Security
For your safety, the White Elephant gate entrance times and access is strictly controlled. Gate hours: 6h00 until 18h00. Should you anticipate arriving before or after these gate hours, please notify us on 082 945 7174 so we can arrange for your entry into the game reserve.
Pongola Game Reserve has strict security systems and is thus a safe area. We advise, however, that any valuables be placed in the lodge safe on check-in.
Road Access
Please note the road to the lodge is a 12km rocky gravel road but is accessible with a normal sedan that has good ground clearance. The drive in could result in very good game sightings. If Elephant are encountered on the road, stop at a safe distance and wait for them to move off before you continue driving. Once inside the Pongola Game Reserve, do not leave your car until you arrive at the lodge. Remember, our wildlife have right of way. Please request detailed directions from Reservations office.
Avoid travelling at night. The South African Roads are frequently under construction and maintenance. Roads often have potholes and are subject to heavy truck and taxi traffic. Also many cattle, other animals and pedestrians can be encountered on the roads.
The wildlife in the reserve constitutes a potential danger to all persons, therefore do not walk or drive around without being accompanied by a guide outside of the lodges fenced in areas.
For general travel safety please ask your travel agency, or contact us for more information.
Air Access
SA Express operates daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg to RichardsBayAirport. Federal Air recently started with scheduled flights three times a week to Mkuze Airstrip, please enquire with reservations. Private air charter from Durban/Johannesburg/Kruger NationalPark to Mkuze can be arranged. The lodge also has its own private landing strip for light aircrafts (co-ordinates: S27 24 671 E31 52 822) and a helipad(co-ordinates: S27 23 32 E31 54 545).
Insurance
We highly recommend that travel insurance is taken out.
Transfers/Gate Times
Transfers can be arranged with reservations on request at an additional cost. All transfers are handled by accredited car hire and charter companies. Alltransfers must be arranged prior to arrival.
Gate hours are strictly 6h00 – 18h00.A fee of R 25 per vehicle/boat at the entrance gate. R 50 is payble for after-hours arrivals/departures. (18h00 - 6h00)
Malaria
Pongola Game Reserve is Malaria free. However, if you are travelling via Mpumalanga and Swaziland or to the Northern coastal areas of KwaZulu Natal, before or after your visit to White Elephant, we advise the use of anit-malaria medication.
Please remember that the best insurance against contracting malaria is to prevent mosquito bites.95% of malarial infections occur between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. It is advised to use mosquito repellents liberallyand to wear long sleeved shirts andslacks in the evenings.Mosquito repellent is provided in our lodges, as well as mosquito nets on all beds.Tents/chalets have mosquito gauze on windows/doors for guests’ comfort.
If you become ill on your return, whilst still on prophylaxis or even once youhave stopped, make sure that your doctor does everything necessary to establish that your illness is not malaria. It is essential to seek specialist advice– a delay of even 48 hours can be dangerous. Prompt and proper treatment of malaria should always be successful. Six/seven days is the minimumincubation period.
Other health precautions
Tick bite fever can be contracted from the ticks found in our game reserve.
We suggest that you spray all your packed clothing, socks and shoes with a tick repellant (such as Bayticol) prior to your safari and then re-applying repellent once you are at White Elephant before going out on game activities. (The mosquito repellant spray provided in our lodges is also an effective tick repellant).
Should you have flu-like symptoms approximately 14 days after tick exposure, consult a doctor.
Clothing
Khaki clothing and good walking shoes are advised for those guests who wish to participate in game activities.Hats, sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended for use throughout the year.
During thesummer months (October toMarch) cool cotton clothing is advisable as well as anoraks or raincoats as afternoon thunderstorms often prevail.
Jerseys and pullovers are suggestedfor thewintermonths of May through to August.
Temperatures
Northern Zululand is situated in the subtropical zone of Southern Africa (Summer rainfall area). Temperatures average 34°c during the summer months
of October through March. Winter months May through August, temperatures are moderate averaging 23°c.
Indemnity
White Elephant is host to a diversity of wildlife species. Guests are advised not to venture away from the lodge and gardens without the company of a guide.
All guests are required to sign an indemnity form on arrival at the lodge.
Reservations and booking conditions
All reservations are made through White Elephant central reservations office. Office Hours 8:00 – 13:00 WEEKDAYS
Please see our rate sheet for our cancellation fee policy.
A deposit is required to confirm and secure all bookings (unless other arrangements were made)
Children welcome at Bush Camp and children over 12 welcome at Safari Lodge
Payments can be made by direct deposit or credit card. All recognized credit cards accepted.
Please Note
Gate times are strictly 06h00 – 18h00
Entrance fee: R25.00 per vehicle and boat
After Hours 18h00 – 6H00 Entrance fee: R 50.00 per vehicle and boat