Reviews of Mavela Game Lodge 5 stars
Manyoni Private Game Reserve, D240, 3965 Manyoni Private Game Reserve, South Africa
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Reviewed: 20 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewAmazing glamping experience. Good views, accomodation, facilities. Hospitality was great. Game drives plus wild life was good sightings.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted you enjoyed the views, accommodations, and facilities during your glamping experience. At Mavela, we strive for excellence in hospitality, and your positive feedback is greatly appreciated. We’re also glad you had great wildlife sightings on your game drives. Our guides love sharing their passion for nature with guests. We look forward to welcoming you back for another memorable stay. Feel free to contact us for any special requests for your next visit. Warmest safari wishes, The Mavela Family
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted you enjoyed the views, accommodations, and facilities during your glamping experience. At Mavela, we strive for excellence in hospitality, and your positive feedback is greatly apprec… Show more
Reviewed: 26 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewIt’s tranquil, Secluded & have few properties which makes it private
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Thank you Morwa for sharing your experience of Mavela. We are happy to hear you enjoyed it, and would welcome you back anytime. Our warmest safari wishes, The Mavela Family
Reviewed: 5 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewThoroughly enjoyed absolutely everything and it made my birthday celebration extra special! What a Gem! A heartfelt thank you to Caitlin and Siboniso for the warm hospitality and overall impeccable experience. 👌🏽Hats off to the Chef!... The food was🤌🏽 And many compliments to the friendly staff. Can't wait to visit the Mavela Family again.
Genuinely nothing to not like...
Dear Melanie, On behalf of the entire team at Mavela Lodge, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for choosing to celebrate your birthday with us. We are delighted to hear that you had a memorable experience and that our efforts contributed to making your special day even more extraordinary. Caitlin, Siboniso, and the rest of our staff are thrilled to receive your kind words of appreciation. It's always a pleasure to welcome guests like you, whose warmth and positivity truly enrich our lodge's atmosphere. Our chef is equally delighted to know that you enjoyed the culinary delights prepared with love and care. Your compliments and positive feedback inspire us to continue delivering exceptional service and hospitality to all our guests. Our warmest safari wishes, The Mavela Family
Dear Melanie, On behalf of the entire team at Mavela Lodge, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for choosing to celebrate your birthday with us. We are delighted to hear that you had a memorable experience and that our efforts… Show more
Reviewed: 14 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewThe rooms & main dining area are tastefully furnished - rustic luxury. The food was outstanding - the chef is brilliant. Our guide, JVR, was extremely knowledgeable about the environment and worked hard to make sure we got to see as much of the push as possible. We also had a talk on South African History from JVR one of the afternoons - really enjoyed that. The team did their absolute best to make sure we had a great holiday. It was definitely one of the best holidays I have had.
The Wifi is a bit unstable and low performance - but it's not a show stopper. You're supposed to be on holiday... There's nothing really to complain about.. Mavela is brilliant.
Dear Neil, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at Mavela. It's great to hear that you enjoyed the rustic luxury of the accommodations, our food as well as JvR! While the WiFi could use some improvement, it seems like the overall experience more than made up for it. Thank you once again for your feedback! Warmest safari wishes, The Mavela Family
Dear Neil, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at Mavela. It's great to hear that you enjoyed the rustic luxury of the accommodations, our food as well as JvR! While the WiFi could use some improvement, it seems like the … Show more
Reviewed: 6 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewI will give 9.8 for this stay. 0.1for wifi problem and another 0.1 is because the unlucky weather. But these won't happen next time.
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Dear Qi, Thank you for your review, we appreciate your feedback and look forward to hosting you in the future. Kind regards, The Mavela Team
Reviewed: 17 March 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 13 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewBeautifully designed and has al the facilities you need (airco/fan/amazing shower/blowdryer)
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Dear Yael, Thank you for the lovely review, we can't wait to welcome you back in the future. Our warmest safari wishes, The Mavela Family
Reviewed: 12 November 2024 · Stayed in November 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 4 November 2024 · Stayed in October 2024
Verified reviewMavela is a hidden gem and the team there should be congratulated on creating the most wonderful place to live amongst and experience wild Africa at it's best. For those looking for an alternative and more affordable alternative to the Kruger, this place ticks all the boxes. The quality of the accommodation is exceptional, the staff were unbelievable thoughtful and professional, and the location is simply stunning. How the chef and her team created such exquisite food in the bush beggars belief! We were so spoilt by Catlin our safari guide who treated us to the most genuine of bush experiences. Her passion for the local flaura and fauna was infectious and we learnt so much as well as just being able to sit back in awe of everything we saw. We came for the experience, not to tick Big five boxes, but were treated to mating lion, up close and personal sightings of elephant and so much more. The Manyoni Reserve's restrictions on vehicle numbers in and around significant sightings meant that we always felt that the wildlife came first and meant that we always felt like the privileged few, when we were invited into their world. This was our teenage boys first experience of wild Africa and we have no doubt that she has got under their skin and convinced them to keep coming back for more.
It brings us immense joy to learn that the Mavela team created a truly unforgettable experience for you and your family. It seems the boys may have caught the safari bug! Thank you so much for your heartfelt review, it was a joy to host you all. Warmest safari wishes, The Mavela Family
It brings us immense joy to learn that the Mavela team created a truly unforgettable experience for you and your family. It seems the boys may have caught the safari bug! Thank you so much for your heartfelt review, it was a joy to host yo… Show more
Reviewed: 3 September 2024 · Stayed in August 2024
Verified reviewAn amazing experience in the Zululand Rhino reserve. Mavela Lodge staff were very welcoming and the food was exceptional. Would recommend them as a quiet retreat with well appointed rooms and super friendly staff. The game viewing was fantastic.
The water was cold in one of the rooms and we weren't able to advise anyone of this until the following morning after the game drive, so it was a cold shower at night and another cold shower before the game drive.
Dear Bernie, Thank you for your wonderful review of the reserve, staff, lodge and food. We appreciate the share! It is so unfortunate that the cold water is due to a tripped switch, and we do apologise. We do have radios in the rooms for any issues that we show with check-in, but I believe there had been a language barrier from our side in showcasing. We will make sure to take extra care in the future. We would love to make up for it and would welcome you back anytime! Our warmest safari wishes, The Mavela Family
Dear Bernie, Thank you for your wonderful review of the reserve, staff, lodge and food. We appreciate the share! It is so unfortunate that the cold water is due to a tripped switch, and we do apologise. We do have radios in the rooms for a… Show more
Reviewed: 2 July 2024 · Stayed in June 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 1 July 2024 · Stayed in June 2024
Verified reviewOur stay at Mavela was outstanding . The staff were super friendly and helpful and the service was amazing. The food was absolutely delicious and we enjoyed breakfast lunch and dinner. Jason our game ranger was such a nice person, he was knowledgeable, informative and an excellent driver.
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Dear Martin, Thank you for your generous feedback on your stay at Mavela. I have shared it with the team and Jason; they are grateful! It was wonderful having you with us, and we look forward to welcoming you back anytime. Kind regards, Martenique Stevens
Dear Martin, Thank you for your generous feedback on your stay at Mavela. I have shared it with the team and Jason; they are grateful! It was wonderful having you with us, and we look forward to welcoming you back anytime. Kind regards, M… Show more
Reviewed: 30 June 2024 · Stayed in June 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 25 June 2024 · Stayed in June 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 15 June 2024 · Stayed in June 2024
Verified reviewDear Debbie-Lee, Thank you so much for choosing Mavela, we loved hosting you! The Mavela Family
Reviewed: 14 May 2024 · Stayed in April 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 8 May 2024 · Stayed in May 2024
Verified reviewAbsolutely stunning! What a treat. Even more beautiful than the pictures. The location, the styling, the food. And the best of all: the people. We had the best ranger/guide with so much knowledge (Roland) and passion about the environment. Each game drive was special. We saw all the animals we loved to see. But even without that it would have been great. This place with these people is a hidden gem. I truly hope we will have the opportunity to go back once more. If I would be able to give higher than a ‘10’ I would. Thanks so much for hosting us.
Dear Danielle, Thank you so much for you in-depth feedback on our lodge, we are delighted to know we made your stay special and that you have enjoyed Mavela. We would welcome you back any day. Best safari wishes, The Mavela Family
Reviewed: 16 January 2024 · Stayed in December 2023
Verified reviewReviewed: 10 January 2024 · Stayed in January 2024
Verified reviewExceptional welcome and stay, live the safaris, love the food, live the tents - everything was just wow - way better than expected ❤️ def recommend it!
Dear Alexandra, Thank you for your kind feedback, and happy to hear your expectations were met with our safaris, food and tents! All the best safaris wishes, The Mavela Family
Reviewed: 8 January 2024 · Stayed in January 2024
Verified reviewThe staff were exceptional and went above and beyond for us! The lodge is stunning and the outdoor shower is a treat. The food was absoluely delicious!
The only amenity I would have loved is a bath. The rooms were otherwise sublime. The all inclusive is great, but I would recommend more wine options.
Dear Stephie, Thank you so much for your kind review of our staff, food and stunning rooms. We have taken your feedback on getting a bath and are currently looking into it! Already looking forward to welcoming you back! Warmest safari wishes, Martenique & the Mavela Team
Dear Stephie, Thank you so much for your kind review of our staff, food and stunning rooms. We have taken your feedback on getting a bath and are currently looking into it! Already looking forward to welcoming you back! Warmest safari w… Show more
Reviewed: 2 January 2024 · Stayed in December 2023
Verified reviewGreat place and great people
Reviewed: 1 January 2024 · Stayed in December 2023
Verified reviewReviewed: 25 December 2023 · Stayed in December 2023
Verified reviewEverything.
Elegant. Appulent
Thank you so much for Mavela's rating of 10, we appreciate it and are happy you had a great experience! Best safari wishes, The Mavela Family
Reviewed: 9 December 2023 · Stayed in December 2023
Verified reviewJust a surprising find. Food is worth a Michelin rating.
Would have liked to see a few more animals but this didn't affect the serendipity of Mavela.
Dear Fred, Thank you so much for your kind feedback! Our chefs are over the moon with your comment. Best safari wishes, The Mavela Family
Reviewed: 25 November 2023 · Stayed in November 2023
Verified reviewThe variety, quality, and presentation of the food was Master Chef standard and beyond. The accommodation was excellent with fine attention to detail, comfort and aesthetic taste. The staff throughout were cheerful, attentive and caring. The game drives were professionally handled by an extremely well-informed driver-guide. We appreciated his willingness and resolve to try to meet our menu of animal requests and his knowledge of positioning his vehicle to facilitate lighting for photographs. In future we would elect a cooler season for a visit.
Nothing over which humanity has control. The hear wave was a challenge but that is a global discomfort at present.
Dear Jacques, Thank you for your beautifully put-together experience of our lodge, staff, cuisine and game drives. We appreciate the feedback and are looking at ways to combat any discomfort caused by the heat waves, although not an everyday occurrence, better comfort is still a big priority at Mavela. We're happy to hear that you had a wonderful stay in general, and will be looking forward to a future visit. All our best safari wishes, The Mavela Family
Dear Jacques, Thank you for your beautifully put-together experience of our lodge, staff, cuisine and game drives. We appreciate the feedback and are looking at ways to combat any discomfort caused by the heat waves, although not an everyd… Show more