Located near Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, the safari lodge makes accommodations for tourists with disabilities
Leopard Walk Lodge adjoins the UNESCO-listed iSimangaliso World Natural Heritage Site at False Bay, Zululand. Owners Rob Cuthbertson, a civil engineer, and Janet Cuthbertson, an artist and environmentalist, have worked over 35 years to rewild once neglected farmland.
Through dedication, the land has been restored into a natural haven offering a biodiverse area that allowed many red data species to flourish.
The lodge has five Secrets of the Forest Suites that are spacious and luxurious with glass sliding walls that open onto a private veranda and outside jacuzzi bath. The suites are deliberately scattered and immersed in the forest to offer total privacy.
This allows you to open any curtain and view the wild from the comfort of your bed as you wake up. There is a changing area, accessible wet room and full bathroom of which the latter has a glass sliding door leading outside.
There are access ramps to all the rooms with mobile ramps available for the few areas that don’t have permanent ramps, for example the outside Jacuzzi bath which may have a step.
The generous main building houses the reception, a bar, lounge seating and dining area. The access ramp to the main building is very steep and will require assistance.
The external boma area has natural sand around the fire pit and is adjacent to the main building. A swimming pool with an elevated infinity view of the bush is a short walk from the boma.
The Lodge has used natural components to bring in some of the aspects of universal access into its design. Tree branches are placed at the edges of the pathways.
Rounded pebbles are set into the concrete walkways to offer tactile indicators for individuals with visual impairment and there are paved pathways to the suites. Not all the pathways to the various general areas are paved, for example the boma.
Rob and Janet are truly committed to creating a universally accessible lodge and plan on introducing more accessible features with future upgrades.
They are also committed to community cultural education through Janet’s Young Environmental Ambassador movement. Janet also assisted the Young Zulu Dancers, located at the gate of Hluhluwe Game Reserve, to compete at the 2024 Africa’s Got Talent competition in Sasolburg, which the group won!
The lodge is partnered with Access2Africa Safaris, which offers airport transfers from King Shaka International Airport to the lodge, game drives, excursions and cultural activities within the area. Access2Africa Safaris has two accessible tour buses offer game viewing in comfort for smaller and larger groups.
Game viewing within the Hluhluwe Umfolozi park is a highlight of this area as this “Big Five” park offers excellent opportunities to see the game up close.
The spectacular Hilltop Lodge viewing point offers the option of looking down on the soaring raptors and the spectacular views of the park.
Other activities include viewing the wild cats up close at the Wild Cat Rehab Centre and an Elephant Experience for those who haven’t seen the iconic mammals of Africa up close, river boat tours in St Lucia to see the hippos and crocs, a mangrove walk and so much more.
Northern KwaZulu-Natal is rich in culture, heritage and wildlife. Why not put this area onto your list of places to visit? Happy Travels!
