A Wonderful Stay at Idube Game Lodge

Idube Game Lodge has been lovingly run by the Marais family since 1983, its name inspired by the Shangaan word for zebra. After closing in mid-January for renovations, the lodge reopened in July — and it’s looking absolutely fabulous!

We stayed in one of the Safari Suites, which was spacious and beautifully designed. The suite featured a large en-suite bathroom and a private deck with a plunge pool — the perfect spot to relax between drives. The main lodge areas are stylishly decorated, warm, and welcoming. A highlight for me was the swing bridge leading to the underground hide, a magical place to quietly watch wildlife up close.

Dining at Idube was a delight. Breakfast and lunch are served on the lower deck overlooking the bush, while dinners take place on the bar patio beside the fire-lit boma. Lodge manager Charita Hanekom warned us about their “killer chef,” and she wasn’t wrong — every meal was generous, creative, and absolutely delicious.

Our guide, FJ, Idube’s head guide, brought every sighting to life with his knowledge and enthusiasm. We were fortunate to see a variety of animals and birdlife, including a female white rhino with her calf. Then came the real highlight — the Ntomi and Rixaka show.

Ntomi, a young male leopard from the renowned Sunsetbend lineage, is currently trying to establish territory in the western Sabi Sands. Rixaka, a resident female, comes from equally impressive bloodlines — her mother is the Boulders female, and her father is the famous Ravenscourt male.

Rixaka was clearly eager to mate, but Ntomi wasn’t interested. Moments after we arrived, he wandered off. Later, we found them resting in dense bush with almost no visibility. Suddenly, Ntomi climbed an apple-leaf tree right in front of us — and seconds later, Rixaka joined him. We couldn’t believe our luck! We were perfectly positioned for that iconic leopard-in-a-tree shot.

After all that excitement, we enjoyed sundowners in the bush before returning to the lodge for a cozy evening by the fire.

The next morning brought even more magic: a giraffe, a white rhino bull grazing in golden light, Yellow-billed Hornbills feeding on termites, an African Harrier-Hawk, Yellow-billed Storks perched high in a tree, and a Grey Heron. When FJ suggested we head down to the Sand River, I was thrilled — the area has such distinct beauty.

We crossed the famous Sand River and were called into another sighting: the Euphorbia male, a ten-year-old leopard well established in the western Sabi Sands. He bore a fresh wound on his forehead, likely from a territorial fight. We spent half an hour with him as he rested on the riverbank, offering incredible photographic opportunities.

Afterward, we enjoyed morning coffee in the bush before returning for breakfast, reflecting on two unforgettable game drives.

All in all, our stay at Idube was truly special. A heartfelt thank you to Charita and Evert Hanekom, FJ, and the entire Idube team for their warmth, professionalism, and passion for the bush. We can’t wait to return!