Ngala Safari Lodge was built when it belonged to the Kruger National Park, and it’s thatched bungalows are a tribute to an era of glorious self-drive safaris for many South African families. New glass bathrooms within private stone-clad courtyards were added to the existing guest suites to bring light and privacy to the dimly-lit guest room interiors. The beds were relocated to the centre of the spaces to enhance an appreciation for the thatched roofs. Access to the guest rooms was changed from the front to the back and pathways were reconfigured to maximise seclusion as far as possible.

 

To minimise the impact to the environment, the new pool was designed with a similar footprint to the old one. The existing bush was carefully pruned to allow an excellent views of the steady pageant of game in the nearby river bed. A separate drinking trough below the rim-flow pool allows thirsty elephants some respite from the heat without them being able to get too close to guests in the pool. An old entertainment area was transformed into a gym and massage sala for guests in need of their choice of therapy.