Nyathi Rest Camp — Hotel in Sundays River Valley Local Municipality

I'm sorry, but Nyathi does not deserve 5 stars.

The positives are a very pretty setting. Really pretty. Even though the road to this section, through a gate and no side "loops", as there are pre-existing traversing rights, was always a really pleasant drive to the camp.

The bungalow architectural concept is both modern and very practical and, weather permitting, the decks and braai facility promise great experiences. All 11 units have theoretical sight of the water hole, which is not floodlit. There is daily servicing of the units. Game is seen most of the time in the vicinity of the camp. We saw an elephant, a rhino and, on a number of occasions, eland, hartebees, kudu, zebra and mongoose. Warthog are plentiful and may well pose a problem in time, as they are quite aggressive towards antelope etc..

Then to the negative. The building standards in erecting the units are atrocious. Our deck was sagging near the braai.

The adjacent splash pool, in almost all the units, had large cracks and there were also indications of subsidence.

The camp attendants (one good one - an ex guide - and one quite pleasant but totally uninvolved one) try to keep the splash pools clean and top them up each day, but it is a tremendous waste of water in a water sensitive environment. Why have them?

Then the kicker. Both our shower and kitchen sink drains were blocked. The shower was simply a matter of clearing the drain of the usual accumulation of debris, but it was quite clear that the kitchen sink will always be a problem, as the drain, under the deck sloped UPWARDS. For this to be evident a few years after the build is simply unacceptable. It is not the standard maintenance crew who are responsible. They do what they can and are told to do.

This is about the park management not being on top of their facilities. In summary it is three stars as I had to clean out the kitchen sink drain every day for the six days we spent there.

There is no excuse for basic upkeep...

Nyathi Rest Camp is exclusive in that it is in a section others can't get to. It is a drive through a section north of the R342 road, into a valley in the hills that has much wildlife, including a rhino, which apparently is not in the main part of the park. The 6-person family cottage we had was spacious, had lovely beds, linens and bathrooms, enough pots and pans and a braai (bbq) facility, its own splash pool, bedroom air conditioners and dstv (satellite tc). Somebody came to clean daily (surprise to me). The splash pool could really use better maintenance or else it would bot be worthwhile - at least a net to scoop out the monkey poop daily! (I was ok with this, I mean it is an outdoor pool in a wild area). Windows could be open for a draught, but should be left closed when unattended because monkeys and birds come in and steal food and poop inside. A downside of staying here is that guided night game drives cannot be taken (only from main camp and at Nyathi one is locked inside a separate game area). Night drives are usually very recommended, but the quiet private viewing opportunities at Nyathi in the evenings more than made up for my disappointment about the night drive. Without stopping game viewing, driving from Addo main camp reception to the Nyathi rest camp...

After reading lots of reviews - (lots of incorrect info), I decided to write this review. Firstly, the camp is only 12 km's from the main camp. It is an approx 30 min drive - ( without stopping) through the main Addo camp. However, we stopped many times to take pics as there were many animal sightings on route. The drive to the camp is a safari on its own. The gravel road is in a good condition and the 7 "cement built bridges" -water streams we crossed were mostly dry. We stayed in chalet 8 for 3 days . Amazing accommodation ( I just recommended new pillows and a new dish drying rack.) The views are amazing and the staff were fabulous. King checked on us regularly and ensured that all our needs were met. I would highly recommend this camp. It is not as commercialized as the main camps in the park and the setting, peace and tranquility is 5 stars. We'll done Nyathi! We...