Jabulani Safari

08/10/2026

What does family ownership mean at Jabulani Safari, in South Africa's Greater Kruger area?

It began in 1997, when Lente Roode found a four-month-old elephant calf abandoned and stuck in a silt dam. The family took him in and named him Jabulani, meaning "rejoice". Decades later, the responsibility remains the same, because when your name is above the door, you answer for every decision.

Read the full blog to follow the story from that first calf to the lodge today: https://f.mtr.cool/n1j34bqeyk

Which place has made you feel that someone was personally responsible for it?

06/10/2026

Condé Nast Traveler readers have ranked Jabulani Safari #5 in World Resorts, South Africa. More than 798,867 survey responses came in from readers across the United States, and the result reflects the experiences of guests who chose to stay with us in the Greater Kruger area.

Being recognised by Condé Nast Traveler's readers is particularly meaningful to us because it reflects the experiences of the people who choose to spend time with us.

We share the honour with our team, our conservation partners and every guest who becomes part of the Jabulani story.

More on our blog: https://f.mtr.cool/nnsoi6fxf6

If you have stayed with us, which moment do you still think about most?

04/10/2026

The light turns amber over the reserve, and the herd moves through it without hurry.

At Jabulani Safari, in the Greater Kruger area, South Africa, we believe a soulful safari can change your life, and the way you see and relate to nature. Our stays are refined in luxury, yet the luxury tells only part of the story.

The belief itself is rooted in legacy. It grew from an older idea, that land is something you look after for those who come next. Long before the first guest arrived, a family took on the care of this ground, and Jabulani's story, like the private reserve around it, is vast and beautiful.

04/10/2026

Featured in this post:

Male scarlet skimmer dragonfly | Crocothemis erythraea
Foam-nest tree frog | Chiromantis xerampelina
Black-backed jackal | Lupulella mesomelas
Bushveld candelabra tree | Euphorbia cooperi
Western yellow-bellied sand snake | Psammophis subtaeniatus
Fork-tailed drongo | Dicrurus adsimilis
Sickle bush | Dichrostachys cinerea
Hair-tailed butterflies | Anthene spp.
Southern lesser galago (bushbaby) | Galago moholi

Today, on World Animal Day, we are celebrating the diverse life found at Jabulani Safari. The animals, insects and plants in this post range from the very large to the very small, and each one holds a place in the landscape.

A landscape stays healthy because of the variety of life within it. Insects pollinate and break down organic matter, plants feed and shelter the animals around them, and every species depends on others in ways that are easy to overlook. The smallest contributors often carry some of the greatest weight.

Which animal, insect or plant do you feel is underrated?

02/10/2026

We’re bringing a little of Jabulani’s spirit to Sardinia.

From 5 to 9 October 2026, our founder, Adine Roode, will represent us at Essence of Sardinia – Sarda Banda at Forte Village Resort in Sardinia, Italy.

There is much to share as we enter a new chapter at Jabulani. Adine looks forward to introducing our latest lodge enhancements and upcoming developments, alongside the stories of our people and rescued elephant herd that give meaning to everything we do.
Our relationships have always been an important part of our journey, often beginning with a conversation and growing through a shared appreciation for places with purpose. We look forward to reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new partners who share our passion for thoughtful, personal travel.

If you are attending, we warmly invite you to visit Adine at our stand. Come discover what is unfolding at Jabulani and explore how we can help you create memorable safari experiences for your clients.

01/10/2026

Luxury, as we understand it, includes every guest at the table.

For World Vegetarian Day, we're celebrating the vegetarian cuisine our chefs create. Chef Duvan describes the goal plainly: "I don't want a guest to think, 'this is a good vegetarian dish.' I want them to think, 'this is a really good dish.'" Chef Calvonia builds on this idea, believing that guests with dietary requirements should never feel they are receiving a substitute. For Chef Prudence, the clearest measure of success is an empty plate and a guest who leaves satisfied, whatever their preferences or dietary needs.

Their menus draw on mushrooms from our experimental mushroom farm, fresh vegetables, locally sourced produce and herbs from our aquaponics. We also cater for vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and kosher guests, with a dedicated kosher kitchen.

Do you have a favourite vegetable or dish? We'd love to hear what it is and what makes it yours.

30/09/2026

“All of a sudden she went from being a cute leopard posing nicely into a stealth machine. Into a leopard crawl, across the road, past the cruiser and disappeared into the long grass.”

On a misty morning drive, Jabulani Guide Donovan Hulett noticed a female leopard in a tree. He and his guests waited as the mist cleared, then watched her climb down. Keeping sight of her through thick bush took patience, and crossing paths with her again brought them close to a hunt they could barely see.

Donovan tells the full story, including what happened after she disappeared into the long grass, in our latest blog: https://f.mtr.cool/p21le0axga

29/09/2026

Even on the wild roads of the Greater Kruger area, some sights leave everyone in absolute awe. To watch one of Africa's most elusive, solitary creatures amble across the open road in broad daylight is pure magic.

Lodge Manager Ruan Roos captured this moment perfectly:

“A chilly day meant this young Temminck’s ground pangolin was still wandering about long after the night shift should have ended. An incredibly special daytime encounter for our guests, and certainly not something you see every day on safari.”

Have you ever been lucky enough to see a pangolin in the wild, or is this the dream sighting you are still waiting for?

28/09/2026

You see it before you understand it, a lion's body low in the grass, still in a way that isn't rest. It doesn't need to move to hold your attention. You feel it in the moment its eyes find the vehicle before you've even settled into the sighting, in the breath you hold without meaning to while everything around you goes quiet.

It's the kind of moment guests carry home long after a stay has ended, not a checklist of species, but an invitation to slow down and notice. Game viewing at Jabulani lives in those pauses.

What's a wildlife moment that has stayed with you longer than you expected? Tell us in the comments below.

To plan your own soulful safari, visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/kaligfh5dd

28/09/2026

Supporting elephant conservation can be as simple as your next trip to WOOLWORTHS!

We're proud to share this initiative from HERD, giving South Africans an easy way to make a meaningful difference in the lives of orphaned elephants through the Woolworths MyDifference programme.

Every sign-up helps support the care, rehabilitation and future of the elephants at HERD.

Thank you to everyone who continues to stand with HERD and help give orphaned elephants a second chance 🐘🌿

This one’s for our South African friends 🇿🇦 Did you know you can support HERD every time you shop at WOOLWORTHS at absolutely no extra cost to you? 💚🐘

Through Woolworths’ MyDifference programme, you can help us continue caring for orphaned elephants simply by selecting HERD Trust as your chosen cause.

Even more exciting, until the end of September 2026, HERD stands a chance of receiving a share of R500 000 if we can gain 250 new MyDifference supporters. Every sign-up brings us one step closer.

✨ How to support HERD:
• Download the Woolworths app
• Join MyDifference
• Tap on the Loyalty tab
• Select Causes
• Search for HERD Trust and choose us as your cause

A few moments of your time can help make a lasting difference to the elephants in our care.

Thank you for standing with us, for believing in second chances, and for helping us create a future where orphaned elephants can thrive.