Elephant Rock Private Safari Lodge — Hotel in Emnambithi/Ladysmith Local Municipality

All a 10/10 and 100% recommendable! The lodge is beautiful and the entire staff is super friendly and always extremely accommodating. You are well looked after all the time and everything is done for the guests to fulfill their wishes.

The rooms are charming with a large, modern bathroom and a good view of the waterhole directly from the bed. It is always kept clean and is tidied and bedded twice a day. Even shampoo, shower gel, soap, bath cap, body lotion and hairdryer are provided and the outdoor shower with birdsong and animal sounds is an added bonus.

The food is excellent and almost everything is freshly home cooked and baked. The breakfast offers everything you could want from warm, salty food to sweet yogurts with a large fruit buffet and croissants with various jam. The lunch menu is light with fresh salads and side dishes as well as sweet desserts, ideal for the afternoon drive. For dinner, a large 3-course menu is offered with a wide choice of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. In the event of any intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, alternatives are offered and the dishes are adapted if necessary. No effort is spared to prepare everything for the guest. The food was always excellent and extremely delicious!

The game drives were all indescribably beautiful! Brent, our guide, is the best! Always happy and extremely friendly and lovable. His knowledge of the animals is incredible and he knows the reserve inside out. There is really nothing he can't answer or explain. There is also no shortage of historical knowledge, which he is happy to share in a very understandable way. You are sure to learn a lot from him. He attaches great importance to the well-being of animals and people. He does everything he can to give his guests an unforgettable time while protecting and respecting the animals. His driving skills are also excellent and he always informs you whether you should hold on tighter or watch out for branches on the side. Brent always went the extra mile for us to show us as much as possible. Early on the drive, staying longer in the bush and always in contact with the other guides to get to the lions or cheetahs quickly when they were spotted. Maneuvering so that you have the best view is also very important to him. At check-in and after the drives, you are warmly welcomed with a drink and/or a little, warm towel and during the drives there is also a break with delicious snacks and cold drinks to watch the enchanting sunset. The well-being of the guests really is always their top priority and there is not a single little thing to complain about. A unique experience for everyone, which I can...

An Unforgettable 10/10 Birthday Experience - Pure Magic in Every Detail!

My stay at Elephant Rock Private Safari was nothing short of absolute perfection. This wasn't just a vacation; it was an exceptional experience that exceeded every expectation, and it truly deserves a rating higher than 10/10. It was also my birthday, and the team made it a celebration I will never, ever forget.

From the moment we arrived, we were treated like family. Steve welcomed us with the warmest reception, setting the tone for the incredible hospitality that defined our entire trip.

The accommodation is stunning. The rooms and facilities are unequivocally 5-star – luxurious, impeccably clean, and beautifully designed to blend with the breathtaking natural surroundings. It was the perfect sanctuary to relax in, especially after enjoying a sublime massage out on our private deck. With the expert therapist, Thabi, and the serene soundtrack of the birds, it was an experience of pure bliss and total relaxation.

However, what truly sets Elephant Rock apart is its people. The level of outstanding customer service we received was unparalleled. A special thank you to James, Zanele, and Thembeni, who absolutely spoiled us rotten. They went above and beyond to make my birthday extra special, surprising me with thoughtful touches that made me feel incredibly celebrated. They anticipated our every need and made us feel so special throughout our stay.

And then there was the food! Each meal was a decadent delight. The chefs prepared exquisite dishes that were both gourmet and hearty, a wonderful celebration of flavour that we looked forward to every single time.

The highlight, of course, were the game drives. Our guides, Stephanie and Marley, were simply phenomenal. Their experience and knowledge of the bush were impressive, making every drive not only fun but deeply informative. They filled us with awe as they expertly tracked animals and shared fascinating insights, ensuring we had front-row seats to nature's most spectacular moments.

Thank you so much to the entire Elephant Rock team for the most memorable stay. You have created something truly magical. We left with full hearts (and bellies), incredible memories, and a strong desire to return. We will definitely be back!

Highly, highly recommended without a single...

This intimate 10 bed lodge is situated close to the access gate of Nambiti reserve. It has breathtaking views over a dam and vast hilly zones . A new lookout deck is currently being built , which gives one more intimate close ups of the dam, a popular wstering hole for a variety of game : this is a great addition. Steve and Stef are the management couple , and from every detail , this lodge is well run . I believe their attention to detail is their draw card . Steffie drove us for all of our 6 game drives,( for our 3 night stay ) and her knowledgeable, pleasant and at times humorous presence is a great asset to the team . We viewed a wide variety of game ... the cheetah remained elusive however !! Back at the lodge , delicious food awaited our returns from game drives . The food is varied and deliciously tasty : at dinner there is a choice between 2 starters , 2 mains and 2 puddings , or cheese and crackers : this is fabulous selection for a small lodge !! Lunch is buffet style with a protein and courful healthy salads ( at our request) . The wine fridge is well stocked with a variety of fabulous wine choices . Rooms are spacious , and well specced . This lodge has been our go to of choice in Nambiti big 5 reserve for some years , and it never disappoints . The owners and staff are always looking for ways to improve, upgrade and satisfy the...