Mabula Game Lodge
Waterberg, South Africa · Private reserve
How we rate
Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
Photo: Mabula Game Lodge · Source ↗
Full board (FB)
Accommodation, Three meals daily and 3 more
90 rooms
Superior Room, Superior Room (with sleeper couch), Suites
All ages welcome
Family rooms available
By air
via O.R. Tambo International Airport
From about A$480
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Mabula Game Lodge
Mabula Game Lodge sits in the Waterberg bushveld, with 90 rooms and suites in Mabula Private Game Reserve. Twice-daily guided safaris and three meals shape the day, leaving time for the swimming pool, spa and shared lounges. Superior rooms include air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms, while sleeper-couch rooms and suites accommodate families with children under 12. Dining spaces range from the main restaurant to the outdoor boma. Road access from Johannesburg makes this a practical choice for families and groups wanting a lodge-based safari.
“A practical family safari base with road access from Johannesburg, meals and twice-daily drives included, and a pool and shared lounges for time between outings.”
Best for
Known for
What you can expect to see
The reserve is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, rhinos, elephants, buffalo and giraffes, with more than 300 bird species.
Your stay
What's included
Board: Full board (FB)
Special offer: Spring Safari Escape: from R2,750 per person sharing per night in a Superior Room, for South African residents travelling mid-week from 1 September to 30 November 2026. Includes accommodation, all meals and two safaris daily. Use code SPRING26. Excludes conservation levies, gate-entry fees and premium-brand beverages where applicable. Direct bookings only, subject to availability.
Included
- Accommodation
- Three meals daily
- Two guided safaris daily
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Mini fridge
- Walking safaris
- Game drives
Not included
- Park fees
Conservation levies are payable separately at the lodge.
Optional extras (at a cost)
- Transfers
- Drinks
Transfers and beverages cost extra. Hot-air balloon safaris are also available at an additional charge.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Boma
- Curio shop
- Wheelchair accessible
In your room
- En-suite bathroom
- Air-conditioning
- Tea/coffee station
- Safe
Rooms
Where you sleep
- Superior RoomEn-suite bathroom, Air-conditioning, Mini fridge, Tea/coffee station, Safe
- Superior Room (with sleeper couch)sleeps 2 adults and 2 children · Sleeper couch for two children under 12 · En-suite bathroom, Air-conditioning, Mini fridge, Tea/coffee station, Safe
- Suites3 at the property · sleeps 2 adults and 2 children · Sleeper couch for two children under 12 · Lounge area, En-suite bathroom, Air-conditioning, Mini fridge, Tea/coffee station, Safe
Activities
Things to do
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- O.R. Tambo International Airport
- Transfer
- Mabula Game Lodge
- How you arrive
- By air · via O.R. Tambo International Airport
- Transfers
- The drive from O.R. Tambo International Airport takes approximately 2-2.5 hours. Airport road transfers can be arranged at an extra charge.
Good to know
Before you book
- Check-out
- By 10:00
- Children
- All ages welcome. Family rooms available
- Single travellers
- A single supplement applies
- Accepted currencies
- ZAR
- Malaria
- Malaria-free area
- Minimum stay
- 2 nights
Before you travel
Australian Government travel advice
South Africa
Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution
Last updated
Read the full advice on Smartraveller for South Africa (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Summarised and shortened by Explore Africa; read the full advice on Smartraveller.
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Good
- April: Good
- May: Dry season, best game viewing
- June: Dry season, best game viewing
- July: Dry season, best game viewing
- August: Dry season, best game viewing
- September: Dry season, best game viewing
- October: Dry season, best game viewing
- November: Good
- December: Good
- Dry season, best game viewing
- Good
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
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Nearby
Other stays nearby
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Details checked November 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed when you enquire.