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Mabula Game Lodge sits deep in South Africa’s malaria-free Limpopo Province, where 12,000 hectares of untamed bushveld set the stage for thrilling wildlife encounters. Just a few hours from Johannesburg, the reserve is home to the Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino plus their lesser-known friends, the Little Five, offering a complete safari experience. For those craving something truly unique, the lion tracking adventure lets you follow these powerful cats on foot, guided by expert rangers who bring the bush to life with every step.
After a day of exploring, retreat to your accommodation, where private decks offer front-row seats to the wild. Meals are served in the open air or under a canopy of stars in the traditional Boma, while evenings are filled with the sounds of the African night. Whether it’s off-road game drives, guided bush walks, or spotting wildlife from your own verandah, Mabula delivers an unforgettable safari filled with adventure, discovery, and a deep connection to nature.
For a full breakdown of this amazing holiday, scroll down to the "itinerary" section below.
Departures & Pricing
Below are prices from May to December 2026 departure dates
- From $3,378 per person twin share*
- From $4,511 per person, sole traveller*
Call our team today to find out more on 1300 414 198. Our team can also assist with booking International flights and accommodation as part of your overall travel plans.
Please note: prices are subject to availability at the time of booking and may change or be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Upgrades, transfers, accommodation and more can be quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.
Itinerary
- 1
Mabula Game Reserve
Mabula Game Reserve feels like entering another world. A world that’s home to over 300 species of bird and 60 species of mammal, including the Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Plus, their lesser-known friends, the Little Five - elephant shrew, antlion, rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver and leopard tortoise. Join your tour group at the lodge.
- 2
Mabula Game Reserve
Up with the dawn chorus, head out on a game drive. With open-air safari vehicles and expert guides, get close to the action and explore the grassy plains, rocky outcrops and watering holes that are home to wildlife including lion, cheetah, warthog, leopard, elephant, rhino, hyena, ostrich and jackal. Plus, the grumpiest of them all – the honey badger. With the best chance of seeing big game at dusk and dawn, relax back at the lodge and listen to a wildlife talk before heading out on a second game drive this afternoon. Excursions & visits: Two game drives in Mabula Game Reserve (morning/afternoon) & Wildlife talk
- 3
Mabula Game Reserve
Meet the big cats on a guided lion tracking experience. Get within roaring distance of a pride of lions with experienced rangers. Learn about their behaviour, pride structure and the conservation efforts to protect them. Safari royalty, the power and majesty of these jungle kings is a humbling experience. After lunch, go out on another game drive – keeping watch for comical warthog, wallowing hippos and tree-pruning giraffes. Excursions & visits: Madjuma lion tracking experience (morning) & Game drive in Mabula Game Reserve (afternoon)
- 4
Mabula Game Reserve
This morning, take a walk on the wild side with a guided bush walk. Sticking to the open plains and grasslands, look out for the morning grazers including impala, giraffe and ostrich. The rest of the day is free at the lodge. Settle by the pool, booking a treatment at the spa or simply enjoy the lodge's surroundings. Excursions & visits: Guided bush walk (morning)
- 5
Mabula Game Reserve
Heading out on a game drive before breakfast, we get to enjoy the stillness of the reserve as the sun warms the savannah and the bush comes alive. Wild animals don’t lie in, so this is an amazing time to see active wildlife before the sun gets too hot and the bigger predators go down for a mid-morning nap. The rest of the day is free before a stargazing experience tonight. Free from light pollution, the inky Southern Hemisphere skies above the reserve are mesmerising. A guide talks us through the planets and constellations and the local myths and legends that surround them. Excursions & visits: Game drive in Mabula Game Reserve (morning) & Stargazing experience (evening)
- 6
Mabula Game Reserve
This morning is all about plant power. When faced with an elephant ambling past your 4WD and a warthog snuffling in the bushes outside your chalet, it’s natural to focus on the fauna. But the flora on the reserve is critical to the survival of both the wildlife and the traditions here. Guided by a specialist in local medicine and holistic cultures, this morning’s bush walk focuses on identifying different native plants and their healing properties. This afternoon, we head out on another game drive. Excursions & visits: Guided bush medicine walk (morning) & Game drive in Mabula Game Reserve (afternoon)
- 7
Mabula Game Reserve
The reserve is home to 300 species of birds, including ostrich, osprey, nightjars, and migratory swift, which we hope to see on this morning's guided bush walk. This afternoon, there’s a chance to spot non-feathered friends on a game drive. Spend your final night at the lodge dining under the stars, sharing your favourite moments with new friends, and having a farewell drink for the road. Excursions & visits: Guided bush walk (morning) & Game drive in Mabula Game Reserve (afternoon)
- 8
Mabula Game Reserve
Our last day at Mabula, wake up for one final game drive as the sun rises over the savannah, before saying goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel. Excursions & visits: Game drive in Mabula Game Reserve (morning)
PLEASE NOTE
The above itinerary is subject to change without notice.Specific wildlife sightings on each experience can't be guaranteed. The daily schedule may change subject to local game viewing conditions and the day of your visit to the Ground Hornbill Project will be confirmed during your stay.
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- 20 Meals - 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners
- 7 Nights In Hotels Accommodation
- Transport - Travel In Destination By Coach
- Return transfer from the Airport to Safari
14 excursions & visits
- 7 game drives
- 2 guided bush walks
- Guided bush medicine walk
- Madjuma lion tracking experience
- Endangered species experience and visit to the Ground Hornbill Project
- Stargazing experience
- Wildlife talk
Not included
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
Accommodation
- Mabula Game Lodge
Common questions about this voyage
Flight recommendations 2026
- Group transfers are provided from Johannesburg Airport to Mabula Game Lodge for flights arriving prior to 10.30am on day 1 of tour.
- Recommend pre night accommodation at Southern Sun O.R Tambo Johannesburg Airport depending on flights.
- The hotel has a complimentary 24 hour roundtrip airport shuttle, to be able to meet for the group transfer on day 1 at the airport to Mabula.
- Departing flights on final day to be booked for departure after 7.40pm or recommend a post night at Southern Sun O.R Tambo Johannesburg Airport.
Each of our tours has been given a rating from 1 to 3, with 3 being the most strenuous. It’s really important that you discuss with us your suitability for this tour prior to booking.
The above tour has been classified as:
- Level 2 - A moderately paced holiday with more long days. Excursions may require moderate walking at a steady pace, and you might be required to walk further distances, including over mixed terrain and up and down stairs.
Please note: This is a guide only. Please be aware that for each level you should also be comfortably able to manage the requirements set out in the lower levels.
**Specific wildlife sightings on each experience can't be guaranteed. The daily schedule may change subject to local game viewing conditions and the day of your visit to the Ground Hornbill Project will be confirmed during your stay.
Book this stay
Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.
Terms & conditions
Read the operator’s full booking conditions
A non-refundable deposit of $550 per person is required within 7 days.
Travel further when you're not travelling alone
Our Social Getaways are small-group holidays designed especially for over-60s Australians who want the freedom of a great trip without the work of planning every detail. A Travel at 60 host travels with the group, the operator handles the logistics, and you get to focus on the bit that matters — the people, the places, and the stories you'll bring home.
Open to solo travellers too. Many of our travellers book on their own and find their feet quickly in a friendly group of like-minded Australians. Reduced single-supplement options are available on most departures — ask one of our consultants and we'll talk you through what's offered on this trip.
- A friendly Travel at 60 host — an Australian face on the ground, looking out for the group from day one.
- Curated local guides & boutique suppliers — the same operators we'd book for our own families.
- Real itineraries, not whirlwind tours — comfortable transfers, breathing room, and the “off the beaten track” stops the big bus tours skip.
Want to talk it through? Call 1300 414 198 7 days a week, Queensland time, and one of our consultants will walk you through it.
— The team at Travel at 60
