Staying at Bonamanzi Game Reserve on a Safari Tour from Durban

When booking a tour with me to the big 5 game reserve, the Hluhuwe Imfolozi Reserve, I tend to use one of two options for the accommodation, either Hilltop Camp in the reserve, or Bonamanzi Game Reserve about 20 min from the northern entry gate.

While both Hilltop Camp and Bonamanzi have their pro’s and con’s, Bonamanzi has really become a popular venue for both guests and the guides. So here is a little more information about Bonamanzi Game Reserve and why we stay here.

Why We Stay at Bonamanzi Game Reserve

Bonamanzi is located in Zululand and is home to 4 of the big 5 in South Africa (leopard, elephants, rhino and buffalo) as well as a plethora of other game species.

If you are a birder, Bonamanzi can be a veritable playground with over 400 species spotted on the reserve – their are a number of water holes and bird hides that you can can take advantage of.

The Bonamanzi reserve also offers a varied landscape of Sand Forests, Savanna and Wetland ares and on top of all of that, offer their own game drives and game walks.

The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve

The park that we spend most of our time in, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi, is just 20 minutes away. The bonus of staying at Bonamanzi instead of in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve is that it is more affordable, the food is great and rooms are perfect!

Accommodation at Bonamanzi

You really wont spend too much time at camp when on one of my safaris, you’ll mostly be driving about looking at the wildlife in the Hluhluwe game reserve; but of course when getting back to Bonamanzi, you want to know that you’re staying in comfortable rooms.

The best way then, for you to know what the rooms look like, is for me to show you!

The Chalets at Bonamanzi

The rooms are all nice and clean and have twin beds and en-suite bathrooms. To help you cope with the summers here in Zululand, all the rooms have air-conditioning.

There are stand along rondavels like that pictured above and then there are linked rondavels with interlocking rooms for larger families.

Where is Bonamanzi Game Reserve

Most of our tours depart from Durban and we are 9 times out of 10 headed to the Big 5 reserve, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, and conveniently, Bonamanzi is on the way.

The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve is roughly 300km’s north of Durban to the northern most gate of the park – Bonamanzi is just 20 min east of the main gate.

One of the advantages of staying Bonamanzi Game Reserve is that Emodoneni Cheetah Project and the Elephant Experience are nearby as well.

The drive from Durban to Bonamanzi usually takes around 3 hours and it’s a lovely road with pretty views and the odd Zulu roadside market to stop and explore and shop at.

Booking A Safari Tour from Durban

I offer a number of different safari tours departing from Durban that you can book, and if you can;t find what you are looking for, I am quite happy to put together a bespoke itinerary for your group or family.

To learn more about the safari tours from Durban that I offer, visit my safari tour package page or contact me using any of the options below.