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The best golf and the best safari

Blog by Jock Safari Lodge

If you have a dream of a luxury safari within the Kruger National Park and the option of playing a round of golf on a top ranked golf course or two, then we are delighted to make that your reality.

LEOPARD CREEK GOLF COURSE 

Leopard Creek has grown out of the vision of a banker and skills and expertise of one of the world’s great golfers.  It is founded on the values of friendship, a common love of the game of golf and a shared reverence for nature.

Drawing from the intricate wealth of nature, Leopard Creek is an unobtrusive part of that environment – blending, complementing and enhancing.  A Gift to Nature.

“There are MANY great golf courses around the world,” Gary Player declared.  “When you try to think of a course that’s a must-play, you look for something COMPLETELY different.  Most people will agree that Leopard Creek gives visitors something very different, something most golfers have never experienced before.”

Leopard Creek is an approximate 45-minute drive from the Jock Concession.  Complimentary transfers can be booked via our Reservations Office, they will arrange the transfers according to the T-off times.

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

Visit the Leopard Creek Golf Course website

HIGHLAND GATE GOLF COURSE 

Highland Gate has become the destination of choice in Mpumalanga and a bucket list course for many local and international golfers.  The course recently moved 6 positions to number 15 on the Golf Digest Top 100 SA Golf Course Rankings.

“When golfers say they were torn between hitting their next shot and pausing to take a photo of the golf course or the surrounding scenery, you know it has to be a very special place.  Highland Gate is that kind of place”.  Ernie Els.

Highland Gate Golf Course is situated near the town of Dullstroom and is a scenic 3.5 to 4-hour drive from Jock Safari Lodge, depending on the route taken.  An ideal opportunity to explore more of what the Kruger Park and Mpumalanga have to offer.  Our Reservations team can assist guests with reservations and routes.

Visit the Highland Gate website

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Step into our world by reading our safari blog from the Kruger National Park.

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The best golf and the best safari

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Food and Beverage Manager Swops Food For The Field

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Jock Safari Lodge is showing off after refurbishment

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Update on our recently rescued baby rhino JEMU

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Baby Rhino given a Fighting Chance

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Lilizela Awards Celebration 2016

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A Sensory Experience At Jock Safari Lodge

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A Four-legged Goose Flies Through The Danger Zone And Survives!

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Our best experience of Kruger was at Jock’s. You can feel the love for nature in the heart and soul of the wonderful owners. The rooms are practically in the wild. We saw elephants just passing in front of the room. Sleeping in matras under the stars (if you want), amazing food in the river bed. Will never forget this experience!

-Jacob Yavin Vermeulen

We recently stayed here for 3 nights. We had read about Jocks and the strong recommendations. This place is better than ever expected, truly a magical place. The staff were exceptional, food 5 star and location amazing. The safari drives were also amazing and our guide IKE looked after us and was an amazing tracker. There are only 12 rooms so max 24 guest so you get to know the other guest without being overcrowded – the rooms are private and sit on-top of the river bank – you can watch the animals walking past from your day bed. Honestly this place is first class. We were self drive so easy access for Skuska airport or main Kruger gates. As it it a private lodge you get the added bonus of private areas as well as direct access to Kruger – truly amazing place and highly recommended. We were sad to leave and will return.

-John Smith

Jock Safari Lodge is located in the heart of the Kruger national park. It’s amazing location gives you a unique and real safari vibe. The lodge itself looks so amazing, stunning rooms, restaurant and relax areas. When you arrive at the lodge you will be welcomed by the amazing staff, that will tell you what the planning looks like. The planning is really amazing, you will get so much food and drinks, on top of that 2 amazing safaris with the best rangers! The safaris are really something else, private routes and amazing storys. The staff and everyone is really amazing at the lodge, this is a must do experience!

-Teuni D

The lodge is advertised as 5 star but I’d happily give it 6. Everything was perfect for the 3 night stay myself and my wife had, The room was spacious, clean and had everything you could want. The double shower cubicle was huge.There was an outside shower and bath, sunbeds, plunge pool, patio table with chairs and even a meshed tented area on the end of the platform overlooking the river bed with a made up double bed in case you wanted to sleep under the stars. The lodge staff were amazing, friendly and nothing was too much for them, Evening meals were fantastic, two of which were Brais (BBQ’s) on the river bed. The game drives were brilliant and our guide (not Driver!!) David, was really friendly and knowledgeable. We got the big 5 twice over. Will definitely be returning for a stay in the winter. Have done previous lodges in Kruger, Zimbabwe and Kenya but this tops them all.

-R. Davie

We spent several days here in early March — simply, the best! Very comfortable room and excellent food, with a warm staff. Highlights are the twice a day game drives. This definitely is not “pre-packaged” stuff — your guide (ours was Jacob) has a keen sense of where to find the animals, and drives over river beds and down back trails to find them -in a respectful way. We eagerly anticipated this part of our trip, and it exceeded expectations. You must go to have this experience.

-Robert D

I visited Kruger and Jock Lodge in 2017 and all I wanted to do is come back. That happened in Jan 2022 and once again it was wonderful in every way. The location is on a normally dry river bed so you can see wildlife from your window or terrace. The staff is so gracious and helpful. The wildlife guides are the most knowledgable and enthusiastic I have ever met. I come for the beauty and the animals and Jock Lodge delivers every time.

-Eva Fellner

Our best experience of Kruger was at Jock’s. You can feel the love for nature in the heart and soul of the wonderful owners. The rooms are practically in the wild. We saw elephants just passing in front of the room. Sleeping in matras under the stars (if you want), amazing food in the river bed. Will never forget this experience!

-Jacob Yavin Vermeulen

We recently stayed here for 3 nights. We had read about Jocks and the strong recommendations. This place is better than ever expected, truly a magical place. The staff were exceptional, food 5 star and location amazing. The safari drives were also amazing and our guide IKE looked after us and was an amazing tracker. There are only 12 rooms so max 24 guest so you get to know the other guest without being overcrowded – the rooms are private and sit on-top of the river bank – you can watch the animals walking past from your day bed. Honestly this place is first class. We were self drive so easy access for Skuska airport or main Kruger gates. As it it a private lodge you get the added bonus of private areas as well as direct access to Kruger – truly amazing place and highly recommended. We were sad to leave and will return.

-John Smith