Northern Province Hotels

tompt
Reviews: 2523

3 out of 5 stars User Rating

Itaga Private Game Lodge: 5 star luxury

Staying at Itaga is about enjoying and relaxing. From the momnet you arrive the staff does everything to make you comfortable. You hand in your car keys and your luggage shows up in your cabin. Your car is put away and if you need anything else just ask for it.

We thought it was a little bit too much. We like to have control over our own schedule or at least control over our stuff. We could easily have carried our own luggage from the car to the cabin, and would have gone back to the car ourselves for the books that where in the glove compartment.
But i guess you should relax and unwind (easier said than done)

The rates include brunch, high tea, dinner and two game drives a day.
They will wake you up for the morning game drive brunch will be ready upon return. The afternoon game drive leaves right after the high tea. And when you come back diner is served. Dinner is a choice which the cook will discuss with you over high tea.

The floodlight waterpool in front of the restaurant. You can enjoy the animals that come to drink here while having a candle light dinner.
And ofcourse the outside shower at each cabin.

Our verdict:
Too much stars for us, but if you like luxury this is it.

Opinion of Price: N/A
Related to: Photography
Written November 23, 2008

Cabin at Itaga

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tompt
Reviews: 2523

5 out of 5 stars User Rating

Kings Chalet in Kololo Game Reserve: A hunters chalet

The Kings Chalet in Kololo Game Reserve gives you that luxury safari feeling. The Kings Lodge is a former house of a hunter. There are lots of trophy's on the walls. But the large of the house and its master bedroom are something you have to see in order to believe it.
The door into the hallway is as large as an average garage door. In this hall there is a dining table which seats at least 8 people. Next to the hall there is a very large kitchen, a large living room an absolutely great terrace and two bedrooms. The master bedroom is very large and the bath, shower and toilet are all shining gold coloured.
The chalet has its own swimming pool and boma for outdoor activity. From the terrace you can see over the lower areas of Kololo and look straight into Welgevonden, the next door Big Five park.
Above the garage there is a third bedroom. This way the Kings Chalet sleeps 6.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner was served in Kololo's restaurant.

Kololo is a small reserve that doesn't have dangerous animals. Therefor you can ride a bike in the reserve. Bikes are available free of charge. But you also go for a walk, all walks take about an hour and are marked.
The Kings Chalet is sheer luxury and gives an extra Africa feeling, while watching the sunset with from the veranda.

Our verdict:
Kings Chalet is great and Kololo very relaxing. Book for two nights and you will not get boared. Three is too much, as the game reserve is really small (500 ha)

Opinion of Price: about average
Related to: Eco-Tourism, Photography
Written November 9, 2008

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tompt
Reviews: 2523

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

Sable Lodge: Small but wonderfull

It was not easy to find the Sable Lodge, located in Mabula Game Reserve. The guy at the gate of Mabula didn't know it existed. But after a phone call he directed us to the timeshare reception. There the receptionist had to ask someone else but then came with a map. It was the last building following a road out of the reception area. At the last exit there was first sign that said Sable Lodge.
The Sable Lodge was fabulous though. They have four private chalets and a living area for communal use. In the living area there is also a large kitchen and a bar. As we were with six and the only guests we had it all to ourselves. Rebecca, the ranger who was around the entire day, arranged everything for us. She was also the one that took us on gamedrives in the lodges own open jeep.
Breakfast and Dinner was served in the Mabula Lodge, a 5 minute drive away.
But you also book self catering and have your own 'braai' outside the living area.

The Sable Lodge is located in a private game reserve on a very quiet spot, at the end of the road. Directly in the wilderness.
The living area of the lodge is really great, with several sitting areas, in and outdoors.

Our verdict:
We would probably book here again, and not in the very luxurious nearby Mabula Lodge.

Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
Related to: Birdwatching, Photography, Luxury Travel
Written November 9, 2008

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Bacardi-Girl
Reviews: 3

5 out of 5 stars User Rating

Garonga Safari Camp: Relaxation, we found it.

Its really a safari for the soul, Garonga Safari Camp was our first stop in South Africaafter a long flight from Northern Ireland via Heathrow.

Garonga itself has no timetable or regime. From the sweeping panorama of your tented room to the open plan of the main Lodge, relaxation was the theme. The friendly staff got you settled in and then let you drift off. There was no hype for the game drives but they explained the opportunities and facilities offered at Garonga, from the Bush Baths to the Sleep Outs and of course a whole range of relaxation therapies.

Overlooking a bend in the dry riverbed with a couple of watering holes, each tented room was open plan with indoor and outdoor shower ( Try it you'll like it ). The outdoor shower is semi enclosed and you've got to see the website to appreciate the rooms, better yet just go and enjoy.

Your evening meal at Garonga is a social gathering some nights or intimate tables romantically lit around the main Lodge building. The menu is constantly changing and the food is devine. Breakfast seved after the morning Game Drive is either a healthy mix or a "belly busting fry". Tasty homemade snacks are available all day and a delicious "tea" of cakes/scones etc is served before the evening Game Drive.

If you want to just "veg' out ".... there's the pool or the sun deck or the Therapy Sala but anywhere you are in the Camp, the staff are just "ghosting" waiting to provide you with anything they can.

There are 2 Game drives on offer each day ( dawn and sunset ) with a Driver and Tracker in each vehicle. Guests are never packed in .... we did pass a neighbouring Camp's vehicle with every seat wedged full, not Garongas style. Ticking wildlife off some list is definitely not the aim here, but you'll see animals and beautiful scenery that you'll never forget.

Thanks Garonga, be seein' you again.

The Tented rooms with solid walls fashioned to appear like local mud walls and roofed with canvas create an incredibly relaxing atmosphere.

We especially liked the wooden decks overlooking the dry riverbed where the game came to drink from 2 waterholes, while you sipped your drinks served by the ever helpful staff.

An "infinity " pool is there if you feel the need or just want a plece to "veg" out and read a book.....its all there, and if not just ask the staff.

Opinion of Price: about average
Related to: Photography, Safari, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
Written September 22, 2006

Our Members Say

Itaga Private Game Lodge: 5 star luxury

Kings Chalet in Kololo Game Reserve: A hunters chalet

Sable Lodge: Small but wonderfull

Garonga Safari Camp: Relaxation, we found it.

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