Chitwa Chitwa

This is an exceptional lodge, offering top class luxury and comfort along fabulous relaxed and friendly service and is perfect for couples, honeymooners and families looking for an uncompromising safari experience.

Chitwa Chitwa  is a supremely stylish and luxurious safari lodge situated in the northern area of the 63000 hectare Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve overlooking it’s very own large perennial lake in which resident Hippo’s and Crocodile frequent.  The lodge is affectionately named after an ageing Giraffe who used to share the lakeside home with the original family owners.

You will be given a warm welcome before being guided down to the main lounge and bar area along a beautiful teak deck path passing by their boutique, library where everything opens up before you to a beautiful expansive deck which has a lovely infinity edge pool overlooking the lake.  The call of the African Fish Eagle will welcome you to your uncompromising stay of comfort in this highly regarded game reserve where you will find yourselves in one of the best locations for viewing the Big Five (Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhino)  and a whole heap more incredible creatures of the wild.  Your expertly trained trackers and rangers will show you the smaller five as well as other species of mammals, birds and the other weird and wonderful creatures.

Game viewing takes place mostly in specially designed open sided 4×4 vehicles where you will have a game ranger who drives the vehicle as well as a tracker who sits up front.  They also offer exhilerating guided bush walks with an armed ranger  as a speciality. Your highly trained guides will get you close and intimate game encounters.  Back in the lodge you will a wonderful dedicated and friendly team of staff ready to host you and make your stay the most memorable one ever.

The main lodge is built using local African textures of wood, open stone work and thatch.  The architectual design and furniture used exudes class, style and luxury.   The public lounge area with comfy sofas, library and local African games leads out onto a spacious wooden deck with views over the lake is a stunning setting for breakfasts, lunches and evening meals.

The bar area to the side of the lounge area is where guests come for a pre-dinner drink and show off their photos of the day before being escorted to what is ultimately a fine dining experience.  Dinner can be served in the long room, out on the deck under the stars, in the beautifully decorated boma or in the bedouin tent. Each and every meal is a delight not only in terms of variety and style, but also because the location changes which keeps it interesting and varied.  To the one side of the lounge area is a quiet and cosy library where you can read, link up to the ourside world on the internet. The lodge offers you a fully equipped gym to help you burn off the calorie bursting meals and then they also have a wonderful Spa wihch offers the ultimate relaxation through various forms of healing arts by professionaly trained masseurs.

Gourmet dining is an essential part of your safari experience. Breakfasts provide full English  fare plus fresh fruits and you have continental options too. An innovative lunch is often served on the outdoor deck weather permitting, and this is followed by afternoon tea before heading out on your afternoon/evening game drive.  When you return to camp, you’ll have time for a fresh up in your room, or just head to the bar for a drink prior to what will be delicious evening meal. Focus on your evening meal is on quality of food, presentation and often complemented by award winning wines.

Each of the six individually luxuriously appointed suites open onto their own private decks with plunge pool facing the expansive lake which is a source of water to the local wildlife.  The Luxury suites are incredibly spacious and superbly furnished and vary from 130-180 square metres in size and can accomodate up to 2 extra beds for children under 12yrs.

The Charlsy Suite is in a spectacular location and is the ideal place for families or friends travelling together. It consists of two incredibly luxurious suite style rooms each with own dressing area, sitting area and spacious bathrooms which include free standing bath tubs, indoor rain and out door showers as well separate toilet. The two suites are inter-connected by a middle lounge area and with glass fronted ceiling to floor walls, slide open on to an expansive deck area where you have sunloungers and plunge pool.

All the suites include heated towel rails, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, mini bar fridge, fireplace, tea/coffee making and an ipod docking station.

In response to demand for a private house which offers greater privacy and exclusive hospitality, the Chitwa House was created to cater for the ultimate discerning customer.  This is an separate private house which offers two beautifully appointed ebn-suite bedrooms with the private decks and outdoor showers. The lounge area is spacious and leads to a dining area with a large deck overlooking the lake, inwhich you will find a sunken swimming pool.  Your own private chef can prepare in house dining in the fully equiped kitchen or you can chose to dine in the main lodge area with the other guests.   When booking this house, also included is your own private 4×4 vehicle and tracker as well as game ranger to take you out on your own private game drives.

Chitwa can arrange weddings and look after small wedding parties if desired.

Children of all ages are welcome at Chitwa, however 6yrs plus can participate in safaris with adults. For children younger than 6 yrs a specially dedicated programme can be prepared for them which is less tiring for the little ones and keeps them entertained whilst Mum and Dad can enjoy the game viewing on offer.

At Chitwa, they are dedicated to preserving the environment and work closely with and invested in local community projects and eco-initiatives.

If you’re looking for a short high impact Big Game safari that offers something very special, with uncompromising levels of comfort and not “tented” then you’ll be very happy staying here.  The lodge caters exceptionally for all of its guests and continues to get high praise from all who stay here.