Singita Lebombo, South Africa: The Art of Safari

Singita Lebombo Lodge pool

Often upon suggesting a safari holiday to my clients I am met with dubious responses…’But I want to relax’…’What sort of food will I be given?’…’What sort of facilities will they have?’ When I respond that the safari lodges on offer today are at the pinnacle of luxury travel they politely reply ‘yes I’m sure its nice..for a safari.’ Almost like telling a woman she is beautiful…for her age.Singita Lebombo is one such luxury lodge that is certainly breaking the mould when it comes to safari travel. With a cutting edge conceptual design and world class service that anticipates your every need, it is easy to see why the Singita properties are taking luxury travel to new heights on a global scale!

There are a myriad of elements that come together to make Singita Lebombo the ultimate safari destination. In fact, such impressive detail has been incorporated into its design that I am more inclined to liken the property to a work of art than a luxury hotel. To describe all of the qualities of this property would mean I would be writing a novel so I have decided to focus on the five features that stood out most to me:

The Location
Singita Lebombo is situated within a private concession area in Kruger National Park. Singita Lebombo covers 33,000 acres & the area is teeming with game. In fact, it is the biggest concentration of game in Kruger National Park. The landscape where the lodge is built is breathtaking! The lodge is set amongst the striking boulders of the Lebombo Mountains overlooking over the hippo-dotted N’wanetsi river.
Singita Lebombo Lodge suite
Singita Lebombo Lodge villa lounge
Design
The design team wanted to give a heightened view of the dramatic outlook so taking cues from nature’s finest engineers, the design concept was inspired by the position and structure of birds’ nests. This allows one to experience the comfort of enclosure on one hand and the exhilaration of exposure and proximity to the elements on the other. Most importantly, the philosophy of the lodge is to “touch the ground lightly” meaning that no aspect of the construction should impose on the site now or in twenty years time when the concession comes to an end.
Singita Game Drive
Expert Safari Guides
Want to know about the strength of a spider’s web or the smell of a lion’s breath? The expert guides at Singita are the ones who ensure their guests have both a memorable and education experience while on safari. We were awestruck by the guides’ ability to interpret the signs of nature…how a bird cry can mean leopards are approaching or the presence of a certain species means rain is on the way. Our guides Richard and Mike had an inherent passion for nature and an uncompromising sensitivity toward the environment that left us all with a newfound love of exploration & inspiration to start the conversation about conservation!
Singita Staff made us feel part of the family
Service
From the moment we were greeted by name at the air strip to the moment we departed to fond farewells and a line of waving staff members, we were treated like beloved members of the Singita family. The team soon got to know us and seamlessly ensured we had everything we needed to make our stay unforgettable. Singita’s service is beyond five star but is delivered with a casual ease that lets you just relax & enjoy!
Fine dining at Singita Lebombo Lodge
Food & Wine
Being on safari doesn’t mean you have to compromise on food! The dishes are always interesting and incorporate local produce and environmental sustainability is always considered. The dishes are contemporary to reflect the style of the Lebombo lodge & this is carried through to cooking methods used such as smoking and curing. Like the guides, the chef is extremely flexible and caters to the individual wants of the guests. I was delighted to find a personalised menu printed up for me daily that incorporated my dietary preferences! The wine selection is also very impressive and sees Singita being recognised as one of the country’s most influential buyers of wine. The collection includes some of South Africa’s most sought-after private reserves and vintage wines. Oh and best of all… the food and wine are already included in the nightly tariff. Happy days.