ABOUT HOYO HOYO SAFARI LODGE
Amid lush leadwood trees in the heart of the African wilderness, the thatched tips of burnt-orange rondavels are just visible above the tree line. Welcome to Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge on the banks of the Mluwati River in the heart of the world-famous Kruger National Park in South Africa. The lodge is located on the 10,000-hectare Mluwati Concession.
Hoyo Hoyo is designed in the style of a traditional Tsonga village. Staff dressed in traditional clothes gives this lodge its signature atmosphere of a bygone era.
The luxurious suites of Hoyo Hoyo have been designed in a traditional African style. These rondavels (round huts with thatched roofs) depict the rich history of the indigenous Tsonga people of southern Africa. The luxury ethnic-themed suites have been meticulously designed and decorated in rich fabrics, creating an ambience of opulence and relaxation. The earthy tones of the interiors and the bright decor exude a spirit of warmth.
Hoyo Hoyo offers the discerning nature lover an authentic African safari experience in extraordinary bushveld surroundings within the Kruger National Park, which is home to the majestic Big Five (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo).
Each new day heralds a unique feast for the senses. From the gorgeous hues of an African sunrise and the quivering mirages in the distance at the heat of the day to the cheerful chirping of a wide array of bird species just before dusk. One cannot help but be mesmerized by this natural beauty which is wild Africa.
Spend relaxing afternoons in the infinity pool or siesta on the deck while observing the wildlife going about their daily business; from the majestic elephant herds to select members of the cat family such as lion, cheetah and leopard, or zebra quenching their thirst at the waterhole – they are all here.
Guests can indulge in a tasty Tsonga feast, or enjoy a soothing massage to revive body and mind. At Hoyo Hoyo, authentic Tsonga hospitality will rejuvenate the spirit and ease away the stress of urban life.
Experience the magic of local tradition and the tranquil essence of your natural surroundings. Passionate staff cater to your every need, ensuring a once-in-a-lifetime African safari experience. Sit on the deck around the fire and delight yourself in the magic of the vast expanse of African sky.
The private concessions within the iconic Kruger National Park are areas of land where carefully selected operators have a license to offer all the benefits of a luxury safari lodge on a private reserve. Guests staying at Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge enjoy game drives in an open safari vehicle within the private concession as well as the Kruger Park itself. Glorious days at Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge are spent exploring the vast wilderness region on sunrise and sunset game drives and enjoying hours of relaxation and pampering back at the lodge, as well as a magical “sofa safari” from the privacy of their own viewing deck.
THINGS TO DO AT HOYO HOYO
Bird Watching
The guides at Hoyo Hoyo are more than happy to share their unrivalled knowledge of the varied bird species in the area. There is so much to learn about birds on the Mluwati Concession. From the fierce Marshall Eagle to the smallest and most delicate blue waxbill. With more than 400 recorded bird species in the Kruger National Park, Hoyo Hoyo is a true birder’s delight.
Bush dinners
Enjoy a lovely starlit braai (barbeque) at a secluded bushveld spot. This is a privilege that is unique to guests staying at a luxury lodge in a private concession in Kruger Park. Nowhere else in the Kruger are you able to dine so up close with the Big Five!
Dining and cuisine
Your reward for a hard day’s safari is the delicious dishes created by Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge’s talented chef who is an expert at preparing delicious cuisine to tantalise the taste buds.
Home-made delicacies, including an impressive array of light salads and local speciality dishes such as beetroot salad and ostrich steak, are served in a relaxed environment. The authentic sounds of the African bush complement each meal to perfection and make dining at Hoyo Hoyo a truly memorable experience.
A hearty buffet breakfast with a variety of fruits, nuts, yoghurt, breads, pastries and cheese – or a full English breakfast with bacon, sausage eggs; freshly squeezed orange juice and strong coffee – awaits you after your morning game drive.
Lunch is a light, informal affair with a buffet of tasty salads and a wide variety of meats. High Tea in the afternoon is a festive gathering where a delicious selection of cakes and pastries, baked freshly at the lodge, can be enjoyed in the company of good friends.
After the thrill of the evening’s safari, Hoyo Hoyo’s open-air firepit is the perfect place to share the experiences of the day while indulging in a scrumptious three-course dinner under the stars. Good conversation, accompanied by the finest vintages and the enchanting sounds of the bush at night, will round off the evening’s magic to perfection.
Wellness treatments
Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge offers indulgent spa treatments and a soothing massage in the seclusion of your private deck with the scents of ylang-ylang, vanilla and cedarwood soothing body, mind and soul. There is no Wi-Fi or cellphone signal at this exclusive and remote safari lodge, allowing complete relaxation for our guests. The suites do, however, have a radio link to the manager at the lodge.
Please book your treatment with the wellness therapist or ask the camp manager to arrange an appropriate appointment time for you.
Private safari experience in the Kruger Park
Mluwati Concession is a private concession within the Kruger National Park that boasts three ultra-luxury safari lodges; Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, Imbali Safari Lodge and Hamilton’s Tented Camp. The Mluwati Concession was born from a shared vision to ensure the future sustainability of the national park and preserve this heritage for future generations.
As one of the first private concessions in the Kruger National Park, the management of Mluwati has worked tirelessly to ensure the protection and sustainability of this pristine wilderness that, for more than a century, has been a sanctuary for over 114 reptiles, 34 amphibians, 336 tree and 147 mammal species, including Africa’s Big Five.
Avid birders will delight in the hundreds of bird species that call the Kruger National Park home. More than 500 species have been recorded here, many of which occur in the Mluwati Concession.
Guests have the opportunity to traverse some of Kruger’s most spectacular landscapes and view an extraordinary variety of wildlife, birdlife and plant life in this natural wilderness At Hoyo Hoyo, each safari experience is unique.
Winter safari times: 1 May to 31 August
05h30 Wake up time and morning tea
06h00 Morning safari departs
09h00 Return for breakfast
13h30 Lunch
15h00 High Tea
15h30 Afternoon safari departs
19h30 Return from safari & dinner is served
Summer safari times: 1 September to 30 April
05h00 Wake up time and morning tea
05h30 Morning safari departs
08h30 Return for breakfast
13h30 Lunch
15h30 High Tea
16h00 Afternoon safari departs
19h30 Return from safari & dinner is served
Please note: Guided walking safaris need to be requested in advance and are subject to the discretion of management.
A typical day at Hoyo Hoyo
Your thrilling day in the bush will commence with an early-morning wake-up call. After enjoying a steamy cup of coffee and some rusks, you will depart on your morning game drive with your assigned ranger.
Watch as the bush awakens around you; the dew glistens on the webs of the golden orb spider and lilac-breasted rollers flash their startling sky-blue bellies as they flit past your game vehicle.
View the shy African wild dogs under the acacia trees and the elephants chomping through the lush vegetation at a leisurely pace. Steal a glance at the leopard eating its prey high up in an old tamboti tree, zebra foraging alongside large herds of wildebeest and impala flashing their characteristic “M” as they disappear into the thick brush.
Upon your return, a hearty breakfast will await you, after which you can retire to your suite while the day away at your own pace. Whether by immersing yourself in a good book, or lazing in the pool, the choice is entirely yours. The more energetic can request a bush walk to explore the wonders of Africa from a whole different perspective.
Lunch is always a relaxed and informal affair. Served on the deck with majestic views of the surrounding bushveld, guests can indulge in light salads and tasty desserts before retiring for a brief afternoon siesta.
A soothing massage in the privacy and comfort of your private deck will soothe your body, mind and soul. Our trained therapists all hail from the local community and provide a range of massages, including full-body aromatherapy, foot massages and Swedish back and neck massages with scents of ylang-ylang, vanilla and cedarwood, among others.
Afternoon tea served on the deck, heralds your imminent departure on a special late afternoon/ early evening safari through the Mluwati Concession. Spotting a pride of lazy lions in the tall grass at dusk with the associated warning call of nature’s own tattletale, the grey loerie, is a thrilling experience in the extreme.
Sip a sundowner at a scenic spot en route as you watch the sky’s transformation, from the rich colours of sunset into the wide expanse of stars. Nocturnal creatures waking up to the bush at dark, get ready for the hunt. The glare of a pair of eyes, caught in the spotlight will keep you upright in your seat. The persistent call of frogs, owls and nightjars alert you to a new kind of magic – that of the bush at night. Once-in-a-lifetime sightings on this unique bush safari will be edged into your memory forever.
Back at the lodge, a traditional Tsonga dinner feast will round off the day’s excitement to perfection. Dishes to suit all palates served around the blazing fire will set the stage for the evening’s Shangaan entertainment. The magic of authentic African beats will thrill and excite you and leave you in awe of this land’s rich history.
After sharing your experiences of the bush in an exchange of pleasant banter, while sipping on a glass of wine, all that’s left is to retire to the comfort of your traditional Tsonga homestead with nothing but the reassuring sound of the bush to lull you to sleep.
