aha Skukuza Safari Lodge

A peaceful, welcoming place to unwind and enjoy the area. The Skukuza Hotel was comfortable and well looked after, and the staff were friendly and attentive throughout. We had a lovely stay from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

The road to the lodge was fantastic, with the kind of beautiful wildlife you hope to see along the way. The accommodation itself was a letdown. I know people come to Kruger National Park for the Big 5 and wildlife, and that a lodge can apparently charge whatever it likes, BUT it still needs to be clean. The switches should work, the shower should drain properly, and it can get a bit chilly. Disappointing.

The big, clean pool, spacious public areas, comfortable room size and efficient, if slightly noisy, air conditioner were some positives. The compact bar served a good gin, though we had to wait and then call the barman from the back of the house. Those few things aside, this was deeply disappointing for the pricey rack rate and for international tourists visiting Kruger. Reception smelled bad, and we had to beg for help with our bags. The front desk and bar gave conflicting information, while staff were distracted by personal phones when serving guests. Management was nowhere to be seen, with no supervision or apparent concern for guests. Staff training also seemed questionable. Check-out took 15 minutes and felt like a waste. Our musty room had poorly designed loose taps that kept spilling water onto the floor. The door closer was broken, so the door slammed like a gunshot. TV wires looked like a Hamerkop nest. It seemed the rooms weren't being inspected or maintained. In the dining room, part of the space was cordoned off because of extensive, very old water damage to the laminated wood floor, with no sign of repairs. The à la carte menu was very limited, and the beef sirloin was the toughest and worst I've tasted. Without the pool, public areas, room size and air conditioner, this place would barely earn more than one star. It's disguised as a small-city 2-star hotel.

Some people want their safari accommodation to feel like the bush, while others prefer urban comforts surrounded by wilderness. We're in that second group, and Skukuza safari lodge suited us perfectly. The spacious rooms have modern amenities and are very comfortable. You can enjoy the wild once you step outside. Those wanting a more rustic setting have other options within the Skukuza Rest Camp.