Find 5 Star Hotels in Makalali Game Reserve from AED 415

"The Pondoro experience is first class from beginning to end! The location is stunning and we watched hippo, crocs, giraffe, elephants and all sorts from our room. The games drives led by the wonderful Shadlack and Dion were breathtaking, with the big 5 and all manner of wildlife seen on multiple occasions. They also hosted a river walk which showed us how they look for tracks and gave a very different perspective to the hippos and crocs! All the staff at the lodge are fantastic, there is a warm welcome every day and a real personal touch with attention to details that makes each day special. The food is exceptional and would definitely recommend the lunchtime picnic if you get the opportunity."

"My daughter and I had the absolute privilege of staying at Ezulwini in August 2024. I first want to acknowledge the amazing and knowledgeable staff who absolutely made our stay. Ange and Craig make quite the team! Glory was accommodating, caring, and personable. While in the Bush, Craig and Shads combined their seemingly unlimited knowledge to answer all our non-stop questions. Even when the animals were feeling shy, Craig was able to teach us about something else within the ecosystem, and usually by the end of the lesson, Shads was able to use his eagle-eyes to track another animal. What really made this lodge stand out was the fact that their approach was respectful to the land on which they live, never exploitative. Each night before an absolutely delicious dinner, we were able to sit down with Ange and Craig who crafted a lesson about local history, the law of the reserves, or about the country of South Africa. The meaningful conversations absolutely made us feel like welcomed friends, rather than simple guests. Of course, it should go without saying, that the accommodations of the resort itself were stunning. The resort’s small number of guest rooms makes the experience feel personal and uniquely tailored to each guest, and the property, which often welcomes many four-legged guests, feels more like an extension of the bush rather than a separate space. I simply cannot recommend this lodge, this team, and this trip enough!"

"This was an amazing experience. The accommodation was clean, spacious and well presented. It accurately reflected the photographs. Outside shower and private pool with personal butler. The food was extremely good and the staff went over and above to exceed our expectations. The food was by far superior than high end restaurants. I really enjoyed the entire stay and can’t fault the experience. It was calm & peaceful in nature. I was sad to leave and will ensure I book for longer in the future."