The Ngiri reception. One of the most compact I have seen, but it serves a purpose and that is all that matters.
You don’t need a vast space to sign the ubiquitous paperwork required when you arrive at a game lodge. Especially where the reserve offers possible sightings of the Big 5.
There are 3 types of accommodation on offer…
I covered the chalet that we stayed at in this post: https://travelandthings.co.za/2024/06/ngiri-safaris-scuba-beach-in-the-bush-dinokeng-game-reserve/
There are also log cabins, like the one in the picture above, which are truly splendid.
There is a kitchenette situated in a corner of the deck which gives an ‘ indoor/outdoor’ feel to the cooking experience. It also allows those who are at the braai to feel included in mealtimes.
Looking towards the braai (barbeque) from the deck. A great place to sit and relax and watch the sun rise. Or if that is too early for you, the sunset at the end of a busy day.
The bed and linen are so comfortable that getting up for a game drive or a scuba session might be an issue.
I often feel that I need a ‘holiday‘ after I have been in the bush as the early morning game drives are not conducive to sleeping in. (Well, for me anyway)
A fridge/freezer, fan, heater and a chest of drawers can be found near the edge of the bed.
Not that the accommodation is cramped by any stretch of the imagination, just a good use of the space available.
A shower, heated by an outside donkey boiler, together with a basin is more than a guest can ask for.
Like the chalets, the cabins have their own indoor bathroom and toilet.
Looking for towels, look no further than the basket on the end of the bed. There is also some Nigiri products available for the guests to enjoy.
Cannot believe your eyes? It is not a shadow. It is, in fact, a Black Impala! One of several that live inside the camp fence line.
Take a weight off your mind and slip into the clear water of the 3m pool that is available for scuba training at the camp.
Chill out in the well-equipped lounge while you await your time in the pool. There are several courses on offer, all of which are undertaken by well-qualified dive instructors.
Scuba diving is a mode of underwater diving whereby divers use breathing equipment that is completely independent of a surface breathing gas supply and therefore has a limited but variable endurance.[1] The name scuba is an anacronym for “Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus” and was coined by Christian J. Lambertsen in a patent submitted in 1952.
“Probably one of the most intriguing activities at Ngiri Safaris is our Scuba Diver Training Center, right in the heart of the big 5 game reserve. We guarantee there’s nowhere in the country where you can catch glimpses of game AND practice your buoyancy control at the same time” (From the official Nigiri website)
You can bring your own gear, or you can utilize that gear on offer at the camp.
Did you know that mask clearing is considered the hardest part of scuba diving to master?
It’s a vital skill that needs to be mastered by any new diver as it is quite common for water to enter the mask due to a variety of reasons.
Be it a poorly fitting mask, a stray hair caught under the skirting, a kick from another diver or a broken mask strap – the list is endless!
The tented accommodation has shared ablutions and kitchen facilities.
The interior of the tented accommodation. Described by the lodge manager as rustic, it most certainly contains more than a stretcher bed and a chair.
A comfy bed, towels and products are standard in this ‘under canvas’ experience.
There is electricity, but enough to charge a mobile phone. Should you need to power up a laptop or change camera batteries, then you can make use of the socket outlets in the lounge next to the scuba pool.
From the outside looking in…
And seeing that the tents are right on the fence line, when you awake, this might be what awaits you!
Did you know?
Dinokeng Game Reserve is located in the Greater Dinokeng Area of northern Gauteng.
The installation of a 200km perimeter game fence began in 2008 allowing landowners to dismantle individual fences, allowing free movement of wildlife between properties.
The Reserve officially opened on 22 September 2011, marking the successful introduction of four of the Big Five.
Buffalo were added in late 2012, and in 2018, a herd of Black Rhino was released, making this the closest genuine Big Five destination to Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Click on their logo above to learn more about what the camp offers.
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