Elephant Hill
Elephant Hill, Service Road, Maruleng Ward 6, Maruleng Local Municipality, South Africa- Viewpoint
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Luxurious Chalets with River Views
Pondoro offers three architecturally designed chalets overlooking the Olifants River, each beautifully decorated with an African theme. Enjoy en-suite bathrooms with river views, lounge areas, air-conditioning, and wooden decks for a serene stay.
Fine Dining and Wine Experience
Indulge in a fusion of traditional African and modern European cuisine on the wooden deck with river views. Explore Pondoro’s extensive wine cellar and grab a snack at the bar, all included in your stay for a culinary delight.
Safari Adventures and Relaxation
Embark on morning and evening safari drives, bird-watching, and nature walks led by experienced guides. After exciting wildlife encounters, unwind with classic spa treatments or visit the fitness center for ultimate relaxation.
Book now to experience the perfect blend of luxury, adventure, and relaxation at Pondoro on the Olifants River.
Check-in from
01:00 PM
Check-out by
11:00 AM
Parking
FREE
Children
Allowed
Pets
Not allowed
Sleeps
Up to 2 guests
2 adults · 1 children
Beds
Extra-large double bed (Super-king size) (181-210 cm wide)
Room details
75 sqm
In-room amenities
Sleeps
Up to 2 guests
2 adults · 1 children
Beds
Extra-large double bed (Super-king size) (181-210 cm wide)
Room details
110 sqm
In-room amenities
Sleeps
Up to 2 guests
2 adults · 1 children
Beds
Extra-large double bed (Super-king size) (181-210 cm wide)
Room details
75 sqm
In-room amenities
Sleeps
Up to 2 guests
2 adults · 1 children
Beds
Extra-large double bed (Super-king size) (181-210 cm wide)
Room details
75 sqm
In-room amenities
Sleeps
Up to 2 guests
2 adults · 1 children
Beds
Extra-large double bed (Super-king size) (181-210 cm wide)
Room details
110 sqm
In-room amenities
Sleeps
Up to 2 guests
2 adults · 1 children
Beds
Extra-large double bed (Super-king size) (181-210 cm wide)
Room details
110 sqm
In-room amenities
Sleeps
Up to 2 guests
2 adults · 1 children
Beds
Extra-large double bed (Super-king size) (181-210 cm wide)
Room details
110 sqm
In-room amenities
Sleeps
Up to 2 guests
2 adults · 1 children
Beds
Extra-large double bed (Super-king size) (181-210 cm wide)
Room details
110 sqm
In-room amenities
Get answers about amenities, policies, and more — e.g. “Are pets allowed?” or “Is parking available?”
Provider-sourced guest reviews.
Amazing and scenic
Nothing
Exceptional staff, both rangers and hospitality. They made us feel really special. The views from the suites and restaurant are fantastic. You can see elephants and hippos from the rooms. The tours in the bush showed many animals incl leopards, lions and rhinos.
Nothing!
La experiencia más premium que viví. Atendido por sus dueños ❤️ Comida 10 puntos. Habitación Tree de primer nivel. La calidad del servicio, en cada detalle. Safari: muy bueno. Son 3 al día (2 en auto 1 caminando) realmente se ven muchos animales y los trackers y drivers son muy buenos.
Tout était parfait Personnel à notre disposition à la moindre demande Excellente cuisine Les guides (Sully et Eckeson) sont exceptionnels
Mi è piaciuto tutto, dal safari della mattina alla cena. Lo staff sempre sorridente e molto disponibile. Cibo, pulizia e servizi ottimi.
Nulla
It was beautiful, the views, the decor, our room, they were all exquisite. The food was amazing and all the staff were friendly and friendly exceptional.
Nothing about the property. Only one piece of feedback would be the picnic. We realised after we had been taken and left at the picnic spot, that we had no phone connectivity and no radio was left with us, had something happened to one of us we had no way of getting help. Fortunately there were no mishaps and it was a lovely experience however as a future safety consideration for guests I thought I would advise of this concern.
Luxurious stay with incredible food. The drivers were exceptional, better than our drivers in Sabi Sands. Incredible service and very clean.
The only thing I can think of is that it was harder to find the animals because of the topography of the reserve, but the exceptional guides made up for it and we saw the big five and a lot more.
Everything is perfect!!! Nothing to complain about. Shadrick & Dion made our day. They are the best tracker & guide. We went on to multiple other places and we couldn’t stop comparing. Beautiful property. The people working there make the stay the whole staff is welcoming. Every small detail is there. The food is exceptional! From the moment you get out of the vehicle you are family till you wave goodbye. We saw every animal I wanted & they made sure of it! I will say nothing compares to Pondoro. They deserve to be a 6 star hotel and 11/10 rating. We can’t thank Robert & Lize enough. To have the owners even be there to chat with your daily is so nice. Gosh what can I say other then I’ll be recommending Pondoro to everyone who will listen. Private game drives are also a game changer. 2 vehicles per sighting. Contact with everyone in the reserve to communicate sightings. They know the animals through and through. I’ll be forever grateful to have gone there and can’t wait to go back! You are in the bush. We saw 8 different types of animals within an hour of arriving. It is like the photos!
Prachtig verblijf, mooie kamers met uitzicht op de rivier bubbelbad op het terras waar nu en dan eens een olifant paseerde. De game drives waren fantastisch de eerste keer hadden we al de big five gezien , onze rangers waren geweldig heel gedreven om ons telkens iets nieuws en ons telkens zo gelukkig te maken 🥰 . Eten was geweldig elke dag een mooi schilderijtje op ons bord 🤩 Iedereen was zo ontzettend vriendelijk . In 1 woord FANTASTISCH!
NIETS
Gostei de tudo ! Muito perfeito, acolhedor, os colaboradores não medem esforços para nos atender e nos fazer feliz !! Perfeito ! Nota 1.000 para tudo !
Nada a reclamar.
Комфортные просторные номера, регулярная уборка в номере (несколько раз). В номере есть все необходимое. Два раза в день организуют сафари: в 5:30 и в 16 часов. Обычно разбивают всех гостей по группам (гостей резорта немного, потому что всего несколько домиков). Перед утренней поездкой организуют небольшой перекус: кофе/печенье. Длится поездка примерно 2-3 часа. Мы ездили в январе, это летний период, поэтому много растительности, тяжелее находить животных. Но за 3 ночи в отеле встретили всю 5ку, и суммарно насчитали около 15 видов животных, которых видели. Сам по себе отель супер-комфортный, все очень вежливые и обходительные. Немного чувствуешь себя героем сериала «Белый лотос». Индивидуальный подход к каждому. Также иногда к твоему дому могут подбегать животные: бабуины, иногда слоны. Говорят, что где-то рядом встречают бегемота
Минусы не относятся к самому резорту, а в целом к подобным поездкам: будьте готовы, что вы почти не будете ходить в точение дня. Не более 1000 шагов в день. Но в резорте есть небольшой спортзал. Он не пользовался большой популярностью, так что места было достаточно, чтобы позаниматься.
We stayed at Pondoro for 3 nights as part of our honeymoon in South Africa. From the moment we arrived at the lodge - the team did everything they could to make our stay incredibly special. We arrived late for lunch but the team still ensured we were fed and able to make our evening Safari drive. Their attentiveness was fantastic throughout our stay and you could really feel the warmth of all the staff, a credit to the lodge. Our stay was completely perfect throughout - the lodge itself is total luxury, the food, drinks and service from the team was excellent and our room was beautiful, and prepared multiple times throughout the day. The lodge is brilliantly located on the Olifants river and you eat meals watching the wildlife in the river - we awoke the hippos bathing in the river and ate lunch to families of elephants crossing. Finally - our guide and tracker (Solly and Eckson) did everything they could to ensure we saw as many animals as possible, while respecting our safety and the animals. Pondoro had only 4 people per jeep which was much less than other lodges in the area, and more modern vehicles. There was not too many other lodges/tours in total so you do not feel overwhelmed by tourism. We could not recommend Pondoro Lodge more!
Nothing - we had the perfect stay.
This was one of the most incredible experiences of our lives! Our stay was absolutely perfect, right from the airport pickup with a hotel-recommended transfer. Everything from the warm welcome at Pondoro to the delicious meals, our comfortable room, and the game drives was fantastic — we could saw all of the Big Five! The hotel is gorgeous and the rooms are so cozy, but the highlight for us was the kindness of the entire Pondoro team. They were all so special and friendly. We are particularly grateful for the thoughtful surprises they prepared for our honeymoon. We hope to visit again in the near future.
Fomos muito bem atendidos e receptivos por todos os funcionários. O quarto é maravilhoso e o nosso guia fez de tudo para que fosse uma experiência inesquecível
Beautiful location. Intimate and private with only 8 rooms. Comfy beds. Large shower. Staff amazing. Food wonderful. Game drives out of this world.
Could have done with maybe a little more maintenance in the chalets but that is me being very picky!
Le staff était pro , très accueillant et nous a fait sentir comme si on était des habitués du lieux. Peu de chambres donne un côté intimiste qui a beaucoup de charme sans parler de la deco très réussie. Nous avons eu de la chance de voir les éléphants prendre un bain sur la rive d’en face pendant plus d’une heure au petit déjeuner
Nous avons tout aimé, si il faut trouver un détail la vue de la baignoire extérieur était un espace vert pas très entretenu
The service, the staff and the facilities was exceptional but nothing in comparison to the incredible game drives. We would like to thank Dewald and Andries for the most incredible experience. A truly special place.
Nothing
Simplesmente a melhor hospedagem da minha vida. Não existe forma melhor de descrever a experiência que tivemos nesse hotel absolutamente extraordinário. Desde o primeiro instante, fomos recebidos com um cuidado tão genuíno e uma hospitalidade tão calorosa que já sabíamos que seria especial — mas superou todas as expectativas possíveis. Quero fazer um agradecimento especial à Leonè, que nos recepcionou com uma delicadeza e um carinho que nunca esquecerei. Ela fez a gente se sentir em casa desde o primeiro minuto, sempre atenciosa, sempre sorrindo, sempre pronta para ajudar. Durante as refeições, fomos atendidos pela Gift e pela Vanessa, que também foram impecáveis. Atendimentos perfeitos, gentis, carinhosos — parecia que cada detalhe era pensado para nos surpreender. E os nossos guias… Dion e Shadrack foram simplesmente maravilhosos! Eles se dedicaram com toda a paixão para encontrar os animais no safari, explicaram tudo com tanto carinho e conhecimento que cada saída era mágica. Inclusive, em um momento de brincadeira, meu namorado até ofereceu dinheiro para eles me darem para o leão comer — e eles, claro, não aceitaram! Foi divertido, leve, e mostra o quanto eles são profissionais e íntegros. Os quartos? Impecáveis. Cama extremamente confortável, chuveiro perfeito, limpeza absoluta. Nosso quarto era preparado duas vezes por dia — de manhã e à noite — com toalhas sempre limpinhas e tudo arrumado com um cuidado, eles também sempre deixavam anotado a previsão do dia seguinte para nos prepararmos, todo esse cuidado me encantou. E a cada retorno do safari, sempre havia alguém ali, prontinho para nos recepcionar com um sorriso. A sensação era de puro aconchego. A comida, então… maravilhosa! Refeições deliciosas, frescas, feitas com capricho e sabor de verdade. Também quero deixar registrado que todos os funcionários foram absolutamente perfeitos.
Absolutely unforgettable stay at Pondoro. All of the staff went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed our honeymoon. The game drives were fantastic and our guide and tracker worked tirelessly to show us all the beautiful animals out there. The suites are situated over the Olifants River. We saw hippos, elephants, giraffes and crocodiles just from our balcony / hot tub. Incredible.
Absolutely everything - we have stayed in many game lodges and can not fault this one - super location and staff who could not do enough for you. Stunning rooms and over looking the olifants rivers with elephants, hippos, crocodiles and elephants a few hundred meters away
Everything, from minute you arrived until you, the staff were exceptional, beautiful lodge, amazing food sbd tge game drives were outstanding.
We found the most of transfer from Airport yo Lodge to be expensive.
Le personnel était d'une grande gentillesse et hyper serviable. La nourriture était excellente, tout est maison. Les guides de safari Rule et Eric étaient très gentils et compétant, Big Five de prêt tous les jours et bien d'autres animaux. La suite était exceptionnelle, tous les jours étaient différents depuis le balcon éléphants, girafes, babouins, hippo etc
Eine sehr nett und liebenswürdig geführte Safarilodge mit allem erdenklichen Komfort. Sehr freundlichen Mitarbeitern, hervorragendem Essen, fantastischen Gamedrives, tollen Unterkünften … und, und, und …… Das Alles zu einem wirklich akzeptablen Preis. Absolut empfehlenswert, würde ich jederzeit wieder buchen.
Un sogno... tutto perfetto! Esperienza meravigliosa.
We had the most incredible experience at Pondoro Game Lodge. From the moment we arrived, everything was absolutely phenomenal. The staff made us feel so welcome and cared for, going above and beyond to make every detail perfect. Our suite was stunning—luxurious, private, and designed with so much attention to comfort and beauty. The game drives were unforgettable. Our guide (Dewalt) and tracker (Andrès) were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, and thanks to them we were able to witness breathtaking wildlife moments that we’ll never forget. The food was exceptional—every meal was a treat, beautifully prepared and served with warmth. What truly stood out was the atmosphere of the lodge: intimate, peaceful, and filled with genuine hospitality. Pondoro exceeded our expectations in every way, and we left with memories we’ll treasure for a lifetime. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.
Struttura molto accogliente
Da migliorare ,la pulizia in particolare degli spazi esterni
Great lodge and kind staff with fantastic location in private reserve in greater Kruger with highly experienced guides and trackers which are key to having amazing game drives every day, while not being overly disruptive to the animals.
È stata una delle esperienze più belle della mia vita. Il personale merita una nota di merito particolare: sono tutti fantastici. La struttura è stupenda, il cibo è ottimo e la natura attorno lascia senza fiato.
Struttura da sogno immersa nel cuore della riserva. Personale super accogliente che ci ha fatti sentire a casa. Leoné e JD nella direzione della struttura e Soly per il safari 100 e lode! Altamente raccomandato anche per l’ottimo cibo!
Nulla!
perfect hospitality by whole team ranger and tracker, Shadrack and Dion, worked amazingly and tried thier best to show us as much as possible during Safari nice river view from room, wild animals sometimes coming by
Everything. It is well laid out and right on the river
This is as much as we could come up with. No hair conditioner
The suite was very comfortable, with Aircon which we used in the evenings to heat. But also a ceiling fan for summer months. The staff are all, without exception, welcoming and made our trip memorable. The food is outstanding. Fresh quality ingredients with choices to suit all tastes. The game watching is made by the ranger and tracker Dion and Shadrack, who do some serious off roading to get to the animals.
This is difficult to answer and honestly the only small thing that can be improved is the warming of plates when serving food. As it was mid winter the food does not stay warm for long and the cappuccinos also were never hot. But I am scratching here to find any fault.
Top food and friendly staff! Very professional 👍
No complaints
Excellent choice on all menus. Location was excellent
Exceptional experience. Staff were friendly & welcoming and really could not do enough for us. High standard of facilities. Luxury accommodation. Fantastic location on banks of Oliphant River. Animals able to wander through the property on their journey to/from the river. Our guide & tracker were highly skilled and so knowledgeable. Every day was different.
The property is perfect, we just loved it.
Nothing
The Pondoro experience is first class from beginning to end! The location is stunning and we watched hippo, crocs, giraffe, elephants and all sorts from our room. The games drives led by the wonderful Shadlack and Dion were breathtaking, with the big 5 and all manner of wildlife seen on multiple occasions. They also hosted a river walk which showed us how they look for tracks and gave a very different perspective to the hippos and crocs! All the staff at the lodge are fantastic, there is a warm welcome every day and a real personal touch with attention to details that makes each day special. The food is exceptional and would definitely recommend the lunchtime picnic if you get the opportunity.
Excelente
Rustic n clean
Rivet view
Our stay at this hotel was absolutely unforgettable! From the **excellent service** to the **incredibly comfortable room**, every detail was perfect. Waking up to stunning views from our balcony, we were thrilled to spot **hippos, giraffes, kudus, and even crocodiles** right from our room! The game drives were outstanding—thanks to our **amazing guides, Soli and Epson**, who went above and beyond to track down the **Big 5** and ensure we had the best safari experience. Their dedication and knowledge made each drive exciting and memorable. As a special surprise, they even **fried sausages in the wild** on our last evening game drive—such a unique and fun touch! The food was **delicious at every meal**, and we loved that our room was **tidied up twice a day**, especially after each game drive. It felt like true luxury in the heart of the wilderness. We **can’t wait to return**—this was a trip of a lifetime, and we highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for an **unforgettable safari adventurer**!
it was great - very friendly staff who went out of their way to fulfill every wish. the gamedrives were sensational with a super professional team. the food was great. we enjoyed every moment and will remember the birthday party for a long time ;) THANK YOU very much
Location was ideal for easy access to Balule game reserve where we were guided by knowledgeable and experienced guides (shout out for Solly and Exson our excellent guides)accommodation and staff were 1st class and a credit to Pondoro The 2 hour lunch pic nic in the hide overlooking the dam was unforgettable
Nothing worth talking about
10/10 recommend staying here. My husband’s and I stayed her for our honeymoon and had the most amazing time. The staff was incredible and super accommodating! The food was delicious, the safari guides were so knowledgeable and kept us so safe! I know we both will remember this experience for the rest of our lives. We will definitely be back for many years to come! Thank you Pondoro for the most amazing experience! We appreciate you!
Beyond Exceptional. All the staff go beyond to make you feel welcome and special. Chef makes gourmet meals every time and she is very good. One of the best experiences we had ever.
Everything exceeded our expectations. From the accommodations, to the food, to the staff, to the experiences. It’s a truly magical place.
A touch of luxury in the African bush
Small scale with only 8 units. Luxury but all inclusive so no surprises. The staff were all charming and professional. The service and cuisine were exceptional.
Nothing
Location is amazing. Great view, right by the river. You can see animals from your room or from breakfast. The room was spetacular. We went there on our honeymoon, so they kindly decided to upgrade us to a beautiful, enormous suite. We were able to enjoy drinks (the minibar was well stocked) while enjoying the view both from the outside bathtub (there was another one inside) and from the air-conditioned comfort of the room inside. The staff was very kind and thoughtful. Service was always quick and corteous. They made a point of surprising us at least three times with special dinners at their cellar or setting up a nice bubble bath back at the room when we arrived back from dinner. Safari went great. We saw all big five multiple times. A black mamba. Lots of giraffes (my favourite). Did not see a zebra, though. Well, can't have everything. Food was abundant and of high quality. Three big meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), not counting snacks and drinks available during safari and at your room. Before going, we were a bit wary of spending so much money in a place we had no previous reference other than Booking. Now, we're very glad we did. Amazing experience
Not a big issue, but I wished we understood the schedule a bit better before going. We might have planned our days a bit differently (though not much).
Location. Safari team were amazing. Quality of food.
Service in the restaurant was inexcusably slow. I waited 50 minutes for a pre ordered prawn salad for lunch. Swimming pool area wasn’t kept clean and stocked with towels.
Absolutely amazing. We stayed at Pondoro in January in the beautiful Tree Suite with the most incredible views of the river. Every member of the staff was so friendly and hospitable. Our daily game drives exceeded all our expectations with the most experienced guides. The vegetation this time of year was so green and gorgeous. From sun up to sun down we were so well fed by the talented team of chefs. It was all such a dream. I hope we have the chance to return again.
The property is amazing, from the rooms to the intimate service - but most of all, because of the game drives. They went far beyond any of our expectations, our guide Solly & tracker Eckson made this truly special and we are definitely thinking about coming back, even though this already seemed a once in a lifetime experience.
Nothing
Great suites with view of olifant river and game. Amazing food and friendly staff.
Just the most amazing game drives which such a friendly and fun team of ranger & tracker.
Nothing
We had a wonderful time at the property. The food was excellent. Staff were very attentive. Accommodations were great.
Staff was super friendly and went beyond the call of duty to provide an amazing guest experience.
The resort is very thoughtfully decorated and the staff is super helpful. The food is of very high quality with daily changing menu's (Ala-carte) and the team is very flexible to cater any dietary and allergy requirements. The rooms are very spacious with built in snacks and drinks (on the house) overseeing the river and you can spot few animals from the comfort of your room. The safaris are long (4 hour each - morning and evening) but an amazing experience to understand and see the African wildlife. The team of rangers and trackers will go extra mile to help you spot the big 5. Special mention to Patricia (supervisor) and the entire kitchen staff, JD (manager) and the amazing team of rangers and trackers.
Nothing as such, only to mention that the sleeping net in the room can be changed often due to wear and tear due to obvious reasons.
All the staff were great The location was great The rooms were great
Friendliness of the staff is exceptional and their cuisine is fantastic. Morning and evening game drives are very well organized and ranger & tracker were very professional. Simply an amazing experience!
May the safari adventure begin while driving into Pondoro. A giraffe to the right, impalas to the left and an elephant herd of twenty in the center. Magic. Pondoro combines luxury with a touch of laidback style. Sit down to a sense of familiarity, but with hidden surprises in between. Game drives packed with experience and sightings. And the bush sound to fill your listening pleasures. What a perfect way to begin.
It was the most amazing experience! Lizzie and her staff are super thoughtfull! The food was out of this world! The staff was super friendly and would not measure efforts to see you super satisfied, specially Patricia, that welcomed us and kept checking on us everiday! The driver Shad and the tracker Dion were unstopable, until we got the big 5 complete, they would not rest! Our housekeeper Sindile were very sweet, leaving us super cute notes everyday!! The instalantions were super confortable and we will sure come back more times!
Nothing! Absolutely perfect!
To the Pondoro staff and in particular our guide Dewald and tracker Andres, thank you for the unforgettable experience! Dewald and Andres were very knowledgeable about wildlife, and we got to see the big 5 - including a leopard poised on a tree with its kill - and many other animals up close over a 4 day tour. Back at the lodge, everything from food to room had a personal touch. The kitchen did amazing breakfast (avo toast and Pondoro breakfast were our favourites) and exceptional starters, and the rooms were cleaned 2-3 times a day with a personal pick me up note each time. Truly a stellar experience!
We loved everything about our stay at Pondoro. The room was amazing, the food was delicious, the staff went above and beyond to make us comfortable, the setting is truly phenomenal, and we saw the big 5 thanks to our amazing guide and tracker.
Nothing g
This was by far the best hotel we have ever stayed in. The people here try so hard all day long to make every moment of their stay as special as possible that you can't help but be amazed. Super friendly staff, incredibly beautiful location and a wonderful reserve. We really enjoyed the game drives with Shadrack and Dion, they put so much effort and gave everything so that we could see all the animals for as long and as close as possible and shared their immense knowledge with us, we were able to ask as many questions as we wanted. The food and drinks were excellent, there was always a vegetarian alternative and the food locations were super romantic and unexpectedly varied. Patricia was always there for us - she is Pondoro’s good soul. The minibar was always full. The housekeeping put a lot of effort into not only freshening up the room several times a day and keeping everything clean, but also surprising us with attention every day. Everything was perfect all around, from the planning in advance, greeting at reception, coordination to the moment of departure, everything was wonderfully arranged, so a thank you to the organizers. Best time ever!
Worth every penny!
Everything about this lodge was amazing! The location itself is magical, but the staff at the lodge were fantastic and extremely friendly. Big thank you to JD and Patricia who helped us so much during our stay and to our incredible guide (Dewald) and our tracker (Dion) made our experience a dream and exceeded our expectations!! Definitely recommend this beautiful lodge
Absolutely everything, since the moment we arrived we were in paradise. The place is spotless, the staff is extremely friendly and everything is thought to perfection. Thanks to Patricia, Ivonne and Solly, they made our honeymoon a dream!
Leaving
Amazing stay!!
This place is first rate! The lodgings were excellent. The food was the best that we had in 5 stops in Africa. The staff was great, as were the game guides. And along a beautiful view of the Oliphant River, with all sorts of animals seen there!
The room was brilliant and the hot tub overlooking the river was amazing, so nice chilling there in the day. The staff were fantastic, so personable and friendly. The room service was immaculate and they wrote us lovely messages and had lots of little surprises for us as we were on our Honeymoon. All the little touches were incredible, along with the hot water bottles on game drives.
We were sad to leave.
The best experience I had so far. Difficult to replicate. The lodge is amazing, the staff is incredible and the games are unbelievable. Thanks to our guides for everything. It’s been a dream.
The property was beautiful, very clean and nicely decorated. You can view many of the animals from your room or the restaurant deck. Amazing river views.
The morning drive was a bit too early.7am would be better. Dinner was served too late. We found it difficult to eat dinner and still get enough sleep if we have to wake up at 5:15am for the morning drive.
We stayed in the Earth suite which has the bath outside and inside. The suite is beautiful, spacious and comfortable. The quality of the food is very good. The place is run very strategically so there is no space for consumption outside their food an drink system. E.g. You come back from the afternoon/evening game drive no earlier than 7.15pm. Dinner is served on the dot at 8pm, so after you rush to freshen up, that leaves you maybe 10 minutes at the bar - which controls/limits alcohol consumption to maybe 1-2 drinks per day. It is not all inclusive. At the bar, there are more than 5 different types of whiskey on the shelf, but only the the cheapest whiskey is included, the rest at an extra cost. This applies to other types of acohol also.
A sign that was placed on our bed the first night stating "welcome to MY room" from the housekeeper. Lack of cleanliness of the common swimming pool, our outside bath, our outside seating and our outside patio. It is not all inclusive. At the bar, there are more than 5 different types of whiskey on the shelf, but only the the cheapest whiskey is included, the rest at an extra cost. This applies to other types of acohol also. The place is run very strategically. You come back from the afternoon/evening game drive no earlier than 7.15pm. Dinner is served on the dot at 8pm, so after you freshen up, that leaves you maybe 10 minutes at the bar - which controls/limits alcohol consumption to maybe 1-2 drinks per day. Game drives are too long 3-4 hours in the early morning and 3-4 hours in the late afternoon/evening. Lunch and dinner is a set menu - choice of two starters, 2 mains and 2 desserts. The problem is is that the starter choice is made from the same ingredients e.g. the choice was corn soup or corn fritters. I felt as if I had been placed in a system, everything was set and at a specific time.
I liked everything, the game drives , the resort , the food. It is luxurious and down to earth at same time . We saw the big five several times and much more (including a pack of baby wild dogs). We were very sad to leave
Nothing . We liked everything
If you're planning a safari in Kruger, look no further, this is THE place to stay. First of all, the staff, are absolutely exceptional. Our tracker was Eric and our guide was Rul, this is a dynamic duo, they made our first safari unforgettable, it was so amazing that I have a sneaking suspicion that if we ever go somewhere else, nothing will live up to the experience we had at Pondoro. We saw all the animals we wanted to see, including the Baby Big 5. The food, was incredible and every menu was so well thought out. The room was amazing, the outdoor jacuzzi tub was very enjoyable on a hot day and we had so many animal sightings right from our terrace. In fact, upon returning home and describing our experience, several people have told me this is what they wish their safari was like.
Not a single thing I can think of to be honest, everything was great, even the other guests and that's a rarity!
Great staff, excellent service. Location is spectacular and safaris were great
Long time to get there
Feedback themes are sourced from guest reviews provided by our data provider.
What guests love
Areas to consider
Cleanliness
9.9/10Explicitly described as 'very clean' in the review; rooms and common areas kept in excellent condition.
Service
10/10Outstanding — drivers, trackers and guides repeatedly praised as exceptional; staff and owners are welcoming and highly attentive.
Location
9.2/10Beautiful river setting and authentic bush location; reviewers noted the reserve topography occasionally made sightings harder, though guides compensated.
Room Quality
9.9/10Described as luxurious with beautiful rooms and river views; terrace bubble/plunge bath highlighted positively.
Amenities
9.7/10Strong amenities mentioned (private game drives, terrace bubble bath, well-appointed property); amenities contributed to the luxurious feel.
Value for Money
10/10Perceived as exceptional value — multiple guests rated it far beyond expectations (11/10) and recommended widely.
Food and Beverage
10/10Repeatedly described as incredible/outstanding; food presentation and quality received high praise.
Overall Experience
9.7/10Excellent overall — ecstatic guest feedback, frequent sightings (including the Big Five), exceptional service; minor location-related caveat noted.