Discover Your Safari Stay

Imagine Africa Safari Lodge

From ZAR 8,360 per night, per person sharing

Discover Imagine Africa Safari Lodge in Balule Private Nature Reserve, where luxury tented accommodation, Big Five game drives, and unforgettable Greater Kruger safari experiences await.

Location

Balule Private Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger

Nestled in the Olifants West section of Balule Private Nature Reserve, Imagine Africa Safari Lodge offers an intimate safari escape just 20 km from Hoedspruit. As part of the unfenced Greater Kruger National Park, Balule is renowned for exceptional Big Five game viewing, abundant birdlife, and authentic wilderness experiences.

Guests can enjoy expertly guided game drives, bush walks, and specialist birding safaris, with opportunities to encounter elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, kudu, wild dog, and more than 220 bird species within this diverse ecosystem.

A Modern Boutique Safari Experience

Imagine Africa Safari Lodge is a family-owned boutique retreat that reimagines the traditional tented safari camp with contemporary style and understated luxury. Designed to immerse guests in the surrounding wilderness without compromising on comfort, the lodge offers an exclusive safari experience with just six beautifully appointed canvas suites.

From elevated walkways and panoramic bush views to personalised hospitality and exceptional guiding, every detail has been thoughtfully considered to create an unforgettable stay in the Greater Kruger.

Luxury Safari Accommodation

The lodge features six elevated luxury canvas suites, each privately positioned to maximise views and privacy while remaining connected to the main lodge by raised wooden walkways.

Each suite includes:

Super king-size bed (convertible to twin beds)
Air conditioning
Comfortable lounge area
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi
Tea and coffee station
Spacious ensuite bathroom
Indoor shower
Outdoor shower and freestanding bath
Private furnished viewing deck overlooking the bush

Blending handcrafted timber finishes with contemporary furnishings, each suite offers the perfect balance between luxury and nature.

Lodge Facilities & Dining

The heart of the lodge is its beautifully designed open-plan thatched main building, where natural wood finishes, comfortable lounges, and expansive windows create a relaxed atmosphere overlooking the surrounding bush.

Guests can enjoy:

Infinity swimming pool overlooking the waterhole
Wraparound viewing deck
Indoor and outdoor bar
Tea and coffee station
Small wildlife library

As evening falls, dinner is served in the traditional open-air boma, where lantern light, crackling fires, and freshly prepared cuisine create an unforgettable dining experience beneath the African stars. Afterwards, guests gather around the fire to share stories from the day’s safari adventures.

Big Five Safari Experiences

Imagine Africa offers twice-daily Big Five game drives led by experienced guides and trackers with an exceptional understanding of the Greater Kruger’s wildlife and ecosystems.

Morning safaris begin with spectacular African sunrises and coffee stops in the bush, while afternoon drives include traditional sundowners before continuing into the evening with spotlights to search for elusive nocturnal wildlife.

Guests can also enjoy guided bush walks and specialist birding safaris, providing an even deeper appreciation of this remarkable wilderness.

Rates

Per Person Sharing

From ZAR 8,360 per night

Single Traveller

From ZAR 11,150 per night

Children (6–12 years)

From ZAR 6,270 per night

What’s Included

Luxury safari tent accommodation
Morning and afternoon/evening Big Five game drives
All meals

What’s Excluded

Balule Gate Fee (ZAR 120 per vehicle)
Conservation Levy (ZAR 450 per person, once-off)
All beverages
Laundry service
Gratuities

Why We Love Imagine Africa Safari Lodge

Imagine Africa Safari Lodge combines the romance of a traditional tented safari with the comfort of a modern boutique lodge. Its elevated canvas suites, personalised service, and exceptional wildlife experiences offer guests an authentic yet luxurious stay in one of the Greater Kruger’s most beautiful private reserves.

Whether relaxing beside the infinity pool overlooking the waterhole, enjoying dinner beneath the stars, or exploring the bush on expertly guided game drives, every moment is designed to connect guests with the magic of the African wilderness.

Customer Reviews

Crafted by People Who Know Safari Best

Judy and her team organized an incredible safari experience at Umlani lodge in February 2026 for my friends and I on our trip to South Africa. From start to finish, she was professional, responsive, and provided years of expertise which ultimately allowed us to book the perfect safari experience. They were always quick to respond to questions, provided clear communication throughout the planning process, and made the entire trip feel effortless, which allowed us to fully unwind and enjoy the trip without any stress. We couldn’t have asked for a more memorable safari experience and would highly recommend Wildlife Encounters to anyone planning a trip to the Kruger area.

Reviews “We booked our safari in December 2025 through Wildlife Encounters. We spent the first three days at Baobab Ridge, which was a wonderful lodge. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, and the ranger in particular organized the game drives with great enthusiasm. We saw all the animals, including the Big Five – all on the same day. We spent the next three days at Thaba Mati Resort – an absolutely fantastic, newer lodge set amidst stunning scenery. At night, you could even watch the hippos at the pond and hear them loud and clear. Judy from Wildlife Encounters organized the trip with great care and everything went wonderfully including the pick-up and all transfers.

When we decided to go to South Africa, we knew that a safari was on our list. What we didn’t know was how to narrow down the numerous options available to us. We sent enquiries to several outfitters, but as soon as we received Judy‘s email, we knew that she could plan the perfect trip for us. We stayed at Xanatseni Private Camp (in Klaserie Nature Reserve) and Umlani Bush Camp (in Timbavati Nature Reserve). In staying at two different camps, we had both a luxury and an eco lodge experience, and two different styles of safari to view the area wildlife. Judy also planned a perfect private tour of Blyde Canyon with an overnight stay at Moholoholo Ya Mati. From the moment we stepped off the airplane to the moment we returned to the airport, everything was seamlessly planned with knowledgeable and professional drivers. We couldn’t have had a better time on this once in a lifetime trip, thoughtfully planned by Judy to ensure we had the best possible experience.

Took our trip from a worry to an experience of a lifetime! Booking our safari experience was new and a little scary for us. Judy from Wildlife Encounters took all of our desires, gave us suggestions we would never have known to think of, and organized a trip of a lifetime! The communication was exceptional and clear, all of our questions were answered, and from the time we got picked up, to drop off - we didn't have a worry! You could feel Judy's passion, and as a result - our safari experience went beyond our wildest imaginations. nDzuti Bush Camp was one of our stops and a true highlight that we highly recommend experiencing! If you're looking for a communicative, helpful, kind, knowledgeable and a great, priced experience (who wouldn't) then look no further! Wildlife Encounters is truly for you! I have no doubt your experience with Wildlife Encounters will be as exceptional as ours was.

This was our 1st safari with Wildlife Encounters but it won't be our last! We knew from our first correspondence with Judy, when we were trying to figure out which camp was the right fit for our family, that we were in good hands. Because we were traveling with younger children, we ended up staying at the Tuskers Safari Camp and basically had the place to ourselves. The camp is situated above a watering hole, and we spent countless hours mesmerized by the various animals that came and went right below us. It was amazing! JD is an expert ranger and Vusi a very knowledgeable tracker. They not only found us a variety of wildlife (even the elusive leopard) but also spent time teaching our children all about the bush. From learning fun facts about the wildlife and terrain to stopping the jeep to look at different animal tracks, our kids had so many stories to tell their friends when we returned home. The camp itself was clean and comfortable. Every meal prepared by Victory and her team was tasty and memorable. The staff went out of their way to make sure all our needs were met. We can’t recommend Tuskers and Wildlife Encounters enough!

Exceptional Judy and Bruce are super attentive and welcomed us very well. Their campsite is stunning and during our stay elephants were nearby and we were able to watch them from the "balcony" of our tent. Sabre is an incredible ranger and we got to see a lot of animals and learn a lot about the savannah and how it works. We highly recommend it.

I felt like I was part if the family! If I could give more stars to Judy, Bruce, Sabre, and Justin, I definitely would! I picked the “Best of both worlds” tour and I dońt regret it! Even since de beginning, when booking the tour, I felt I was being taken care of, Judy was so kind and so patient, and she made sure my tour was as incredible as I could imagine. The second place I stayed at is Ndzuti Bush Camp, which is run my Judy and Bruce, and it was amazing, I felt so safe and so welcome there, it being a family business truly makes a difference! I even felt part of the family. And I can’t describe what it feels like to see the animals roaming free, it really changes your life. And Sabre does such an amazing job as a guide! She makes sure everyone is comfortable and happy and is always ready to answer your question. I don’t have enough words to describe what an amazing experience I had, I can’t wait to come back!