AM Lodge — Hotel in Maruleng Local Municipality

If you are thinking of booking AMlodge I would seriously recommend that you do not. This is a 5 star price and not a 5 star experience - I would say more a 3 star at most. I paid £4000 for 5 adults to stay 3 nights and was guaranteed an exceptional experience - it could not have been further from the truth. I hate giving a poor review but feel I really do need to warn anyone thinking of booking here.||||Firstly there is NO GAME on this game farm - the game drives are 3 hours and we saw 2 rhino and 8 zebra, plus they forgot the blankets and we were freezing. Of the 6 game drives offered we did one evening one (and froze) and a morning one and realised it was a total waste of time. The rangers were very sweet, but if there is no game as its all been poached or was never there it is not their fault. ||||We had a spa treatment each included in our booking, which I had on 2 confirmation emails however they argued that this was incorrect and even though I showed them we had a ridiculous 30 minute disagreement and I had to whatsApp them the confirmation twice. They then said that the complimentary treatment was a 30 minute neck massage only and wanted further payment. However as we also had a 500 Rand spa voucher each this covered the extra cost - but it was a battle! ||||The facilities are very run down, there has clearly been no money spent on this place for many years. The outside furniture is broken, and green with age with no cushions. The outside shower a nice feature to look at has 3 jets that run horizontally so you cannot use it to shower. The beds are rock hard the pillows even harder! It is NOTHING like it looks in the photos - mine below are accurate!||||There is no management here - the staff though lovely had clearly never been to a 5* hotel or hospitality school and had no idea what the guests would expect or what to do to deliver it. They are absolutely running this show blind. For a 3 person lodge there was not 3 bath towels, so I had to use a hand towel as I got out of the shower, there was only 2 cups so we rotated for morning coffee. They do not refill the coffee sachets etc - its the small things like this that showed that no-one really had a hold on the guests or bookings.||||We were greeted by a gentlemen on reception who was either stoned or exceptionally tired, the first impression was very poor, he wandered about showing us the spa when all we wanted to do after a very long drive was go to our room. We were all slightly thrown by him, certainly he is a very poor front of house. ||||Richard the manager tried his best, but again after the disagreement about the spa I had just about given up. The lovely lady chef was simply sweet, she was the best part of the experience!||||If you are thinking of booking my advice is to think again - you will not get what you pay for. The cost of this venue over in South Africa where the rand is poor at the moment (it was about 100,000 rand for the stay) is astronomical - so you do expect bang for your buck - and we did not get it on any level and left feeling really disappointed and frustrated. Google the owner - its an interesting read and may explain further. They seem to want to get as much money out of you as possible - perhaps they have run out!. He is a civil engineer based in Joburg and I think this is his hobby - he certainly is not in hospitality! We were the only guests there on the first night so I would think they may be in trouble financially.||||With regret this lodge does not deserve anywhere near a 5* status - go to Kapama next door, or any of the other lodges about - but do not go to this one and think you will have a...

If you are thinking of booking AMlodge I would seriously recommend that you do not. This is a 5 star price and not a 5 star experience - I would say more a 3 star at most. I paid £4000 for 5 adults to stay 3 nights and was guaranteed an exceptional experience - it could not have been further from the truth. I hate giving a poor review but feel I really do need to warn anyone thinking of booking here.||||Firstly there is NO GAME on this game farm - the game drives are 3 hours and we saw 2 rhino and 8 zebra, plus they forgot the blankets and we were freezing. Of the 6 game drives offered we did one evening one (and froze) and a morning one and realised it was a total waste of time. The rangers were very sweet, but if there is no game as its all been poached or was never there it is not their fault. ||||We had a spa treatment each included in our booking, which I had on 2 confirmation emails however they argued that this was incorrect and even though I showed them we had a ridiculous 30 minute disagreement and I had to whatsApp them the confirmation twice. They then said that the complimentary treatment was a 30 minute neck massage only and wanted further payment. However as we also had a 500 Rand spa voucher each this covered the extra cost - but it was a battle! ||||The facilities are very run down, there has clearly been no money spent on this place for many years. The outside furniture is broken, and green with age with no cushions. The outside shower a nice feature to look at has 3 jets that run horizontally so you cannot use it to shower. The beds are rock hard the pillows even harder! It is NOTHING like it looks in the photos - mine below are accurate!||||There is no management here - the staff though lovely had clearly never been to a 5* hotel or hospitality school and had no idea what the guests would expect or what to do to deliver it. They are absolutely running this show blind. For a 3 person lodge there was not 3 bath towels, so I had to use a hand towel as I got out of the shower, there was only 2 cups so we rotated for morning coffee. They do not refill the coffee sachets etc - its the small things like this that showed that no-one really had a hold on the guests or bookings.||||We were greeted by a gentlemen on reception who was either stoned or exceptionally tired, the first impression was very poor, he wandered about showing us the spa when all we wanted to do after a very long drive was go to our room. We were all slightly thrown by him, certainly he is a very poor front of house. ||||Richard the manager tried his best, but again after the disagreement about the spa I had just about given up. The lovely lady chef was simply sweet, she was the best part of the experience!||||If you are thinking of booking my advice is to think again - you will not get what you pay for. The cost of this venue over in South Africa where the rand is poor at the moment (it was about 100,000 rand for the stay) is astronomical - so you do expect bang for your buck - and we did not get it on any level and left feeling really disappointed and frustrated. Google the owner - its an interesting read and may explain further. They seem to want to get as much money out of you as possible - perhaps they have run out!. He is a civil engineer based in Joburg and I think this is his hobby - he certainly is not in hospitality! We were the only guests there on the first night so I would think they may be in trouble financially.||||With regret this lodge does not deserve anywhere near a 5* status - go to Kapama next door, or any of the other lodges about - but do not go to this one and think you will have a...

7/2025

From the moment we arrived at AM Lodge after an exhausting journey from California, we were enveloped in warmth and hospitality that set the tone for an unforgettable vacation. The staff greeted us outside with genuine smiles, offering warm towels to freshen us up and a light, refreshing welcome drink that instantly revived us. It was the perfect way to kick off our stay.

The team’s flexibility and dedication were immediately apparent. Despite our late arrival, they seamlessly arranged a delicious lunch and an impromptu game drive, even though it wasn’t on the schedule. This thoughtful gesture showcased their commitment to making every moment special.

Our trackers/guides, Benjamin and Mr. Penuel, were the ultimate duo—expert professionals with a flair for comedy and infectious enthusiasm. Their knowledge of the bush was astounding, not only in tracking wildlife like rhinos and lions but also in identifying plant life with fascinating details about their uses and ecology. They could spot the slightest movement or clue from afar, turning each game drive into an exhilarating game of hide-and-seek. We had a blast asking them about the Big 5 and the Ugly 5, and they even humored us with their playful take on the “Tasty 5”—you’ll have to ask Benjamin and Mr. Penuel yourself to hear their hilarious response! Their passion and expertise made every outing a masterclass in the wild.

Back at the lodge, the dining experience was nothing short of magical, thanks to Shepherel, the culinary genie who anticipated and fulfilled our every craving with finesse. He treated us like family, ensuring every meal was a delight. His partner-in-crime, Hleziphi, brought her own charm, infusing the dining area with energy through her singing and dancing while overseeing every detail to make each meal memorable. Behind the scenes, Chef Pretty worked her artistry, crafting dishes that felt like they were made just for us, satisfying cravings we didn’t even know we had.

The unsung heroes, Busi, Jotamo, and rest of the housekeeping staff we danced with!handled housekeeping and maintenance with such skill that our accommodations always felt like a welcoming, pristine sanctuary. Their behind-the-scenes efforts ensured every return to our room was a moment of comfort and calm.

At the helm of this extraordinary team is Reydene, the manager and maestro who orchestrates everything with precision and grace. She keeps the lodge running smoothly and even knows how to throw an unforgettable party—ask any of the staff, and they’ll nod in agreement!

AM Lodge isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience brought to life by a passionate, talented, and warm-hearted team. From the thrilling, educational game drives to the exquisite dining and impeccable service, every detail was perfect. We left feeling like part of the AM Lodge family, already dreaming of our return. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a safari adventure with a staff that truly makes it...