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Emdoneni Lodge Accommodation

Accommodation at Emdoneni Lodge and Spa Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project and Spa, is a high quality three star lodge and is situated on a small game farm, with sand forest vegetation. Guests can relax and enjoy the true South African hospitality while viewing all Zululands’ resources. If you ever dreamt of getting close to nature, Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project & Spa is the place to visit! Close to the National road (1.5 km), Emdoneni Lodge is accessible for any visitor who still wants to experience the luxury of a bush environment and also be close to the main attractions such as Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserves (23 km) and St Lucia World Heritage Park (from 30 km away). This intimate multi-award winning lodge is the ideal location from which to explore the wildlife and coastal reserves in Zululand. Nature lovers & enthusiasts will appreciate the abundance of our wildlife and the scenic splendours of this rich and diverse region during game drives offered at Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserves, guided and non-guided walks done at the lodge, cultural excursions close by and relaxing boat cruises at Lake St Lucia. Our passionate and very knowledgeable guides cannot wait to introduce you to our region! Emdoneni Lodge offers guests elegantly decorated, intimate and comfortable accommodation in Hluhluwe in chalets and/or rondavels, on a bed & breakfast or dinner, bed & breakfast basis. There are mainly showers in the rooms, with the exception of two rooms which do include baths. WiFi is available, free of charge, to all our guests. The accommodation is enhanced by facilities which encourage our guests to unwind, relax and enjoy the tranquil lodge surroundings, including a boma, swimming pool and sky deck. Walk with the wildlife including Zebra, Impala, Nyala and Red and Grey Duiker. The bird life in Zululand is also abundant. The surrounding area is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers. Some of the specials one might go in search of are: Narina trogon, Blue Crested Lourie, Mangrove King Fisher, African Broadbill, Pink Throated Twin Spot, Blue Billed Fire Finch. Come and be mesmerised by the beauty of the Caracal, enchanted by the playful Serval, astonished by the speed & agility of the Cheetah and delighted by the African Wildcat… We offer educational tours daily, Monday to Sunday with a feeding during the afternoon tour only. ALL tours to the Cheetah Project will be FREEof charge during the duration of your stay when you book, on DBB directly from our website and not through an online travel agent. It is impossible to run out of things to do in this little slice of wilderness heaven. Some of the activities at Emdoneni Lodge are visiting the cat centre, taking nature walks amongst the animals, join a game drive to the Game Reserve or book an activity for the kiddies whilst pampering yourself at our Spa! If you feel like a day out to explore the surrounding areas, there is plenty more to do. Visit the Hluhluwe Game Reserve (around the corner from us) or Mkuze Game Reserve and take a game drive in search of the elusive and famous Big Five. If its Zulu culture and education you’re after, then visit the Zulu Cultural Village. Those of you in search of water-based activities have the option of visiting any of the following: Lake St Lucia, Cape Vidal Snorkeling Safaris, Sodwana Bay, St Lucia Wetlands, Jozini Dam and Kosi Bay. Chalets Spacious and elegant chalets with an authentic atmosphere to maximise comfort. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom (shower only) and a lovely view on the garden. Two chalets adjacent to each other with a split patio. We offer twin beds or king size beds with an en-suite bathroom. Tea and coffee making facilities are also available in all rooms. Rondavels This unique African-style, round, thatched roof is called a rondavel. The unit consists of two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom (with shower only). Each unit has an adjoining door between the two bedrooms, making it ideal for families. The rondavels have a view over the garden and it is in close proximity of the swimming pool and restaurant. The units are elegantly decorated with an authentic atmosphere. Extras: Air conditioners, ceiling fans, bar fridge, as well as coffee and tea making facilities. Honeymoon Suite The Honeymoon Suite, Windfall Cottage, is privately situated under Marula trees and offers great comfort and privacy. It consists of a lounge with DSTV, romantic bedroom, en-suite bathroom with a free standing bath, leading to an outside shower in a privately fenced Boma area. Sit and relax on your private patio, having your morning coffee or tea. In the afternoon, enjoy a glass of wine and watch Zebra, Nyala and Impala roam around the cottage. Ideal for honeymooners or for those looking for a romantic weekend away. Our Facilities The accommodation is enhanced by facilities which encourage our guests to unwind, relax and enjoy the spectacular surroundings of one of South Africa’s most popular tourist destinations – Northern KwaZulu-Natal. Available at Lodge : 24 hour reception Wi-Fi internet available in public areas Swimming pool Sky deck Boma for evening dinners Restaurant Bar Office facilities Housekeeping and laundry service Safe for valuables Air-conditioning and ceiling fans Parking available View and photograph cats at the Emdoneni Cheetah Project Family friendly Fun activities for kids, by experienced guides Babysitting available Walking and hiking trails Small Game Reserve with wildlife including Zebra, Impala, Nyala, Wildebeest, Red and Grey Duiker Excellent bird watching opportunities Housekeeping and laundry service Available in Rooms : Night Guard Amenities Housekeeping Laundry service Safe for valuables Air-conditioning Ceiling fans Safes for valuables in all rooms Bar fridges in all rooms (not stocked) Coffee & Tea making facilities (Plunger filter coffee) Own patio

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Our Cat Release Program

The main emphasis of the cat project is to release the progeny of animals back into the wild. We only keep our breeding pairs (ambassador animals) and those animals that cannot be released, at the project and for educational purposes. All offspring, where possible, will be released into the wild, back where they belong. In the 22 years that the Emdoneni Cheetah Project has been in operation, we have successfully rehabilitated and released Servals, Caracals, African Wildcats and Cheetahs. ‘We are delighted to accept the two new Servals and play our part in ensuring the conservation of this rare and beautiful species. ‘iSimangaliso provides them with a secure home away from inhabited areas and the threat of snaring,’ says iSimangaliso Wetland Park CEO, Andrew Zaloumis. Servals are listed on the ‘Threatened or Protected Species’ (TOPS) list owing to their rarity. They are vulnerable to being snared and killed by farmers, in particular for their beautiful pelts. October 2017 – Servals Released at Fanie’s Island April 2017 – Servals Released at iSimangaliso Wetland Park March 2017 – African Wildcat Release at Private Game January 2017 – Cheetah Released – Mossel Bay March 2014 – Servals Released at Mkuze Game Reserve August 2012 – Servals Released at iSimangaliso Wetland Park The adult female and young male were confiscated from a farmer in Vryheid who kept them in captivity illegally, apparently to be used for hunting purposes. According to the farmer they were found in snares, but on investigation, no marks were found on their bodies to support the claim. They were recovered by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife District Conservation Officers and taken to the Emdoneni Cheetah Project near Hluhluwe. The cats were set free in the open grassland area in the Easter Shores side of the park, a suitable habitat and where plenty of prey is available. Servals eat mainly rodents, fish, birds, insects and small reptiles which are found in abundance in natural wetland areas. On a previous occasion Servals were released in the Western Shores side of the park. August 2011 – Caracals Released at Private Game Reserve July 2011 – Caracals released at a Private Game Reserve Releasing two caracals born in captivity into the wild, turned out to be both a sad and exciting moment for Emdoneni Cheetah Project owners Louis and Cecillie Nel. Two one year old male caracals, born at Emdoneni Cheetah Project, Hluhluwe, were part of the breeding project aimed at saving the African wildcat, Caracal, Cheetah and Serval from extinction. The intention is to breed where possible and release the offspring back into their natural habitat. The cats were released in the Mziki Shareblock at Phinda Game Reserve after being judged fit and able to hunt for themselves. Tiptoeing out of the crate, the first male entered his new home by first stopping right in the middle of all the spectators to give them a last close-up inspection before disappearing into the forest. Male number two wasn’t too keen on exploring his new habitat and it took a lot more convincing before he made his leap for freedom. The caracal is an endangered species, mostly killed by farmers because of predation on their livestock. In some areas they are killed for their skin and meat. The Nel Family truly have One Heart, One Passion and One Goal, to save these rare species. “I think I could turn and live with the animals, they are so placid and self-contained; I stand and look at them long and long.” By Walt Whitman