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While the Abelana Game Reserve brand is a recent addition to South Africa’s tourism industry and the African safari landscape, the land itself has been under protection for quite some time. In fact, it was first proclaimed as a “nature reserve” in 1958 and…

[meta_gallery_carousel] Our brand-new Abelana River Lodge has been impressing everyone who’s seen it since opening its doors at the end of February, thanks to its stunning interior design and décor and effortless blend of contemporary and African influences. Inspired by the wilderness that surrounds the lodge and…

Some fantastic news from Abelana Game Reserve is that our two new gorgeous lioness “sisters” that were released onto the reserve late last year are doing wonderfully well and thriving in their new home! Caught on video on a recent game drive from Abelana River Lodge, the pair…

Coming across elephants while out on a game drive at Abelana Game Reserve is always a highlight, but when Abelana River Lodge safari guide Annie White encountered a young elephant bull on a recent drive with guests, some unexpected behaviour made for an interesting and exciting sighting, which was…

[meta_gallery_carousel] The end of February saw the moment all of us here at Abelana Game Reserve have been waiting for – the opening and launch of our beautiful new Abelana River Lodge! It’s taken virtually a year of building, interrupted at the last minute by heavy annual…

One of the wonderful things about staying at Abelana River Lodge is its location on the banks of the Selati River and the constant “serenading” of our resident hippo pods. You’ll most likely hear their raucous grunts as you sit on our viewing deck…

With the countdown to the opening of Abelana River Lodge nearing its zenith, we thought we’d give you a sneak peek at how some of the original artist’s impressions of the lodge are translating into reality, focussing on the stunning guest suites… Located…

Abelana River Lodge is in its final stages of construction and everyone involved is slowly gearing up to the official opening on 23 February. It takes unfathomable patience and considerable resources, both financial and human, to build a safari lodge. Then, of course, there’s location and when…

The northern reaches of Abelana Game Reserve are considerably different to the rocky outcrops and koppies of the south and are marked by the 10km stretch of the river that dissects the reserve – the Selati. At around 140km in length, this…

The sun is shining and the sky is a beautiful shade of blue. The bush is lush and verdant, there are baby animals aplenty and the air is thick with the hum of cicadas… It can only be summer in Africa! It’s…

Staying at Abelana Safari Camp is going to put you at close quarters with an unusual little creature with a BIG story – the rock hyrax. Known locally as a “dassie,” the rock hyrax, as its name implies, lives in rocky habitats so…

One of the most amazing things about staying in a tent in the African bush is experiencing the sounds of the wilderness, especially once the sun has gone down and all manner of interesting creatures emerge! Indeed, hearing wild Africa can often be overwhelming…

It’s odd spending Christmas in the African bush, especially if you’re used to colder climes at this festive time of the year! Here in South Africa the Christmas period coincides with our summer holidays and summer is indeed in full swing, with soaring temperatures…

It’s often said that people make a good safari great, and this is certainly true at Abelana Safari Camp where its team of amazing support staff are warming hearts with their wonderful brand of hospitality. For assistant chef Peggy Ngomane and housekeepers Meldatin…

Immersing yourself in the African wilderness at Abelana Safari Camp is a magical experience, but behind the scenes in the camp’s compact bush kitchen a magic of a different kind is worked each day by Head Chef and food wizard extraordinaire, Lector Shai.