Went for just a day trip for my Wife's birthday. Great breakfast, lunch and Game drive. Then back for swim with my young daughter in the pool overlooking the bush. Great day out
Loved the lodge. I really liked that they had a watering hole in which the animals came and drank from. The food was marvelous and the drinks were delicious. They gave the drinks when you arrive on the lodge and also when you come back from the Safari. We went during an off time so we didn't see any lions but we did see a whole lot of elephants and giraffes. We also saw a rhino and an ostrich. Getting into the Safari game lodge was not ideal, they had no signs and we got lost leaving. I would suggest maybe some signs to get out of the place. Scariest hour of my life!!
Privately owned, Boutique, ask guests are have their needs catered for individually and made to feel as though they are the only guest. few
Its very upmarket with high standards and five stars
I loved Etali.
Sue and Gordon (the owners) ensure that the service levels are always high. They run the place efficiently and they love it soooo much. They are really amazing and they make Etali.
The suites are stunning and I loved sitting on my private deck at night just listening to the animal noises.
The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because even though the food was great, it was not the best I have had in Madikwe. However, the service and the attention to detail really went a long way to make up for it.
This has to be one of the best family friendly lodges in Madikwe.
Lovely secluded place with friendly staff. Definetly needs to be on anyones bucket list
Loved our stay and a big thank you for making us feel so welcome. The lodge is so well planned. The bedrooms are well appointed and masses of space for 3 large people. The water hole is an added joy. The food was good and plenty of scope is given to fuss pot eaters, such as us. Sienna's cold is better, thanks for her ginger tea with fresh lemon. The height of the game drives, was the splendid designer home of the banded mongooses. We were very privileged to see the family enjoying their home. Sienna says I'm to end the review with " it our pleasure to stay with you". " It's my/our pleasure" is the motto for the lodge and all the staff say it and mean it! You are made very welcome and clearly "it is a pleasure" for them to attend their guests.
The lodge is superb - lovely, large chalets overlooking the reserve, excellent food and service and a waterhole right in front of the lodge. We would have rated Etali 5 stars but our field guide was not good. He has since left Etali so hopefully he had been replaced with a more humble and client-focused guide.
My mother and I had a fantastic time, game drives with Baksy and Francois, all the staff were amazing managing to go above and beyond our expectations. Mum went for a bush walk with John D and I went tracking with another ranger. We saw and learned a lot, the food was fresh and extremely tasty and eating in the boma on the pan was an experience. We saw everything without any stress and enjoyed our little bit of downtime on the deck watching the elephants from the splash pool. On our last day we saw our own (almost) lion kill.
Thanks to all and will be back.
Rosie & Rory Sims.
WE stayed at the Lodge in a group of 13 in early October 2013. We all described the Lodge as excellent, that includes house staff, safari guides & drivers. Plus the boss who was great to talk to about all things Safari and SA. We loved the food and the accommodation was 5 star. The waterhole out the front which attracted all the animals was a major talking point & photo opportunity. The Safari trips were excellent although I did not always feel ready for the 5.00am wake up call. but it was worth every minute of the trip we saw all the animals of Africa including the Big 5. WE spent 22 hours searching but we never missed and the guides are so helpful in ensuring that you get close for the great photo shot. we loved being escorted to and from our room after dark with a guide with a gun. We also enjoyed the BBQ are and the surprise breakfast on safari. Congratulations you should all be so proud of Etali Safari Lodge.