Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge

We booked through Trip.com, then tried to arrange a pickup from Kruger airport. The lodge kept giving us incorrect payment instructions and never replied when we asked if we could pay on arrival. We ended up renting a car, but the driving directions they gave us were wrong too, and we got stuck on a dirt road. When we called, they denied giving us those directions, even though they were still on their website. They didn’t help or call us back. We gave up our paid stay and went to another lodge. Great online photos don’t help when the service is this poor for the price and simply getting there becomes a disaster. I can’t trust them.

The rooms were great, and the food was better than at other lodges we’ve stayed at. Some staff and the manager were excellent too. Still, this wasn’t as polished as other safari lodges, and the strict schedule left little room to make the most of our time. We landed at MQP at noon and reached the lodge at 4:30 after a long transfer, but the evening drive had already left at 4. Since we were grouped with other game drives, we couldn’t head out later on our own. Our safaris also included two other couples, six guests in one vehicle, unlike the other drives we’d been on. WiFi worked only in the common area, which was difficult, and some morning staff didn’t respond when we asked for coffee. Wednesday and Saturday meals are communal. That didn’t bother us, though it might bother other guests.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner came with wildlife watching from the terrace. Elephants, impala, buffalo, hyenas and others regularly visited the waterhole right in front of the lodge. We also saw the Big Five on our drives. Suitboy was a fantastic game driver, very knowledgeable, kind and considerate, and we felt safe with him. He really paid attention to his guests. The staff were all wonderful, with Morgan and Given especially standing out for their service. The lodge was beautiful, the food and drinks were delicious, and the Chef went out of their way for us. We left full and happy, with a trip we can’t recommend highly enough.

We had a memorable stay at Hoyo Hoyo. The rooms were clean and luxurious, with an exotic feel, and the staff were welcoming and kind. We saw elephants, giraffes, water buffalo, a lioness, impalas and plenty more on safari. The food was amazing. Highly recommend!