Directions

Directions via Thabazimbi:

If you’re coming from the south, turn left at Total Garage (the R510 to Lephalale).
32 km away from Thabazimbi, continue straight (the R510 to Lephalale turns to the right at this point).
At 49 km from Thabazimbi, the road becomes a gravel road (the reserve is situated at the old Buffelsdrift Border Post, so you can follow the Buffelsdrift signs).
At 55 km from Thabazimbi, the road forks; take the right turn toward Buffelsdrift.
At 113 km away from Thabazimbi, there’s a gate in the middle of the road with the sign and name ‘NAKA Lodge’; go through the gate.
A further 1.2 km along the road, the lodge is on the left, over a bridge across Eridanus Dam.
The lodge manager (Jay-Dean) can be contacted on 079 64 99 385 via WhatsApp only.
The distances to the lodge are approximately:
- 326 km from Pretoria via the R4 and 347 km via the N1.
- 369 km from O. R. Tambo International Airport via the R4 and 389 km via the N1.

Directions via Lephalale:

The road via Lephalale (formerly Ellisrus) is longer in distance but consists of only 21 km of gravel road.
Exit the N1 at Kranskop Toll Plaza, take the ramp onto the R33, and stay on the R33 until you reach Lephalale.
At the first big traffic light in Lephalale, turn left into Nelson Mandela Drive.
At a three-way stop street approximately 1 km outside town on this road, turn left toward Steenbokpan/Madupi.
Go through Steenbokpan (a very small settlement).
82 km away from Lephalale at the T-junction, turn right toward Buffelsdrift on the gravel road.
21 km away from the T-junction, in the ‘middle of the road’, the gate to Naka Lodge can be found.
A further 1.2 km along the road, the lodge is on the left over a bridge across Eridanus Dam.
The distances to the lodge are approximately:
- 372 km from Pretoria via the N1.
- 414 km from O. R. Tambo International Airport via the N1.

Navigating the Climate:

Naka Lodge is unique in many ways, and its climate is no different. Part of the South African savanna (bushveld), it has a semi-arid climate, which creates a setting for hot, lush summers and dry, cooler winters. Rainfall is limited to impressive thunderstorms in the summer months that transform the landscape from bare and brown to vibrant and thriving. While the shift between seasons isn’t always obvious, there are some slight differences in what you will experience.

Average Day Temperatures:

December to March

0˚C

36˚C / 96.8˚F

April to May

0˚C

27˚C / 80.6˚F

June to September

0˚C

24˚C / 75.2˚F

October to November

0˚C

30˚C / 86˚F

The Four Seasons:

Spring: Sep–Oct

The days heat up again during spring and temperatures are moderate, ranging between 20 °C to 30 °C. Mornings and evenings will still be cool, especially due to chilly winds. Spring is just before the rains and sees the bushveld at its driest, making it the perfect time for game viewing. Spring is also great for photography, especially the beautiful sunrises and sunsets!

Autumn: Apr–May

Autumn days are still warm with temperatures between 20 °C and 35 °C. The rainy season has passed but leaves the veld in its vibrant green for some time longer. The end of the rain also means that there will be fewer bugs. The softer light of autumn makes it the ideal time for photography.

Summer: Nov–Mar

Naka Lodge has summer rainfall, which means a visit during this time may present you with a spectacular thunderstorm. Storms can last anywhere between 10 minutes and 2 hours and break out intermittently. Our yearly rainfall is about 500 mm, making us a low-rainfall area with rain sometimes only falling once in two or three weeks. The long, sunny days are perfect for lounging by the pool; temperatures can reach anything between 25 °C and 40 °C. The bush is brown and bare at first until the rainfall increases, transforming the veld into lush greenery with beautiful wildflowers and many baby animals.

Winter: Jun–Aug

This is the season when the bushveld cools down. While you won’t be spending much time by the pool, unless you enjoy icy waters, the temperatures are much more comfortable, ranging between 15 °C and 25 °C during the day and 0 °C and 15 °C at night. Nature drives can get quite cold early in the morning and later in the evenings, so sweaters and jackets are advised. The bushveld becomes brown and bare at this time and natural watering holes in the veld dry up, making it easier to spot game through the bushes and around the lodge. There’s no rain and bugs in winter—not even dung beetles.

Travel Tips:

Tipping

Most restaurants do not add a service charge to bills—thus it’s customary to leave a 10-15% tip. Parking and petrol station attendants can be given whatever small change you have available. This is always appreciated, even though it may seem a small amount.

Malaria

Naka Lodge is a malaria-free region.
Malaria is found only in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo and on the Maputaland coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Although the incidence of malaria is rare, it would be best to take adequate precautions if you choose to visit these areas.

Health Insurance

South Africa is a global leader in many medical disciplines, with South African-trained doctors highly sought after worldwide—a testament to the country’s high standards of medical care. South Africa has an extensive network of public and private hospitals that offer excellent service.
However, clients should ensure they have adequate health insurance to cover the costs of private hospital care.

Packing Tips:

Summer
- Lightweight materials
- Something warm for the evenings
- Sunblock
- Caps/hats
- Swimwear

Winter
- Dress warmly during the night
- Layers for during the day
- Scarves and beanies.
- Caps/hats
- Swimwear

Self-Catering
- Bring own food and drinks; only kitchen utensils are supplied.

Directions via Thabazimbi:

If you’re coming from the south, turn left at Total Garage (the R510 to Lephalale).
32 km away from Thabazimbi, continue straight (the R510 to Lephalale turns to the right at this point).
At 49 km from Thabazimbi, the road becomes a gravel road (the reserve is situated at the old Buffelsdrift Border Post, so you can follow the Buffelsdrift signs).
At 55 km from Thabazimbi, the road has forks; take the right turn toward Buffelsdrift.
At 113 km away from Thabazimbi, there’s a gate in the middle of the road with the sign and name ‘NAKA Luxury Eco-Lodge’; go through the gate.
A further 1.2 km along the road, the lodge is on the left, over a bridge across Eridanus Dam.
The lodge manager (Jay-Dean) can be contacted on 079 64 99 385 via WhatsApp only.
The distances to the lodge are approximately:
- 326 km from Pretoria via the R4 and 347 km via the R1.
- 369 km from O. R. Tambo International Airport via the R4 and 389 km via the N1.

Directions via Lephalale:

The road via Lephalale (formerly Ellisrus) is longer in distance but consists of only 21 km of gravel road.
Exit the N1 at Kranskop Toll Plaza, take the ramp onto the R33, and stay on the R33 until you reach Lephalale.
At the first big traffic light in Lephalale, turn left into Nelson Mandela Drive.
At a three-way stop street approximately 1 km outside town on this road, turn left toward Steenbokpan/Madupi.
Go through Steenbokpan (a very small settlement).
82 km away from Lephalale at the T-junction, turn right toward Buffelsdrift on the gravel road.
21 km away from the T-junction, in the ‘middle of the road’, the gate to Naka Luxury Eco-Lodge can be found.
A further 1.2 km along the road, the lodge is on the left over a bridge across Eridanus Dam.
The distances to the lodge are approximately:
- 372 km from Pretoria via the N1.
- 414 km from O. R. Tambo International Airport via the N1.

Navigating the Climate:

Average Day Temperatures:

December to March

0˚C

36˚C / 96.8˚F

April to May

0˚C

27˚C / 80.6˚F

June to September

0˚C

24˚C / 75.2˚F

October to November

0˚C

30˚C / 86˚F

The Four Seasons:

Spring: Sep-Oct

Autumn: Apr-May

Summer: Nov-Mar

Naka has summer rainfall, which means a visit during this time may present you with a spectacular thunderstorm. Storms can last anywhere between 10 minutes and 2 hours and break out intermittently. Our yearly rainfall is about 500 mm, making us a low-rainfall area with rain sometimes only falling once in two or three weeks. The long, sunny days are perfect for lounging by the pool; temperatures can reach anything between 25 °C and 40 °C. The bush is brown and bare at first until the rainfall increases, transforming the veld into lush greenery with beautiful wildflowers and many baby animals.

Winter: Jun-Aug

Travel Tips:

Tipping

Most restaurants do not add a service charge to bills – thus it is customary to leave a 10-15% tip. Parking and petrol station attendants can be given whatever small change you have available. This is always appreciated, even though it may seem a small amount.

Malaria

Health Insurance

Packing Tips:

Summer
- Lightweight materials
- Something warm for the evenings
- Sunblock
- Caps/hats
- Swimwear

Winter
- Dress warmly during the night
- Layers for during the day
- Scarves and beanies.
- Caps/hats
- Swimwear

Self-Catering
- Bring own food and drinks; only kitchen utensils are supplied.

Luxury Game Reserve

Getting to
Naka

Luxury Game Reserve

How To Get To Naka

The Journey Begins

Here’s how to find us:

Get in Touch

Luxury Game Reserve

Getting to Naka

Luxury Game Reserve

How To Get To Naka

The Journey Begins

Here’s how to find us:

Get in Touch

Getting to
Naka