Dulini Leadwood Lodge, set on the banks of the Sand River in South Africa, is the perfect safari for those seeking luxury accommodation, expertly guided wildlife encounters, and solitude.
Overview
With only four suites, spaced well apart, Dulini Leadwood Lodge is an idyllic honeymoon destination, but can also accommodate groups of friends or family.
The buildings are set under thatch with open sides to make the most of the surroundings, as well as high ceilings and solid screed floors. The lodge lounge offers comfortable sofas and the dining area is outdoors, with an open-air viewing deck for looking down on the river below. Children over the age of eight are welcome and babysitting can be arranged for younger children while parents go on a wildlife drive or dine. If the lodge is taken exclusively, there is no age restriction. Free Wi-Fi is provided and a gym with weights as well a running machine, cross-trainer and more can be accessed a short distance away at Dulini River Lodge.
Food & service
Pan-African meals are complemented by South African wines and served in the traditional open-air boma style, around a blazing fire at Dulini Leadwood Lodge. Romantic candlelit dinners in the bush or on the deck of the suites can also be arranged. Sipping sundowners are best taken on the main deck, overlooking the savannah.
Rooms
Dulini Leadwood Lodge offers three air-conditioned suites all under thatched roofs with wooden floors and floor-to-ceiling windows for stunning views across the Sand River and down to watch animals passing by on their way to the watering hole. Each suite includes a private sitting room with a fireplace and outside there is a private king-sized plunge pool on each deck. En-suite bathrooms have the luxury of free-standing tubs and under-floor heating.
Activities
Dulini Leadwood Lodge’s safari vehicles are designed to carry a maximum of six guests, but where the camp is booked by one group it may be possible to carry eight guests in each vehicle. Wildlife drives, family wildlife drives, children’s programmes and bird watching are all provided, as well as bush walks with an armed ranger to explore the local plants and wildlife.
Impact
Community
The Dulini Lodge and River Lodge’s curio shop helps fund the EsiDuini Community Trust’s outreach work with 50% of profits going directly to the charity. The charity supports several community projects in the area, working particularly with young people to improve their lives.