Camping at Bushbaby Lodge Hluhluwe
Hluhluwe – KwaZulu-Natal – South Africa
Overnight stop with camping and accommodation outside Hluhluwe
What do you do when you have been on the road for about 7 hours and you arrive at the gate of a campsite near Hluhluwe that you have arranged to stay at and it is closed? Furthermore there is no reply when you phone them. Turn around? Carry on in the hope there is another campsite close by? We found Bushbaby Lodge and Camping and hoped it was open.
We semi-planned a road trip in March to the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Usually we head for Mozambique but due to Covid regulations, PCR tests to cross the border and the beaches being closed in Mozambique we decided to stay in South Africa.
We wanted to see 'where the road took us'. We had a few ideas and had a general direction we were heading towards. We were in search of a beach – more about that in one of my next blogs.
Because we were towing a caravan from Johannesburg, we weren’t keen to travel too far in one day. After all, it’s the journey, not just the destination. We try to stick to 4 hours of travel or 400 kilometres roughly – whichever comes first but at a push we would be prepared to travel a little longer or a little further.
During the planning stages of our trip our initial thought was to stop overnight at Piet Retief which is now called eMkhondo because we were not sure what time we would leave home. The campsite was at the entrance to the town which did not really appeal to us, but for an overnight stop we could bear it.
We then reconsidered and decided we could push through to Hluhluwe where we had enquired ahead of time if they had a campsite available for our first few nights.
Once on the road, by the time we reached eMkhondo (Piet Retief) it was still early and we were glad we changed our minds to continue onto Hluhluwe. We were hoping for a quieter stopover which we would not have at Piet Retief. Sleeping through the sounds of heavy motor vehicles changing down their gears as they enter the town would feel more like we had parked next to the highway for the night and can be rather disturbing!
Even hippos wear masks at Bushbaby Lodge during Covid-19 times!
We had enquired about availability at a campsite just outside Hluhluwe before we left home and they confirmed they had space. According to their website the campsite looked lovely with the possibility of smaller game walking through our campsite. It sounded ideal to spend 3 nights there.
On route soon after passing Piet Retief we phoned to advise them we would be arriving. There was no reply. I waited for about half an hour and phoned again. I received a text message response that said they could not speak but I could send my enquiry, which I duly did. I received no reply. By now we were getting a little concerned but at least we had a plan B.
We arrived at the gate and no surprise to find it closed. In fact, it looked like there was no one camping there either. We phoned them to let them know we had arrived. There was still no reply. Fortunately we had information about alternative places to stay at further down the road, but not endless alternatives. At a push we could reach St Lucia but by then it would probably be getting dark.
Our next and second choice was a slightly larger establishment which we were sure would have a campsite for us. As we approached it we decided to bypass it and if necessary come back if our third and last option was closed as well. Just as well, because it turned out that that was closed too due to it not being viable to run with so few tourists during Covid-19.
Tranquil Bushbaby Lodge
Arriving at the gate of Bushbaby Lodge, we phoned the owner. He immediately answered and said he had a campsite available for us and advised that we take a left turn and choose one of the sites near the waterhole.
We drove in and found a place to park under the shade of beautiful indigenous trees. A truly lush and tranquil place in the bush and a lovely sight for weary travellers.
There was another caravan on a site next to us, but no one was there. Apparently they were long stay campers and were away for a couple of days, so we would have the entire campsite and lodge to ourselves. They were expecting more people the following day to stay at one of the chalets.
Accommodation at Bushbaby Lodge and Camping
There are 20 caravan and camping sites with access to electricity and water. The water is not potable but the lodge provides filtered water for their guests. Two ablution blocks provide showers, baths, toilets and a washbasin.
The accommodation is budget friendly and ideal for backpackers too. All rooms are provided with bed linen and a barbeque area. There are 7 chalets with private bathrooms. There are 7 budget rooms with shared ablutions, communal kitchens and lounging areas.
There is a restaurant and bar on site but I would suggest enquiring beforehand if it is open, especially during quiet times. We were fine because we were catering for ourselves.
A beautiful pool offers relief from the heat in summer.
Pro Tip:
Because of all the vegetation it would be advisable to bring insect repellent as there are mosquitoes and other insects. It is also advisable to enquire with your health professional if it is necessary to take malaria prophylaxis as it is a low-risk malaria area but can change in the wet months of November to March.
From the moment we arrived the birds were flitting about and chirping in the trees. Our campsite overlooked a waterhole and we saw bushbuck, nyala and zebra come to drink late afternoon.
As evening set we could hear bushbabies in the trees. They get fed in the early evening which is special to see.
The bushbabies move so fast, that it is difficult to take a decent photo.
The setting is ideal for an overnight stopover or for a few nights if exploring the surrounding area.
Where is Bushbaby Lodge
Bushbaby Lodge is 7 kilometres south of the small town of Hluhluwe.
St Lucia is just over 70 kilometres from Bushbaby Lodge but the drive will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Bushbaby lodge is about 40 minutes or 30 kilometres away from the Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park.
What to do at Bushbaby Lodge
Under the shady trees the best thing to do is relax and/or swim during your short stay but if that sounds boring for you it is possible to go for leisurely walks. There is a variety of birdlife and you may even see some wildlife in the area.
When we arrived we saw hundreds of little frogs in the road. The following morning when we continued our journey we saw more frogs and a bird of prey swooping down to catch them for its breakfast.
If you are keen on seeing the Big 5, take a drive to Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa.
Bushbaby lodge is a cosy overnight stop in lush surroundings with beautiful gardens and has lovely grassy campsites. I would recommend a short stay.
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About the author
ALMA VAN AS | ROAMING FOX
Alma is a South African travel blogger and writer. She hopes to inspire you with facts and fables about her adventures, road trips and international travel.
Because we visited during Covid-19 times in March 2021 when it was low season many establishments were closed. As with most countries the tourism industry in South Africa is struggling and with far less visitors it has sadly become necessary for some companies to close their doors temporarily.
During Covid-19 outbreak, please verify details with the establishments you wish to go to or use. Travel and its restrictions are continuously changing. The information in my posts may no longer be relevant or accurate.
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The Best Way to see a country? Take a road trip! Have you ever had that feeling when you hit the open road on your road trip? Freedom. Anticipation. Exhilaration.