Jock Safari Lodge - Kruger National Park

JOCK SAFARI LODGE from ZAR 3,830 per adult per night - Fully inclusive of all meals & game activities

Jock Safari lodge is situated in the Big Five area of the Kruger National Park.

Before the turn of the century, the lure of gold brought men from all corners of the world to Southern Africa. Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, author of the animal classic, Jock of the bushveld was one of these.

They passed through some of Africa’s most scenic untamed wilderness. It is in this area that Jock Safari Lodge is based with our southern boundary being the old wagon route from Delgoa Bay into the gold fields of the interior. Today the wilderness experience we offer is unchanged from these early times. It is in an area noted for its diversity in game, particularly the BIG FIVE.

Jock Safari Lodge incorporates the romance and elegance of the past colonial era, and reflects in its unique style the indigenous Zulu and Shangaan cultures.

This luxurious lodge is situated in the southern area of the KNP at the confluence of the Mitomeni and Biyamiti rivers, half way between Skukuza and Malelane. It is approximately 35 km to the Skukuza airstrip and 150km to the Kruger International Mpumulanga airport in Nelspruit.

Magnificent trees and an abundance of bird life surround the Lodge. From here our two track roads take you into 6000 ha of exclusive traversing in the first private concession set in over 2 million hectares of KNP. The lodge is easily accessible by road, just over 5 hours drive from Johannesburg, or 1 hour Skukuza and 2 hours from Kruger International airports.

Jock is located in a malaria area, but incidents are very low. Guests are advised to take precaution though.

Main Jock

Twelve individual thatched suites, screened by lush trees and reed walls, offer guests utmost luxurious privacy, creating a unique experience of gracious old world elegance surrounded by unspoilt wilderness.

All the suites are named after places of interest in the tale of “Jock of the Bushveld” - the treacherous Pettigrew’s Road, the trading posts of Delagoa Bay and Komatipoort. Each suite, with queen or twin beds enveloped in a canopy of voluptuous white netting, has its own personal “sala” (thatched viewing deck), plunge pool, romantic Victorian ball and claw bath, his and her vanities and outdoor shower. The suites have been built overlooking the rivers and offer breathtaking river bed frontage, bushveld vistas and game viewing. Each suite is also fully equipped with 5 star amenities such as air-conditioning, fans, tea and coffee making facilities, mini bar and safe. 

GUEST FACILITIES
The romance and elegance of the past are reflected in this unique luxury lodge. Interesting aspects include historical wagons of this bygone period strategically parked in and around the lodge – one is found parked under the thatched porte cochere of the main reception.

A small business centre is available for internet access while a cosy lounge and library invites one to curl up with a book, reflecting on the tranquil, lethargic beauty Jock has to offer.

At Jock African cuisine is offered which incorporates an abundance of flavours accumulated on the routes followed by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick. The head chef at Jock and his passionate team conjure up dishes of legendary proportions, allowing the taste buds to follow their own African journey. The cuisine is served in a variety of locations - from fine dining in or outdoors to a gourmet adventure in the Lapa under the canopy of African night skies. Climbing wooden stairs that wind through a 400 year old Jackalberry tree, leads on to the upstairs bar area with a viewing deck overlooking the rock pool and Biyamiti River. Comfortable leather couches inviting one to enjoy an aperitif before dinner or relax reflecting on the day that was. The soul of Jock and its people, delight in making one at home, informally yet attentively ensuring luxurious comfort and relaxation, leaving one with lingering aftertastes of the essences of Jock and the Bushveld.

Room Configuration
12 Luxury suites

Standard Room Features
En-suite bathroom
Air Conditioning
Outdoor showers
Mini-bar facility
Digital safe in cupboard
Amenities
Each has a private sala (viewing deck) overlooking the river & plunge pool

Additional facilities
Internet facilities on request
Beautiful rock swimming pool

Additional information
Buffet style breakfast, plated lunchs, wide variety of hot and cold foods
Early morning tea/coffee and High Tea in the afternoon before game drives
Dinner mostly served outdoors in the Boma or at the ox wagons
Two game drives per day. One in the late afternoon and one early in the morning

Little Jock

With only 3 suites, Little Jock will ensure that personal service is always a priority for the lodge’s friendly staff. Each of the 3 luxurious suites are equipped with their own viewing deck, indoor or outdoor showers and guest amenities. While the dining and entertainment area offers both alfresco and indoor dining facilities allowing guests the unique opportunity to experience the gracious style of old world elegance surrounded by unspoilt wilderness.

Little Jock’s suites boast beautiful views into the unspoilt Kruger bushveld and guests can also relax in the comforts of the central lounge overlooking the banks of the Biyamiti River. This new lodge can either be booked as a whole lodge with its own personal chef & game ranger or as individual suites.

Guests at Little Jock are able to enjoy snacks and meals in the privacy of their suites or join other guests to sumptuous meals under the African sky while the chef and his dedicated team conjure up traditional dishes inspired by this unique location.

Room Configuration
3 Luxury suites

Standard Room Features
En-suite bathroom
Air Conditioning
Indoor showers
Mini-bar facility
Digital safe in cupboard
Amenities

Additional facilities
Beautiful rock swimming pool

Additional information
Buffet style breakfast and lunch, wide variety of hot and cold foods
Early morning tea/coffee and High Tea in the afternoon before game drives
Two game drives per day. One in the late afternoon and one early in the morning.

Game Drive and Walks

Morning and evening drives are performed in covered 4x4 Landrovers conducted by highly experienced rangers.

Traversing through the reserve, the wildlife is sometimes staggering in its diversity. Enthralling sightings of elephants, a sea of buffalo horns rising from the grass as they lie resting in the growing heat as well as prides of lions, awaits one.

At dusk, a vantage point is chosen overlooking one of the many breathtaking vistas of the Kruger National Park. Sundowners are enjoyed while tales of the bush are told and a glimpse of what this unique wilderness has to offer is seen while being entranced by the ever changing colours of the sky as the sun slips into the timeslot of tomorrow. En route back to the lodge, nocturnal animals such as leopard, hyena and lion are often seen.

Walking Safari’s are encouraged, after a hearty breakfast, moving through the veld enjoying vistas of unsurpassed beauty and discovering one’s place in the cycle of nature. The diversity of fauna and flora in this unique concession truly comes alive when viewed on foot.

Pilgrims Rest Spa

Pilgrim’s Rest, named after the quaint historical mining town featured so prominently in “Jock of the Bushveld” and still in existence today, was a place to rest, rejuvenate and restock. So too is the Relaxation Retreat at Jock Safari Lodge.

The Pilgrims Rest Retreat offers an escape to enjoy some pampering. Awaken your senses and allow us to rejuvenate body, mind and soul. Inspired by surrounding elements that guide us, our selection of body and beauty treatments cater for men and women.

Fauna & Flora

Personally assigned rangers will delight in sharing their knowledge of this astounding natural treasure trove of the bushveld and slowly the mysteries of the wild unfold.

Jackalberry trees older than written history are pointed out and the myriad of insects, birds, mammals and reptiles that exist in this leafy ecosystem are explained. The sheer wonder of Mother Nature at work in this microcosm makes one eager to experience and understand more and to experience untouched Paradise in its pure form.

The Amarula tree, so very African, can be seen overflowing with baboons plundering the juicy fruit while keeping a wary eye out for the leopard that abound in the Jock concession. Taste the Sour Plum and sense a taste explosion or spot the various plants with medicinal values ranging from stomach cures, cures for hangovers or even a bush Viagra!!

The vast expanse of this wild land slows one down and with this inner peace comes an ability to really incite the senses. Every game drive is a discovery of Nature and the magic of Jock.

Birdwatching

For the avid birdwatcher, abundant species of bird are regularly seen on the concession including raptors such as the Martial, Tawny and Fish Eagles as well as Steppe Buzzards.

A wide variety of Bushveld Birds are spotted from the comfort of ones room or whilst lying next to the Rock Pool. Most commonly seen are Hornbills, Starlings, Boubou’s, Shrikes and Woodpeckers to name but a few.

The tranquil atmosphere at the Lodge allows for unique birding opportunities as man slows down, finding the rhythm of nature and begins to truly observe.

Rock Art

Throughout the concession, rock art sites dating back more than 3 000 years are found depicting the spiritual beliefs and lives of the San. During their travels, members of the tribe would congregate around a communal fire, weaving stories and celebrating the gift of life while the Shaman would meditate through rhythmic dancing, singing and clapping and while in a trance, receive visions and guidance. This medicine man would ensure the well being of the tribe, protecting them from evil and sickness, predicting the future and ensuring good hunting and rains.

These experiences of the Shaman were depicted to the tribe in the form of the rock art seen today. The various sites that were chosen were also very symbolic, the rock depicting the medium between the different realms the Shaman had travelled in his trancelike state. Rock was the medium where 3 worlds met: the world as we know it, the world above and the world below.

Ingredients used for the paint consisted of red ochre, animal bones, coal and aloe sap. The sap and protein in egg and blood have the ability to preserve the art that exists today. The highlight of a day in paradise is a guided walk to view some of the rock art that abounds in and around Jock Safari Lodge. One gets a heightened awareness moving through the bush on foot and a newfound respect for the San who found a way to co-exist with Nature, leaving only a few mystical daubings on the rocks as proof of their fleeting visit and the simplicity of their ways, giving one a new understanding and meaning to our fast paced existence.

Stargazing

With the absence of artificial light, the stargazing at Jock Safari Lodge is phenomenal and amongst the best in Southern Africa.

Romantic stories of gods and goddesses banished to the heavens are woven into astronomical facts and unfolds before one’s eyes.

How better to end a blissful day at Jock but to sit reflecting under the star studded-canopy of African skies, the vastness of infinite galaxies stretching before one.

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