Mziki Safari Lodge

We had such an amazing time in this beautiful familiar Mziki Safari Lodge. From the first moment on we felt more than welcome. The nice rooms with the great bathrooms and really good beds, the outside area with the pool, the cute bar with the huge choice and the extraordinary stuff especially Reggie our Ranger made our vacation unforgettable. His knowledge and love to the nature, the animals and to this lodge made every game drive and moment magical ✨ We are really looking forward to come back ❤️ Thank you for everything ❣️

Now is a great time to visit the Mziki lodge. We had the entire place to ourselves for a mid week trip with our 2 year old daughter - as Covid is still keeping international tourists away. Although local SA residents still visit over the weekends. Instead of a reduced service due to the lack of guests - we felt like royalty. A full breakfast buffet platter and cooked breakfast were provided just for the three of us. The evening meals, including Braai, were laid on by the open fire. The cook made a real effort to prepare food for our daughter - toddlers can be fussy - and often extra fruit and ice-cream. The staff were amazing during our visit - changing safari drive times and duration to accommodate our daughter. Including a successful early morning fishing trip. We got to see crocodiles, rhinos, monkeys, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and countless other animals and birds. During the hot part of the day, the pool is a great place to relax. The climbing frame and extensive fenced grounds provided enough space for our daughter to play.

Zola (the ranger) was fantastic and really tried to sort things out for us. But that’s where the good review ends. We were celebrating my husband’s 40th birthday and I was willing to pay the quoted amount for a memorable experience. Added to this were the amazing reviews from previous guests. What we got… a tiny room for 4 people (advertised as a family room) with a mattress on the floor for my kids and 2 single beds with single duvet covers pushed together for us. Run down facilities and clearly no maintenance for a long time. Chalet door doesn’t open properly/without force. Seating area at the pool - dirty, pool - dirty, food - we got a boiled egg with mayonnaise on a cucumber slice as a starter for the first night. The rest of the food was equally disappointing and there was no choice - You got what the chef felt like making (this goes for the kids too). No manager around to discuss our concerns. From the owner answering all my emails immediately to secure a booking and payment to no response at all since I complained about zero value for money (on Saturday). Activities advertised are not even available, eg barge cruise not operational, spa is outsourced and only if therapist 60km’s away is available. I cannot comprehend the price paid for what we got. Another couple at the Lodge had the same experience (see review on ***********). So disappointed that this is what my husband will remember for his 40th.

Great stay for a few days. Missing a couple of the big five but overall pretty good. Quiet and not too big. Great service, very good food and very friendly staff. I would come back. Thanks to the team.

Stayed here with husband and two kids (age 9 and 13) in February 2024. I returned back a new woman - with renewed respect for the bush, diversity of animals, the smells and sounds of nature and how humans interact with them all. And the warmth and humour of South African hospitality. So many amazing animals on the two safari drives per day: Giraffes, Elephants, Crocodiles, Buffalo, Zebra, Ostrich, Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Nyala, Kudu, Hartebeest, Warthogs - as well as beautiful birds, insects, spiders etc. Rangers were knowledgeable, friendly, answered any/every question, and built positive relationships with everyone, including the kids. Hotel was comfortable, clean, with a relaxing ambience. Between the morning and evening game drives, there were several hours to swim in the pool, read a book, do archery, play volleyball and to relax and just read a book in the shade under the beautiful trees. For the kids there was a 'junior ranger' programme run by the rangers - they learnt how to build a fire or a shelter, how to track animals, how to purify water - and made friends with many of the other friendly guests too. The playground worked a treat for the younger kids. The food was great - homely, healthy and good portions. There were drinks and snacks available all day too. Hospitality and customer service from the staff was wonderful - all staff so friendly and did so much to make us feel welcome and comfortable. It was an amazing holiday. The best. Manuela, Devon and the rest of the staff will look after you, and help you fall a little bit more in love with the South African Bushveld.