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Lalibela Game Reserve Mark's Camp is a family-friendly lodge featuring eight chalets made of stone and thatched platforms, in a relaxed Pan-African style, located on an Eastern Cape conservation initiative spanning 10,500 hectares. The reserve serves as the habitat for the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard), alongside other predators such as cheetah, hyena, jackal, and lynx, ensuring an all-rounded immersive safari experience. Mark's Camp can accommodate up to 18 adults and 8 children in a variety of chalets, including standard chalets that can accommodate 2 adults, family chalets designed for 2 adults and 2 children under 12, and a 6-sleeper Family suite comprising 2 en-suite rooms and a lounge area.
Each chalet is comfortably furnished with an en-suite bathroom, air-conditioning, and ceiling fans for warm summer nights. All chalets open onto a private viewing deck. A notable feature of the camp is the abundance of birdlife visible from the rooms, pool deck (featuring two swimming pools), and central lounge area. Blessed with a large waterhole, Mark's Camp often provides guests with sightings of antelope, giraffes, elephants, and predators. To enhance the safari experience, Mark's Camp offers an outdoor dining "boma" for fireside dinners and open-air brunches, along with a cosy indoor dining area. A stay of 2 or 3 nights is recommended to fully enjoy all that's on offer.
Situated in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa, Lalibela Game Reserve is an ideal continuation after a splendid journey from Cape Town along the Garden Route or as a weekend escapade for local residents. Unlike many other reserves, Lalibela takes a unique approach by not segregating lions, buffalos, and elephants into separate camps, fostering a harmonious natural environment. Notably, Lalibela stands out for having more lions than there are game viewers, and a strict vehicles-per-sighting policy guarantees unparalleled wildlife encounters devoid of distractions.
What further distinguishes Lalibela is its steadfast commitment to community and conservation. Every surplus bit of revenue is reinvested into these crucial areas, with a firm commitment that no profits will be extracted from the reserve. The landscape itself adds to Lalibela's uniqueness, as the prevalence of grassland savanna supports an exceptionally high density of game, surpassing other reserves in the Eastern Cape. This abundance and remarkable numbers of plains game species sustain an impressive predator population. Additionally, Lalibela stands as one of the rare Eastern Cape reserves without public roads traversing its expanse, ensuring an undisturbed and immersive experience in this extraordinary wildlife sanctuary.
S. van de Wet
Stayed at: Lalibela Game Reserve Mark's Camp
Splendid
The whole experience exceeded our expectations. The food is superb and the rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable. They went through the trouble of making a separate meal for my partner to accommodate his food allergies. They also went to the trouble of setting up a screen and provided us with snacks to watch the rugby. We also got to see 4 of the Big 5 in one evening!
P. Duin
Stayed at: Lalibela Game Reserve Mark's Camp
Great Returned Visit
The staff were excellent, that great mix of friendly efficient and discreet. The game ranger Nell was really very good. She went the extra mile to fulfil our requests.
T. Renning
Stayed at: Lalibela Game Reserve Mark's Camp
Full Safari Experience
The lodge staff looked after us very well. The bed was extremely comfortable and the food was good and plentiful. The infinity pool is lovely and the longe fireside was welcoming after a game drive. The game drives were good, we saw 4 of the big 5 almost straight away plus 20-30 species of wildlife. We were fortunate to have a vehicle and ranger to ourselves half of the time, which was great. The cheetah with her cubs were so cute, it was easily our favourite sighting.
N2 Grahamstown, Sidbury, 6105
Directions to Lalibela Game Reserve from the Port Elizabeth Airport
• As you are exiting the carhire car park, turn right.
• Turn right again at the Tjunction and drive past the petrol station on your left.
• Almost immediately there is a large traffic circle. Take the first exit left from the traffic circle.
• Go over the narrowgauge railway line.
• At the first set of traffic lights, turn right into Heugh Road and continue straight down Heugh Road towards the sea.
• At the 4th set of traffic lights on Heugh Road (next to the fire station), turn left onto the M4 elevated highway.
• Continue on the M4, past the harbour on your right.
• Keep driving until you see the N2 Grahamstown sign, which will lead you onto the N2 in the direction of Grahamstown.
• After about 51 km you will come to a large “spaghetti” junction. Follow the signs for N2 Grahamstown. Keep on the N2 at all times. You will pass the Nanaga Farmstall. It is still approximately 38 kms to Lalibela (A 25 minute drive).
• Drive along the N2 until you cross the Bushman’s River. After 13 kms you will see the signpost for Lalibela Game Reserve on your left. Turn in through the gates and report to reception.
• Driving time: Approximately 1 hour & 15 minutes from Port Elizabeth. (90 kilometres).
Notes:
• Keep on the N2 at all times and do not take any gravel (dirt) roads that are suggested by your GPS or Google Maps. The entrance to Lalibela is situated just off the N2 highway.
• Should you wish to make use of Google Maps or a GPS please search for “Lalibela Game Reserve” and not the name of the lodge that you are staying at.
• Lalibela Game Reserve is easily accessible by a small car, so there is no need to rent a SUV / 4 X 4 vehicle. You will park your car at reception for the duration of your stay. You will be transferred to your lodge in one of our vehicles.
• Check in is between 12h00 and 13h00. Lunch is served at approximately 14h00.
Contact:
• 087 550 1885 (Lalibela Reception – Follow voice prompts and press option “0” for reception)
• 087 550 1885 (Lalibela Reservations Follow voice prompts and press option "1" or "2" for Reservations)
Unfortunately, there is no spa or wellness centre at Lalibela Game Reserve Mark's Camp.
Yes, R150 to R200 per adult and from R75 to R100 for children under 12
Yes, there is one for guests to use.