Panzi Lodge

The lodge-organized drives were amazing, and we're grateful to Irene and Charmaine for making everything feel perfect. Breakfast and dinner were served every day and both were delicious. The staff were so friendly that the whole stay felt like a dream. We spent four nights at Panzi Lodge in a comfortable wooden chalet. Each morning we spotted small animals wandering around, and sometimes saw buffaloes, zebras and giraffes from the viewing deck. It was a remarkable experience.

I really enjoyed staying at panzi lodge. The staff were friendly, helpful and fun, and the food was fresh, delicious and local. There's a dam nearby where you can fish too. The town is a 30-40 minute drive away. I'd recommend this lodge to anyone looking to have a good time in South Africa.

The staff at Panzi made the stay: everyone, from reception to the kitchen and housekeeping team, was polite and professional. We were given refillable water bottles when we arrived, a thoughtful touch. The lodge sits beautifully in the bush, though walking between our room and the restaurant could feel a little unnerving. Keep an eye on the monkeys and shut your room door. We spent four days there in August. The reserve is full of wildlife, and we saw animals on the morning and evening drives as well as on a walk where we got close to zebras and giraffes. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Kruger National Park and near other reserves. Of the Big Five, the reserve has leopard and buffalo, but we didn’t spot a leopard during our stay. The food was great, though I’d have liked more vegetarian choices, especially at lunch.

The food was a real highlight: fresh, delicious dinners in generous portions, and I looked forward to seeing the menu each evening after our day trips. Charmaine and the team made me feel at home as soon as I arrived. They’re friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to arrange outings, and they take an interest in you beyond being a guest. Panzi Lodge has a lovely rustic feel, with a pool, a platform for watching the sunset, animals wandering around, and fires both indoors and out. I stayed there while visiting Kruger National Park and the Panorama Route, and would happily recommend it.