Babanango Game Reserve: Next-Level Landscapes, Game Drives, Chopper Ride, Ziplining, & More!

Each safari is different and that’s why travel agents and trip planners like mmmeeee are here to set you up for the perfect safari vibes for YOU!! Some experiences are more wild and rugged, some are next-level luxury, there are options for self-drives or guided game drives, with more or less crowds, with varying wildlife opportunities.

I’ve just spent a magical 3 days of adventure at Babanango Game Reserve, located in the wild heart of Zululand, and it was like no other safari I’d done before! I’m about to tell you why this safari could be the perfect fit for you.

It was my first trip to KwaZulu-Natal, an area I have heard sooo much about, and I was so excited to witness its natural beauty for myself. Babanango did NOT disappoint. The reserve is a 3-hour drive from King Shaka Airport in Durban, a drive that took us through lush green rolling hills speckled with local villages.

Located in the wild heart of Zululand, Babanango and its surrounding lands have an incredibly rich history and Babanango is the largest conservation project of its kind. Bigbig things are happening here and i was so excited to be the first Canadian agent to visit!! It is undergoing so many exciting developments including a brand new five star lodge set on the river (which I got a sneak peek of and was the first agent to get stay at!!).

Babanango is one of South Africa’s largest private rewinding projects in 30 years. The 22,000-hectare property is home to species including cheetahs, giraffe, buffalo, rhino (even black rhino!), zebras, kudus, eland, warthogs (we saw the cutest lil babies!), brown hyena, and is introducing lions and elephants this year!

75% of the reserve is on community trust land, which means the partnership empowers its people, employs members of the local villages, and everything is a community-based decision.

My favourite part of Babanango was its scenery… I am talking NEXT LEVEL. I can’t count how many times I said “this is so beautiful” while driving around or looking out the window or over the deck.

The landscapes feel like a utopia. The reserve is so mountainous, lush, green, diverse, breathtaking. Views for days. There are so many different forms of vegetation, with cacti, aloes EVERYWHERE which I have never seen anywhere let alone on safari!! There are kopjes (rocky outcrops) rising through the land, expansive green grasslands that are endangered and protected, little creeks and rivers running everywhere with the clearest water, and the mighty Umfolozi River rushing through the reserve. The colours were actually INSANE: the most vivid greens and blues ever.

While Babanango does offer your standard safari game drives, the beauty of this reserve (along with its landscapes, which I still feel like I haven’t done justice but you will just have to go see them for yourself ok) is that it offers so many other activities!! It’s where you go if maybe you have already seen the Big 5 on safari, want to get away from the crowds of Kruger and experience incredible rolling landscapes and some unique adventures.

I got to go on a helicopter flight (check out my reel here!), of which you can join the conservation flights patrolling the property or hire for private use (champagne stop on a mountaintop, anyone?), I really can’t describe how epic and beautiful it was to see these landscapes from above.

We also went zip lining, which again was mind blowingly stunning — zipped across a river, over a waterfall, across the canyon, I felt like I was in a movie. Babanango also offers a visit to a copper mine, the Zulu battlefields, nature walks, bush dining, and more!!

There are a range of accommodation options from 5 star luxury to large-group camping. I got to experience 3 lodges and they were all so amazing and unique in their own way!!

Zulu Rock Lodge is perched up on the mountaintop with the most RIDICULOUS views. The decor is so so gorg and tasteful, pool view is epic, the cozy chalets have their own fireplaces, there is a family option and honeymoon option and standard chalets. I was extremely obsessed with the wallpaper in the lodge main area bathroom… White lotus Vibes. We had some rainy indoor weather there so kept things cozy and definitely loved living the high life at Zulu Rock!

Madwaleni River Lodge (named after the nearby mountain) is the new ultra-luxury tented camp, set on the banks of the river so you hear it rushing from bed. The tent design is one-of-a-kind and has already won awards, and is the biggest safari tent I have ever stayed in. The tents even have their own heated plunge pools!! There is also an infinity pool, eco-friendly gym, 1000-bottle wine cellar, and amazing library, it all feels very elegant and like you’re transported into another world.

Finally, Valley Lodge was sooo homely and cozy, the staff was so welcoming (shout out to my man Lovemore who is a legend!! and what a name?!?!), it’s an old farmhouse with 9 rooms that’s been converted into a lodge set amongst a beautiful aloe garden with a yoga platform, gym, two-level infinity pool, outdoor boma. Epic communal vibes super family friendly, especially as the lodge is fenced off from the reserve so kiddos can roam freely.

Such an amazing experience that I am so grateful for. If you’re reading this and would love to experience the magic of Babanango, please reach out to me and let’s book the perfect safari for you!!!