Ndhula Luxury Tented Lodge

We had three wonderful evenings at ndhula tented lodge, each staff member we had interactions with were so friendly and welcoming, they really delivered an outstanding experience from check in to check out. The rooms were kept spotless everyday along with the bar and restaurant area, our meals were all included in the price and they put on a delicious spread of food each night. We had a massage one evening in the most beautiful setting, each morning we left early to go on safari and the lodge had arranged breakfast to go which was a nice touch. I really wish we could have taken advantage of using the pool but we were there in winter and it was too cold, if the pool had been heated you couldn’t have got me out of there. I can highly recommend Ndhula tented lodges and if get the chance to return I would want to stay there again.

I did not book this hotel directly as it came as a part of a package holiday i booked but i simply couldn’t have chosen better myself. Firstly it is a beautiful place set in among a larger compound with very visible security so you automatically relax and feel safe. It was our base for 2 days safari in Kruger National Park and it is maybe 45 minutes to the gates of the park from the Lodge. On Arrival we were greeted by 2 Giraffes on the hotel grounds so you were in no doubt you were in Africa. The “tents” are very spacious with 2 single beds as you enter, behind the beds are the toilet and walk in shower, the tent is spotless and very comfortable The evening meal is a buffet style and all 3 nights were very tasty indeed and on the final night the staff laid on a wee show of traditional South African dancing for us Breakfast was supplied as a packed breakfast because we were a 5.30am start for our safari trips. The prices from the bar were incredibly cheap for a hotel Finally the biggest praise must go to the very friendly and professional staff, they were magnificent Highly Recommended

I was very disappointed by my stay at Ndhula Lodge for many reasons. First, we booked a safari for 2 people which was billed as a private safari. However, on the morning of the tour we were "pleasantly" surprised when there were 2 additional people on our safari that scared away the animals, did not come back at required meeting time and made the experience poor at best. When we settled our bill - the lodge charged us for a private 2 person safari despite this being a four person safari (non-private). When asked to follow up and discuss further there was no follow up and I wonder where the additional money went (made me concerned about the integrity of the lodge). Moreover, the lodge caters only to large groups and neglects couples and smaller parties. They forgot our packed breakfast one morning despite multiple reminders and a planned safari for months ahead. They set smaller parties away in the corner at meals and away from the buffet with customer service neglecting couples. Overall, I was very upset with my experience, and I would NOT recommend staying at this lodge due to predatory pricing, poor customer service, and lack of catering to small groups and couples.

On arrival, there was a Giraffe in front of the hotel. Other animals we saw in the grounds later were Impala, Kudu, more Giraffes, Wildebeest, Frogs. On one night, I looked out of the window of our tent at 1am and there was a Giraffe eating a tree right in front of our balcony. We loved all of this. Calling our accommodation a tent gives the wrong impression really, because didn't really feel like a tent once inside. The bedroom area had a wooden frame with glass windows at the front, with a proper wooden framed door and lock. The bedroom was decorated nicely and the bathroom was spacious, with a separate toilet, again with a proper, wooden door. The shower was powerful and the water drained away through wooden slats, which you stand on in the shower. There were two sinks in the bathroom, a big mirror, rustic towel rail, liquid soap, hand cream, shower/hair gel and clean white towels. A good hairdryer was in the dressing room, which was between the bedroom and shower room. Also there was a fridge, kettle, cafetiere, tissues (although these ran out and were not refilled for us). Coffee and teas were provided, as well as fress milk in the fridge. A free safe was in the small clothes hanging area and there were wooden slatted shelves for storage. This was a large, sturdy, thick canvas tent. There was a balcony area outside with chairs and the whole thing was off the ground on wooden slats. We saw no creepy crawlies in the tent and we were not bitten by anything either. Never saw a Mosquito. We had 40 degrees hot weather, where we needed the air conditioning on all night, which blew towards the bed, cooled us and probably would keep Mosquitoes away if there were any. However, on a cooler day of about 25 degrees, the tent was cold at night. There was an electric blanket on each side of the bed, which I used on one night. The lighting in the tent was good. So if you worry about staying in a tent, don't. I would imagine it could get quite cold some nights and also, we could hear birds, the rain and thunder very well through the canvas but to be honest, it all added to the safari, natural feel of the place. The restaurant, bar, pool and BBQ areas were all really nice. The staff were helpful and friendly. The views from everywhere were amazing. We had packed breakfasts on two mornings as we left at 5am to go to Kruger National Park. The food provided for us in the bags was excellent. One evening, we were taken up to a view point in the hotel 4x4s for drinks at sunset. That was very enjoyable. We had two traditional type BBQs and they were quite good. All good so far. Now, the reasons I didn't give the hotel 5/5: The path down to the tents was very steep and was of sand and gravel. You could go a slightly longer way down a block paved drive, but you still had to walk on dirt and gravel to your tent. This did not feel like "luxury" and we both slipped on the gravel, with one of our party actually falling over as the path was also very uneven. The only sing

We stayed here over valentines weekend. The tent was amazing, good comfortable bed, excellent shower. Sleep quality was good, and so was the food, great variety of South African food, very impressive. The staff is friendly and helpful. I’d stay here again.

Luckily we stayed here for two nights (02/22 - 02/24, 2020). We have never slept in such a luxurious tent in our lives!!! Wow. We had everything that one would have in a hotel room. We even had a walk in shower. They not only offer tents, you can also rent a chalet. The tents are in the middle of the wild. The staff go out of their way to help you and are very friendly, making you feel at home. They serve very delicious food at the hotel restaurant. There are wild animals all over the place. We saw Gnus and Impalas when we arrived. They told us that it is nothing unusual to see Giraffes walking in between the tents when you get up in the morning. And that is what we indeed experienced. We would definitely stay here again!!!