7 Star Oase — Hotel in Maruleng Local Municipality

Our group (six adults and one child) stayed at Oase by 7 Star Lodges in July 2023 for six nights and we had the most wonderful time. If you are looking for a place to stay for your South African Safari adventure, we highly recommend Oase!

We were looked after from the moment we booked. All of the staff were professional and friendly. Juan was particularly helpful in planning our itinerary to ensure we had the most amazing experience. You can have as much or as little input as you like, as Oase pride themselves on being flexible and creating the best experience for their guests.

Oase by 7 Star Lodges is about 30 minutes from Hoedspruit Airport. The property is stunning, and the accommodation is beautiful. It is luxury in the jungle! The rooms were beyond our expectations, picturesque and had everything we needed.

Our group was greeted at the airport, and we were made to feel at ease as soon as we arrived. Nothing was too much trouble and the level of service was exceptional. A special mention to Ernest and Njabulo who were outstanding and looked after our group so well. They were both so kind and so attentive to all of our requests. After a long flight, cocktails and a cheese board on arrival was the perfect touch (thank you Ernest and Njabulo).

Oase by 7 Star Lodges is not a big 5 game reserve but do not let this deter you from booking. You will still see plenty of wildlife on the property and on the included shared game drives at a nearby big 5 property. We were lucky enough to see the most wildlife and nearly all of the big 5 on these included game drives (in hindsight not sure we needed to book a full day trip to Kruger). The drivers from the nearby property were also so knowledgeable and really gave us the best experience possible.

Every meal at Oase was fantastic and cooked with love. We really enjoyed the various venues we dined at on the property and the set up for each meal was lovely, especially against the beautiful natural backdrops. One of our favourite meals was a picnic down by the river. Such a lovely walk, running into some Giraffes on the way. The staff set up a beautiful table under a tree and even had some fishing gear.

All the food was fresh and delicious during our stay. I must say the food was one of the highlights.

Some recommendations I would suggest is to discuss with the Oase staff about the extra activities they can book for you. Our group went on the Blyde Dam boat cruise and it was worth it. If you have the time, the Panorama route also offered up some breath-taking views but it is a full day trip. My main tip would be to make sure you give yourself time to enjoy the beautiful accommodation and scenery on the property. In hindsight, our group probably tried to fit in a bit too much and should have booked an extra night or two to relax by the pool. There is also an onsite cinema which is superbly set up and a great way to enjoy an afternoon or night with family and friends.

A must do is the Treetop Sleepout. My husband and I booked this for one night. We stayed on a platform 6m above the ground and the sunset/sunrise views were spectacular. We enjoyed a romantic dinner and lovely breakfast on the beautiful deck above the tree line, viewing some giraffes in the distance. Sleeping outside was surreal, looking at the stars while you drift off to sleep to the sounds of nature was something we will cherish for a long time.

Overall, our stay at Oase by 7 Star Lodges was one of the best places we have ever stayed. We were able to get a great Safari experience while staying in a luxury. The staff were the true heroes and we appreciate everything they did for us. To all the staff at Oase, thank you so much! You truly made our stay an unforgettable experience. We all hope to visit...

Our 5-night honeymoon stay at Oase by 7 Star Lodges in Hoedspruit, SA was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, we were treated to an exceptional level of service, breathtaking surroundings, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. This was a trip of a lifetime that surpassed every expectation.

Accommodations: The lodge was a perfect blend of luxury and rustic charm. Our Mayfair suite was spacious, beautifully decorated, and equipped with every modern comfort. The private deck overlooking the bush offered stunning sunrise views and a chance to spot wildlife right from our room. The outdoor shower/tub and plunge pool added an extra touch of indulgence. Shoutout to Kitso and Octavia, both phenomenal butlers who went out of their way to meet your every need!

Wildlife and Game Drives: The ~twice-daily game drives were the highlight of our stay. Our guide & tracker, Fanny, was incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated to giving us the best experience possible. Over the course of five days, we saw the Big Five, along with cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, and countless bird species. Each drive felt like an adventure, with new surprises around every bend.

Dining: The food was exceptional, with a mix of local and international flavors. Every meal was a culinary delight, from the bush breakfasts during morning game drives to the gourmet dinners under the stars. The staff (Hilary, Jiawulo, Tuli, etc.) went out of their way to accommodate dietary preferences and ensure every dining experience was special. The first night’s 5-star meal getting to know Audra and David and the history of how their travel experiences led to the Lodge as it is today was an added bonus.

Service: The service was impeccable. The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely committed to making our stay unforgettable. From personalized touches like a surprise honeymoon breakfast down by the Blyde River to thoughtful gestures like hot towels and refreshments after game drives, every detail was taken care of with attentiveness and precision. If anything, additional was needed or desired, Janus was a text message or phone call away and immediately responsive.

Facilities: The lodge’s facilities were top-notch. The villa’s plunge pool overlooking the Blyde River bush was the perfect place to relax between game drives and our other activities. The gym was a nice touch with the ability to sweat out the many calories we would engorge ourselves in on the spin bike. The communal Gin lounge and bar area provided a cozy spot to unwind and share stories with other guests prior to the delectable Boma dinners. Thank you to Doctor, Stanley, and Given for driving us to our villa at night and keeping the guests safe by monitoring the reserve boundaries 24/7.

Conclusion: Our 5-day stay at Oase by 7 Star Lodges was everything we dreamed of and more. It was a perfect mix of adventure, luxury, and connection with nature. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or experiencing a safari for the first time, this lodge offers an extraordinary experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. We have scratched the safari itch, and we cannot wait to return! You will not go wrong booking with...

I cannot say enough good things about our stay at Oase by 7 Star! My husband and I visited at the end of a few weeks of traveling, and this was by far a highlight of our entire trip. First off, the property is stunning, we saw giraffes and zebras on our drive in, and everything is quiet and secluded. You really feel in touch with nature when you stay here! Our suite was very nice and comfortable. The drinks we had requested ahead of time were waiting in the mini bar. There is a wireless charger by each side of the bed and cute safari theme decorations throughout the room (especially the zebra bath robe, my personal favorite). You could come here and never leave your room and still have a great stay, but you would be missing out on everything else the lodge has to offer! ||What really sets Oase apart from the many other hotels we've stayed in is the individualized service they provide to each guest. The customer service went far beyond excellent — warm, personal, and attentive without ever feeling overdone. The team genuinely cares about their guests, and it shows in everything from the small details to the bigger experiences they help create. The staff planned each of our days with thought and purpose so we were doing things that we would enjoy, and we felt like we were being treated like royalty at each meal. ||Of course, the true highlight of our trip was the visit to Kruger Park. Unfortunately we were only able to go one day, but it was a day to remember! Our guide was so knowledgable, teaching us about the different animals we saw, and he did all he could to ensure we saw a lot. He was so kind to lend us an extra pair of binoculars, and he made the day a ton of fun! And even when we were at the park, we were still able to enjoy the luxury details from the lodge - we were given blankets and hot water bottles for the cold drive in the morning, and the lunch packed was as nice as a meal we would have had on site. ||Oase isn’t just a place to stay — it’s an experience, one that combines natural beauty, outstanding hospitality, and unforgettable memories. We were already planning our next visit by the time we left! I cannot recommend it highly enough for anyone visiting South Africa! And more importantly, we cannot thank the staff enough for everything the did to make it such a...