Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge-Kruger Reserve, South Africa
The sign as you drive onto the property.
In 2017 Ash and I went on the experience of a lifetime with the help of our travel agent and his trusty African specialty company and visited Africa for two weeks. After a week and a half, we finally arrived at Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge for a 4-night stay and the most exciting part of our trip…the Safari portion!
Eastgate Airport.
We flew in to Eastgate Airport, and then jumped into our private transportation to the Lodge. Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge is located in Balule Private Nature Reserve. Ezulwini is Zulu for paradise and the property, food, service, and safari experience all truly embody the name.
Driving onto the property-already spotted something exciting!!
We knew it was going to be an incredible experience because even on our drive to check in we saw giraffes on the main road!!
Once we got to the Lodge, we were in awe of the panoramic views in every single setting. We were escorted into the lobby area where there is also a little gift shop area.
In the lobby.
Many activities are available to guests at the Lodge:
• Daily safari trips
• Night safari trips
• Pool
• Wine tastings in the wine cave
• Evening dinner with all guests
• Private day trips to outside attractions for an extra cost
• Photography excursions
• Archaeological Presentations
A lounge area and to the right is the main dining area.
Welcome drink.
We enjoyed our welcome beverage while our bags were taken to our room, and we took a moment to explore the common areas. The Lodge is known for its exquisite service, traditional cuisine, and exceptional panoramic settings.
In the main gathering space.
Inside the dining area.
The Pool.
Natural rockface wine cellar. Image taken from ezulwini.com
Dinner outside under the stars and beside the bonfire. Image taken from ezulwini.com
View from the main gathering space.
Walking to the sky deck.
The Sky Deck.
Views from the Sky Deck.
The Lodge sits on the banks of a seasonal river and flood plain and is one of two Lodges that you can visit (the other is the River Lodge). The property is in the midst of 104,000 acres. Here, you are surrounded by Knobthorn, Leadwood, and Marula trees.
View from our room of the Sky Deck.
The Lodge offers 3 suites and 3 chalets (making it super exclusive). We stayed in the Molope Ultra Luxury Suite. Each of the suites offer:
Personal Lounge
Dining Area
Super King Sized Bed
En Suite Bath
Indoor & Outdoor Shower
Private Plunge Pool
Deck
220V, 50Hz Electrical Supply
Potable Drinking Water
Insect Proof Window Screens
Elegant Mosquito Nets
Overhead Fans
New Silent Air Conditioners
Refrigerators
Mini Bar
Tea & Coffee Facility
Complementary Wi-Fi
Our little sign on the outside of our Suite.
Luxury Chalet – $600 per person based on two guests sharing.
Ultra-Luxury Suite – $900 per person based on two guests sharing.
The inside of our Luxury Suite. In the background you can see the small kitchenette, the dining area, and obviously you can see the couch (seating area). The bed and bathroom are to the right.
The bed and mosquito nets. You can also see the Air Conditioner top left. To the left of the orange looking photo on the wall is the closet.
RATES INCLUDE
• All meals, house wines, local beers and soft drinks
• Breakfast, lunch and teas served on the deck overlooking the bush
• Dinner in the Boma, around a log fire, under a star-studded African sky
• World-class cuisine prepared by our chefs, employing local and exotic recipes. Special meals can be prepared upon request
• Personal Ezulwini Water Bottle for refilling at our RO water filtration dispenser
• Twice-daily open vehicle game viewing drives, accompanied by a professional field guide and tracker – more than six hours game viewing
• Spotlight game drives at night
• Sparkling, filtered swimming pools
• Viewing decks
RATES EXCLUDE
• Balule Nature Reserve conservation fee per person one-way R250.00, plus R100.00 each way for the vehicle (self-drive)
• Special Guided day trips to the adjoining world-renowned Kruger National Park, Panorama Tour (Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrims Rest and surrounding places of interest), Tribal Village, Hot Air Balloon flights, or play golf amongst the wild animals at the world-famous Hans Merensky Country Club.
• A well-stocked souvenir shop
• Business facilities (details available on request)
• Massage
• Laundry Facility
• Curios
*We did a Blyde River Canyon excursion while staying at the lodge and it was a great way to fill one of our days in between Safari rides.
From the end of the bed looking into the bathroom. You can see the double vanity sink, a sitting area/vanity. On the other side of that wall is a shower. To the left is the toilet.
We loved how they used the trees in the decor and as functional pieces in the room. You can also see that they provided bug spray for us.
Indoor shower, tub, and outdoor shower.
Our private deck, and plunge pool.
I mean if this room and view is not paradise, I don't know what is!!
Chilling in our fancy chairs on our private deck.
Our private plunge pool.
Relaxing by the pool one day in between Safari rides.
The best part of the Lodge and the whole reason for being there was the twice daily safaris in the open Land Rovers.
With the backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains, and the area being home to the Big 7 (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Hippo, Crocodile), it is hard not to be super excited about this part of your stay.
Each morning, the staff gave us a wakeup call, and then sent a member of their team to escort us from our room (you always had to have an escort for safety) up to the main gathering space to have a cup of coffee and load up onto the Land Rover.
Pride of lionesses.
In the mornings, we would stop in a safe area for some coffee and snacks, and in the evenings, we would stop for beverages and treats.
The driver and tracker were absolutely incredible at what they do. They would sometimes ask you what you wanted to see, and then work to track that animal, and sometimes they would just drive for a bit until they came across some tracks and then go after them. We were never disappointed, and every drive was different and exciting. They shared information about the animals, their habitat, and so much more. They were exceptionally knowledgeable in their craft.
Elephants.
We saw all of the Big 7 on our drives and many of them multiple times during our stay.
Big male Lion.
Momma Rhino and her baby.
Giraffe.
Our evening spread.
The breathtaking sunset.
An evening drink when we got back to the Lodge.
So, if you are looking for a more private safari experience, where luxury and service is top notch in every aspect, Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge is the perfect place for you. We felt like we were the only ones there and the staff catered to our every whim. From the food and beverage, to the animals we wanted to see on the drives, to the comfort and class of the room, everything about the experience was absolutely exquisite. It truly lived up to its name and was an absolute Paradise.
Some items I took with me and that I highly recommend: