Kusudalweni Safari Lodge and Spa

The all-inclusive six-night package was great value. I booked at the last minute and came alone, but didn’t have to plan a thing. My itinerary was already sorted and mixed safari drives with a panorama tour. The food was incredible, and they catered really well for my vegetarian diet. Service was outstanding, too. My room was spacious, with a hot tub, loungers, a bath, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Food, service, activities, and lodge all get 10/10.

Our stay at this so-called luxury lodge was terrible, and for what we paid, it felt completely misleading. We booked through an outside tour company that promised luxury lodges inside Kruger and Manyeleti national parks. Instead, this lodge was over an hour from any park entrance and 45 minutes from the main road, inside a fenced, residential-style gated community with a few lodges scattered around. Nothing like what we were told to expect. Management was stingy and unhelpful. Mumsy, who served our meals, was the only person who showed us kindness. Our room, Room 3, was at the far end of the property with no phone reception. There was no hot water, and used towels were just refolded and left for us. We never got fresh ones unless we asked, and we had to ask for nearly everything. For the price and expectations set, the stay was deeply disappointing. It didn’t feel luxurious, authentic, or worth the money. We regret booking it and wouldn’t recommend spending your money here.

We were the only guests, just a group of five, and the employees were kind and attentive throughout. The chef even came out to talk about each meal, which was interesting, and the food was excellent. Our rooms had everything we needed and were comfortable, with private hot tubs and decks where we could watch animals. The all-inclusive package covered meals, drinks, and activities. We enjoyed the game drives and excursions, and appreciated how much the guides knew. An amazing experience, and I highly recommend this lodge.

The bungalows feel like private little hideaways, set apart from each other, with lovely grounds around them. Our family had a great time. The beds were comfortable, the bathrooms were awesome, and Chef Sahah made excellent meals. The staff were friendly and attentive to everyone, making us feel like family. Joe was a top-notch, friendly driver. Kusudalweni Safari Lodge was the best, and we only wished we could stay longer.