Whenever a new game reserve opens its gates, what usually follows is a rash of new lodge builds – and because these new lodges are all being designed and built at pretty much the same time, what almost inevitably happens is that they tend to follow the dominating architectural style prevailing at that specific time. The result is a bunch of lodges that often look and feel extremely similar, a tendency that we have noticed in lodges from Madikwe to the Pilanesberg and also the Welgevonden to name just some examples.

So when a new lodge gets built 20 years later, we’re often excited to see what it looks like as chances are that it will be completely and refreshingly different from most of the other existing lodges in that reserve. It turns out that Inzalo Safari Lodge is a perfect example of this - unlike the traditional stone and thatch game lodges that tend to dominate in the Welgevonden, this new lodge instead takes the form of modern safari tents complete with such modern nice-to-haves as private plunge pools and decks complete with outdoor showers!

Owned and managed by husband and wife team, Dave and Henriette Rieger together with their team, Inzalo is situated along the crystal clear Sterkstroom River, where each of the 5 luxurious tented safari suites provide panoramic views of the river and the sandstone cliffs of the Waterberg beyond. Positioned to provide maximum privacy and solitude, the tents are pretty generously proportioned at 50 square metres and boast a blend of modern as well as classical style elements including canvas, wood and glass which create a harmoniously attractive and elegant result.

A standout feature are the lovely en-suite bathrooms including indoor and outdoor showers as well as romantic standalone baths which are positioned in such a way that you can look out over the bush whilst enjoying a luxurious soak! Air-conditioning as standard will no doubt be welcome during the heat of the summer months, as will the presence of a lovely private plunge pool on your outside deck! Fireplaces will keep you cosy during the chillier winter months and with a well-stocked bar fridge and Wi-Fi connectivity there’ll be little reason to leave the comfort of your room other than for game drives and meals.

The main lodge area is similarly styled, again rejecting the traditional thatched game lodge aesthetic in favour of a cleaner, more contemporary look with elements like exposed ceiling beams as well as the same olive palette for the walls as used in the bedrooms. The main lodge area is one large space containing a small bar area on one side, moving past a main communal dining table to the lounge area with its comfy sofas and air chairs. It all opens out onto an expansive deck with lovely views out over the Waterberg with a small adjacent boma where you can enjoy dinner out under the stars.

The lodge is virtually brand new having opened its doors in May 2019, so all ratings are provisional pending the visit of our team in the near future.