Malkoha Lake St. Lucia

The food 😍😍, the great wifi, and all the activities gave us plenty to praise. Most of all, the team was a pleasure to deal with. We felt at home from the moment we arrived until the very last minute, and the whole place is wonderfully managed. Our 4 year old kept saying he wanted to stay behind because “they love me here.” He really felt that love, just like we did. That's rare. Your team is the diamond of the place.

We were meant to stay four nights but left after one, willing to lose what we'd paid because the experience was so bad. We arrived at 23:30 after a long drive from Mpumalanga and left again at 6:00 in the morning. I hated the experience before the stay had even properly begun. The drive to the establishment was awful. There were no clear signs, cows everywhere, and at one point the largest herd we'd ever seen blocked us. The hotel lady asked if we couldn't get out of the car and shoo them away. Really, she expected us to do that? The website had directions only from DBN and JHB, not from where we'd come. At 23:30, in the dark with mosquitoes biting me all over, they made us sign a check-in form. Couldn't that have waited until morning? The bedding was dirty, with brown pillows and orange spots, so it was hard to sleep even for the one night. I ordered kingklip as room service because we wouldn't make it in time for dinner. They left it in a hot room, and it smelled off and didn't seem fresh. Fish shouldn't be left in heat like that for a period of time. The furniture is outdated, and the bathroom, shower, and toilet need work. All they have are views, and that only gets you so far.

A stunning boat cruise with a knowledgeable guide, and we saw loads of wildlife. The walks through the thick forest were lovely, with animals all around. We were welcomed with complimentary drinks, and staff were so friendly, giving us personal attention at every turn. Absolutely spectacular.

We celebrated my son’s 30th and my mom’s 80th birthdays at Malkoha Lake Lodge (formerly Nibela Lodge), and the whole family had an amazing getaway. The entire team was kind, professional, and attentive. Mbuzo Mkhize handled every detail with such care, and Chef Tabiso’s five-star meals and personal touch made the visit unforgettable. Nobuhle surprised us with high tea, and Phindile kept everything spotless and left nightly treats. We'll definitely be back to see the new Malkoha shine! 🌿✨