Before the turn of the century, the lure of gold brought men from all corners of the world to Southern Africa. Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, author of the animal classic, Jock of the bushveld was one of these.

They passed through some of Africa’s most scenic untamed wilderness. It is in this area that Jock Safari Lodge is based with our southern boundary being the old wagon route from Delgoa Bay into the gold fields of the interior. Today the wilderness experience we offer is unchanged from these early times. It is in an area noted for its diversity in game, particularly the BIG FIVE.

Jock Safari Lodge incorporates the romance and elegance of the past colonial era, and reflects in its unique style the indigenous Zulu and Shangaan cultures.

This luxurious lodge is situated in the southern area of the KNP at the confluence of the Mitomeni and Biyamiti rivers, half way between Skukuza and Malelane. It is approximately 35 km to the Skukuza airstrip and 150km to the Kruger International Mpumulanga airport in Nelspruit.

Magnificent trees and an abundance of bird life surround the Lodge. From here our two track roads take you into 6000 ha of exclusive traversing in the first private concession set in over 2 million hectares of KNP. The lodge is easily accessible by road, just over 5 hours drive from Johannesburg, or 1 hour Skukuza and 2 hours from Kruger International airports.

Jock is located in a malaria area, but incidents are very low. Guests are advised to take precaution though.

Jock is the home in the Kruger Park you have always wanted. Step into the welcoming arms of a lodge with character, people with heart and the bushveld alive with possibility. We are the comfortable, relaxed knowledgeable safari experience you have been wanting to take. And what's more...

6000 hectare, private concession within the world renowned Kruger National Park

At Main Jock there are the luxurious suites with private plunge pools & salas - overlooking the river. The lodge is on the confluence of two rivers (Biyamiti & Mitomeni River)

Little Jock offers the privacy, intimacy and peace that just 3 suites can offer – with own chef, waitress and ranger. It is like having your very own lodge in the bush.

Fully equipped spa with a sauna, steam room & hydrotherapy bath

Only 6 guests per game vehicle

Walking safaris to some of the oldest Bushmen rock art in Africa (approx 3000 years old)

Child friendly (Older than 7 years able to go on game drives)

Relive one of South Africa’s cultural heritages through the story of Jock of the Bushveld. Original momentos can be found at the lodge.

Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights – this is real Africa. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa.

Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, SANParks - Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.

Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.

The first explorer to set foot in the region was the Dutchman François de Cuiper who led a Dutch East India Company expedition to explore. However, the expedition was attacked and driven by local tribes-people near Gomondwane. Only around 1838 Voortrekker expeditions led by Lous Trichardt and Hans van Rensburg were able to successfully establish forward outposts. Hundreds of Europeans and farmers came to the Lowveld lured by rumours of gold and the great quantity of valuable commodities such as ivory and skins.

This caused the number of game to dramatically decrease due to hunting and trading of animal skins and horns. President Paul Kruger was told about the rapid destruction of wildlife in the area by hunters, after which he succeeded to persuade the Transvaal parliament to establish a protected area for the wildlife in the Lowveld region. The "Sabie Game Reserve”, bordered by the Crocodile River in the south, the Sabie River in the north, the Lebombo Mountains in the east and the Drakensberg Mountains in the west, which is now the southern part of the Kruger National Park, was established in 1898.

These reserves would eventually expand into today's Kruger National Park. The Anglo-Boer War stopped any further development of the reserve, but the British, after winning the war, proceeded with the plan to develop the Sabie Game Reserve and gave the task to major James Stevenson-Hamilton in 1902 to protect the animals against hunters, ivory poachers and cattle farmers. The Park was opened to the public in 1927 for visitors to view animals and plant life in a area where they are protected. After the Anglo-Boer War, James Stevenson-Hamilton was appointed as the first park warden. He spent the next 40 years protecting what the war had destroyed. His actions are no doubt an ever-living contribution to the Kruger National Park's current existence. In addition to his animal conservation, James Stevenson Hamilton was also responsible for acquiring another 10 000 hex acres for the reserve.

After World War I, the Kruger National Park was protected by the government of South Africa and remains under the watchful eye of the government even today. The very first ranger in the reserve was Paul Bester who made his residence in a rustic rondavel (hut) which is now the site of the headquarters camp, Skukuza. Documents concerning the History of the Kruger National Park can be viewed at the Skukuza Library. Half a million years ago, the first San stone age hunters roamed the plains in search of game. The modern day bush men have left fascinating rock paintings all over the Republic of South Africa, and, Kruger National Park contains over one hundred sites of these paintings. The Kruger National Park is a living memorial to President Paul Kruger and those who have upheld his vision of a protected wilderness reserve which will forever remind us of that which we are so dangerously close to losing.

Morning and evening drives are performed in covered 4x4 Landrovers conducted by highly experienced rangers.

Traversing through the reserve, the wildlife is sometimes staggering in its diversity. Enthralling sightings of elephants, a sea of buffalo horns rising from the grass as they lie resting in the growing heat as well as prides of lions, awaits one.

At dusk, a vantage point is chosen overlooking one of the many breathtaking vistas of the Kruger National Park. Sundowners are enjoyed while tales of the bush are told and a glimpse of what this unique wilderness has to offer is seen while being entranced by the ever changing colours of the sky as the sun slips into the timeslot of tomorrow. En route back to the lodge, nocturnal animals such as leopard, hyena and lion are often seen.

Walking Safari’s are encouraged, after a hearty breakfast, moving through the veld enjoying vistas of unsurpassed beauty and discovering one’s place in the cycle of nature. The diversity of fauna and flora in this unique concession truly comes alive when viewed on foot.

Jock Safari Lodge is set in an untamed wilderness which makes it the perfect location for a romantic African Wedding. At Jock we arrange wedding package to suit your individual needs.

Accommodation Our 12 Luxurious Suites are designed to give a sense of being alone in, and integrated with, the surrounding unspoiled African Bush. All suites are elegantly furnished with attention paid to the little comforts that make any Mantis property memorable. The suites are all named after places of interest in the tale of “Jock of the Bushveld”. Linked to the main lodge by meandering walkways, the suites boast private plunge pools, and furnishings reflecting the region’s distinctive mix of Zulu, Shangaan and colonial cultures.

Venues Different venues available, depending on the size of the Wedding Party.

Menu Menus can be personalized for your requirements if the entire lodge is booked. (Please advise of any dietary requirements in advance). The chef and his dedicated team conjure up dishes inspired by this unique location, as well as all of the influences that have passed through it at one time or another. From the primal flavours of wild game and local herbs picked from the surrounding bushveld to the spicy tastes of visiting Arab traders, and traditional dishes introduced by European gold miners – guests can take their tastebuds on a true African safari.

Spa Ease the strains of modern living from every muscle and mind at our fully equipped Spa. We honour our cultural heritage by using Essentially Africa body products, and support the conservation of animal, bird and plant life. This philosophy characterises our Signature Spa Treatments, which have been inspired by the richness of Africa’s soil, its abundant plant life, and the life-preserving grooming rituals of its wild animals. Treat yourself to a manicure / pedicure the morning of your wedding…

Wedding Packages Include Minister - Includes the processing of all necessary legal documents Photographer - ± 80 Jumbo size colour, sepia and black & white photos – placed in a good quality flip file. Also includes negatives & 1 x CD with all photos on. An extra R 950 will be charged to courier to Europe / USA. Flowers - Bridal bouquet, groom’s corsage, basket for table, rose petal confettie & cake arrangement. (Anything extra will be charged to guest’s account) Wedding Cake - Traditional Fruit Wedding Cake (Advise if they would like something else) Massages - His & hers – Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage Witnesses - If the wedding couple is alone, the Jock staff will sign as witnesses Time - Usually at 11:30 for 12:00, but clients can decide which time suits them best (Please keep in mind that gates close at 18:00 – for minister & photographer etc)

Packages Excludes - accommodation, meals, drinks etc. A hairdresser can be arranged at extra cost.

As an exclusive incentive prize, a trip to Jock Safari Lodge, Mpumalanga, surely has to be one of the ultimate targets to aim for. Something that any self-respecting sales person would strive to achieve. It is one of the very first privately-owned camps in the world-famous Kruger National Park and has exclusive traversing rights in one of Africa’s best Big Five game viewing areas. Which means that this amazing destination is sure to focus people’s minds on winning any incentive programme you devise!

Jock Safari Lodge has 12 luxury air conditioned suites which offer guests the unique opportunity to experience the gracious style of old world elegance surrounded by unspoilt wilderness. Each suite has a private ‘sala’ (outdoor lounge) that overlooks the river, with bathrooms and outdoor showers that share the same river view. Sightings of animals, including the Big Five, can often be seen from the comfort and privacy of each room - and the private terrace has its own plunge pool with a wooden walkway to a viewing point overlooking the riverbed.

Visit our site for more information.

Rates

R 3250 to R 4050 Per Person Sharing Per Night