History: The Sotho people knew this region as "Bela Bela" (the boiling place -- it has recently been renamed this), but the English name is a little more obvious. Two white settlers established the beginnings of the present day springs when they noticed a cloud of vapour rising in the cold winter air. A powerful hot spring bubbled up at 62°C amid a mass of soggy vegetation and a farm was established around the spring. When the swamp was drained, it was found that the mud had been a death trap for elephants and other wild animals whose skeletons littered the marsh. The springs are rich in sodium chloride, calcium carbonate and other chemicals. They are also slightly radio active, subjecting anything in it to a small degree of irradiation. The baths soon attained considerable renown and visitors attest that the spring water has a markedly beneficial affect on them. The government purchased the hot springs, which then became public baths and a holiday resort grew around it.

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It is a place where nature and tradition meet to leave you with memories of times gone by. Spread over more than 12,000 hectares of softly rolling hills, this malaria-free reserve is home to the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), and also hippo, giraffe, hyena, and sable to name but a few of the 36 species of wildlife. For the bird lovers there are more than 220 species of bird to be spotted.

Mabalingwe offers affordable accommodation from self-catering chalets to en-suite lodge rooms and rustic bush camps. Enjoy the wild game viewing from open safari vehicles or horseback, with sleepovers at the various bush camps. For the more energetic there are a number of hiking trails.

There are five thatched camps stretching from Kubu at the northern tip to the southernmost Ingwe situated next to the main Mabalingwe camp buildings.

The dwellings on all five of these camps are self-catering chalets complete with lounge, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Each chalet has its own patio and braai area.

The four and six bedded chalets provide the traveler with "home from home" comforts.

Pitsi Bush Camp caters for a group of ten people who feel the need to get back to the very basics of life! Although there is no electricity in the camp, this bush retreat is fully equipped and has hot and cold running water.

The access roads are fully tarred access roads. The park offers 50 lots.

And for those who need more modern amenities, the campsite's recreation hall offers the very best in satellite television, while the younger folk won't fail to enjoy the kiddies playground and heated swimming pool.

There are also tennis courts or the squash court, or head into nearby Warmbaths to use the pools.

At the end of the day, relax with a superb meal in the Tshukudu restaurant, and then sipping cocktails against the backdrop of the setting sun, listen to nocturnal calls of the wild.

Nearby, is the town of Warmbaths (Bela Bela) and its well-known mineral springs, or view the crocodiles over at Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm. However, the true beauty of this timeshare are the activities, specifically the game viewing available on site.

Best Things About the Resort:
Set against a backdrop of lush green mountainous vegetation, the natural design and architecture of Mabula Private Game Lodge falls softly on the eye as it superbly blends in with the natural surroundings. Upon arrival, the spacious, uncluttered, elegantly furnished lounge and reception area will immediately relax you.

Exclusive accommodation in air-conditioned luxury thatched chalets with en-suite bathrooms have been designed to offer guests complete comfort and relaxation in this beautiful natural setting. Splendid 'African Style' decor through the use of wood, cane, natural stone, animal print fabrics as well as terracotta, green and earthy colours, serves to further enhance the ambience.

For those visitors wishing to commune a little more with nature, Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp is available.

If you're worried that going bush means inferior food, perish the thought. The lodge offers high-class cuisine and a variety of beautiful and unusual dining venues.

The Lodge restaurant boasts a varied menu, attentive service and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. For the romantic at heart, Mabula offers a candle-lit boma dinner, under a clear star-filled African sky, accompanied by the rhythmic repertoire of traditional African dancers. For those special occasions, bush braai's have proven to be a most suitable alternative by combining the enjoyment of superb food with the tranquility and captivating scenic beauty of the African bushveld.

Hot and sunny afternoons can be spent at the lodge's sparkling pool, or in the Buck and Lion bar, where one of Mabula's wild and wonderful cocktails can be enjoyed.

Resort Experience:
All of Mabula's activities have a common goal: To awaken the senses and quicken the pulse by presenting the African bush in ways you would never have imagined. Game rangers with years of experience and knowledge expertly handle all activities.

Home to some 60 mammals, 300 bird species, 100 plant types and numerous reptile and insect species, at Mabula, all natures' wonders are revered - from the 'Big Five' (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) to the 'small five' (ant lion, leopard tortoise, buffalo weaver, elephant shrew and rhino beetle).

For the wild-at-heart seeker of true bush adventure, nothing could compare with the excitement and thrill of big game viewing on horseback - a deliciously unique close encounter of the wildest kind.

The morning and evening game drives, with our game rangers are daily highlights, surpassed in pleasure only by the feeling of camaraderie in sipping sundowners as you watch a truly spectacular African sunset from the luxury of one of Mabula's four wheel drive vehicles.

If keeping your feet on the ground is a particularly satisfying sensation, Mabula's informative bush walks guided by a highly professional and experienced game ranger, will impress you beyond expectation. If you are however looking for a unique game viewing experience, then you will be sure not to pass up the opportunity of viewing the Big Five from a hot air balloon.

There will never be a dull moment at Mabula Private Game Lodge with the endless range of exciting activities and facilities on offer, which include a fully equipped gymnasium, sauna, two swimming pools, nearby golf course, volleyball, curio shop, tennis and squash courts.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

The food is a mixture of French and Belgian.

First opened in 1999, just in time for the millennium celebrations, the restored century-old thatched farmhouse burned down after exactly five weeks. Thankfully it reopened, and L'Orange Bleue was included in Michelin's travel guide to SA ("a creative feast, with influences from Provence and Asia") and has won several awards.

Both menu and wine list show sensible structure and focus, heavily accenting quality. Many herbs and vegetables come straight from the garden. Thus commenced our six-course menu dégustation, with proper foie gras flaked onto chive-sprinkled duck carpaccio, a contrast of flavors that created magic in the mouth.

Next came a classic bisque, rich in flavor, generous in crustacean content and with extra servings of cream and Cognac. Could things get better after this?

Yup. The goat's cheese (French, of course) had a base of caramelized honey, a topping of toasted almonds, and a pancetta envelope, surrounded by a warm thyme-and-peppered julienne of lychee, apple, peach, and pineapple. Poetic food. Then came waterzooi - a rich Belgian soup containing root vegetables, done instead of seafood with delicious breasts of capon (imported for their Xmas dinner the day before) and dolled up with asparagus.

The imported cheese platter (camembert, brie, pont l'éveque, boursin, reblochon) came with more fresh baguette and the duo (light and dark) of choco-mousse was wholly sinful. Kleine Zalze Gamay and Jordan's Blanc Fumé were well food-matched choices. Quality and hospitality were maintained right through to the espresso and limoncello digéstif.

NOTE: They raise their own ducks on the premises, making their own foie gras.

Please note they CANNOT accept credit cards.

The restaurant only seats about 35 inside and another 15 outside.

You can stay at the Nature Reserve in either tents or chalets - it makes for a wonderful overnight or weekend getaway, since this is about a two hour drive from Johannesburg.

I don't know if it's still exactly like this -- they're forever adding new bits -- but on the way to the old section of the outdoor pool, there is a little pond with goldfish, which is always fun for the kids. Then you get to the newer outdoor section complete with wave pool and thrill seeking rides that combine height with hairpin turns.

If you are staying at the resort here you have full use of the amenities, but if you're staying elsewhere, it's great to be able to access all this fun.

Relaxed and comfortable accommodations are available in the luxury chalets or hotel. Scrumptious meals are served in the restaurants, or you can opt for a take-away. An alternative to the hotel is to stay in a caravan or in the camping site.

This is the largest crocodile farm in South Africa open to the public, about 18,000 of these magnificent beasts! Most of these crocs will eventually show up in the form of wallets and sausages.

There are normally about 250 adults and hundreds of smaller crocodiles basking in the sun.

Browse around in the curio shop for gifts and memoirs. Frozen, vacuum-packed crocodile meat can also be bought here.

If you want to enjoy a snack, make use of the tea garden. Feeding time at Thaba Kwena is an experience not to be missed.

The farm is about 15kilometers north of Warmbaths. Take the R101 toward Nylstroom and turn left on Groot Nylsoog St.; the farm is another four kilometers on the left.