We have just returned from a great week at Mabalingwe.   Family had a reservation in a 6-bed which they could not use and offerred it to us - we were only to happy to accept as our previous stay was in the mid 90's.   Then we stayed in Kubu camp unit 95.   Now we stayed in Ingwe in unit 55.  Just up the road from the Reception Office.  The facility was in good nick and well equipped.  The same applies to the Caravan park where we did a drive through.  The pools were clean, the tennis courts neat,  the brochures needed an update.  The one brochure gave the shop hours as 0700 to 1700 but it was actually only open from 0900  as I found out when I pitched at 0730 to buy some oil for the fried eggs on the breakfast menu. The Bird drive is on a Wednesday - oh sorry it is on a Thursday. No mention of the Lion enclosure visit schedule which one can only visit accompanied by a ranger on Wednesdays and Saturdays at R140pp.  The 100ha is on another farm owned by a Dr Du Plessis (or Du Preez) and the lions themselves are owned by a 3rd party.   The lions are fed - stay away.   The Kalahari Oasis (remember the Castrol advert) was only open twice a week but had no water and thus no usable toilet facilties.  Apparently the elephants took the water system out.

I did suggest then that the corrections to the brochures be at least done in pen until the corrected brochures are available. 

Of the approx 12500ha some +2500ha is now also closed off leaving some  9500ha open to visitors.  

Whilst attending the meet and greet we were informed by the staff that the Reserve had only 2 months earlier come out of Liquidation.  A third party was busy removing his ( her or their) game from the Reserve.   A helicopter was in use and trucks were in and out daily removing the game.   We understood that even the Rhinos were going.   Well we did not see any   The elephants were probably staying as they were a bit of a nuisance as one was advised to stay clear of them - could have been the game removers and their helo that was upsetting them. 

just for info - there are 105 timeshare units and 283 privately owned houses, of which some are palaces, on the  property.   Only some 60% of owners contribute to the finances of the Reserve according to a 2016 document which I found on the internet.

If a Forum member has some info wrt what the real story is, kindly give an update.   For now it would seem to be advisable to stay away if you hope to visit for the pleasure of seeing animals in the wild.   If you visit for the pleasure of a starry sky with a braai fire, the by all means go.

Regards

Hope someone can provide more information.

As far as this post goes thanks a lot for all the details already provided. Makes one wonder about the future prospects of the nature reserve and caravan park.

O griet.  Sien nou net ek spel soos 'n Kapenaar.   "heppened" met lees "happened"

Would have been nice if the camping prices were mentioned...

Dankie Chuck.

Sien ek maak een spelfout reg met 'n tikfout tussenin.

Hulle het so duur geword (gekoppel aan die N1 Noord op `n naweek) dat ons nie meer daar kom.

Dit bly 'n lekker karavaan Park... ons juis daar bespreek vir desember en sien baie uit.

Mathilda, geniet dit.   Die fasiliteite was versorg en netjies.  Al wat daar dalk nie gaan wees nie, is die wild.   Die wild wat daar is (was) word op grootskaal gevang en weggeneem deur die firma Wildmark (van Marble Hall).  Volgens die Mabalingwe staf gaan daar weer nuwe wild ingebring word nadat die huidige vang en verwyder afgehandel is maar die tydskaal is onbekend.

groete

Wat was / is die tariewe

Desember ??? Seker warm daar.

Net ter info.   Op die Mabalingwe webtuiste wat eerste gelys word op die soekenjin word geen melding gemaak van kampeer akkommodasie nie. 

Ek het op twee webtuistes afgekom.  Die een blyk die vorige model te wees en daar word wel voorsiening vir kampeer-akkommodasie gemaak maar geen tariewe vir enige akkommodasie word vermeld nie.

Ons kamp al jare by Mabalingwe en was nog nooit teleutgesteld oor enige iets nie en ja dit is warm gedurende Desember maar baie van die staanplekke het heerlike koelte en die swembaddens oral is darem daar vir afkoel. Ek wil ook net noem toe ek bespreek het was die vorige eienaars nog in beheer en ek het toe al my deposito betaal en toe ek agterkom van die verandering het ek gebel en daar is geen probleem nie hulle is ten volle bewus van my bespreking en die deposito wat ek betaal het.. so lyk my dinge loop darem goed...wel ek hoop so ek gaan in elk geval weer bel en bevestig.

Mathilda, jou bespreking sal steeds in orde wees.  Ons familie se chalet-bespreking was in orde.   Al wat dalk kan pla is dat daar dalk nie wild gaan wees om te geniet nie.   Dis wat ek hierbo die aandag op vestig.   Teen die prys van wild gaan Mabalingwe nie gou die wild wat verwyder is, vervang nie.   Die wild-getalle was in elk geval minder as die dravermoë van die terrein.  Die rooibokke tel nie - hulle is so volop soos miere in die tuin of huis. 

Ek verstaan ag ons hoop hulle kry wild en hou aan soos die vorige eienaars want dit was nog altyd 'n puik plek/oord... al is dit bietjie duur.

Ons het ook nog net lekker daar gekamp. Al is daar nie wild nie sal ek dit steeds besoek.

Ek stem saam Piet baie beslis.

As per their web site, there is no caravan park. There is only a 4 x 4 Buscamp.

I have mailed Mabalingwe enquiring as to whether I would be able to get to the 4 x 4 Bush Camp with my 4 Conqueror Commander.

To date, there has been no reply.

Shaun...die mense kamp daar met gewone pad karavane soos Swings, Pentas, Exclusives ensovoorts

Thanks, hence the question, as the web site only makes reference to a 4 x4 Bush Camp. The reality is that access is for 4 x 4 vehicles only and does not include.

The failure of this venue to respond, is concerning.

I saw now what you mean on their website.....give me also the impression that if you don't have a 4x4, you would not be able to camp there....strange? Have you tried one of the Dinokeng resorts? For me much nicer than Mabalingwe and much closer to Pretoria

Volgens hierdie webblad is daar nog 'n karavaanpark.
mabalingwegamereserve.co.za/caravan-park.html



The spectacular bird life, game viewing, comfortable living and personal service by our staff provides an idyllic bush experience, ideal for relaxation. View The Caravan Park Layout. The caravan and camp sites consists of 70 paved stands, some shaded with surrounding trees and all equipped with standard electrical points