Our Story - Where History
Meets the call of the wild
A vision in 1989…
Since 1989, Ngwenya Lodge has been a sanctuary for nature lovers, offering the perfect blend of comfort and untamed African wilderness. Perched along the Crocodile River, just moments from Kruger National Park, the Lodge quickly became a cherished retreat where guests could witness the Big Five without leaving their chalets
Solar Installation
Since February 2020, we’ve been exploring alternative electricity solutions for Ngwenya Lodge 3 and 4 Share Block Companies due to ESKOM supply issues. After considering various options, we are now focusing on solar energy, a key step towards sustainability for our community. We are committed to transparency and collaboration with our Shareholders as we work towards a reliable electricity supply. Your support is truly appreciated as we strive for a resilient and prosperous future.
Retaining the Gold Crown Status
Ngwenya Lodge has proudly maintained its RCI Gold Crown Status! The Resort has also been nominated for superior service in hospitality, top check-in and check-out, top housekeeping, and top unit maintenance in the large Resorts category! This recognition is a true honour and reflects our commitment to exceeding the expectations of our holidaymakers.
Guestrevu Great Awards
We are excited to announce our entry into the GuestRevu Guest-Rated Excellence in Accommodation and Travel (GREAT) Awards, hoping to be crowned a GuestRevu GREAT for 2024! Our motivation for participating is to showcase how wonderful the Resort is and to highlight our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our guests.
Cyclone Freddy
Cyclone Freddy, believed to be the longest-lasting cyclone ever recorded, did not directly affect South Africa. However, its close proximity to Mozambique resulted in several provinces, including Mpumalanga, experiencing severe rainfall, strong winds, and flooding in February and March. Ngwenya Lodge received around 300mm of rainfall in just under three days. The floods led to the closure of Crocodile Bridge and the formation of sinkholes on the roads necessitated the temporary shutdown of the Kruger National Park. However, we have taken swift action to rebuild it to ensure the safety and security of the Resort.
Ngwenya Lodge Wi-fi Installation
We are proud to announce that our broadband installation project is complete and Wi-Fi is now available throughout the Resort for our Shareholders’ and guests’ convenience.
Cyclone Eloise
Towards the end of January Cyclone Eloise made landfall up-river from Ngwenya Lodge. During this period the region experienced torrential rains which flooded the Crocodile River, breeching the Crocodile Bridge which forced the Kruger National Park to close the gate. Onsite, the Ngwenya Lodge Team worked hard to keep the Resort in tip-top shape. The influx of water turned the region a deep verdant green and guests revelled at the beautiful transformation left in her wake.
RCI Gold Crown Awards
We are thrilled to announce Ngwenya Lodge’s outstanding performance at the 2021 RCI Reward & Recognition Programme, where it secured first place for the large Resorts category in check-in and check-out, superior service in hospitality, runner-up for Resort of the Year and housekeeping, and third place in unit maintenance.
Fibre Installation
The Lodge is getting Wi-Fi! The Ngwenya Lodge Team is thrilled to see this project moving forward, and we’re excited to soon offer this amenity across the entire Resort. The majority of the “ducting” phase has been completed so far, and our Team will soon begin extending these connections to the Chalets as well. The fibre installation project is on schedule and progressing as planned.
RCI Gold Crown Status
Ngwenya Lodge not only retains Gold Crown Status at the prestigious 31st Annual RCI OSCAS Ceremony, but has been awarded the First-Runner-Up position, as well! This is a great achievement given the fierce competition at the Gala Awards and to be recognised as one of the top five Resorts is an honour.
Awards and Accolades
After the incredible achievements at the 2017 RCI OSCAS Annual Awards, Ngwenya Lodge is gunning to be on top once more. The Resort is attending the 30th RCI OSCAS Annual Gala Awards to hold on to its Gold Crown Status, and is first runner-up in the Gold Crown Resort of the Year in the Large Resort Category. Ngwenya Lodge is not slowing, claiming; the VRS Award for Resort of the Year, a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award, as well as the Provincial Award for the Top Four-Star Self-Catering Resort, and the Top Wildlife Experience in Mpumalanga at the 2018 Lilizela Tourism Awards. This year has proven to be an immense victory for Ngwenya Lodge at each prestigious Awards Ceremony.
Environmentally friendly initiatives
The Lodge’s environmentally-friendly focus is once again addressed with the introduction of LED energy-saving lights and water-saving showerheads throughout the units and facilities on the Resort premises. In addition, a new filtration system, as part of Ngwenya Lodge’s sewage plant, has been established so as to better make use of grey water for the establishment’s irrigation purposes.
Growing from strength-to-strength
Looking towards the future, as well as adding additional benefit to the ongoing conservation efforts of preserving the Kruger National Park and surrounds, the further extension of Ngwenya Lodge is set to break ground within 2020. This envisioned future development is of great value to the area, providing much-needed employment opportunities, as well as additional shareholders to register their interests in protecting the Park and surrounds.
Waste-water Treatment plant
A new waste-water treatment facility has been completed for Ngwenya Lodge. The new plant was designed to replace the lillipit system and can process up to 400 cubes of influent per day at a maximum capacity, which drastically cuts odour. The processed influent can be used to irrigate sugar cane, thereby preventing wastewater. The effluent complies with local environmental standards as required.
Achievements and Accolades
Once more Ngwenya Lodge stole the show at the Annual RCI Awards Ceremony. The Resort was not only crowned the Top Gold Crown Resort in the large resort category, but took home the titles for Superior Service in Hospitality and Top Check-in and Check-out Resort. Ngwenya Lodge was also praised for maintaining high housekeeping and maintenance standards.
VRS Resort Management Awards
The VRS awards show appreciation for individuals and resorts within the VRS-Management Group for outstanding service and high work ethic, as we strive to provide everlasting holiday memories for our guests. Ngwenya Lodge applauded the hard work of team members who claimed Resort Manager of the Year, Operations Manager of the Year, as well as Front office HOD of the Year.
Family-friendly Fun
The VRS awards show appreciation for individuals and resorts within the VRS-Management Group for outstanding service and high work ethic, as we strive to provide everlasting holiday memories for our guests. Ngwenya Lodge applauded the hard work of team members who claimed Resort Manager of the Year, Operations Manager of the Year, as well as Front office HOD of the Year.
Ngwenya steals the show at RCI Oscas
At the 29th RCI OSCAS Annual Gala Awards, Ngwenya Lodge steals the show! Not only is Ngwenya Lodge awarded the Diamond Award for Resort of the Year in the Large Resort Category, but the Resort Manager, Diederik Herholdt, achieves Diamond Status for Resort Manager of the Year, too. These are incredible achievements because Diamond Awards are extremely rare! It means that for three consecutive years, Ngwenya Lodge won Gold Crown Resort of the Year and that for three years Diederik won Resort Manager of the Year. With Gold Crown status being the highest grading a Resort can achieve, the fact that Ngwenya Lodge has been selected as the best-of the-best for three years running, is extraordinary, amazing and something the team can always be proud of.
RCI Gold Crown Resort of the year
Ngwenya Lodge is awarded the RCI Gold Crown Resort of the Year in the Large Resort Category at the RCI OSCAS Annual Gala Awards evening. The Resort is tremendously proud of Team Ngwenya for their hard work and dedication.
Ubhejane Introduced
The Resort mascot, Ubhejane the Rhino, is born. The rhino statue can be found at the Resort, and is regularly decorated with painted hand prints by the children who visit Ngwenya Lodge. Ubhejane provides the Lodge with the platform to address the need to protect South Africa’s critically endangered rhinoceros population as part of the conservation effort.
Snake Handling and Training
As part of the Lodge’s on-going conservation efforts, aligned with the Kruger National Park, selected members of Ngwenya Lodge’s staff undergo training on snake handling. This provides the Lodge with an opportunity to catch and release any snakes who visit the Resort back into their natural habitat within the Nature Reserve.
RCI Gold Crown Resort of the year
Congratulations are, once again, due to every member of the Ngwenya Lodge Team who secures the Gold Crown Resort of the Year in the Large Resort Category at the RCI OSCAS Annual Awards Ceremony. This is not the only award for the year, as the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa presents Ngwenya Lodge with a Four Star Rating for: scenic beauty, well-equipped accommodation and friendly hospitality.
New Environmentally-friendly Cleaning range introduced
Eco-Lyte cleaning products are introduced on the Resort as an alternative to chemically-laden cleaning agents which infect the water. These new products are sourced from renewable ingredients and are bio-degradable; earning the recognition of international environmental standards.
Ngwenya Upgrades to Harvey Tiles
Ngwenya Lodge says goodbye to the units worn, thatch hats and welcomes Harvey tiles; providing guests with protective, strong cover with minimal maintenance costs.
Cyclone Freddy
Cyclone Freddy, believed to be the longest-lasting cyclone ever recorded, did not directly affect South Africa. However, its close proximity to Mozambique resulted in several provinces, including Mpumalanga, experiencing severe rainfall, strong winds, and flooding in February and March. Ngwenya Lodge received around 300mm of rainfall in just under three days. The floods led to the closure of Crocodile Bridge and the formation of sinkholes on the roads necessitated the temporary shutdown of the Kruger National Park. However, we have taken swift action to rebuild it to ensure the safety and security of the Resort.
Ngwenya Lodge Wi-fi Installation
We are proud to announce that our broadband installation project is complete and Wi-Fi is now available throughout the Resort for our Shareholders’ and guests’ convenience.
Vrs Takes over as Managing agent
Vacation Recreational Services takes over as the Managing Agent of Ngwenya Lodge. VRS was founded in 2001 and, with a growing portfolio managing 20 holiday Resorts across South Africa, Kenya and Botswana, has the experience, in-depth knowledge, insight and proven track record required to ensure that Ngwenya Lodge thrives and continues to exceed guest’s expectations.
Ngwenya Lodge Joins Facebook
You can keep up-to-date with the Resort on this platform here.
Ngwenya Lodge Restaurant opens to guests
In April of 2013, the rebranded Restaurant opens its doors to offer the Lodge’s guests an incredible dining experience and, in November of the same year, the Resort takes to renaming the wildlife-viewing-hides along the Crocodile River: Elephants Crossing and Crocodile Sandbanks.
VRS Best ResortReception Award
The Resort also brings home the VRS Best Resort Reception Award – Congratulations to the Front of House Team for their exceptional client service!
Spa and curio shop Doors open
SPA AND CURIO SHOP DOORS OPEN
The Lodge makes the decision to create an even greater experience for guests; to provide every opportunity to relax and collect memories while staying at Ngwenya. The Spa and Curio Shop doors open to invite visitors to unwind and enjoy a number of relaxing treatments, and, thereafter, to purchase a memento at the Curio Shop to remember the holiday.
Ngwenya Lodge is built
Ngwenya Lodge is built along the Crocodile River, a mere 10km away from the Crocodile Bridge Entrance to the Kruger National Park. This position effectively incorporates the Resort into the greater game area and visitors have every opportunity to see all the same species (Big Five included) that occur in the game-rich South-Eastern section of the Kruger Park, without even having to leave the lodge.