Located in the Western sector of the Sabi Sands region of the great Kruger national park, Dulini is home to three stunning riverfront properties: Riverlodge, Dulini Lodge and the contemporary and newly refurbished Leadwood lodge.

With some of the most incredible game viewing I was lucky enough to witness throughout South Africa, Dulini shares the Sabi Sands reserve with six other properties – Inyati, Ulusaba, Leopard Hills, Idube, Savanna and SingitaLodge.

The property is situated along the banks of the Mabrak and Sand River which throughout different seasons of the year will be flowing with water and teeming with an abundance of wildlife along the banks.

During the cooler months of winter, the rains start to fill the rivers and waterholes, making for slightly more discreet game viewing due to the dense vegetation.

The days hit upwards of 38 degrees Celsius during my trip with the nights cooling down to a nice balmy 15 degrees.

After having visited the upmarket Royal Malewane, my expectation for the more affordable yet still luxurious Dulini Leadwood lodge was absolutely blown away within fifteen minutes of arriving at the lodge.

Incorporating the natural surroundings in the décor of the lodge, it is creatively designed and decorated throughout with natural woods, stone and raw concrete. 

With only 4 thatched suites, the Dulini Leadwood offers an incredibly intimate, exclusive safari experience.

Opening the door to your private oasis, you are presented with a large open deck, perfect for safari viewing, with an oversized infinity pool backing onto the outdoor shower. The interior of the room is even more incredible than the exterior with impeccable attention to detail in every aspect of the design and décor.
The strategic layout of the property ensures that although closely situated, you have no other room within view and complete privacy within your room and pool area.

Crushed stone walls paired with floor to ceiling windows and contemporary furnishings create a sense of ‘home’ within the room. Walking through to the open bathroom, the centrepiece of the room features a large freestanding bathtub with an array of oils and salts to soak away your post safari blues each evening.

A his and hers sink lies against the back wall of the bathroom while the shower offers some of the most incredible views out to the riverbank. Surrounded by large windows and sliding doors, you are provided unobstructed views of your pool and surroundings from the comfort of your warm shower. 

The guides at Dulini are incredibly talented and passionate in all fields of guiding. I was fortunate enough to spend my stay being looked after by Mac, a long-standing member of the Dulini team who has been with lodge for over 12 years. 

It is the care and consideration for the wildlife, not just the Safari guests’ pleasure that I believe makes a good guide, great.

Each tracking expedition came with forethought of what was in the animals’ best interest even if it meant forgoing an incredible opportunity of viewing by the guests. 

It is guides with this passion and care, I am sure, that will safeguard the future of the safari experience in the years to come. 

A highlight during an evening safari at Dulini came when two young six-month-old leopard cubs were spotting playing amongst a valley of trees, and after a call came through on the radio, followed by a conversation between other guides in the area, it was agreed that one to two vehicles at a time could visit the pups as they were just over the minimum viewing age of six months old. Usually if without a parent, the baby cubs are off limits due to the inexperience of how to behave and what to do in the presence of Safari vehicles and humans.

It was the extra touches, like having a full amenities kit provided in the safari vehicle offering wipes, insect repellent, tissues, sunscreen and glasses or ending a safari drive finding a bottle of champagne hanging from a candles lit tree in the middle of the Sabi Sands, still quite a distance to the lodge, to celebrate the honeymoon of a couple I was in the Safari vehicle with, or the private dinner set on the top deck to create an incredibly romantic end to the trip for another couple celebrating, that made Dulini one of the best properties I have ever stayed at when it comes to customer service and care. 

Leaving Dulini not only ended my time in Kruger but also my visit to Africa, which made driving away even more difficult.

I cannot wait for my next visit to Dulini to see Yolande and the team and to experience the other properties within their portfolio, which I am sure deliver the same level of service.