Mthembu Lodge lies low on an embankment of the White iMfolozi River and allows you to get up close and personal with the bush. Seated on your private deck, you can watch different bird species fluttering through the thickets in front of you, and spot some larger animals drinking at the river. There is no shortage of wildlife here.

Each private villa was hand-built by members of the local Mthembu clan. Each stone set in place and the floors lovingly smoothed over by hand. The building of Mthembu Lodge was the first phase of skills upliftment uMfolozi Big Five Reserve brought to the community.

When you step inside each luxurious villa, you are immediately pulled into the uMfolozi Wilderness through the floor to ceiling glass doors featured in each space of the villa. From the lounge to the bedroom, to the bathroom – you have continuous views of the bush and river and access to your private deck.