Directions / Getting There

To drive to the lodge you require a vehicle with relatively high clearance; 4×4 is not necessary unless during our rainy season, (traditionally October to March).

Should your vehicle not be suitable, we can arrange parking at a neighbouring reserve with transfers to Makongo Hills Lodge.

From Johannesburg (6 hours)

• Exit from Johannesburg on the Witbank N4
• Take the Middelburg exit to Hendrina
• Continue towards Ermelo on the N11
• Continue towards Piet Retief on the N2
• Stay on the N2 North until you reach Pongola.  See below

From Durban (5 hours)

• Exit from Durban to Stanger on the N2 North
• Staying on the N2 North, continue past Empangeni, past Mkuze to Pongola
• Do not take the R69 Candover turnoff from the N2, but rather continue all the way to Pongola.   See below

From Pietermaritzburg (5 hours)

• Exit off the N3 onto the R74 towards R103 and Colenso.
• Turn right.
• Follow signs to Dundee through Ezakheni Industrial area in Ladysmith.
• From Dundee, travel towards Vryheid for 70km.
• Turn right towards Louwsburg.
• After 6km, take a right turn on the R69 towards Louwsburg and Mkhuze.
• Travel along this road for approximately 100km, and you will see signs for “KwaZulu Private Game Reserve”.   See below

… From Pongola

• Once in Pongola, take the R66 towards Nongoma.
• Continue for approximately 20kms.
• Turn right onto the R69 to Vryheid/Louwsburg.
• Continue for 2km, turn left onto a dirt road at the brown sign that says “Mpilo” and “Amakhosi Lodge”.

… From Mpilo Private Game Reserve

• Go through the security gate, then follow the main dirt road.

…Your game viewing begins now

• You will go through a second automated gate.
• Carry on along the road – BUT instead of going right where a sign reads “Lodge”, carry on towards the river. There is a sign here saying Ven-Africa Private Game Reserve.
• Cross the low-level bridge and continue along the road until you reach the reserve gate.

… To the lodge

• Open the gate and continue along the main road for approximately 8 km. Follow the signs to the homestead.
• All reserves you drive through are Big 5 reserves, be cautious and do not get out of the vehicle