Djuma

Accommodation

Vuyatela

Vuyatela - meaning, "come and visit again" - is an exclusive lodge that has broken the mould of traditional game lodges and is the pride of Djuma Game Reserve.

The chalets, with private deck, pool and detached sitting room, reflect local architecture. Builders used corrugated iron and mud to achieve an authentic effect without sacrificing luxury in any way.

The cultural theme also runs through activities. After morning game-drive guests may accompany their Shangaan guide to his nearby village, where they will have the opportunity of interacting with his family and friends in a very authentic and contemporary African environment.

Vuyatela is an expression of modern South African culture. Each of the eight chalets or kayas is secluded in African bush.

The bedrooms look out onto teak decks, which end in private plunge pools.

Each of the chalets at Vuyatela is a collection of buildings joined to each other. The private lounge is separated from the bedroom by a beautiful Teak deck, which ends at the private plunge pool. The view from the Teak deck is into pristine African Savanna with its bounty of animal life.

You will notice that each of the buildings that make-up your chalet, or "Kaya" (Shangaan word for house), is built in a different technique. Some of the "Kaya’s" have abstract patterns painted on the walls and others have even domestic scenes painted on them.

The suites, which are made up of bedroom, dressing room and bathroom, lounge, private viewing deck and plunge pool, AC, fan, mosquito net, bar fridge, telephone.

Each bathroom, although complete with all indoor facilities, has an outdoor shower as well.

The idea of our cuisine is to take guests back to the basics of Southern African food with classic dishes but placing an emphasis on quality ingredients. Along with the simple, but impressive presentation, and the richness of African cuisine, we intend intriguing the palates of our guests, leaving enough mystery for a return visit.

"Vuyatela Lodge is both extraordinary and wonderful - by far the most unusual bush camp we have ever seen. It is the actualised dream of its idealistic visionary owners, who aimed to create a camp which perfectly combines the natural and contemporary cultural components of Africa.
The attention to detail is exquisite, with hand made mosaics decorating the bathrooms, and the exteriors cleverly painted by local Shangaan villagers. "
Classic African Tours

• 8 luxury suites made up of bedroom, dressing-room and bathroom with bath and outdoor shower, separate lounge, private deck and plunge pool. Air-conditioning, fans, mosquito nets, a telephone and bar fridge.
• The main lodge includes a large double deck, outdoor dining, wine cellar, bar overlooking the watering hole, indigenous aquarium, suspended bird-watching tower.
• Internet library with detailed wildlife websites, gym and relaxation room.
• Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and fresh bakes and dinner daily.
• 2 safaris (game drives) daily. A daily guided walk in the bush.
• We also offer daily tours to a nearby Shangaan village, where you will learn about the customs and traditions of the local people.

Bush Lodge

Bush Lodge is a luxurious family lodge and comprises of eight thatched chalets all with en-suite rooms, air-conditioning, overhead fans and mosquito nets; two viewing decks and a magnificent swimming pool.

The Bush Lodge caters for a maximum
of sixteen guests. The Lodge building, of wood and thatch is unique in its construction and offers magnificent views of the surrounding African veld from the upper deck.

Bush Lodge, a rather special safari place, with many guests returning time and again over the past decade years, has just eight thatched chalets tucked away in indigenous gardens.

The pool is in a small grove of Tamboti trees and is always delightfully cool. There are two viewing decks over the water-hole.

The Lodge building, of wood and thatch is unique in its construction and offers magnificent views of the surrounding African veld from the upper deck.

Morning safaris start early so as not to miss the magic of the African sunrise and most animals are active at this time of day.

The Lodge has a magnificent swimming pool, full bar facilities, laundry services and all chalets are airconditioned.

8 luxury thatched bedrooms, individually situated in the indigenous gardens. All en suite.
All rooms have air-conditioning and ceiling fans, and mosquito nets.
The bathrooms have showers, toilets and sinks.

Breakfast at Bush Lodge is a full English buffet.

Lunch is a simple affair: with hot and cold dishes, and afternoon tea includes fresh bakes. Dinner is a four-course meal. Renowned chef Suzi Holtzhausen has created the menus at Bush Lodge.

Sumptuous dinners are either served in the dining room or under under the African sky, around a roaring fire in the boma.

The safari experience here is unique in that we do not only concentrate on the Big Five, but you can also learn about the history of the reserve and how the Tsongas once lived on this land alongside the animals.

A reputation over the past ten years for a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere encourages guests to truly relax and become one of the Djuma family.

Children are always welcome.

• 8 luxury thatched bedrooms, individually situated in the indigenous gardens.
• All en suite, Air-conditioning, fans, mosquito nets.
• The bathrooms have showers, toilets and sinks.
• Two viewing decks, library and plunge pool. Breakfast is a full English style buffet.
• High tea includes savouries and cakes; dinner is a four course meal under the stars.
• 2 safaris (game drives) daily.
• A daily guided walk in the bush.

Galago Camp

GALAGO CAMP, named for the "lesser bushbaby" in Latin, is a self catering safari camp offering families or small groups the use of the entire camp with total exclusivity. Accommodation is in five colonial-style bedrooms. Galago has expansive views including waterholes.

Guests can relax on the large viewing deck or around the swimming pool. The pool has a view of the water-hole and nothing beats wallowing in the cool pool whilst watching elephants do the same.

A personal guide, tracker and Land Rover vehicle are on hand for your exclusive private safari.

The animals that can be seen include the 'Big Five'.

Galago has 5 en-suite bedrooms, again with air-conditioning and ceiling fans. Rates include accommodation, 2 game drives daily and a bush walk. The camp is fully serviced, and has a catering by arrangement system, to allow guests complete flexibility. Guests bring all their own drinks (soft and alcoholic) and food and prepare their meals themselves. Children are welcome.
Galago is serviced twice daily.

Galago Camp offers families, groups of friends, specialist wildlife groups and corporate incentive or work groups an opportunity to make use of the entire camp, with total exclusivity.
Catering and bar by arrangement, offering a very flexible venue.

The camp is built in a semicircle with a central courtyard. The camp fire in the courtyard creates an intimate, cosy atmosphere.

• Private camp for groups of up to 10 guests.
• 5 luxury bedrooms in the colonial style.
• 1 pilot/guide/chef room (single).
• All en suite with air-conditioning.
• Viewing deck with plunge pool.
• The lodge is self catered.
• Includes fully equipped kitchen with indoor and outdoor cooking facilities.
• Game viewing vehicle with a ranger and tracker.
• 2 safaris (game drives) per day.
• A guided walk in the bush each day.

Activities

The Safari

Your Djuma Experience
The African Savanna is our ancestral home and a visit to this magnificent continent is a must. This is the dark and mysterious continent, where man has had the least impact and still shares his environment with all manner of legendary animals.
What follows is a short description of a typical day in paradise:

Shortly before sunrise you are awakened with steaming coffee and rusks. As the sun rises - a magical time of the day - we set off on our early morning game drive.
The animals that can be seen include the 'Big Five'.

These legendary animals -The 'Big Five' - Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino and Elephant, so-called because of their ferocity when hunted. In a thankfully by-gone era of big game hunters, intrepid travellers endured many a hardship to visit Africa.

During the next three hours or so we will track and find some of the amazing animals that are to be found at Djuma Game Reserve. Soon you will be enjoying the early morning fresh air with one of the 'Big Five'. A close encounter with one of these magnificent beasts is an experience of a lifetime. Your guide is qualified (FGASA levels 2 or 3), and has an extensive knowledge of the savanna and its inhabitants.

After the exciting morning drive we sit down for a hearty breakfast. The mid morning activities include a bush walk and / or a cultural drive to the local village. During the bush walk your guide will show some of the smaller things such as animal tracks, the diverse array of insects, or even a chameleon waiting in ambush of an insect meal.

And of course the birds - there are more than 200 species - are magnificent and the morning walk will introduce you to many of the species.

Your guide also has an extensive knowledge of the culinary and medicinal uses of the various plants.

The cultural drive visits the local communities of Utha and Dixie and guests are shown how the local indigenous people live, a way of life that has changed little since time immemorial. From meeting the headman to visiting the schools, guests leave with a sense of wonder at how different our lives are. Guests are also deeply touched by exuberant spirit of these community-minded people.

By lunchtime we are all are ravenous and tired. You will enjoy a quiet lunch and afterwards relax in the lush gardens or around the pool, or even partake in bit of siesta. The pool at Bush Lodge is immediately adjacent to a mud wallow and it is not unusual to have an elephant having a mud bath whilst you wallow in the cool pool water! The private pools at each of the Vuyatela Kayas allow guests to enjoy their own view of the African bush.

By late afternoon we all assemble again for some tea and cakes and set off for the evening game drive. The game drive stops for a 'sundowner' drink overlooking the magnificent African sunset.

The climax of this game drive is at night when a spotlight is used to find some of the more elusive nocturnal animals such as the awesome Leopard or the cute bushbaby.

At the end the night drive a warm, crackling fire and a sumptuous meal awaits at the lodge. To sit around a blazing fire under the endless African night sky - the brilliant Milky Way intense in the unpolluted skies - is to evoke ancient memories of our ancestors who evolved in this magnificent African Savanna all those millennia ago.

Directions

Directions

How to get to Djuma Game Reserve

Recommended route from Johannesburg:

Take the N12 to Witbank, then to Middleburg. Take the R540 to Belfast, Dullstroom, Lydenburg, Origstad and through the Strydom Tunnel.

On approaching Hoedspruit take the R531 to Klaserie, Acornhoek and then follow the signs for Sabi Sands to Gowrie Gate. Entrance is R80 per vehicle. Go directly to the camp you are booked into: Bush Lodge is 12kms from the gate, Vuyatela is 2kms and Galago Camp 2kms.

Road transfers from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) and Hoedspruit Airport may be booked with Djuma:

- Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) allow 2 ½ hours.
- Hoedspruit Airport allow 1½ hours.

Self drive from Hoedspruit Airport:

Follow the Klaserie signs, at the T Junction turn left onto the R531, then follow the signs for Acornhoek. Then follow the signs for Sabi Sands to Gowrie Gate. Entrance is R80 per vehicle. Go directly to the camp you are booked into: Bush Lodge is 12kms from the gate, Vuyatela is 2kms and Galago Camp 2kms.

Self drive from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA):

Take the R40 to White River, Hazyview, Bushbuckridge and Acornhoek. Then follow the signs for Sabi Sands to Gowrie Gate. Entrance is R80 per vehicle. Go directly to the camp you are booked into: Bush Lodge is 12kms from the gate, Vuyatela is 2kms and Galago Camp is 2kms from the gate.

Map / GPS

General Information

Introduction

Djuma Game Reserve - part of the Sabi Sand South Africa - offers guests the choice of three luxury safari lodges: from the magnificent Bush Lodge to the private Galago, as well as the unique Vuyatela. We are African Safaris.

We strive for our guests to leave here with a sense of the magic of Africa. To create an atmosphere of warm hospitality and to see to our guests’ needs with a "can do" attitude. We do our utmost best to show our guests the splendid sights and sounds of the African Savanna without disturbing Nature unnecessarily. We see it as our responsibility to impart our knowledge and to inform our guests, not only in the way of the Savanna, but also of the wider South African culture. We want our guests to leave Djuma Game Reserve at the end of their stay rested and happy with a perfect holiday.

We welcome you to Djuma Game Reserve' web site. We hope that you enjoy your visit to our safari lodges on the world wide web. Visit our galleries to check out some of the amazing sights that you can experience by booking a trip. Let us be your guides to a safari of a lifetime. Enjoy an African safari experience and meet these incredible animals in their natural environment.

Djuma Game Reserve offers guests the choice of three luxury lodges: from the magnificent Bush Lodge to the private Galago, as well as the unique Vuyatela. At Djuma Game Reserve we show you the softer, gentler side of Africa with luxury lodges, sumptuous cuisine and all the creature comforts. All three lodges have experienced and qualified guides that will ensure the best possible safari.

About Us

Djuma Game Reserve - named from the Shangaan word meaning "roar of the lion" - is part of the world-renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve. This reserve borders on the Kruger National Park. There is no dividing fence between the two reserves and therefore DJUMA's 7000 ha is part of the vast Kruger National Park ecosystem.

You will never feel crowded at Djuma whether at the lodge or on your game drive. Thus you can relax without the hustle and bustle of the city and really enjoy the African savannah.

The big-game hunters' term 'the big five' refers to the five most famous of the great African mammals: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. These are regularly sighted at DJUMA. However, there is much more to the African savannah than the big five. All the plains mammals are to be found at DJUMA, whose ecosystem is largely unaffected. For example, if one's interest is in bird life DJUMA offers more than three hundred species of birds.

Our Mission, Values and Beliefs

We recognise that Djuma game reserve has an important role to play, to maximise the preservation of our environment by practicing responsible management techniques that protect and enhance the environment for future generations, and to help secure the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry.

Djuma Game Reserve is committed in taking action:

- To achieve sound environmental practices across our entire operation
- To comply fully with all environmental legislation and Codes of Conduct
- To minimise our waste and to reduce, reuse and recycle the resources consumed by our business wherever practical
- To reduce our pollution to a minimum and where necessary treat effluents
- To invite our guests, suppliers and contractors to participate in our efforts to protect the environment
- Where we can, to work with others in the tourism industry, in public agencies and the community to achieve wider environmental goals
- To provide all employees with the training and resources required to meet our objectives
- To openly communicate our policies and practices to interested parties
- To monitor and record our environmental impacts on a regular basis and compare our performance with our policies, objectives and targets

Management and supervisory staff are responsible for the implementation of the policy and must ensure that environmental issues are given adequate consideration - with due regard to the process of continuous improvements, planning and day-to-day supervision of all work.

Djuma will take all practical steps to ensure that potential hazards, risks and pollution to the environment are identified and that suitable and effective preventative and control measures are implemented. All employees will be provided with the necessary resources, equipment, information, instruction and training to fulfill the requirements of this policy.

All employees and sub-contractors are expected to co-operate and assist in the implementation of this policy, whilst ensuring that their own activities, so far as is reasonably practical, are conducted without risk to themselves, others or the environment. This includes co-operating with management on any environment related matter.

Djuma will insure that its environmental policy, activities and its operational procedures comply with relevant and specific local conditions as may be applicable.

Djuma will fully comply with the duties placed upon it within the requirements of Statutory Legislation, whilst at all times complying with, as a matter of best practice, the requirements and duties set out within guidelines as issued by the Heritage Environment Programme and other organisations.

What To Bring

Things you may not have thought of to bring to Djuma Game Reserve

• Field binoculars.
• Newman's bird book.
• Sketch book/note pad
• Camera: still or movie with spare film, memory card or cassette
• Sun cream
• Broad brimmed hat as well as cap and also a beanie [South African for woolly hat] in winter.
• Sunglasses.
• Boots and socks for game drives and game walks.
• A small back pack or rucksack sack for game walks
• A warm coat or fleece top for game drives in winter.
• A light jacket or windbreaker for game drives in summer
• Pale and natural coloured clothing so you blend in with the bush
• Sandals or open footwear to wear around camp during the day.
• A sarong
• Swimming costume
• Leatherman [if you wish].
• Running shoes, shorts and shirt if you're going to Vuyatela where there's a gym

• We provide torches, umbrellas and rain coats [in case it does] and lots of flora and fauna reference books.

The Reserve

A brief description of the Djuma environment

Djuma is situated in the Lowveld Savanna in the northeastern part of South Africa. The Lowveld Savanna stretches from the Drakensberg Mountains towards the Mozambican flood plains and coast. The soils are ancient eroded granite derived from the Granite / Gneiss bedrock. The undulating bedrock is reflected in the landscape and the vegetation in turn has distinct zones as a result. The plant communities follow the contour lines and are divided into three distinct plant communities: the footslope and drainage line zone, the midslope seepline and the crest or uplands zone.

The reason for these distinct plant communities is due to the distribution coarser and finer soils along the slopes. Movement of soil particles and nutrients over time has separated the soils into sandy, relatively nutrient poor soils in the uplands or crest and finer soil particles and nutrients have accumulated at the footslope and drainage line. Since the granite bedrock is impervious to water, any rain water seeping through the sandy crest eventually seeps to the surface of the land where the sandy and clayey horizons meet, that is midslope. Refer to the diagram.
In summer this seepline becomes waterlogged and since most trees are unable to grow in waterlogged conditions, grasses are dominant in this midslope seepline. Just above the seepline, the Silver cluster-leaf (Terminalia sericea) grows, almost in a straight line along the sandy / clayey horizon. The crest plant community is the largest in the sense that it occupies the greatest percentage of the land surface. "Mixed grass" and trees such as the Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) and the various bushwillow (Combretum sp.) species characterize it. Mixed grass refers to a swath that includes both sweet grass as well as sour grass species, sweet grass refers to grass that retains its nutritional value even when it is dry in the winter months whereas sour grass loses its nutritional value when it dries.

These upland or crest trees are characterized by large unprotected leaves, i.e. as a rule no thorns on these species. The reason for this is that since these plants grow on relatively poor soils their leaves are not nutritious and are thus not sought after by browsers. That is, the trees do not have any need to protect their leaves.

The footslope and the drainage line has relatively rich soils and here the trees are protected from browsers, some are poisonous such as the Tamboti (Spirostachys africana) and others have small leaves and large thorns such as for example the acacias (Acacia sp.) and buffalo thorns (Ziziphus mucronata). This plant community is continuously under attack from browsers because the leaves are nutritious.

So when you drive through the Djuma landscape look for the patterns in the plant communities. Large leafed tree species with no thorns on the crest or uplands, the Silver cluster leaf fringe above the seepline and the mostly grassy seepline midslope. Finally, at the bottom of the slope, in the footslope and drainage, most tree species are thorny, small leafed or even poisonous.

Summer

The height of summer is during the months December, January and February. A clear indication that summer is here is the shrill trill of the Woodland Kingfisher, which incessantly proclaims to all that he is now resident on his territory. The hot days – temperatures range from upper 20’s to mid 30’s Celsius – are interrupted by spectacular thunderstorms that are as brief as they are intense. This is the time of the year when the insect populations reach their peak and all that feeds on them arrives, such as the migratory birds. But, most spectacular of all is the start of new life, during December the lambs of most of the antelope species are born and this is the time of sprightly young creatures finding their running legs and partaking in the bounty of succulent summer grasses. Also, this the time of plenty for the predators and so the circle of life continues. The vegetation is lush during January and this is when most of the browsers lamb, hiding their babies in the dense undergrowth. Whilst it can rain anytime during summer, each rainstorm is of relatively short duration and the total amount of rain during the entire season is a paltry 500 mm (about 20 inches) on average. Rain seldom disrupts a safari. February is the hottest month of the year and most animals conserve energy in the shade, also the time of the year when the joys of cool pools and air-conditioned rooms are especially pertinent! The maroelas – an indigenous fruit tree – ripen during February and March and the elephants seem to enjoy this time of the year the most! Towards the end of March there is change in the air and there are signs of the end of summer. The migratory birds start to leave.

Autumn

During April the deciduous tree leaves change colour and the grass becomes more khaki in colour. In May the temperature is markedly cooler – ranging from the mid 10’s to mid 20’s Celsius; cool enough for warm clothing on the early morning and late afternoon game drives, but delightful during the sunny days. This is ideal walking weather. Surface water starts to disappear during this time and soon most pans are shallow muddy depressions; perfect for a mud bath, elephants, rhino and buffalo enjoy this activity.

Winter

June and July are the mid-winter months and not only is this the coldest time of the year (although we never freeze – this is sub-tropical Africa after all!), but by now most surface water has dried up and day-by-day it becomes drier. August and September are the driest months of the year and it is during these months that the vegetation really opens up and allows for greater visibility into the bush. All animals are under greater water stress this time of the year and many congregate around the few remaining water filled pans and dams; making for spectacular game viewing.

During the month of September daytime temperatures start to increase, placing most animals under increasing water stress. And this time of the year more than any other is when the weak and old fall prey to the predators, the circle of life continues. It is also towards the end of this month that some of the trees start to blossom in anticipation of coming rains. These months are surely the best time for safari.

Spring

The month of October is the month of anticipation, with great cumulus cloud formations, rumbling their promise, but not delivering on it, not yet. The entire bush is stirring in expectation of the coming rains – many trees are in full bloom with tentative green leaf buds at the end of each branch. And then the first rains fall, not much at first, but enough to usher in spring. By November the grasses and trees are green with fresh new leaves. Enough rain water starts to accumulate to fill the pans and dams and Summer is truly here.

Rates

Pricing

Rates

VUYATELA
Rate inclusive of luxury suite accommodation, all meals, afternoon tea with fresh bakes and game viewing activities, a guided walking trail, tourism levy and VAT at 14%.

BUSH LODGE
Rate is inclusive of two safaris (game drives) daily, a guided walking trail, luxury en-suite accommodation, full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea with fresh bakes, dinner, tourism levy and VAT at 14%.

GALAGO CAMP
RATES INCLUSIVE - Fully serviced and equipped camp, Two safaris (game drives) per day & One guided bush walk per day. Minimum 3 night stay – Arrive Thursday depart Sunday or Arrive Sunday depart Wednesday. An additional night may be added if the Wednesday is available.

Check in: After 12h00 and before 16h00.
Check out: 11h00.

Extras: Bar Account, sundowner drinks, telephone, curios, spa treatments, child minding and Village trips.

Payment: full prepayment is required in order to confirm a reservation

Transfers: Minimum 2 passengers.

Road Hoedspruit/Djuma 1,5 hrs R530 per person one way
Road Nelspruit/Djuma 3 hrs R760 per person one way
Road Johannesburg/Djuma 6 hrs R1850 per person one way

Cancellation Policy - a fee of 50% shall be levied if cancellation is 30 to 21 days prior to arrival.
A fee of 100% shall be levied if cancellation is 21 days or less prior to arrival. All cancellations and provisional bookings must be confirmed in writing (email).
Rates are subject to change.

Spa Facilities

Djumas Spa::The Rubbing Post

Welcome to "The Rubbing Post" @ Djuma Game Reserve

The Rubbing Post - a term borrowed from Nature, a rubbing post is a convenient log, rock or tree that is used by animals such as Rhino, Elepant and Buffalo to scratch that itch and remove their mud bath mud. The Rubbing Post is situated at Djuma Game Reserve's Vuyatela Lodge, but services all three Djuma lodges.

We all live stressful, busy lives. When we get the chance to be away from all our day-to-day activities we slowly allow our bodies to rejuvenate. Tucked away here in the bush there is the additional benefit of pampering and time to reflect on the positive aspects of our lives with the pampering treatments offered by our resident therapist Nonku Ngcamu.

Nonku completed her studies in 2002 and has worked at various spa's in South Africa. She successfully ran her own mobile spa in Kwa Zulu before taking up the call of the wild at Djuma. The motivation behind her commitment to her work is to uplift and revitalize all those who she treats. She feels that the bush environment is conducive to her treatments due to the stillness and freedom from our everyday routines. Her aim is to soothe your body mind and soul, to pamper and indulge.

Nonku looks forward to meeting you at "The Rubbing Post"

Treatments are offered between 08h00 and 16h00 daily. Alternative times can be arranged through lodge management.