully reintroducing elephants, lions, rare antelope like oribi and klipspringer, and endangered black rhinos." We are honoured to be handpicked by the publication's explorers, photographers, and editors alongside some of the most beautiful and prestigious places in the world.
WELCOMING OUR NEW CHEETAH CUBS: An exciting update on our rewilding journey - welcoming our first Cheetah cubs.
"The female cheetah was introduced onto Babanango Game Reserve on 2 April 2023. She had been on the reserve for just over a year and a half when she gave birth to five beautiful cubs. The cubs are about 2 months old and mom has done a great job keeping them safe and healthy, especially with the presence of other larger predators such as lions, leopards and hyenas," says Babanango Game Reserve's Ecologist, Stuart Dunlop.
"We believe this is her first litter and marks yet another milestone for us, with this being the first cheetah cubs born in this area in over 150 years. This success would not have been possible without the support from the surrounding communities who offered up valuable grazing land to conserve natural fauna and flora in the heart of Zululand. A true community-conservation success story." Thank you to our talented guide, Mandla, for capturing and sharing the first glimpse of the cubs with us!
MADWALENI RIVER LODGE BOMA: A CULTURAL AND NATURAL DESIGN MARVEL
Introducing our Madwaleni River Lodge Boma set along the White Umfolozi River. Inspired by the traditional Zulu beehive huts, the boma at Madwaleni River Lodge is a testament to the elegance of simple, yet purposeful design. Created from repurposed black wattle trees from our land rehabilitation project, and crafted by local artisans, it combines both conservation and cultural heritage within the structure. The circular flow echoes a theme of harmony, whilst also guiding guests into the centre of the space. The beauty of the setting is magnified by the intricate interplay of light and shadow on the woven walls, creating an intimate ambiance.
"This site, once an old cattle kraal, has always drawn people to its natural beauty. Now, as the Madwaleni Boma, it offers a unique open-air dining experience where guests can connect with the rich cultural history and the surrounding wilderness." Andrew McGill, Babanango Product Manager.