Description
OUR STORY
JABULANI TODAY, IS RECOGNISED AS ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST RESPECTED FIVE-STAR SAFARI LODGES. BUT THE ESSENCE OF JABULANI REACHES FAR DEEPER THAN LUXURY AND LEISURE – IT REFLECTS AN EXCEPTIONAL TWENTY-YEAR JOURNEY THAT BEGAN WITH A BRAVE LITTLE ELEPHANT NAMED JABULANI.
Our story started in 1997, with Jabulani, an elephant calf of just four months, was found injured, abandoned and stuck in the mud of a silt dam. He was successfully rehabilitated and once weaned, introduced to the wild elephants of the reserve, who repeatedly rejected him.
Yet fate had a different plan for Jabulani. In 2002, we were contacted to urgently step in and rescue a hand-reared herd of elephants Zimbabwe who were to be culled during the country’s land reformation process.
Within a few days, we had rescued the elephants and brought them to our reserve in South Africa, together with their carers. We were hopeful that they would accept Jabulani into their family, as every elephant needs a herd.
Fortunately, Tokwe, the matriarch of the herd, accepted Jabulani lovingly and gracefully. Jabulani had finally found a new family.
This was a significant moment in both our history and our future, as the original herd are all believed to have been orphans too. Their unique family structure would create a favourable environment for orphaned elephants in need of a herd. They have since warmly welcomed another three orphaned elephants that we have introduced to them.
With the substantial financial burden of having to care for the elephants and provide housing and income for their carers, it was decided to build a luxury lodge that would offer elephant back safaris and sustain the herd. So, in 2005, Camp Jabulani came to be.
In 2006, the herd started to reproduce, an affirmation of their happiness and low-stress levels, as an elephant will not easily fall pregnant when under duress. Five healthy elephant calves have since then been born to the Jabulani herd.
In January 2017, we took the bold step of discontinuing the elephant-back safaris and so successfully entered a new era.
In 2018, Camp Jabulani officially rebranded to JABULANI, revealing a unique and soulful safari experience. Complimented by our people, the wildlife and the Jabulani herd, the experience will be etched into your heart and soul for a lifetime.
In 2019, Adine Roode, the owner of Jabulani built South Africa’s first dedicated Elephant Orphanage, HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development), which was built alongside the Jabulani Herd Stables.
Accommodation at Jabulani
AN AFRICAN OASIS IN EACH SUITE.
Designed with pure relaxation and intimacy in mind, the Jabulani suites are as discrete in positioning as they are lavished in detail.
Each suite opens up to a private oasis set in the African bush. A crystal blue plunge pool with views over the riverbed below, is complimented by a generous wooden deck, purely for your
leisurely pleasure.
A traditional fireplace graces your Jabulani Suite lounge, creating a perfect setting for a romantic in-suite dining experience, followed by a nightcap in the privacy of your heated plunge pool.
Your grand and luxurious freestanding stone bath can easily welcome you and your loved one, to soak up the sounds of the surrounding African wildlife and nature. Or enjoy a semi-outdoor shower, that whilst frosted for your privacy, enjoys a view over the natural environment outside.
GAME DRIVES:
Your first African safari experience will remain a cherished memory for the rest of your life.
A game drive on a Big Five reserve is a humbling and soulful experience. At Jabulani, game drives are conducted by experienced and knowledgeable rangers in open, custom-built safari vehicles in a private game reserve of 16 000 hectares.
Experience day and night game drives, without restriction of times, which is uncommon in most safari lodges in South Africa.
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