Mahlahla Lodge Campus

This campus hosts our IFGA Trails Guide Course (27 days).

Mahlahla Lodge is located on the border of the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve (Makalali), a Big Five reserve just 60 kilometers from Hoedspruit in South Africa’s Limpopo province.

This beautiful lodge-style campus offers an authentic bush experience. Immersed in nature, you’ll have the freedom to safely explore and exercise within the electrified fence that surrounds the campus.

Mahlahla Lodge provides all the comforts you need to feel at home. The campus is equipped with WiFi and electricity, so you can keep in touch with family and friends while having access to additional research for your studies.

The classroom on campus is partially open, allowing you to remain immersed in nature while learning. When you’re not in class, the ground provides plenty of opportunities to hone your skills – whether it’s birdwatching, identifying plant species, or observing smaller animals like vervet monkeys within the fence.

Our unique location doesn’t just offer incredible wildlife encounters; it provides invaluable training opportunities. The campus serves as your outdoor classroom, mimicking the environments of parks and reserves across southern Africa. You’ll also benefit from the diversity of nearby land-use areas, such as community-owned agricultural land and trust areas, adding further depth to your on-site learning.

Makalali, where your practical training will take place, is home to a wide variety of species, including the Big Five, cheetahs, the critically endangered wild dog, hundreds of bird species, and general game animals such as giraffes.

Before or after the course, you could make a visit to Makalali with family and friends. Or, you’re just an hour from the Kruger National Park, the largest reserve in South Africa and an incredible resource for field guide students!  Additional adventures include Blyde River Canyon, Magoebaskloof Forest, Dullstroom, and much more.