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Top 10 Best Lodges in South Africa | Our Handpicked Establishments

 

When it comes to Lodges, we rate South Africa as one of the best when it comes to what we offer. Lodges are usually situated in remote areas, outside of town and offer activities such as game viewing, nature viewing, in addition to providing accommodation and meals. Hotels are usually situated in the cities.

 

Here are the top 10 best lodges we have handpicked in South Africa. These are lodges we have been to:

1. Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve, Hluhluwe, Kwazulu Nata
2. Shamwari Game Reserve, Eastern Cape
3. Morukuru Family, Madikwe, North West
4. AmaKhosi Safari Lodge, Kwazulu Natal
5. Savanna Lodge, Sabi Sand Game Reserve
6. Tula Baba Exclusive Lodge & Venue, Brits, North West
7. Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Kwazulu Natal
8. Tomjachu Bush Retreat, Mbombela, Mpumalanga
9. White Elephant Lodge, Pongola, Kwazulu Natal
10. Springbok Lodge, Nambiti Game Reserve, Kwazulu Natal

 

Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve

This is one of the best safari lodges we have been to. The lodge is 5 Star rated and is also part of The Leading Hotels of the World.

Accommodation

The lodge has 3 accommodation types; the safari lodge, tented camp and a villa. We highly recommend you book the safari lodge accommodation especially if you are on honeymoon, the tented camp if you are on budget and the villa if you are booking as a group or large family.

At Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve, you are sure to be pampered. The beautifully thatched safari lodge accommodation comes with fully stocked mini bar fridge, fireplace, bath tub, indoor and outdoor shower, just to name a few. You also get a turndown service.

 

Activities

Activities include game viewing (Thanda is home to the Big 5), bush walks, Zulu culture, birding, spa treatments, etc. The lodge is ideal for honeymooners and also hosts safari weddings.

  

Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Shamwari is situated about an hour drive from Port Elizabeth. Staying at Shamwari is an experience we cannot put to words. Shamwari is home to be Big 5 and more! The game reserve covers an area of 250 KM² and is lauded as a conversation success story.

 

Accomodation

At Shamwari Game Reserve, you can choose accommodation from any of the 7 lodges; Long Lee Manor, Riverdene, Sindile, Sarili, Eagles Craig, Explorer Camp and Bayethe. All the lodges are rated 5 Star!

Activities

Activities at Shamwari Game Reserve include game drives, bush walks, birding and many more. A honeymoon at Shamwari will stay with you forever!

 

  

 

Morukuru Family Madikwe

Another amazing lodge to stay at is Morukuru Family Madikwe.  This 5 Star lodge is located inside Madikwe Game Reserve, about 4-hour drive and 1-hour light aircraft flight from Johannesburg. Madikwe is another home for the Big 5 and you can visit all year round.

Accommodation

You can choose to stay at Morukuru Owner’s House or River House or Morukuru Farm House which is an exclusive 5-bedroom private safari house.

Activities

Activities include game drives, birding, spa treatments and many more.

  

AmaKhosi Safari Lodge

AmaKhosi Safari Lodge is situated in the heart of Zululand, about an hour from Pongola and in the banks of the Mkuze river. It is a stunning 5-Star lodge situated in the AmaKhosi Private Game Reserve, which is home to the Big 5!

Accommodation  

At AmaKhosi Safari Lodge you can choose to stay at the Private House, Honeymoon Suites or River Suites. All the river suites and placed overlooking the Mkuze river.

Activities

Activities at AmaKhosi include game drives, bush walks, birding, frogging safaris, spa treatments. The lodge also has a gym.

  

Savanna Lodge

Savanna is an exclusive 5 Star lodge located in the internationally famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Sabi Sand is situated in Mpumalanga and borders Kruger National Park. The reserve is home to the Big 5.

Accomodation

At Savanna Lodge, you can choose to book the luxury suite, executive suite or Savanna suite! All the accommodation facilities are amazing. Savanna also offers you Butler service to their valued guests.

Activities

Activities at Savanna Lodge include game drives, birding and many more. The lodge also has its own gym, imagine!

  

Tula Baba Exclusive Lodge & Venue

Tula Baba is a private and intimate game lodge situated in a true African Savanna. The lodge is based outside of Brits and is becoming famous for weddings. If you want something tranquil, outside but close to Brits, then Tula Baba is the place for you.

Accomodation

At Tula Baba Exclusive Lodge & Venue, you can choose to book from the standard rooms, self-catering rooms and bridal/ honeymoon suite. All the accommodation facilities are amazing.

Activities

Activities at Tula Baba include game viewing, birding, etc. The lodge also hosts weddings. You are most likely to have your breakfast in front of giraffe, donkeys and alpacas.

  

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is situated in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in Kwazulu Natal. This is the only privately-owned lodge within Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park and is the perfect luxury African safari accommodation. This is home to the Big 5 and over 400 bird species. The lodge is about 3 hours from Durban.

Accomodation

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge offers a wide range of accommodations to choose from, ranging from the Safari Rooms, Luxury Bush Villas, Family Rooms and Honeymoon Bush Villa.

Activities

Activities at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge include game drives, game walks, birding, spa treatments and many more.

  

Tomjachu Bush Retreat

Tomjachu Bush Retreat is a 4-Star family-owned private nature reserve set in 500 hectares of mountain bushveld offering stylish accommodation close to Mbombela. If you want something outside but close to Mbombela, then Tomjachu is the best choice for you. It is tranquil and the service is amazing.

Accomodation

At Tomjachu Bush Retreat, you can choose to book The Homstead, Keeper’s Cottage, Rock House, Bush Cottage, Valbonne Villa and Crocked Cottage.  

Activities

Activities at Tomjachu include hiking, nature drives, bird watching, guided bush walks, mountain biking, fishing and many more!

  

White Elephant Safari Lodge

White Elephant Safari Lodge is situated in Pongola Game Reserve, the world’s second-oldest private reserve and oldest in Africa. This lodge is rated 5-star and is close to Jozini, Hluhluwe, St Lucia and eSwatini to name a few.

Accomodation

At White Elephant Safari, you can choose to book the AfriCamps, Bush Camp, Umkhaya Cottage and Research Camp.

Activities

Activities at White Elephant include game drives, river safaris, fishing, guided walks, birding and many more.

  

Springbok Lodge

Springbok Lodge is situated in Kwazulu Natal in Nambiti Game Reserve, a conversancy offering 22 000 acres of pristine bushveld. Nambiti is home to the Big 5 and many other species. Springbok Lodge is 4 hours from Johannesburg and 3 hours from Durban. Whether you are travelling for business or leisure, Springbok Lodge is one of the best lodges you can choose from.

Accomodation

Springbok Lodge offers luxury tented accommodation comprising of standard two sleepers and family units.

Activities

Activities at Springbok Lodge include game drives, self-guided camp walks, fishing, volleyball, kids jungle gym, conferences, battlefield tours and many more.

  

 

Disclaimer

• We do not represent any of the establishments we have mentioned in this article.
• Some information may be inaccurate. Please check with the establishment itself to verify the veracity of the information provided here.
• We cannot be held responsible of any loss or damage whosoever, that may arise due you any reason from the information provided in this article.
• The information provided here is purely based on our opinion. We picked establishments that we have been to and the rating is based on our experience.
• The list was done randomly. By no means do we mean that the establishment in number 1 is the best.

Summary

When it comes to choosing which lodge to book, it all depends on taste and budget. Some lodges are budget friendly while others can be quite expensive. Please check the lodge website for rates and offerings.

 

Have you stayed in any of these lodges? Share your experiences with us by commenting. We would love to hear from you.

 

Kindest Regards,

 

Sam Nkwanyane

Hospitality Coach • Customer Experience Optimization • Speaker • Consultant