Ngama Tented Safari Lodge — Hotel in Maruleng Local Municipality

It pains me to write this review. This was to be the highlight of our visit to South Africa. Of our entire itinerary, this was the first place we booked because we felt it to be the most important part of the trip. We expected a glamping experience based on the photos and reviews. So sadly disappointed. ||The last review seems to be more than a year ago and apparently a lot has changed, or rather, nothing has been changed, cleaned or updated since the last review. ||Upon arrival, we were greeted by Millicent, who was very lovely and soft spoken. She provided light refreshments and then walked us to our tents. ||It was an immediate disappointment when seeing the tent. Dirty & Stained canvas (especially the top), ripped mosquito netting (why bother when it has holes), uneven floor boards with the stain worn off, bathtub was dirty (would not even think about using the tub) and bathroom (toilet) just as basic as could be and full of bugs and ants. This is off-grid shabby style camping, not glamping. ||The first evening dinner which was held outside looked to be romantic or at least comfortable. However, there was not enough lighting on the food display or the tables, which just made for an uncomfortable dining experience. Thankfully the weather on last day forced the dinner inside under the main tent. At least then we could see what we were eating.||This is a very small lodge and they do not have their own guides for the game drives. They outsourced to other lodges or contracted guides. We were lucky to have 2 decent game drives but the full day game drive in Kruger was another disappointment. The guide was terrible and spent the entire day on her phone checking her text messages for her chef job. She clearly had better things to do than be with us.||There is only wifi at the main tent (where the reception & dining space is). So once you are in your tent for the night, that's it. No wifi for you, which is just being cheap on their part.||The pool is big enough for 3 people, certainly not big enough for the amount of tents they have. The filter was off for most of the day and when we returned from a very hot bush walk, the pool water was not clean. I could see little worms at the bottom of the pool. Many of the floor boards around the pool were loose and in bad condition.||They are located in a reserve that is fenced off from Kruger so don't expect to see lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards on the property. Only animals around the tents were birds, turtles and a few reptiles near the water. ||The food was very good. A nice variety and some local dishes were delicious. It was probably the highlight of the 3 days.||Devin, the owner, and the rest of the staff were very nice and pleasant to talk you and very accommodating. However, the condition of the camp, including the tents, walkways and pool do not justify the cost per night. The entire camp needs an...

Our self catering Bush House had 3 bedrooms for the 6 of us, a large drawing/dining room, a kitchen with a fridge, dish washing machine, a can of drinking water, a gas stove and vessels + crockery for all of us. The small pool in the raised porch had warm water and everyone enjoyed sitting in the pool with drinks & snacks. But the best was the view of the wild animals just outside the fencing of the Ngama Bush House. There were giraffes, zebras, impala (deer) that we saw from within the fences. My son Arvind insisted that it was the best part of his South Africa holiday, staying in this fenced Nagma Bush House, surrounded by wildlife all around us. Hence in my review, I increased to 5 stars from 4 stars.

We were however told not to walk out of the fenced area as these are wild animals and could harm us. There were also wild dogs which my son heard early morning just outside the fence. And we accosted a herd of wild Cape Buffalo, when we left in Devin Scott's Land Cruiser, just 10 minutes away from the Bush House/Lodge. But the best was our trip to and through part of Kruger National Park with Devin Scott, our guide, who is the owner of the Ngama Lodge. He was always pleasant and very knowledgeable, with keen observation. With his expert guiding, we saw 4 out of the big 5 animals of Kruger: leopard, wild Cape Buffalo, a pride of lions, herds of elephants. We also saw many herds of impala (deer), kudu antelopes, many groups of zebras, wildebeests, giraffes. We also were shown different birds native to this area.

The only downside was in our living quarters: the tub didn't drain well,in the one bathroom shared by 4 of one family, though we only used the shower above the tub. The other couple had a lovely room overlooking the bush country outside, but the sliding glass door of the shower had come off the roller below. Also, it was stuffy cos the windows could not open due to mosquitoes, insects, spiders, etc. The 2 portable fans cooled the room, however. Suggestion: please put windows with metal mosquito mesh (sliding or regular windows) in addition to the present glass windows, so one can open the glass windows if needed , but still keep out the the insects, mosquitoes and monkeys. Thx Devin Scott....

What an experience. If you want to take your glamping to the next level then please carry on reading.||On arrival Millicent greeted us with the best smile we have ever seen. And offered us welcome drinks.||Shortly after we were escorted to our tent. It is a place to chill with some extra features, if you know what I mean. Outside shower, bath that can be seen from the bed. Nothing more, nothing less.||Let me tell you where the true experience kicks in. The staff are the most helpful and friendliest we have ever experienced.||The food, my God!! Thank you Nomvulo and Wendy for cooking the best representation of African cuisine. Gordan Ramsey can come learn a thing or two from you. And best part, you can have seconds. The kicker, you get breakfast too!!||Now wait for this, we go on a game drive with Tanya. She has 10 years of ranger experience and boy oh boy does it show. She explained everything from how the soil gets it’s nutrients to termite colonies. How trees can change scent, next moment she started tracking animals and before you know it we were on wild dogs chasing after a leopard with it’s kill.||Not long and she spots a leopard in the thick of the bush, did you read that, we saw a freggin leopard in the 700 hectare camp we sleep in a tent in.||If you are a lover of nature and love the call of an Hyena at 3am, a Bushbaby screaming at midnight, bush buck strolling past while you shower, and monkeys galavanting on your roof then book a stay, and book a game drive with Tanya.||Our stay will not be forgotten thanks Ngama lodge for a damn...