By Raffaella Montali, November 4, 2019 Published on: 04/11/2019 Posted in: Group Travel

Meeting venues don’t need to be boring! We picked 2 lodges in South Africa where you can have a meeting or conference as well as a safari experience. Perfect for groups or conferences, each lodge offers group activities and stunning dining options.

The advantage of conferencing in the bush is that in free time, guests can go on game drives, see the Big 5 and wake up with Africa’s nature right outside your window.

 Bakubung Bush Lodge

bakubang

Bakubung Bush Lodge is a two-hour drive from Johannesburg in the malaria-free Pilanesberg Game Reserve in South Africa. Here you can see the Big 5 amongst many other mammals and bird species.

Bakubung has 3 conferencing option that are named Kubunyana, Mmakubu and Magarekubu. The biggest venue can hold up to 120 delegates. Slide projectors, portable screens, flip charts and internet access are provided.


Bakubung group activities

  • The main attraction is the Pilanesberg Game Reserve where you can see the Big Five and other famous large mammals of Southern Africa
  • Relax in the spacious pool
  • A wide range of sports activities and shuttles to Sun City create variety that make every day a unique experience


Mabula Game Lodge

Located just 2.5 hours outside of Johannesburg, Mabula Game Lodge lies in the malaria-free Waterberg area in the Limpopo Province. Mabula Game Lodge has three fully-equipped conferencing venues on site with the biggest seating up to 160 people.

The new refurbished Marula Conference Venue can hold up to 60 delegates in a cinema-style setting that offers a fixed projector and AV facilities. The largest conferencing venue at Mabula Game Lodge is the Kingfisher Conference Centre and can seat up to 160 people cinema-style. Baobab Conference Centre is the smallest of the three venues and can accommodate up to 40 delegates cinema-style.

During breaks, delegates can choose from amazing themed tea and coffee breaks like “Wild at Chocolate” for chocoholics to “Mabula Ice Age” for those who love ice-cream, toppings and Amarula cream.

Mabula group dinners

Ndlovu Boma: Dinner is served in the lodge’s boma every second evening, weather permitting. Open air venue in the lodge area. Traditional Tswana Dancers perform around the fire. Capacity: 180 guests.

Mvubu Deck: Private venue for dining functions. Surcharge applicable. Walking distance from the Main Lodge. Capacity: 60 guests. Buffet menus only. Mabula Traditional Tswana Dancers available to welcome guests.

Fig Tree: Open air venue under a Fig Tree in the bush. Available for evening functions. No electricity. Generators, music or bands allowed on special request. Mabula traditional Tswana Dancers. Buffet menus only. Only available for groups over 20 pax.

Mabula group activities

  • Creative Painting
  • Interactive Drumming
  • Potjie Cook-off – potjie is a traditional stew cooked over fire
  • Fire Walking – holds no risk to participants
  • Murder Mystery Dinner
  • Hot Air Balloon Safari – at sunrise over the Mabula Private Game
  • AstroTurf – for team building activities