There is no TV and in a place like this you don't need it, but you miss being able to listen to some music. There is a bathtub but no bath salts are provided. On the second day of our stay the bath gel ran out and, although we informed the front desk, it was never replaced. The beds are very comfortable but a little short for people over 1.80 meters. In the evening they pick up the cushions and mats from the terrace furniture and leave them lying on the floor in the middle of the living room. They should have a closet to store them. The pool is not cleaned daily, it is quite dirty and with an anthill right next to it. The water is cloudy and full of ants. It is not pleasant to swim in. It would be nice to have an outside shower in the pool area to at least get rid of the ants on the way out. They are small details, but in a place like this and with this price I can not rate it with a 10.

The place is wonderful. The presidential suite is amazing. Overlooking a lake where you can see the hippos, impalas and other animals approached a few meters from the terrace. It was a spectacle to see them so close while you were on the lounger sunbathing. The game drives were amazing. Our guides, Jury and Collen, two wonderful guys who know how to do their job perfectly. In addition to many other animals, we saw the big five, some within 5 meters and more than once. The food, without being spectacular, is very good and plentiful.

Stayed in February 2024

In review everything was fine, I would recommend going there.

Karongwe River Lodge is a small lodge with something around 11 private rooms. It's very personal and therefore you feel like home. The stuff cares and helps whenever needed. The food is good and so are the game drives. It seems that the animals have a completely appropriate home.

Stayed in April 2024

Incredible place to stay for safari. The entire team are exceptional. The rooms are stunning, the food is amazing and the game drives were so special. We had seen all of the big 5 in our first two drives. A special shout out to Polly & Eddy! Thanks for showing us some amazing animals. We will never forget this amazing experience.

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing.

Incredible location, facilities, food, game drives and - last but foremost - staff. They surpassed all our expectations! We will definitely come back.

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing

Everything, our suite was just stunning with and amazing view of the wild.

Stayed in March 2024

Pool area needs a bit of love

Everything was amazing! Staying at Karongwe was the highlight of our holiday in South Africa. First of all the location is fantastic, beautiful woooden house right by the river. The accommodation was clean and well maintained.The meals were lovely and portions were big enough. We enjoyed boma dinner as well. The best part were the safari and animals around. We managed to see all big 5 which was amazing. Our fantastic ranger Yuri and tracker Coleen made our trips wonderful! Thank you all the staff at Karongwe for making our stay memorable!

Stayed in February 2024

Everything was amazing.

OMG - I do not know where to start. Everything was amazing from the beginning to the end. We had 3 nights at the lodge. The rooms were fantastic with wonderful view. We could see the elephants drinking from the river in the afternoon. Food was amazing and the service impeccable. The game drives were over outstanding. We saw all big 5 thanks to our guide CF. Together with tracker Gabriel - he made the trip complete. 5***** to them. We traveled 8 people together (age 8 to 75) THANK YOU

Stayed in February 2024

Charge for bottled water and drinks outside of lunch/dinner time. I understand wine and beer was included but did not know that it was only included at lunch time and dinner time. I would have liked to be informed.

Great property, well kept, cleaning was to a high standard and decor was beautiful. Presidential suite was amazing!!! Staff went out there way to make sure you were taken care off. We had a lovely set up in our room for Valentine’s Day and my husband’s birthday!! Shout out to Maria, Jonathon, the amazing chef, Lucia, and Tracker Forget and Guide Matthew’s for such a memorable experience.

Stayed in February 2024

We really loved everything. The only thing I can possibly say is that it would be good to have more child friendly lunch/dinner options. The food is excellent but perhaps too elaborate for a child's palate.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The property and staff are incredible. We couldn't have asked for a better guide/tracker than Sondy and Oriel, who went above and beyond to make our experience incredible! We miss them already and very much look forward to going back. Amazing game drives - we saw the big 5 several times over - what a privilege!

Stayed in February 2024

Beautiful location! Surrounded by nature. Amazing staff, delicious food! Our rangers Sydney and Johannes made every drive a success.

Stayed in January 2024

The monkey`s who made sitting out on the balcony a bit uncomfortable. The Lodge should employ people to chase off the monkeys.

This was our 2nd stay on our South Africa trip, the previous stay was a self drive onto the Kruger. We were 4 couples and we all loved this place, the initial greeting and drinks from the reception team, the animals roaming free around the lodges. It should be noted that staying here is full on, i.e. full inclusive and a daily morning game drive from 5am to 8.30am and and a daily evening game drive from 4pm to 7.30pm, so there is limited down/relaxing time but for us that was ok, as we were there for the animals and boy didn`t we see some animals on our 4 safari`s. Our excellent trackers Evans and Gabriel found us a pride of Lions preparing for an evening hunt, a herd of Elephants crossing a river close by us, 3 stroppy Rhino`s, Cheetahs resting and a Leopard preparing for a hunt and most over animals. The location on a river was perfect for breakfast, Lunch and Dinner every day. The rooms were fantastic with everything you would expect. It also had a lovely swimming pool area to relax.

Stayed in January 2024

Nothing

The hotel is really close to nature: it’s in the middle of a nature reserve and animals are going through. The planning was amazing: 2 safaris of 3 hours each were scheduled every day. We saw all the animals possible (Big 5 several times). Thanks to our best guides: Freddy and Gabriel who made this experience exceptional. In addition, the rooms were beautiful, the food really good and the hotel included 2 pools allowing the guests to relax fully.

Stayed in January 2024

Food was not as good as I was expecting, except for breakfast for which there was a lot to choose from and was very good.

Amazing lodge, room was very big and cleaned twice a day. Staff was great, guides as trackers very nice and trained. We personally got to see only 4 out of 5 of the big 5 but anyway it was a great experience and great accommodation.

Stayed in December 2023

The only improvement could be to slow down the dinner service and give more time between courses to savour the food and South African wine.

Everything. Our one bedroom river suites were beautifully appointed and very rustic while being chic. The common areas were beautiful and authentically decorated in African style. Food was fantastic. Staff could not have been more welcoming. And the game drives gave a unique and up close experience with the animals unlike the larger private game reserves. We loved it.

Stayed in December 2023

Whilst breakfast was good, we felt that lunch and dinner could have been improved to match the outstanding quality of the rest of the lodge.

The lodge is fantastic and the staff are friendly and welcoming - we loved our stay! The game drives are very good, and we enjoyed all of them. We got to see the big 5 and lots of other wonderful animals with a super knowledgable guide and tracker (Cameron and Solomon). As it is a private reserve, there were only ever maximum 2 vehicles at a sighting which meant you were able to really see the animals and it felt much more relaxed (both for us and the animals) which led to an amazing experience. The vegetation is quite dense (it is the bush!).

Stayed in December 2023

Everything was very tightly and well organized. Great food, fantastic location and incredible staff!!! Extraordinary game drives with Bet and Ludowick, a great experience every time, thanks to both. Special thanks to Maraai and Maria who are always ready to help, always cheerful and with a big smile, they' re adorable!

Stayed in December 2023

Excellent guides on the game drives and lovely lodge

Stayed in November 2023

Meals are closer for 4 stars than 5 stars.

Fantastic room, great game drives, good breakfast

Stayed in November 2023

Everything about the lodge was outstanding. Super friendly staff and guides. The attention to detail was superb.

Great variety and everything was delicious.

Stayed in November 2023

Friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable staff, picture perfect rooms. The game drives were fabulous. We’d seen all the big five after our first two drives. Our guide Cameron and tracker Raimondo were superb.

Stayed in November 2023

I loved everything about the property

Stayed in November 2023

Did not see hardly any big 5. Thought was expensive for what you did not get to see. Vehicles old and uncomfortable. Been on better drives for less.

Clean and comfortable. Staff were accommodating. Good wifi. Food was good.

Stayed in October 2023

Everything was excellent

Wonderful staff, food and game drives

Stayed in July 2023

Nothing.

The property is beautiful, well-maintained and welcoming. Bountifully planted gardens are frequented by the more peaceful grazing animals of Africa. Rooms are spacious and clean, offering a respite from the game drives. Dining offerings reflected local and global cuisine.

Stayed in August 2023