Lakefront Lodge Africa Wing

Discover this breathtaking gated estate located on the secluded Woods Lake in Bitely, Michigan! Nestled amongst towering trees and surrounded by pristine nature, our enchanting lodge offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The lodge itself is a masterpiece, featuring an open dining hall with a large fireplace overlooking your very own private lake on a sprawling 1,000-acre property. There are endless possibilities for those who seek adventure or time to unwind!

THE LODGE
You will be staying at The Africa wing.

The listing price is listed for 10 guests (4 rooms) but can be upgraded to 16+ guests for an additional fee of $200 per additional room (10 rooms available total). (If available) See Example Itinerary for a hosted experience in additional photos!
***Breakfast is always included in your stay***


THE OUTDOOR
Surrounded by lush nature, our Lodge provides you with ample space to immerse yourself in tranquility. In summer months enjoy fishing on our private lake with two pontoons, eight fishing poles are provided, or explore the lake with our four kayaks and two stand-up paddle boards that are available. At night gather around the campfire under a starry sky or enjoy cocktails inside around the bar. During winter months enjoy lantern-lit hiking trails around the property in snowshoes that are provided.


LIVING ROOMS
Each wing of The Lodge boasts its own dedicated living room, strategically designed to be the ultimate retreat for unwinding and indulging in leisurely activities. It serves as your personal sanctuary within the Lodge, where every moment of relaxation transforms into a truly unforgettable experience. Sink into the plush comfort of our cozy sofas as you immerse yourself in the captivating words of books or movies on our flat screen TVs.


DINING AREA
Immerse yourself in the serene ambiance of a stunning open dining hall, complete with a grand fireplace. As you gaze out, you'll be captivated by the picturesque view of your private lake, our two resident bald eagles, and be surrounded by an array of beautifully displayed taxidermied animals.


***DINING SERVICE AVAILABLE***
Don't stress about meal preparation during your stay. Our team, led by an experienced executive chef, is here to take care of it. With your input and personal preferences, we'll plan each meal to your satisfaction. Moreover, every stay includes a delicious breakfast to start your day right. Meals start at $15-$25 per meal per person. See additional photos for meal images.


BATHROOM
Each room is equipped with a fully stocked bathroom, complete with towels, soaps, and a shower. There is also a common half bath at the entrance of the lodge.


BEDROOMS
Every bedroom in the accommodation is furnished with either a King or Queen bed, along with an additional single or full bed. Each bedroom also features its own private bathroom. The rustic outdoor aesthetics add a charming touch to the décor in all the bedrooms.


WILDLIFE CENTER MUSEUM
Enjoy a night at The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch is a 24,000 square foot facility featuring over 3,000 animals from around the world. The center features a bar, piano, ping pong, pool table, shuffleboard, and foosball table. This would be an additional fee of $250.


SHOOTING RANGE
The Shooting Center offers a thrilling experience for guests, where you can enjoy shooting activities under the careful supervision of our trained staff. If this sounds appealing to you, we would be delighted to arrange your unforgettable shooting center experience. This would be an additional fee of $250.


Other things to note
Local excursions are available such as kayaking/rafting down the popular Pere Marquette River, riding on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, or hiking through the famous North Country Trail.

You will have access to the rooms on the Africa wing of the lodge. The penthouse and Whitetail Wing rooms will not be available, and may be rented by a different group.

The lodge is located within a private ranch. You will have access to the lodge and certain areas within the ranch.

Certain areas require a tour guide or local staff to guide you through.

We will have staff available throughout the day during your stay.

Nestled just outside of Bitely, a small community along M-37 located in Newaygo County, Michigan. This Lodge offers a peaceful and picturesque private neighborhood surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.

You can drive by car to West 14 Mile where you will arrive at the gate and travel along a private drive to the lodge.

RENTAL AGREEMENT, DAMAGE WAIVER/HOLD, ID VERIFICATION AND CHECK-IN STEPS

We're so excited for your trip! PLEASE NOTE: Our listing description and house rules mention that you will be required to complete a Guest Rental Agreement, ID verification, and Security Hold (which is not a security deposit) in order to receive Arrival Instructions to the home. Details of the Guest Rental Agreement can be found in the House Rules.

Important: When cancelling your reservation, the credit card processing fees of 3.9% + 30c will not be refunded.
If booking with a credit card that doesn't match the guest name, you'll be required to provide a written authorization, photo of the ID, selfie, and card showing the last 4 digits of the credit card holder, or reservation will be cancelled.
Hi! We are your welcoming hosts and we look forward to hosting you. We created the following set of rules and guidelines to make both your guest and our hosting experience a great one!

THIS LISTING USES HAPPY GUEST FOR ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS AND PRE-ARRIVAL GUEST VERIFICATION. ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CHECK-IN ARE MADE AVAILABLE ONLY AFTER GUESTS COMPLETE THE PRE-ARRIVAL ONLINE CHECK-IN WHICH INCLUDES A RENTAL AGREEMENT, IDENTIFICATION VERIFICATION, AND SECURITY HOLD (WHICH IS NOT A SECURITY DEPOSIT AND ALLOWABLE ON BOOKING PLATFORM). GUESTS WHO BOOK AND DO NOT COMPLETE THIS STEP WILL NOT RECEIVE ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS OR A REFUND. HAPPY GUEST IS A THIRD-PARTY WEB-BASED PLATFORM THAT IS EASY TO USE AND DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY APPS TO BE DOWNLOADED. IT IS VERY NICE, EASY, AND USER FRIENDLY.

VACATION RENTAL AGREEMENT

THE PARTIES HERETO, IN CONSIDERATION OF THESE PRESENTS, AGREE THAT:
1. MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY: GUEST must accurately disclose occupancy including the number of adults, children and animals that will occupy said rented premises in the booking data provided through the online platform. That determines the maximum occupancy at all times and applies to day visitors and children as well. Unless otherwise approved by your HOST, occupancy over the indicated capacity may result in immediate eviction and forfeiture of amounts paid.
2. NO SMOKING or Vaping or illegal drugs of any kind will take place in or on the premises. Violation of this will result in a $500 charge. Vaping or smoking outside with windows and doors closed is accepted. GUEST is liable for the full cost to remove any odor from the home in the case that it exceeds the above charge.
3. NO ANIMALS of any description will be kept in or on premises without prior approval by HOST. * Animal Addendum is required with this contract for approval of pets, emotional support or service animals.
4. DAMAGE POLICY & INSURANCE– Guests must select either a refundable security deposit or a non-refundable damage waiver. The refundable security deposit will be held for 7 days post check-out and will be refunded provided there are no damages. The damage waiver is recommended.
There will be no charges in the case that there is no:
A) damage to property, its contents or furnishings,
B) dirt, trash or other mess requiring excessive cleaning
C) There is no negligent damage due to inclement weather. It is GUEST’S responsibility to secure items on premises in the case of inclement weather or outside conditions such as outdoor umbrellas, or any other item that may blow away or be damaged by high winds, or other inclement weather.
D) any other costs incurred by your Host because of your stay. Any damage to the Vacation Rental or its contents must be reported before check-out.
E) GUEST is not evicted by the owner (or representative of the owner) or the local law enforcement.
F) No linens are lost, stained, or damaged.
G) The unit is left locked and secured when unoccupied.
To ensure that the proper party is held responsible GUEST must inform management within 24 hours of arrival of any pre-existing damage or issues or may be held responsible for any cost involved in repair to be taken from the security deposit.
Damage not covered by, or exceeding the coverage limit of, the accidental rental damage insurance, Security Deposit, or booking platform coverage, is your full responsibility. In the case that an insurance claim must be file with homeowner's insurance, the guest is liable to pay the deductible. You grant your HOST the right to be reimbursed via the booking platform or your credit card for any such damages, including, but not limited to, additional cleaning fees. If the booking platform refuses reimbursement, HOST has the right to pursue reimbursement by reasonable means including small claims court and/or police report. HOST does not make a habit of filing claims or requiring reimbursement for small expenses under $50.
5. CLEANLINESS– You are expected to treat the entire premises with respect, keeping in mind that this is an individual’s home and you are a house guest. Even if a cleaning fee was charged, you are expected to leave the premises in a clean, neat and orderly condition to allow our cleaners to provide a thorough clean in the very short window between guests. Management must be notified within 24 hours of arrival if unhappy with conditions upon arrival.
6. NOISE & QUIET HOURS: Quiet hours are between 10pm and 9am. At all times GUEST must keep noise levels to a minimum as to not disturb the peace and quiet of surrounding neighbors.