Amakhala Game Reserve, 6139 Amakhala Game Reserve, South Africa
#7 of 9 hotels in Amakhala Game Reserve
Guests' ChoiceBased on 98 hotel reviews
8.7Cleanliness
9.1
Comfort
9.0
Location
9.4
Facilities
9.0
Staff
8.9
Value for money
8.1
Free WiFi
8.3
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End of dialog contentReviewed: 18 April 2024
Sarah
United KingdomAmazing experience! Tent was lovely and the service was amazing. Only improvement would be the food could be a bit better but it was still good.
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 9 April 2024
Orsi
SwitzerlandWe had an amazing stay at the game lodge, really enjoyed our tent, the meals, the game drives. Some highlights: - the attentive, kind, helpful and smiley staff members make all the difference - the tent was absolutely gorgeous with a small private deck where you could lounge and observe animals - the lunches and dinners were delicious, served by attentive staff - the game drives were amazing, we got to see most of the animals several times and our ranger was very informative and knowledgeable - grateful for the little things, we got a cute bedtime story printed each night, our car was cleaned before leaving and we were left some good bye cookies, little picnics our ranger organized
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 1 March 2024
Suzanne
United KingdomLunch was served and took too long.. needs a sandwich or salad option
Great location for safari, pool and rooms nice.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 15 February 2024
Annika
Germany- the staff!!! So welcoming, friendly and professional - the location was breathtaking and just stumbling into an antelope having breakfast while on my way to breakfast will be a treasured memory - the accommodations were great and I am glad that I was able to stay for two nights so I had some time to lounge around - the food is amazing - this lodge has 5 stars and I was worried if I would feel uncomfortable in such an upscale environment: if you thought the same, fear not. The service and accommodations themselves are very much 5 stars but everybody is welcomed and treated the same, the overall vibe feels relaxed. - the game drives were such an experience. The rangers are knowledgeable, friendly and fun.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 9 February 2024
Janet
United KingdomFood took too long to arrive at table despite being pre ordered, 45 min wait for lunch first course. Had issues too with dinner taking far too long. Waiting staff very attentive but it felt like there were issues with kitchen staff both with time taken and some quality of food. Namely my pasta dish was not cooked so as I was unable to even get my knife through it! However our overall experience was good as we had great game drives which of course was the reason fo being there.
An amazing 2 night stay and got to see lots on our game drives. Our ranger Monde was very informative and eager to get the best views. Lodge was fine.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 31 January 2024
Giovanni
United KingdomNothing
Amazing place to stay. Facilities were fantastic Staff were amazing and so friendly and informative. The organisation and planning of all the safari drives and meals were done to perfection
Stayed in January 2024
Reviewed: 15 January 2024
Mark
IrelandIf you’re like me and not a fan of bugs then don’t stay in a tent, it was a great experience but you are in the wild and insects and animals are unavoidable. (Spray the room before dinner and you should be fine and keep all windows and doors closed at all times) The power did decide to go at 2.00am and we left in the pitch black with no contact with reception which was a intense moment, apparently it was an uncommon incident.
Blown away by this location, the long drive into the park makes your realise you are far away from civilisation. The facilities are brilliant and have a real traditional feel to them, the tent which we stayed in was incredibly cool and provided us with an amazing experience of wilderness. The drives were amazing to partake (bring a fleece and it is a very bumpy ride) our driver had incredible knowledge and was doing his best for us to see all we could (you can’t promise to see everything!) During our stay the elephants decided to take a walk through the camp and it was insane experience to see them so close to the accommodation, a reminder you really are in the wild at the lodge. The staff were all very nice and welcoming onsite and you can truly relax and they will look after you.
Stayed in January 2024
Reviewed: 8 December 2023
Matthias
SwitzerlandIncredible mix of luxury and adventure safari
Stayed in December 2023
Reviewed: 30 November 2023
Sharon
United KingdomRestaurant service was hit and miss. When Lona and Sammy were serving it was excellent but when they were off it was very poor. Management were not visible or available to check that we were happy with everything.
The game drives with Lucky were superb. The locations and views are spectacular. The restaurant service was hit and miss.
Stayed in November 2023
Reviewed: 22 November 2023
Gaynor
United KingdomThere was nothing to dislike at all
It was magical - absolutely lovely
Stayed in November 2023
Reviewed: 30 October 2023
Erin
United KingdomFood was on the whole good. On one occasion not all starter dishes were brought out at the same time & meant we couldn't all eat together. A few times we had empty glasses and weren't checked on or offered more. It was disappointing as most tables were empty so we felt they could have been more attentive. Unfortunately we weren't able to access any of the additional options e.g. massage or star gazing. We were offered these on arrival and didn't receive a further update after we registered interest unless we had asked . The spa option had to wait until the next day to know.if there was availability - not sure what format they use but it was disappointing to wait so long before finding out it wasn't possible.
Staff were friendly and helpful when you asked. Accommodation is spread out and private so there isn't any overlooking from anyone. Three meals a day and drinks provided. 3 very decent portion sized meals each day. Views are fabulous over the land and although we didn't see many animals at the lodge it was lovely. Communal seating areas very comfortable and beautifully decorated. Tents are a great size with decking and outdoor seating area. A bath and shower both available. The bed was very comfortable and a electric blanket as well as log bruner available for colder evenings. Turn down service and soft dressing gowns available. The game drives were very professional and an amazing experience! So much to see and the ranger Eric was excellent, really made the game drives exciting and fun. You get drinks and some snacks on the game drive. The staff also assist with walking you to and from rooms.
Stayed in October 2023
Reviewed: 13 July 2023
Melanie
United KingdomI only stayed for a night but was an incredible experience and the ranger (Dario) went above and beyond to find what I wanted to see, cannot thank him enough for the game drives! The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. Food was delicious. Views from the lodge itself are just incredible and the room was insane. I highly recommend this lodge to anyone visiting the area.
Stayed in June 2023
Reviewed: 24 March 2023
Harvey
United Kingdomnothing
The luxury lodge, which was spacious, well appointed and overlooked a watering-hole
Stayed in March 2023
Reviewed: 16 March 2023
Abby
United StatesAbsolutely fantastic experience. The staff, game drives, and accommodations were amazing ! A trip we will never forget.
Stayed in March 2023
Reviewed: 12 March 2023
Kayla
South Africathe linen was stained, the beds were very hard, the pillows were flat and old.
the facility, the rooms, the decor
Stayed in March 2023
Reviewed: 10 March 2023
Matthias
GermanyNothing.
Not sure where to even start with this amazing property. Everything from the staff to the accomodation was incredible. The pictures are 100% accurate. You are sleeping in a very luxurious tent overlooking the nature with a lot of privacy. The staff was really so sweet and helpful, whatever it is you wished for. Especially Sus, Samy and our ranger Monde were amazing! The game drives are so different to what we expected: number one priority is not to disturb the animals and we loved that. We saw all big fives several times, even though it was raining a lot. The knowledge of the ranger was amazing. You get 2 drives per day: 6-9am and then 4-7pm. We were quite annoyed at one point with the rudeness of some guests towards the staff when it comes to the amenities or food. Yes you pay a lot for this place, but it is not comparable to a 5* luxury resort in a city where you get whatever you want whenever you want. You are in a bush afterall and should know that when you come here. There are generators to have energy at all times, but yes sometimes the WiFi might not work - but youre in the forest so we couldnt understand how people would get upset about this. You dont getthe most amazing food but its still a 5-course dinner that tasted good! Even the breakfast is amazing, with french toast or eggs benedict. We stayed 2 nights and felt that was also enough. From our side a big recommendation.
Stayed in March 2023
Reviewed: 9 March 2023
Adrian
United KingdomNothing
Clean, comfortable, good food, great staff and magic game drives
Stayed in March 2023
Reviewed: 5 March 2023
Richard
JerseyNot enough vegetables with supper
Stayed in March 2023
Reviewed: 26 February 2023
Susan
United KingdomNothing
Loved our very spacious safari tent Staff were very friendly & helpful Enjoyed chatting to fellow guests whilst being served good food & wine Game drives were fantastic and our ranger was very knowledgable
Stayed in January 2023
Reviewed: 16 February 2023
Harvey
United KingdomThis is a great place for safari. For each night's stay two 3-hr safaris are included (6-9am with morning coffee and 4-7pm, with welcome sundowner) with a knowledgable driver. Seeing wild animals in their natural habitat is a truly outstanding experience. The location is remote and cut off but this is a massive advantage for such an experience. The luxury tent is indeed that, canvas sides but secure and well decorated (in approriate rustic style) and well appointed and equipped. The hotel has a watering hole and the sight of a herd of elephants arriving for a wee dram was breathtaking!
Stayed in January 2023
Reviewed: 16 February 2023
Melissa
AustraliaFor the amount you're charged per night, taking into consideration you fill out a survey in advance indicating dietary requirements ànd the lodge only catering to max 28 people a day, I would have definitely expected better food options to meet dietary requirements. One of the 2 nights we stayed, they served "braai" for dinner, instead of the 5 course dinner. For me as a vegetarian they did not have any vegetarian option instead of all the meat, I was expected to just eat the side salads for dinner. Also, with the afternoon game drives there were meat snacks, but no vegetarian. Very disappointing. Lunch (also called high tea) was also very simple, just nachos and sausage rolls. Think overall the food offering could/should be improved for a 5* lodge.
Beautiful location in the middle of the game reserve, so you can actually some wildlife from your balcony. Loved our room, very spacious and stunning. Staff was really friendly and the game drives were awesome, we saw almost all the wildlife (apart from leopard) in 4 game drives.
Stayed in February 2023
Reviewed: 9 February 2023
Alan
United KingdomThe game watching was underwhelming. It felt like we were completing a tick list. All the animals you would hope to see were there but in what felt like token numbers. On the drive we had lovely vistas over the reserve with vast areas of grassland where you would hope to see herds of grazing antelope but there was not an animal in sight. We had more enjoyable game drives, driving our own car, in the national parks at very little cost. We were however unable to find the more exotic animals such as lion that you are guaranteed to find in the private reserves.
The hotel aspect of the stay was excellent. Comfort, food, staff, service and ranger knowledge were all really good.
Stayed in February 2023
Reviewed: 25 January 2023
Marjan
NetherlandsWe wanted to do a walking tour and night drive but both were unfortunately not available during our stay.
Rooms are super comfy and big. Loved the view. The staff is amazing and the safari was all we wished for!
Stayed in January 2023
Reviewed: 6 December 2022
Cedimarugg
Switzerlandit from a - z an unforgettable experience. the game drive was phenomenal. the lodge it selfrounds it all up! wont be the last time!
Stayed in December 2022
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