Rates From: Single R1,895. Sharing R1,395.

Location: Bela Bela (Warmbaths)

Category: Lodge   (definitions)

Official Grading: 

Customer Rating:

85%

Itaga Lodge is less than 2 hours drive from Johannesburg, near Bela-Bela (formerly Warmbaths) in Limpopo Province, situated in a 12,000 hectare, Malaria free game reserve - home to the ‘big 5’.

Itaga has earned a proud reputation as an exclusive, graded five star lodging establishment of understated elegance, offering 8 luxuriously appointed climate controlled en suite, African styled chalets. Each room has a private pergola covered patio and guests have a choice of either shower and bath, or shower only. Most rooms also feature a screened outdoor ‘bush shower’ for that exhilarating ‘Out of Africa’ experience!

The Main Lodge
The thatched central complex of the lodge 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 complimentary tea and coffee refreshment station for the convenience of our guests; a DSTV loft lounge and library; a gift, art, curio and fashion goods boutique, and a swimming pool with Martini seats / large sun deck, overlooking the waterhole. The elevated ‘top deck’ offers stunning views across the plains and the quiet solitude of this private location makes it the perfect place to witness sensational sunsets, as you savour 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 securely encircled by an electrified game fence. The lodge also has comfortable indoor / outdoor conference facilities, catering for up to 16 corporate delegates. Itaga is the perfect place to celebrate special birthdays, anniversaries, engagements and other private social or corporate events – truly the ultimate intimate bushveld breakaway!

Service and Cuisine
Itaga has earned a proud reputation for its excellent service and fine cuisine, complimented by a selection of quality wines, popular liqueurs and imported cigars – for connoisseurs of good living!

Game Viewing
Itaga Lodge has traversing rights over more than 12,000 hectares of good game country, home to elephant, leopard, rhino, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hyena, warthog, a wide variety of antelope and bountiful bird life. Guests can enjoy early morning and afternoon game drives from the comfort of our open 4 x 4 game viewers with individually contoured seats and an experienced tracker / ranger.

Like many other private game reserves, the lions at Mabalingwe 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) - Cost R145 per person, including transport to the Lion camp from Itaga Lodge. 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! should possibly be added.

Resident guests at Itaga Lodge have access to the superb Zebula Country Club and Spa, located about 30 minutes drive from the lodge. This pristine 1,200-hectare bushveld estate has been awarded 5 star accreditation by the South African Tourism Grading Council and boasts a sensational 18-hole world class Peter Matkovich designed golf course. It is also home to a variety of indigenous 'non-predator' free-roaming game species, as well as caged cheetah, lion cubs and other species of animals. Other facilities at the Country Club include the Zebu Health and Beauty Spa, a T.V. lounge, a restaurant, cocktail bar, a swimming pool, a fully equipped gymnasium, a Jacuzzi, tennis courts and a squash court. Transfers from / to the lodge; green fees; hire of golf clubs & golf carts are available to guests of Itaga, at preferential rates.

Optional Activities
In addition to golf, various other optional activities can be arranged and paid for at the lodge. This includes: Guided bush walks; 4 x 4 adventure trails; Night game drives with sundowners in the bush; Horseback trails; Visits to the nearby Cheetah and Wild Dog Breeding Centre; the Lion enclosure, or the Zebu Health and Beauty Spa at the nearby Zebula Country Club.

Limited Availability
The optional excursions / activities which are 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.