Itaga Private Game Lodge Bela Bela

Photographs of Itaga Private Game Lodge Bela Bela

Itaga Private Game Lodge Prices

Search Places to stay in
South Africa

Click for Interactive map

Email Itaga Private Game Lodge Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com

Itaga Private Game Lodge Accommodation

Itaga offers 8 unique, individually styled African themed thatch chalets. Each unit is tastefully furnished with climate control air-conditioning for maximum comfort in warm summers or cool winters. The rooms have private pergola covered patios with comfortable outdoor furniture, perfect for lazy afternoons.

Guests have a choice of either shower and bath or shower only. Most of the rooms also have a screened outdoor bush shower, for that exhilarating 'Out of Africa' experience!
All rooms are equipped with electric hairdryers and power sockets for shaving equipment. All rooms are non-smoking.

Superior rooms also include tea and coffee making facilities, guaranteed inside and outside shower, digital safe, special bathroom amenities, bath robes, slippers and late check out (1pm instead of 11am).

The thatched central complex has a romantically appointed dining area; an intimate lounge with feature fireplace; a cocktail bar with viewing deck overlooking the floodlit waterhole; a cozy open-air bush boma; an all day tea & coffee refreshment station for the convenience of our guests; a DStv loft lounge and library; a gift, curio and fashion goods boutique; a swimming pool with large sundeck, and indoor / outdoor conference facilities catering for up to 16 corporate delegates.

The 'upper deck' offers stunning views across the plains and the quiet solitude of this private location makes it the perfect place to witness sensational sunsets, whilst savouring the moment with a sundowner cocktail.
For the safety of our guests (and the protection of our Marula trees from mischievous elephant), the area surrounding the camp is encircled by an electrified game fence.

Itaga Private Game Lodge Facilities And Services

Cuisine
Itaga Lodge is renowned for its excellent service and fine cuisine, complemented by a selection of South Africa’s best wines. We also offer a choice of popular liqueurs, cognacs and imported cigars for after dinner enjoyment.
Please be warned that your dinner may be interrupted by a minor distraction when a thirsty Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, or one of the many other game species that frequent our floodlit waterhole, stops by for a visit!.

Breakfast is a scrumptious ‘brunch’ served either at the pool deck or in the main dining area shortly after the early morning game drive returns.
It usually comprises of juices, cereals, breads, a selection of fresh fruit, yoghurt, cheeses and cold meats, as well as a hearty ‘cooked to order’ South African breakfast.

High Tea is usually presented at the cocktail bar shortly before the afternoon game drive departs. It generally includes fruit, pastries, cakes, savories and sandwiches, served with tea or coffee.

Dinner is a three course white tablecloth candlelight affair in our romantic restaurant which is situated directly opposite the floodlit waterhole.
We offer a choice of 3 starters (usually the soup of the day, a salad dish and the chef’s selection); a choice of 3 main courses (usually a vegetarian meal, chicken or fish and the chef’s main course recommendation). This is followed by your choice from our selection of 3 popular deserts, or a cheese platter.

Snack Menu – Our snack menu is available from 10 am to 5 pm each day. It offers a selection of light meals (hamburgers, salads, sandwiches, quiches, etc), for those who may feel the need for a light snack in-between meals.

IMPORTANT RESTAURANT SEATING
We do not seat all of our guests together at one long table with our game rangers for meals like most other game lodges do.
At Itaga our guests always have the intimacy of their own private table for each breakfast / dinner sitting, either alone as a couple or together with the family / friends who booked with them as a single party.

Included:
Luxury climate controlled, en-suite accommodation; welcome drink on arrival; scrumptious brunch; high tea with savouries; three course candlelight dinner; two game drives per day in our open 4 x 4 game viewers; complimentary tea; coffee and biscuits available from our self service refreshment station throughout the day.

Conferences
Due to its close proximity to Pretoria and Johannesburg, Itaga Lodge is the ultimate, intimate 'bush break' venue for small corporate conferences or special events, from 6 to 16 people.
Our indoor / outdoor conference facilities can be configured to meet your precise requirements and we can provide flip charts, overhead projector, T.V., video equipment etc., for your convenience.
Tea and coffee refreshments can be served on the upper deck, which offers spectacular elevated views across the plains.

For total exclusivity and privacy, conference groups are encouraged to take over the entire lodge for the duration of their stay.
The dining area and waterhole viewing deck are ideal for smaller breakaway group working sessions or for 'open air' conference meetings, where the only distraction may be the occasional visit from Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo or other game, to our waterhole.

Activities And Attractions In And Around Itaga Private Game Lodge

Game activities: 12,000 Hectare malaria free reserve - home to the 'Big 5'
Itaga Lodge has traversing rights over more than 12, 000 hectares of good game country - home to Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Hippo, Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hyena, Warthog, a wide variety of antelope and bountiful bird life.
Guests can enjoy an early morning and afternoon game drives with an experienced tracker / ranger from the comfort of our open 4 x 4 game vehicles, with individually contoured bucket seats for the comfort of each passenger.

Like many other private game reserves, the lions in our reserve are contained in a separate high security, fenced area of the reserve. It is necessary to book for a visit to the Mabalingwe Lion enclosure – (Wednesdays and Sundays at 9am).
Visits to the lion enclosure at Mabalingwe should be pre-booked after arrival and will be subject to space availability, based on the limited number of permitted visitors for each scheduled game drive / viewing experience. Visitors are not always guaranteed to see the lions as they can be elusive!

Optional activities
Resident guests at Itaga Lodge have access to the superb 5 star Zebula Golf Estate & Spa. It is located just 20 minutes drive from the Lodge, via our private access road through the reserve with an opportunity for an additional game drive along the way.

This pristine 2, 600 hectare bushveld resort and nature reserve was voted ‘Best New Golf Estate’ in South Africa when it opened in 2004.
It boasts a sensational 18 hole world class Peter Matkovich designed golf course. Green fees, hire of golf clubs & golf carts are available to guests of Itaga Lodge at special member rates and transfers to / from Zebula can be provided by the Lodge in our 4 x 4 vehicles.

It features the most modern equipment and offers stress relieving therapy in a tranquil environment where one can revitalize the body and soul.
A wide variety of popular pedicure, manicure, massage, hydro, tanning, health & spa treatments are available in addition to a range of exclusive beauty products.

This private estate is also home to an extensive variety of free roaming indigenous ‘non predator’ plains game with unique and abundant bird life.
The Animal Care Centre provides an opportunity for visitors to be photographed with Lion Cubs or baby Bengal Tigers and the famous Zebula ‘Cheetah Run’ is a chance to learn more about these fast and fascinating felines as you experience the exhilaration of seeing them reach exceed speeds of almost 100 kilometres an hour.

Elephant Back Safari's
One of the newest and most popular attractions is the Elephant Back Safari’s where guests of Itaga Lodge can enjoy a two hour interaction program with these gentle giants, including a one hour elephant back safari!
This once in a lifetime ‘must do’ excursion is highly recommended and should preferably be pre-booked with us in advance, at the time of making the reservation for your stay at Itaga Lodge.
The Itaga Lodge management team will provide you with full details and prices for the optional excursions program we offer.

Limited Availability
The optional excursions / activities which are mainly outsourced to private contractors have limited availability, particularly over weekends, on public holidays and during the S. A. school holidays.
Please therefore advise our management staff as far in advance as possible if you would like us to make a reservation for one of those services, on your behalf.

What to Bring
Itaga is located in a malaria free area so no need to worry about malaria precautions. Bring comfortable, light clothing and swimsuits in the summer and warm clothes for the winter.
The wind-chill factor on the early morning and late afternoon game drives can make it chilly in winter and even though we provide blankets and hot water bottles we recommend a thick fleece jacket or similar.
Comfortable walking shoes, Binoculars, cameras, animal/Bird books, sun hats and plenty of sunscreen are also advised.

Directions To Itaga Private Game Lodge

From Johannesburg or Pretoria, take the N1 North, Polokwane (Pietersburg) / Platinum Toll Highway.
Pass through the Pumulani Toll Plaza - (Approximately R6 toll fee for cars / mini-buses).
Pass the Panorama Petroport on your left hand-side and continue through the Carousel Toll Plaza - (Approximately R27 toll fee for cars / mini-buses).
Pass the turnoff to the Carousel Casino on your left and approximately 40 kilometres later, take the R516 Bela Bela / Settlers turn off (exit 238) and keep left. At the T junction stop street, turn right into the R101 Bela Bela road, passing the Waterfront Arts and Craft Centre on your left, (‘A’ frame timber units).
At the next set of traffic lights, (immediately after crossing the railway bridge), turn left again into Potgieter Street and follow the road which curves around to the right.
Then turn left at the intersection (into Chris Hani Drive), passing the entrance to the Forever Resorts Warmbaths complex (on your left hand side). Proceed to the next roundabout and then turn left, following the signs to Mabalingwe, Thabazimbi and Rooiberg, at that circle.
Follow the road for approximately 28 kilometres. The Mabalingwe Nature Reserve signboard / entrance will be on your right hand side. Once you have gone through the Mabalingwe main gate, take an immediate sharp left turn on to the dirt road, (chain will be removed by gate attendant).
After turning onto this road, follow the signs to Itaga Lodge, which is approximately 8 kilometres from the Mabalingwe main gate entrance.

Airstrip co-ordinates for Pilots
Latitude S24° 50’ 26”
Longitude E28° 02’ 53”
Elevation 3850 ft
Runway 1.3km long
Radio Frequency 124.8
Circle camp twice for transport

Email Itaga Private Game Lodge Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com