WELCOME TO JOCK SAFARI LODGE

OVERVIEW:

As the legend goes, deep in the heart of the Kruger National Park lies a place so spectacular that it inspired bedtime tales told all across the globe. Today, this legend continues at Jock Safari Lodge. We invite you to step back into a simpler time and onto the pages of the classic African tale Jock of the Bushveld by Sir Percy FitzPatrick, a story of courage and love between man and man’s best friend.

For your Big 5 safari adventure, choose between the private thatched suites on the riverbed at the Main Jock Lodge, or the exclusive-use Fitzpatrick’s Lodge at Jock, perfect for your family holiday or adventure with friends. Take it a step further by trading your bed for an outdoor sala one night, drifting off to the soundtrack of the nightlife.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

MAIN JOCK LODGE

Main Jock ensures guests will experience a stay of seclusion and in pure harmony with the natural surroundings. Twelve secluded thatched suites, offering utter privacy, are veiled with lush trees and reed walls. Each leads on to a private deck with plunge pool and a Sala, an outdoor day bed, all with a spectacular view of the riverbed. Main Jock Lodge will help your soul capture the essence of finding your inner peace amidst the calls of the wild.

DETAILS & AMENITIES

• All 12 rooms can sleep a maximum of 2 adults per room
• Air conditioning
• Private minibar
• Hairdryer
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Private plunge pool and private decks
• International dial telephone
• Electronic safe
• Ceiling fan
• En-suite bathroom, with outdoor shower
• Sala (outdoor day bed) overlooking the river
• Personally selected books
• Relaxation Retreat with sauna and exercise room
• Gift boutique
• In and outdoor dining facilities
• Library with television and DVD player
• Pool with deck
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

FITZPATRICK’S AT JOCK

The intimate Fitzpatrick’s At Jock is stylishly appointed to offer the ultimate private villa experience, accommodating small groups and families on an exclusive-use basis. The villa comes complete with its own staff compliment and dedicated ranger with a private game viewing vehicle, offering guided game drives twice daily to explore the 6,000 hectare private concession, which is known for its exhilarating Big 5 sightings and other interesting game encounters.

DETAILS & AMENITIES

• 2 of the 3 luxury suites can sleep a maximum of 2 adults sharing with 2 children (age dependent) per room
• Air conditioning
• Private minibar
• Hairdryer
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Private plunge pool and private decks
• International dial telephone
• Electronic safe
• Ceiling fan
• En-suite bathroom, with outdoor shower
• Rock swimming pool
• Second lounge with fireplace 

ENTERTAINMENT 

GAME DRIVES

Morning and evening drives are performed in covered 4×4 Land Cruisers conducted by highly experienced rangers.

Traversing through the concession, the wildlife is sometimes staggering in its diversity. Enthralling sightings of elephants, prides of lions as well as a sea of buffalo horns rising from the grass as they lie resting in the growing heat, awaits one.

At dusk, a vantage point is chosen to overlook one of the many breath-taking views of the Kruger National Park. Sundowners are enjoyed while tales of the bush are told and a glimpse of what this unique wilderness has to offer is seen while being entranced by the ever-changing colours of the sky as the sun slips into the timeslot of tomorrow. En route back to the lodge, nocturnal animals such as leopard, hyena and lion are often seen.

WILDERNESS WALKS

Walking Safaris are encouraged, after a hearty breakfast, moving through the veld enjoying vistas of unsurpassed beauty and discovering one’s place in the cycle of nature.

The diversity of fauna and flora in this unique concession truly comes alive when viewed on foot.

Qualified walking guides provide the opportunity for guests to experience the excitement of approaching species on foot.

LEOPARD GREEK GOLF CLUB

Jock Safari Lodge offers all golfers free transfers to Leopard Creek Golf Club just outside the Malelane Gate of the Kruger National Park.

All transfers are done on a game viewing vehicle so your transfer is a game drive in itself!

Innovative architectural and landscaping techniques ensure that the Leopard Creek golf course and living areas are naturally protected from animals, while lakes and small streams have been diverted through the development to create scenic vistas and challenging golf strategies.

Golfing hazards take on a new dimension at Leopard Creek, for much of the water is home to the magnificent creatures after whom the river is named, crocodiles. In addition to the decorative water features seen throughout, guests can also look forward to the frequent crocodile, hippo, antelope, buffalo and elephant sighting in the Kruger National Park which borders the course.

Players, please note the appropriate golfing attire that is required: Collar shirts with sleeves and tailored trousers or shorts with white socks. Please ensure you have the correct golfing shoes with golf/rubber spikes.

To book your tee off time and complimentary transfer, please contact us.

 PILGRIMS REST RETREAT

Pilgrim’s Rest, named after the quaint historical mining town featured so prominently in “Jock of the Bushveld” and still in existence today, was a place to rest, rejuvenate and restock. So too is the Relaxation Retreat at Jock Safari Lodge.

The Pilgrims Rest Retreat offers an escape to enjoy some pampering. Awaken your senses and allow us to rejuvenate body, mind and soul. Inspired by surrounding elements that guide us, our selection of body and beauty treatments cater for men and women.

Frequently Asked Questions about our Relaxation Retreat

When should I arrive for my appointment?

Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow yourself time to check in, change and familiarise yourself with our facility.

What should I bring?
A bathing suit/ bikini is required should you wish you wish to make use of the sauna. Robes and towels are provided by the spa.

Can I ask the therapist to adjust certain things to increase my comfort?
Definitely. It is your time and you should enjoy the experience to the fullest. For example, ask for the massage pressure to be adjusted, or for your favourite aroma blend.

What if I have special health considerations?
Please inform your therapist of any health conditions, for example, pregnancy, diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy etc.

Do you have treatments for both men and women?
Our spa caters for both men and women designed to benefit both.

Cancellations – Kindly arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment for a relaxing shower/steam bath. 2 Hours advance notice is required for cancellation, after which 50% of the treatment rate will be charged. We will, however, assist in rescheduling your appointments where possible. In the case of late arrivals, treatment duration will be reduced accordingly, unless accommodation can be made within the schedule.

KIDS ON SAFARI

Fitzpatrick’s at Jock is a 3 room stand-alone lodge offering families personal service in an intimate atmosphere. Upon arrival the host and/or ranger will discuss activity options with the family taking the family’s size, children’s ages and the weather into consideration. Complimentary child minding is offered during game drive hours, additional child minding can be secured at an additional cost outside of these times. Each child will receive a gift pack containing small gifts, most of which they can use during their stay at Fitzpatrick’s at Jock.

Children ages 5 years and younger are restricted to drives within the Jock concession. Children aged 6 years and older are permitted on regular game drives.

A private vehicle will need to reserved for sole use of the family, the daily surcharge per day will be applicable for private vehicle use.

OUTDOORS ACTIVITIES

Visit the Stevenson Hamilton Museum in Skukuza

On route to and from Skukuza, they will enjoy a game drive (in closed vehicle) which will stop at all the lookout points to enjoy refreshments

Junior ranger training while on kiddies drive

Night walk within the camp

Arts, Crafts and Games

Play dough session

Mini Chef’sArts and crafts

Puzzles of varying sizes and difficulties covering a broad

A selection of entertaining and educational children’s books

A selection of fun board games

Special Notes

All swimming activities must be supervised by parents at all times

Additional child minding is done by lodge staff and can be arranged with reservations prior to arrival  at an additional cost.

Please ensure that all children bring good walking shoes, a large hat and sunscreen as well as any medicine used to treat allergies.

Children staying at Jock

Main Jock accommodate families with children from 6 years and older on the following bases:

Applicable adult rate(s) will apply to children of all ages.

A private vehicle will need to reserved for sole use of the family, the daily surcharge per day will be applicable for private vehicle use. 

FLORA & FAUNA

Personally assigned rangers will delight in sharing their knowledge of this astounding natural treasure trove of the bushveld and slowly the mysteries of the wild will unfold.

Sighting the “Big Five” has become something of a quest for many people when on safari, and the Kruger National Park has more than its fair share of these, with an estimated 1,700 lion, 15,000 elephants, 25,000 buffalo and 1,000 leopards.

Jackalberry treesolder than written history are pointed out and the myriad of insects, birds, mammals and reptiles that exist in this leafy ecosystem are explained. The sheer wonder of Mother Nature at work in this microcosm makes one eager to experience and understand more and to experience untouched paradise in its pure form.

With the Kruger National Park being so vast it naturally has a tremendous botanic diversity. Simplistically the Kruger National Park can be divided into 16 macro ecozones. The northern half of the park, north of the Olifants River is predominantly mopane veld, while south of the Olifants River the ecozones are thornveld. There are 404 tree species in the park.

The Amarula tree, so very African, can be seen overflowing with baboons plundering the juicy fruit while keeping a wary eye out for the leopard that abounds in the Jock concession. Taste the Sour Plum and sense a taste explosion or spot the various plants with medicinal values ranging from stomach cures, hangover solutions or even a bush Viagra!!

The vast expanse of this wild land slows one down and with this inner peace comes an ability to really incite the senses.

Every game drive and Wilderness Walk is a discovery of nature and the magic of Jock.

BIRD WATCHING

For the avid birdwatcher, abundant species of birdare regularly seen on the concession including raptors such as the Martial, Tawny and Fish Eagles as well as Steppe Buzzards.

A wide variety of Bushveld Birdsare spotted from the comfort of one’s room or whilst lying next to the Rock Pool. Most commonly seen are Hornbills, Starlings, Boubou’s, Shrikes and Woodpeckers to name but a few.

Late summer (January and February) is an excellent time for birding in Kruger. Kruger attracts a diversity of birds because it straddles so many eco-zones.

 The tranquil atmosphere at the Lodge allows for unique birding opportunities as man slows down, finding the rhythm of nature and begins to truly observe.

MPUMALANGA/KRUGER WEATHER