Our safari here was incredible!!
Animals.
We saw elephants, giraffes, lions, hippos, rhinos, ostrich’s, cheetahs, various antelope, various birds, water-buffalo, monkeys, water hogs, wilder-beast, zebras, and meerkats. We were incredibly lucky and they all came up really close to the vehicle.
Lodge.
Our lodge was amazing. Our bed was really comfy. Our room was clean. Had hot running water. The WiFi was really good. We had our own terrace and was extremely private. We had a wood burner which was very much needed. When it was dark they had a ranger walk us to and from our rooms. Which made us feel safe.
Staff and facilities.
There is a bar, two pools, a restaurant and seating areas. One of which looks over a watering hole where we saw elephants and lions come and drink. The staff were amazing! They were attentive and friendly. They could not do enough for you. They even put on a show after every morning drive singing and dancing. They offer archery, bird watching and night drives. We did not do any of these as we were always too knackered. It was so intimate as we went out of season and there was only a few of us there. We were on our honeymoon. So on our last night they set up a table for us in the area that looked over the watering hole. So we had a private meal together. Which was lovely.
Food
The food was lovely. Before our morning drive they would put on scones tea and coffee. When we got back we had the choice of cold and hot breakfast. Lunch were things like skewers and burgers. We then choose from a various array of options for dinner. They had appetisers, soup, starters, mains and a desert. They catered well for vegans and gluten free.
Ranger
Our ranger Monty was brilliant. He knew where all the animals would be and found every animal we asked for. He was great at following animal tracks and scents. He was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Top tips.
If you go when we did , at the end of June onward it is South Africans winter. The morning drives were freezing. There are no windows on the vehicles so the cold air really hits you. They give you ponchos. Which is helpful. But i got really cold. I would have taken a beanie hat and a winter coat if I had been told.
Also if you are a fussy eater there is no where to buy crisps or chocolate. So take snacks if you think you...
Read moreAmakhala is well appointed private game reserve in the Eastern Cape, with a particular focus on serving families.
The family lodges and tents are roomy, comfortable, and clean. The main lodge is well configured for family holidays, providing child care on request, a kids' play area, pool, jungle gym, and safe game viewing from the main dining area.
Game drives provide okay viewing, but you are likely to find much better game variety and encounters elsewhere. Nevertheless, some unique features include specialised game rides for kids.
Food is the one area in desperate need of improvement. We found the food to be okay, but not particularly 'good', especially for a 5 star lodge.
Service is friendly and guides were well-informed. However, some focus on attentiveness would be an improvement. We often needed to ask for pool towels or needed to move tables around for our large party. Breakfasts in particular always felt a bit rushed with staff seeming a bit behind.
On the whole, we enjoyed our stay and found the experience restful. There were signs of improvement even whilst we were there with furniture being replaced. This place is definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a...
Read moreJust returned from an unforgettable adventure at Amakhala Safari Lodge in South Africa, and wow, it exceeded all expectations! 🌟 From the moment we arrived, the charm of our rooms swept us off our feet. Every little touch in the decor and comfort made it a haven after each day's adventure.
The culinary experience was a delight to our taste buds! The blend of continental and traditional South African dishes was perfectly balanced, and the house wine? Simply superb. A big shoutout to the incredible staff for making every meal memorable. 🍽️🍷
But the crown jewel of our stay was undoubtedly the game drives. Imagine being so close to majestic elephants and a myriad of wildlife, all while feeling completely safe and looked after by our expert guide. And just when we thought it couldn't get better, we were treated to gourmet snacks and chilled wine in the serene embrace of the bush. 🐘🍇
To the team at Amakhala Safari Lodge, thank you for making our experience so magical. We left with memories to last a lifetime and cannot wait to return. #AmakhalaSafariLodge #UnforgettableAdventure...
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