Awaken to the sounds of a gushing river at Biyela Lodge

IT’S not every day that you get to wake up with the sound of the White uMfolozi River a few metres away from you. As the ambient sound of the gushing river makes it way into my room, I’m relieved that I listened to the advice to sleep with my door open.

I’m relaxed as I make a cup of chamomile tea and make my way to the balcony overlooking the river and the expansive Hluhluwe-Imfolozi game park. My faux ornithologist self tries to identify a bird or two, but I fail. Clearly, my days as an avid birdwatcher in my younger years, were a waste of time.

As the sun rises, slowly evaporating the dew from the deck furniture, I’m reminded of my early call time for the early morning game drive.

Making my way from my suite to the reception area of mFulaWozi Wilderness Private Game Reserve, I am once again impressed at just what a beautiful area they have chosen to build the luxurious Biyela Lodge.

Boasting 12 luxury suites all with a private deck and 10 with a private pool, Biyela Lodge is the shining star in Northern KwaZulu-Natal region’s private game lodges that are based in the Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park.

Each suite provides jawdroppingly amazing views of the uMfolozi River and the wildlife that traverse daily down to the river. Biyela Lodge is built into the hillside and is perfectly positioned to maximise the sweeping views of the imposing plain of the White uMfolozi River below.

When you think about eco-luxury, Biyela Lodge comes to mind. It’s run on solar energy, uses river water and it demands for you to be peaceful. To relax. To momentarily forget what’s happening in the world, even for a few hours.

I could live here, I remember saying out loud. That was my reaction when we first arrived at Biyela Lodge, which is named after Chief Phiwayinkosi Biyela.

THE luxurious Biyela Lodge in the mFulaWozi Wilderness Private Game Reserve.

mFulaWozi Wilderness Private Game Reserve is a Barry Theunissen project, a collaboration with 10 chiefs whose land surrounds the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park.

It stretches across 16 000ha of untouched African bushveld, 6 000ha of which have already been incorporated into the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. The project has resulted in the five-star Biyela Lodge and the four-star Mthembu Lodge, which is on the other side of the park.

I have frequented the KwesakaBiyela area when I was younger. My grandmother is a Biyela and is a distant relative of the chief. But I had never imagine that the area could boast such a world-class lodge, one that can compete with some of the best in the world.

Think of an amenity and they have it. A fully stocked fridge, a walk-in closet, a spacious indoor and an outdoor shower. The bathtub boasts the impressive view of the river, the game reserve and the lodge.

SIP a cocktail while overlooking the river and the expansive Hluhluwe- Umfolozi game park

There’s a spa, a daily game drive, either in the morning or early evening. The morning drive includes hot beverages on a plain on the reserve, while the evening drive has sundowners on the banks of the river.

The food was one of the highlights and every meal was impressive. A fellow traveller tried their best to wrangle a couple of recipes from Chef Bongo Xabela, but he kept his cards close to his chest.

I don’t blame him – the food is a major drawcard of Biyela Lodge and I know avid foodies will make the journey there just to so they can enjoy his brilliant cuisine.

If they were to ever think about making their restaurant open to just those coming to dine, I would travel there whenever I am in the region. ◆SA ◆ Residents Special: R5 950 per person sharing per night at Biyela Lodge, including all meals, local drinks and game drives. Valid until October 31, 2022.

LUXURY at its finest. A fully stocked fridge, a walk-in closet, a spacious indoor and an outdoor shower in every suite.