Idube Game Lodge

Idube Game Lodge is one of the most successful and oldest game lodges within the Sabi Sand Reserve, designed and built by owner Louis Marais. Idube offers a great experience and nowhere in South Africa can one find a wildlife experience quite like the one experienced within the 65 000 hectare wildlife sanctuary that is the Sabi Sands, and Idube is definitely one of the great value for money lodges in this famous reserve!

With experienced rangers and trackers are trained to give guests the best possible wild life experience.

Idube lodge has 9 en-suite standard chalets, each individually decorated, with attractively draped mosquito nets, giving a touch of safari romance. Windows also have mosquito gauze for added comfort.

All chalets have air-conditioner, fan, tea and coffee facilities and outside shower. Bathrooms have recently had a complete makeover, and all have double vanity basins, bath, toilet and shower and are finished in attractive natural colours and textures. Geysers (boilers) are powered by gas to reduce use of electricity. Each chalet has its own private deck furnished with large, comfortable chairs – just the place to enjoy the birds or watch Idube’s daily animal visitors feeding, as they make their relaxed way across the grass and between the chalets.

The new Makubela Suites were completed in 2011. These two luxury suites are totally private, and each has its own splash pool. They are ideal for honeymooners or people who just want to get away from everyone and everything. In June this year, the Leadwood Suite joined the Makubelas with its own private splash pool. And the new outside lounge, The Gazebo, was added. This modern area is glassed on 4 sides and is a popular place to relax and see the view of the whole area, right down to the riverbed. This area is made cosy in winter with a double-sided fireplace to the lounge. A firepit outside the boma make the lounge entertainment area complete. Next to the swimming pool, the deck has been completely rebuilt and is now more spacious than it was before. The old lounge deck has been removed, opening up the space in front of a room making it an even nicer room than previously. The gym is now air-conditioned, and some new equipment added.

The chalets are designed and built in such a way that they are cool at all times. The ceilings are high and steeply pitched to keep the rooms cool. Our rooms are not thatched, although thatch has been retained for the welcoming bar. The rooms have bathrooms en suite and all have an inside and outside shower. Idube is not a large lodge, it hosts a maximum of 23 guests. It is a small, family run lodge and the atmosphere is one of peace. You can actually feel the love the Marais family has for both the land and the Lodge. Idube is proud of the friendliness of the staff and the personal service guests receive from the moment they make their first enquiry, until the final farewell at the Lodge.

As part of the Makubela package, dinner can be served at your suite. The lantern lit romantic dinner served on the private deck will add another unforgettable memory of your Idube holiday.

The name Makubela is a tribute to a female leopard seen many times by Idube guests over the years. She was fatally mauled by a male and she sought refuge at Idube, where she died. We remember how this beautiful creature added wonder and pleasure to our lives.

About the Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Adjacent to the world-renowned Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is famed for its intimate wildlife encounters, particularly leopard viewing. Home to a host of animals, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), the Sabi Sand is part of a conservation area that covers over two million hectares (almost five million acres), an area equivalent to the state of New Jersey.

With no boundary fences between the Sabi Sand and the Kruger National Park, this reserve benefits from the great diversity of animals found in one of the richest wildlife areas on the African continent, along with the additional benefits experienced on a private game reserve.

Game drives traverse an area of 10 500 hectares (26 000 acres) and strict vehicle limits at sightings ensure the exclusivity of the game viewing experience. Sensitive off-road driving ensures that guests have the best possible view of any exceptional sighting and rangers are constantly in touch with each other to keep track of animal movements.