Ndlovu Addo River Lodge — Hotel in Sundays River Valley Local Municipality

It is clear that the owners want to maximise profit with minimum efforts. Off coarse, the cleaning lady and the gardener do a fantastic job, the place is spotless. But when we arrived in the evening (half hour past check-in time) during a thunderstorm, which is quite a challenge on the dirt roads, all interaction was via whatsapp messages. I asked to have a phone call to address some questions I was having, but is was not possible (“i am having dinner with family…”). In addition to that, the location is not very ideal. It’s half an hour drive from Addo Elephant resort (it’s not in Addo, as the name says misleadingly, but between Sunland and Kirkwood) and there is no restaurant. You can order lasagne and heat it up yourself in the room. For this level of accomodation it’s quite unsatisfying. The second night we made braai in the lodge, this was very nice. But the supermarket is half an hour away. You must plan very well. When you go out for dinner in Addo in the evening (as we did on our third night), you find yourself in returning in the dark on unlit dirt roads, passing past a township. Not ideal at all ! There are better...

Utterly peaceful and tranquil setting with upmarket accommodation along the Sundays river. Sophia is an excellent host who wants to ensure her guests are comfortable and enjoy their stay. The cottages are lovely. I stayed in cottage 5, which had a comfortable king size bed, air conditioning, full bathroom, separate toilet and an adequate kitchen. The veranda overlooks the river as the garden slopes towards the river. It's a stunning setting and you are bound to thoroughly enjoy your stay here. This would make a romantic getaway for a couple or a retreat in nature for a solo traveler. There are also kayaks which you can use to kayak on the river just practice normal precautions. Granted there's a 5km stretch of gravel roads, between the orchards, from the point where you turn off the R336. You need to take it slow over these roads. If you have a bakkie or 4x4 it's even better. So it's best to ensure you have everything you need and want for your stay, such as your braai meat etc. Happy New Year everyone and happy safe...

My wife and I stayed at Ndlovu River Lodge for a week, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! We absolutely loved being down by the river, surrounded by nature, with a breathtaking variety of birds all around. The fish eagles, giant kingfishers, and the brown-hooded kingfisher were real highlights for us as birding enthusiasts.

Sophia and her husband Luc run the lodge exceptionally well, ensuring everything is spotless and the staff is always friendly. When my wife fell ill during our stay, they even went above and beyond by providing her with some medication, which we really appreciated.

If you're a nature lover, a fan of birdwatching, or simply looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, I would highly recommend Ndlovu River Lodge for its peaceful surroundings, excellent service, and clean, well-kept facilities. We can't wait to return!

Thank you,...