Blyde River Wilderness Lodge

We booked just one night and regretted not having longer. This little bush retreat is worth the extra 20-minute drive on a dirt road from where Google takes you, though I wouldn't choose it as a quick stop on the panorama route if you don't have time. The staff were very friendly, the food excellent, and the rooms even nicer than the pictures, in a classic bush lodge style. They also upgraded our room for free. Dinner is quite pricey, but we'd definitely try to come back.

After travelling halfway across the world, this was a perfect place to ease into the trip. It's a small, beautiful lodge right by the river, with delicious food and a very friendly, welcoming staff. The owner was sociable with guests, which was nice, and we saw zebra and giraffe on the property between the gates.

The location is beautiful, but it felt overpriced. Dinner was the same meal with a different kind of meat, and there wasn't anything exciting about it. The lamb we had one evening was tough and fatty. We paid less at a private safari camp inside the Kruger National Park and had a much better experience there. This place also isn't central, so you have to drive a long way to reach other attractions.

They treated us like royalty, even washing my car every morning. The staff were incredibly friendly and went beyond what I expected, and the customer service was outstanding. Everything we needed was in the accommodation. It really felt like home away from home, and the food was absolutely delicious. We had the most succulent fillet steak ever.