Once in a lifetime truly amazing experience! Every single detail was truly perfect, the highlights were of course the amazing safari, the exceptional staff and superbly delicious food. It was really a 5 star experience with every aspect of the trip fully included and at the highest level.
Ryan our game driver was the best - he went out of his way at every moment to make sure we had the most enjoyable experience and it wouldn't have been the same without him. He had great finds of animals and was a wealth of information - we saw the big 5 in our first day! He is funny with a great personality that made the experience even better than I could imagine.
Chef Alex - The food was exceptional, we couldn't miss a meal and always looked forward to what he created. The best food I have ever had at an hotel or all-inclusive experience. He was able to customize any meals for my partner who is vegetarian with ease.
Songs (our butler) - Really took care of us and made each dinning experience even better, with his kindness and great personality. His wine recommendations were always spot on.
Also to mention the heated pool was a major bonus - with so much time spent going on game drives I am sad to say we only got to use it once.
The price did seem expensive when booking - but when you consider how many game drives we got to do, the exceptional meals we had and the amazing service it was really worth every penny.
Exceptional staff and service, excellent rooms, wonderful game drives with great wildlife sightings; all around just fabulous! I also have a few specific food allergies which they accommodated without a fuss and they were able to provide very tasty food without making me feel like I was missing out on the menu everyone else was being served. Loved the outdoor fire (Boma) and appreciated the air con (heating) in the villa on the cold winter mornings just to take the chill out of the air when you get out of bed before the sun is up. Transfer to and from the airport was seamless and easy, and the game vehicles were very comfortable. Drinks and snacks were provided on every game drive.
Impeccable location. Secluded, serene and special. You’re welcomed with open arms and are readily catered to your needs. Take the time to slow down - or else you miss the hidden treasures. Game drives with experienced guides & trackers, and service staff to make the best of each moment. Thank you, team. It was a pleasure.
Everything was perfect. The lodge was clean, neat, has all the necessary amenities and the staff were friendly and always willing to assist. My family and I had an amazing vacay and we will definitely go back ❤❤❤
Lovely staff, amazing setting, lots of animals right in front of property. Rooms were very comfortable and the level of attention to service was excellent. Guides were awesome.
Everything from start to finish was perfect and without doubt the customer service was nothing short of exceptional, we will most certainly return to Kampana river lodge.
No borders with kruger makes it all the better. Lots
No borders with kruger makes it all the better. Lots
if driving but worth it. Liton our guide made the difference seriously. Without a good guide who can track would it would not be the same. Great place
R
Guest review by
Richard
Spain
8.0
Sabi game reserve is quite big with many private lodges...
Sabi game reserve is quite big with many private lodges inside. It is open to Kruger park, so animals are free to roam anywhere. The difference is that the ranger and tracker can actually follow an animal wherever they go (without entering Kruger). It is expensive , but if you can afford it, the experience is quite different.
The ranger and tracker that took us for a drive from Umkumbe were great. The ranger spotted a chameleon on the tree, in the dark, under the light beam from the trackers torch, at a distance of about 25m. We have no clue how!
Great experience to be able to go offroad in the vehicle and get really close to the animals. A leopard had hidden their kill in the tree, which we went back to after dark, when the leopard had come back. Unfortunately that was the only cat we saw that night. Saw a hippo and a hyena too, but that's just luck when you are out in the bush.
A family on the previous night had seen the leopard kill the buck as well.
The private Sabi game drive is expensive, and depending on how lucky you get, you might think it is either worth it/or a waste of money.
S
Guest review by
Sagar
Australia
10.0
It was a brilliant experience, in particular the game drives...
It was a brilliant experience, in particular the game drives and being out in the wild.
The resort is excellent!
Tips:
No loo on a 3-hour game drive so don’t drink too much before heading out.
For photographers - consider using two cameras - short lens and long lens ones. Saves having to switch lens if you have two cameras ready. Speed if reaction is required to capture some shots.
A
Guest review by
Aoife
Ireland
10.0
we stayed at the lodge the whole time we were at kruger, and...
we stayed at the lodge the whole time we were at kruger, and it was super safe and beautiful, the days were planned amazingly well. next time i will bring a better camera, binoculars and a nicer hat! The stargazing was immense, we saw the whole milky way!
D
Guest review by
Daniella Fagan
United Kingdom
10.0
This is truly a unique place.
This is truly a unique place. We had up closing viewing of animals each day but it didn’t feel like we had encroached on their space because the guides know the animals species so well. There are no fences and we only saw one other car of people. The lodges give one another space but communicate where they see animals so everyone can experience it. It’s one of the last places you can see horned rhinos which felt sincerely special.
A
Guest review by
Anonymous
8.0
Lot's of wild life to view even when driving in.
Lot's of wild life to view even when driving in. A variety of lodges available. What could be better is the path/road leading into the lodge as it's not tarred and has many steep inclines which
T
Guest review by
Tsume
Netherlands
6.0
its a big 5.
its a big 5. BUT because of so many private properties you can not game drive much of the reserve like other reserves and also within the reserve the owners of the lodges seem to not like each other that much. they gossip a lot about each other ( i did stay in different places in this reserve ) and i did not have this issue in other game reserves.
a
Guest review by
alexandra
Germany
10.0
Lodge blends in with nature, very peaceful place.
Lodge blends in with nature, very peaceful place. All staff exceptional, guides have so much knowledge and make all the effort to see and teach as much as possible about the animals ,trees and surroundings in the time available. Food and drinks outstanding.
M
Guest review by
Marietta
United States
2.0
1. Your room not cleaned
2.
1. Your room not cleaned
2. You are not fair when you say all inclusive, paying for water n drinks you are not fair
3.Paying for conservation not fair
4.Other Lodge when it says all inclusive like Vuyani where we stayed 02 nights we were all have safari,drinks in the room, drinks when we eat but on your side we paid money for water
5.Your housekeeper are lazy to put water in the kettle for tea in the room
Z
Guest review by
Zwane
10.0
We loved the wildness of Manyeleti, and felt much closer to...
We loved the wildness of Manyeleti, and felt much closer to nature here than at Kruger. I feel that people are unaware of the real impact on the nature of things like synthetic soaps and compost toilets should be mandatory. However Manyeleti is better than Kruger in this respect.
On average, 3-star hotels in Greater Kruger National Park cost US$702 per night, and 4-star hotels in Greater Kruger National Park are US$530 per night. If you're looking for something really special, a 5-star hotel in Greater Kruger National Park can on average be found for US$1,501 per night (based on Booking.com prices).