I loved my time at Nambiti Big 5 Game Reserve! This private reserve and my lodge, Ndaka, were outstanding. I dreamed of an African safari for years. Anyone who knew me as a kid or teenager, probably expected me to go into some kind of animal study or husbandry career. That’s how much I loved animals. Visiting Africa, I wasn’t going to let a safari get away from me. And, a Nambiti safari was an amazing first safari!
Game Drives!
I ensured I would be there for a few days to get several game drives in. I went on six! Each one was different and amazing. The lodge puts guests with the same ranger for their whole time there. This way a relationship builds, and the ranger knows what you want to see and what you’ve already seen.
Siya, my ranger, made things different each drive and ensured his guests got the highlights. He was extremely knowledgeable and pleasant to ride with. He could point out the animals and tell us all about them. Nambiti’s varied terrain allowed for exciting and unknown adventures each drive. On one morning drive, we found four of the big five. I was absolutely giddy when we saw many of these animals each time because they were real and wild. We were the ones in a cage (the truck), and they were in control.
Over the course of six drives, we came in contact with lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, buffalo, cheetahs, hippos, zebras, several varieties of antelope (kudu, impala, gemsbok, hartebeest, wildebeest, eland), beautiful birds, and dung beetles.
Ndaka
My lodge, Ndaka, was lovely and comfortable. The food was delicious, and the surroundings peaceful. Luxury safari tents make up most of the lodge’s accommodations. However, being on a budget, I stayed in one of the three lodge rooms. When I return, I will stay in a tent. This was the only lodge at Nambiti that allowed children as well, so don’t let kids hold you back from an amazing experience.
Choosing the Park
Kruger National Park is the place for safaris in South Africa. The country’s premier national park is also its largest and wildest. However, Kruger lies at the far eastern edge of the country not really close to anything else or in a direction to anywhere else. As the largest, Kruger prices are also a bit higher than some other places for safari experiences.
I also researched options around Cape Town since I would be spending a few days down there. I thought finding one close to the Cape would make logistics easier. However, none I found in the region had the Big 5, and they were all much more expensive.
Friends in Beijing, from South Africa, recommended Nambiti Big 5 Game Reserve. I looked into it and found it very reasonable. Then, a cousin recommended Nambiti and Ndaka. If I hadn’t been sold on it already, that second testimonial branded it on my itinerary.
Getting There
Nambiti Big Five Private Game Reserve is located about halfway between Johannesburg and Durban. Unfortunately, South Africa’s long-distance public transportation is still rudimentary and considered unsafe for tourists. That left finding a private ride to the park. Someone recommended Uber, which would have been about $300 each way. I looked into private shuttle services, which were also very expensive. Then I found that renting a car from Joburg to sit in the Nambiti parking lot for three days was the cheapest option at only around $150, including petrol. That’s what I did.
This was my second safari experience after India, and it was was outstanding! I can’t wait for my next wildlife encounter. Until then, remember, “Adventure is out there,” so go have one!
