R49, Wonderboom Gate, 2884 Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
#1 of 12 hotels in Madikwe Game Reserve
Guests' ChoiceBased on 62 hotel reviews
9.6Cleanliness
9.8
Comfort
9.8
Location
9.7
Facilities
9.7
Staff
9.8
Value for money
9.1
Free WiFi
8.8
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Showing 1 – 25
Reviewed: 28 March 2024
Johan
South AfricaEverything was perfect.
This is to express our utmost satisfaction and appreciation for the wonderful stay we had at Rhulani. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm and friendly smiles from the staff, setting the tone for an unforgettable experience. The staff's welcome was truly exceptional. Their genuine hospitality and attentiveness made us feel like valued guests throughout our stay. Their knowledge and passion for the lodge and its surroundings were evident, and they went above and beyond to ensure that we had a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The facility itself was nothing short of remarkable. Every aspect of the lodge was meticulously designed and maintained, creating a luxurious and tranquil atmosphere. The room we stayed in was simply stunning. The spaciousness, elegant furnishings, and attention to detail made it a cozy and inviting sanctuary. The private pool added a touch of exclusivity and allowed us to relax and unwind in privacy, surrounded by the beauty of the natural surroundings. The game drives were an absolute highlight of our stay. The knowledgeable and passionate game ranger (Willem) provided a wealth of information about the wildlife and their habitats, making each drive an educational and thrilling experience. The encounters with the magnificent animals in their natural habitat were truly awe-inspiring and left us with memories that will last a lifetime. The Boma evening was a truly memorable experience. The traditional setting, the crackling fire, and the delicious food made for an authentic and enjoyable evening. It offered a unique opportunity to connect with other guests and share stories while immersing ourselves in the rich African culture. The food and beverage offerings at Rhulani were exceptional. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at Rhulani for their dedication to providing an exceptional guest experience.
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 2 March 2024
Melissa
AustraliaWe loved everything about our stay at Rhulani. The staff were incredible and took such wonderful care of us. We've never felt more special in our whole lives. The experience is truly amazing. The safaris and guides were so knowledgeable, informative and made our game drives unforgettable. The hotel chalets were spacious, clean and unbelievably comfortable. If you're reading this. I would really, really recommend staying at Rhulani!
Stayed in January 2024
Reviewed: 27 February 2024
Hannah
United KingdomNothing!
Incredible trip thanks to the staff at Rhulani! I have never experienced such amazing hospitality. The lodge itself is in a fantastic location, with authentic decor and perfect facilities.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 8 October 2023
Nicolette
United Kingdomnothing
loccation . staff ,exceptional food ,very comfortable beautiful accomadation . great safaris saw all big 5
Stayed in October 2023
Reviewed: 2 October 2023
Judith
United KingdomNothing. It is perfect as it is.
Beatiful location. Fantastic staff. Excellent food.
Stayed in October 2023
Reviewed: 24 August 2023
Christopher
United KingdomSuch a welcoming, family feel. All staff from the chefs, game drivers, night watchers, general staff were so friendly and fantastic. This has been 10/10 for us, sad to leave.
Stayed in August 2023
Reviewed: 23 April 2023
Natasha
GreeceEverything was perfect. I would recommend Rhulani to everyone and would go back for our next stay in Madikwe without hesitation. The double family bungalows are huge with very comfortable beds. The staff are so helpful and welcoming and informative. Our guide-ranger Willem was the best ! We saw more in one morning than we could ever have expected to see and learned so much. An unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Stayed in April 2023
Reviewed: 23 April 2023
Andrew
United KingdomLeaving
Welcoming and wonderful from the minute the staff greeted us as we arrived to the inevitable sad time of departure. Food, service, room comfort and safari trips were all excellent, and the staff acted as one big, happy family. A lovely touch to come back from the morning drive on Easter Sunday to a room with some Easter treats laid out on the bed. For us it wasn't an option, but I would suggest three nights, and four if they have a stay three get the fourth night free offer on.
Stayed in April 2023
Reviewed: 11 April 2023
Julie
South AfricaEverything was excellent.
The staff were so friendly and bent over backwards to accommodate requests.
Stayed in April 2023
Reviewed: 8 March 2023
Alicia
United StatesNothing. It was perfect.
Beautiful lodge; spacious, modern, luxurious bungalows. Nothing was missing, super clean. Delicious food; service is beyond, everybody is friendly and makes you feel like royalty. You can watch the water hole from the lobby; there are always animals visiting. We saw baboons, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, impalas, zebras while having a drink. It’s a magical place. Our ranger was unbelievable, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and fun. We saw so many animals, learned so much.
Stayed in March 2023
Reviewed: 5 March 2023
Jess
United Kingdomthere was nothing I didn’t like
Beautiful setting, our room was very private, quiet and really felt like home by the end of our stay. Great guides for the Safari and fantastic food.
Stayed in March 2023
Reviewed: 23 February 2023
Coraline
SpainAs a recommendation to the lodge I would say that we were getting slightly overfed. There were snacks when you got up at 5 for your drive, snacks on the way, then a big breakfast, massive lunch at 1, then a high tea before the second game drive, then snacks on the road and then dinner. Great food but perhaps a bit much.
Rhulani is an amazing lodge in an amazing game reserve. We were taken on twice daily game drives with a very kind interesting and knowledgeable ranger named Willem. We saw all the animals we dreamed of seeing and more, but also learned about plants and insects. The lodge is very beautifully designed, and the private cabins are nice and very comfortable, with a private pool. The beds are super comfortable and have a nice big mosquito net around them (which doesn't touch the bed so doesn't make you feel claustrophobic the way they sometimes do. The food is excellent and the staff is wonderful. Good spaces for hanging out during the day. The lodge has a watering hole where you can see animals throughout the day, which is a wonderful experience.
Stayed in February 2023
Reviewed: 22 January 2023
Fiona
United Statespricey
super friendly and laid back - couldn’t do enough for guests without being OTT gear food - easy to access -well organized safari
Stayed in January 2023
Reviewed: 20 January 2023
Derek
NetherlandsNothing to add, everything was perfect.
We took a small plane to Madikwe, arranged by Rhulani. We got picked up by our fieldguide, Dean, and brought to our lodge. The drive to our lodge was already a great experience, Dean has extensive knowledge about all the things we saw; from animals - the big ones and the smallest ones - to the plants, minerals and history. All staff was waiting for us to arrive and gave us the warmest welcome we have ever had anywhere. The lodge itself is beautiful, very luxurious and exclusive. Everyday started with small bites, and drinks. The gamedrives, two everyday, were an amazing experience. Dean told us many great stories about interaction between animals, the history of the land and many additional stories about all things in nature. We were very lucky to have him as a guide, not only because of his knowledge but also because he is a very kind, passionate and funny guy. During the gamedrives we made a stop for sundowners or coffee just after sunrise, a very nice additional experience as we got to hear even more stories and have every single question we had answered thoroughly. In the lodge we got taken care of very well, from fantastic food from the lands (different types of game), to luxurious drinks and cocktails. Between the gamedrives you get spoiled with the best food and drinks we could wish for, from lunch to small bites. There is a hide out where animals have access to a watersource, from elephants, giraffes to antilopes. You get to see them in close up from a safe place. The rooms are fantastic and have everything and more you would expect in such a beautiful place. Our room even had a small pool, with a view on the bush where all kinds of animals pass through on their way to the water source. The staff is amazing, from the manager Tom, the owner who was there between the other guests as well, to every single staff member we encountered; very kind, helpful and fun to talk to.
Stayed in January 2023
Reviewed: 6 January 2023
Rafael
AustraliaIt was amazing!! We had such a great and wonderful time in here!! The room was perfect, well organized and stylish! The plunge pool was something else!! THe facilities are really good too! Worth an especial comment for all the staffs, guides, chef... everyone! They were great, which made the whole experience better! If you looking to a place to relax, drink and eat well - this is the one! The game - the reserve is well sized with plenty of animals!! We saw the big fives in one morning (not so common but it happened). Lots of entertainment and the guides had a huge knowledge of the area, which made or game drive way more entertaining!
Stayed in October 2022
Reviewed: 4 January 2023
Thapelo
South AfricaNone.....however advisable to prompt visitors to use a 4x4 type vehicle....just an advise
Everything was superb
Stayed in December 2022
Reviewed: 26 December 2022
Xinrui
United KingdomLions and leopards roaring at night? lol Just kidding, it was such a luxury to be completely emerged in nature and there is nothing we didn’t like about the place.
Our stay completely exceeded our expectations. The whole trip was spectacular. The room and the lodge were tastefully decorated. The bed was super comfortable. The staff were super friendly and helpful. Everyone felt like looking after you like a family member, unlike some commercialised option, friendly but cold. The attention to details are exceptional, when we left, they even filled our water bottles with fresh water for our journey without telling us. AND the game drives!!! We saw 4 out of the big fives on the first drive! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and very passionate about all kind of wildlife, patiently answering all our questions. And always goes to extra mile to find the most extraordinary view for us. Thanks so much to Dean, our guide, leaving us a everlasting memory. Also the hide, where you can rest in comfort and watch animals having very natural and intimate behaviours within arm reach. Highly recommend Rhulani, we’d love to come back one day!
Stayed in December 2022
Reviewed: 8 November 2022
Or
Israelnone
We had a great experience! This is a luxury safari trip. The chalet was terrific with a great view of the waterhole, the staff was super friendly and helpful and took the extra mile to accommodate our every wish. We were lucky to see many animals and all with the best guide - Wiliam! We highly recommend this place!
Stayed in October 2022
Reviewed: 27 October 2022
Jed
United StatesI was a solo traveler. For some reason they seated me alone in a separate room for dinner. I would have enjoyed meeting other people. The lodge was full and this may have been they only seat they had.
it was pretty and interesting. water hole/hide was very special.
Stayed in October 2022
Reviewed: 24 September 2022
Pauline
NetherlandsThe chalets are amazing with so much privacy, the hide was spectacular (at one moment there were 15 elephants drinking there). Also the game drives with our hilarious ranger Alasdair were so much fun!! The staff is amazing and makes you feel so at home. You can tell they love their job and we will we definitely come back again especially because of these lovely people.
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 20 June 2022
Edrich
South AfricaThe rooms are spacious, has a heated pool and a fire place for those chilly winter evenings. Our room (#5) had a view of the water hole, so we could lounge on the deck (or in the pool) and watch the animals come drink. The hide is amazing and offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals, you can hear sounds you would never do otherwise. The food was good and we had dinner in a different venue each of our three evenings. The bush breakfast on the last day was very special too. The staff are all very friendly, and our guide (Alasdair) was the cherry on top – authentic and eccentric. Thank you for a special and memorable experience Rhulani.
Stayed in June 2022
Reviewed: 2 June 2022
Linda
United Statesnote this is personal preference: Food quality was below expectations for this price point, especially for non meat eaters. We would have preferred some more bean stews or similar to the served side dishes only or subpar pastas. If you like steak and bbq you’ll be fine though!
Many great details made this stay special, including the heated plunge pool, fireplace, and hide (we saw wild dogs there after looking for them the whole day). Not to forget the game drives with lots of lions!
Stayed in May 2022
Reviewed: 1 June 2022
Emma
United KingdomThere honestly wasn't anything we didn't like.
Our holiday with Rhulani was the trip of a lifetime and I cannot recommend it highly enough. We spent a long time researching the different regions and camps and were so pleased with our choice, Rhulani far surpassed our expectations! The lodges and camp were beautiful, particular draws for us were Rhulani's views over a water hole and the hide that enables you to observe the passing animals up close, and they didn't disappoint, we had some amazing sightings. We spent many an hour by the pool, sipping drinks whilst watching the wildlife, a real dream. The staff were brilliant, the best team I have come across on my travels; friendly, welcoming and attentive. Everywhere was kept immaculate and the food was always plentiful and delicious, with several options available. We really enjoyed that each of our dinners were served in different areas of the camp, including by the fire in a boma under the stars one night. Our guide Daniel was amazing, we saw and learned so much with him, having a laugh along the way, and his enthusiasm and passion made the trip what it was. Thank you so much to all the Rhulani team, we really hope to be able to come back some day! A quick note on Madikwe, in case it is helpful for anyone deciding between reserves: The scenery is lovely and varied, the drives were never busy, sites are controlled so only a limited respectful number of vehicles can approach an animal at once (they take it in turns if something interesting is called in over the radio), and drivers can go off road to see things better - something they can't in all reserves.
Stayed in May 2022
Reviewed: 27 May 2022
Karin
United StatesWe loved the hide, was very lucky and saw elephants, buffalo, hyena, wild dogs and plenty of antelope.
Stayed in May 2022
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