Zulu Nyala, nestled close to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, is set in lush green vegetation dotted with yellow fever trees. This privately owned reserve offers a unique bush experience in the heart of one of South Africa’s most diverse conservation regions. Ranked among the top 10% of safari lodges worldwide, Zulu Nyala provides an unparalleled safari experience where guests can immerse themselves in the beauty of South Africa's wildlife.
A giraffe at Zulu Nyala Private Game Reserve.
A Prime Location for Exploration
Nestled between the wilderness reserves of Mkuze, Hluhluwe, St. Lucia, and Sodwana Bay, this lush stretch of paradise is home to a wide variety of game. Zulu Nyala offers excursions to about all other attractions in Zululand, which makes it a great base for exploration. However, it can be recommended as an affordable base to explore the likes of iSimangaliso, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Phinda on a series of well organised day excursions.
Wildlife Encounters
The surrounding sanctuary is a good place to photograph elephant, cheetah, rhino and buffalo, in part because it is so small that it would be difficult to go on a game drive and not trip over them all at some point. The reserve is very small and it is easy to get close to a variety of animals including cheetah and rhino. All animals are very habituated which makes it a great place to see behaviour and interaction of herd animals like zebras and nyala.
White Rhino at Zulu Nyala Private Game Reserve, South Africa- May 2007
Rhino at Zulu Nyala Private Game Reserve.
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Accommodation and Amenities
The camp, set on a hilltop, overlooks the surrounding bush that seems to go on forever. Luxury and aesthetics meet in a mountain-top hideaway.
Getting There
We flew from OR Tambo International (Johannesburg, also called Joburg) to a very small airport called Richards Bay - in the southeast. You can fly to the much larger Durban International airport. However, Richards Bay is only about 1 ½ hours from Zulu Nyala whereas Durban is about 3 hours. The shuttle is an air-conditioned van with about 9 or so seats, and they will give you a bottle of water, but you’ve got to be committed to the idea of being on a shuttle bus for 3 hours. All on the drive from Richards Bay to the resort. We were greeted by the Zulu Nyala driver. The driver loaded our bags, handed us bottled water, then off he went.
Lodges
The Heritage Lodge people were dropped off first - a group of four. I couldn’t get a good view of the front of the Heritage building, covered by trees, the configuration of the entrance, etc., but I understand it’s very large. It’s also the area with the tented facilities (I was told there was no air conditioning in the tent spaces). About 2-3 miles away is the next stop, the Game Lodge. A bumpy ride along a dirt road. That’s where Steve and I stayed. It had been recommended by friends to ask for a room overlooking the pool and view, which we did and were very thankful for. The Game Lodge is quieter than the Heritage, I’m told. There is no internet in the rooms and barely internet in the reception, the dining area had better reception. Still, it disconnected a lot.
Rooms and Grounds
The view is simply stunning - a panorama of dense jungle forests and overlapping mountains. The mornings are colorful blues, oranges, pinks with wispy fog just above the tree line, and grays, blues and green mountains in the background. It’s a great upgrade, and some of the people we talked to who did not upgrade, wished they had. Folks actually did change their rooms a few days in. There are still animals about the grounds, especially in the early mornings - such as monkeys, nyalas (which look like antelopes with stripes), wild boar…others I could barely make out. Mostly nyalas who seem cool with people as long as you don’t get too close. You’ll be told to not interact with the monkeys. They may be cute, but they’re vicious little buggers. Tons of geckos on the walls near the restaurant and other buildings. Luckily, I haven’t seen anything other than an occasional bug in the room. The room is large, clean, and updated. No TV. There’s an air conditioning unit and a large overhead fan. The first few days we only used the overhead fan, but these last two days we’ve had the aircon at 20-celsius.
Culinary Experiences
The food is okay, but definitely not great. The first night the food was not good at all. The steak was inedible and the yellowtail fish was overcooked, as were the vegetables. Drinks cost extra (except bottled water and juices). The salads are still good as are the soups - interesting and tasty. They seem to like “puree-ing” the soups, such as tomato, potato and leek, and broccoli. Some days it’s best just to stick with the soup and salad. Warning, they have an affinity for barbecue sauce on a lot of their meats. I also like the breakfasts - there are only slight variations each day. Some days it’s served a la carte (if there are not enough guests) and some days buffet style. There are plenty of choices if you’re a vegetarian - rices, potatoes, vegetables like stuffed squash with spinach, ratatouille, vegetable-based soups, salads, cheeses, and breads.
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The dining area at Zulu Nyala Game Lodge.
The Meat
Probably the most important thing here is the meat. They’re big on meat here - “venison.” The venison is impala or nyala. I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is NO, they don’t shoot the Zula Nyala animals to feed the guests - they purchase the meat elsewhere. Oh yea, the curries are good. There’s a good amount of wines to choose from. The shiraz was tastier, a little drier, and went well with venison - okay, I admit, I didn’t eat the venison - Steve tried it. He said it was delicious and tender. I did try the roasted lamb - just a small portion - prepared at a carving station. It was excellent.
Safari Adventures
If you’re staying in the Game Lodge, you’ll likely have to awaken somewhere around 5AM. That’s five-in-the-morning-AM. You read that right. Inhuman time. You catch the Land Cruiser with your designated ranger just outside the reception area. Sandiso and me in front of the land cruiser. Now it’s possible you’ll be able to sleep in a little longer, and your ranger will pick you up at 6AM instead. Depends on whether the ranger is picking up others at the Heritage Lodge first or you first. You’re allowed to opt out of any safari, but I wouldn’t advise it as in the morning there’s tons of activity. You’re also offered an afternoon safari - at 3PM. The afternoon has different kinds of action. You never know what you’ll see from one safari to the next.
Important Information for Safaris
- No breakfast before going on a safari (breakfast is from 7-9:30AM).
- You can eat when you get back.
- You could make instant coffee or tea in your room.
- The first morning we saw a lot of animals from the get-go on our drive to pick up the Heritage lodgers.
Coffee Situation
About the Coffee Sitch: instant coffee is a thing here. It’s the method of offering you the much-needed drink. First, you’re like, “what? Instant, no no no. I NEED brewed.” But then desperation kicks in and you make a friggin pot of hot water and think, “how bad can it be,” and yes, you’ll be disappointed but you’ll drink it. After all, it’s FIVE-FRIGGIN-IN-THE-MORNING. Steve was satisfied with water. Non-coffee drinkers can be annoying.
Wildlife Encounters on Safari
On the safari with our group (one set missed their wakeup call so it was just Steve, myself and a young Israeli couple) we saw zebras, giraffes in the distance, and a totally-alpha female mama elephant that didn’t want us on the roadway. She was grazing with her 16-year-old baby and her sister, ripping apart tree limbs all willy-nilly and pulling up some of that plentiful long grass. Ten minutes in she did a side-eye glare at us, flared her big ears and marched with a “Whaddaya think you’re staring at” look directly toward the back of our Land Cruiser. The young Israeli girl got up from her seat and let out a panic-filled English phrase of “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.” By the second safari at 3PM, we saw nearly every kind of animal on the reserve, including the warthogs. We saw tons of different kinds of birds as well, and both the white rhinos (females and babies) and the black rhinos (male, female, and baby). Yes, it’s fascinating and too difficult to convey the feeling of seeing these animals in this setting.
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Safari at Zulu Nyala Private Game Reserve.
Important Safari Guidelines
When we saw the impalas or nyalas, I asked why they didn’t run off. The ranger told me they are used to seeing the trucks and people, however, if we step out of the truck, they’ll dart. They only have so much trust. He also explained thoroughly about animal behavior and danger. He wanted to be sure we understand that screaming, sudden movements, loud talking, flailing arms, and even direct speech toward the animals was a big no-no. Wild animals are so instinctual, that they’ll interpret movement and sound the way they know best - and that could be a pounce. No, there are no bars or protective fencing on the truck. One must be cognizant of the ranger’s advice and the surroundings.
Sometimes the elephants just want to push the boundaries, that they don’t really want to attack or anything, but they want to see how they can “push us around.” Sometimes the rangers hold their ground. It can be a little cool in the morning, and as the truck is going along, it’ll feel even cooler. It’s best to bring a light jacket or sweater. I was fine and didn’t need a jacket, but I can see where some people were definitely surprised by the coolness. Bring a backpack and put your water bottles (they give each person a bottle of water in your room each day), a jacket, bug spray a wide-brimmed hat, camera, sunglasses if you need them, and hand wipes. I didn’t find binoculars helpful, but I saw others using them. You don’t really need them.
Landscape and Animal Behavior
There are 5,000 miles in this reserve with lots of different roads. The animals apparently congregate in certain locations based on the watering holes, migration patterns, and food sources. At times you’ll see several different species in one area, practically hanging out together. I did not see much of the hippo, just its ears and eyes barely poking out of the muddy water. I’ve heard other tourists had seen the hippos more clearly out of the water, though it was late in the day. The hippos lives in the water like a gazillion hours, then come out at night to feed on grass.
Side Excursions
For a price, you can do side excursions, which believe me, the staff will definitely tell you about. We kinda mentioned how we were interested in something a little differently than say, petting elephants at a sanctuary. So the ranger told us about the Mbonise Village & School (a local school and home visit). It sounded more up-close and personal of a trip, so we said sure! The more people that join you on the trip, the less it costs per person.
TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award
For the fourth year in a row, Zulu Nyala has been recognised by travellers from around the globe for capturing that very magic. Zulu Nyala has once again won the prestigious TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2025, placing us proudly among the top 10% of hotels and lodges worldwide. This accolade is awarded based on consistently outstanding reviews from the world’s greatest critics-our guests.
Guest Testimonials
The glowing reviews on TripAdvisor are a testament to the exceptional safari experience we offer. Here are a few more guest highlights:
- "The combination of wildlife, stunning scenery, and world-class service makes Zulu Nyala a top choice for anyone looking for the best safari lodge in South Africa."
- "Every day at Zulu Nyala was filled with adventure, and the rangers were so knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife."
- "The heritage and charm of the lodge, paired with the thrilling safari drives, make this the perfect getaway for anyone wanting an authentic African experience."
Book Your Safari
With Zulu Nyala ranking among the top 10% of hotels worldwide, there’s no better time to book your African safari adventure. Join us for an unforgettable experience at one of the best game lodges in South Africa, where luxury meets the untamed wilderness.
Summary Table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Zululand, South Africa, near Mkuze, Hluhluwe, St. Lucia, and Sodwana Bay |
| Wildlife | Elephants, rhinos, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs, nyala, and over 40 species of animals |
| Accommodation | Game Lodge and Heritage Lodge, with options for rooms overlooking the pool and scenic views |
| Activities | Guided game drives, side excursions to local villages and schools |
| Dining | Buffet-style meals with a variety of options, including venison and vegetarian dishes |
| Awards | TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award (Top 10% of hotels worldwide) |
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