Zulu Rock Lodge - Babanango Game Reserve

Staff were very welcoming and always went out of their way to keep us happy

Die Unterkunft an sich ist sehr schön. Die Häuschen stehen auf dem Berg und haben eine tolle Sicht. Sie sind auch sehr gut und modern eingerichtet.

Die Game Drives sind leider überhaupt nicht gut, und die sind ja ein Hauptgrund für die Buchung in einem Private Game Reserve. Wir haben auf unserer Rundreise im April/Mai 2026 sechs verschiedene Private Game Reservers besucht, aber nirgends waren die Game Drives so schlecht, wie in der Zulu Rock Lodge. Wir haben praktisch gar nichts gesehen. Ok, zwei Zebras, 2 Nashörner und eine kleine Gruppe Impalas. Aber das war es. Den einen Elefanten den man selbst mit dem Fernglas vom Guide kaum gesehen hat, zähle ich nicht mit. Ich weiß das Gebiet ist noch recht neu, aber wenn man do gar nichts sieht, sind einfach zu wenig Tiere dort. Zudem fährt man ewig durch sehr hohes Gras, auch da sieht man natürlich nichts. Außerdem sind die Wege durch die vielen Felsbrocken derart schlecht, das man sich die ganze Zeit stark festhalten muss, um nicht vom Auto zu fallen. Insgesamt eine große Enttäuschung.

Food was excellent, view was great, facilities and lodges very good, staff friendly and helpful

For a Big 5 game reserve it felt a bit unlikely to see anything very significant (ie a bit understocked for 22000 hectares). Steep rocky slopes make for great atmosphere but slow bumpy progress.

Wunderschöne Lodge, mitten in der Reserve. Fabelhaft!

everything

Food amazing, friendly stuff

Being escorted when you want to leave the because animals may attack

Le personnel et la vue

Everything

N/a

Property was beautiful, spacious and well maintained.

Nothing negative to report

Une vie exceptionnelle un cadre magnifique

Rien

Für uns die beste Entscheidung auf unserem vierwöchigen Urlaub. Es hat einfach alles gepasst. Super herzlich, mega Unterkünfte und das Essen war hervorragend. Wir möchten gerne eines Tages wiederkommen. Insbesondere unsere Guides, Lizo und Kevin (Morning Walk) haben den Aufenthalt zu einem echten Erlebnis gemacht!

Uitstekende gastvrijheid van het personeel, het uitzicht en de serene sfeer van de locatie. Het aantal wilde dieren js niet heel hoog, maar de kwaliteit wel. We zagen een jagende leeuw en hebben cheetah’s gezien!

Niets

Great facility, friendly staff, amazing food, enjoyed the game drives. They made my husband's birthday travel a breeze. The employee culture is remarkable and it is evident from the manager, Mandisa. Zee was amazing on the game drives and so was Bongiwe throughout our stay.

Bed could be more comfortable but I would atill go back

A very special place. Stunning scenery, really lovely rooms, delicious food, of course spending time in nature and watching the wildlife. The staff are fabulous, JB our guide, Mandiza, Bongiwe and all of the team who looked after us so well, thank you! We sincerely hope to return one day

Nothing

It felt like out of a dream.. wow

That we had to leave 🙈..

Safety

Drinks

De prachtige ligging en het lieflijke huisjes. Het eten was werkelijk fantastisch en zeer afwisselend! We hadden een zeer relaxte ranger genaamd Zee die de tijd nam bij de dieren waardoor die ook rustiger waren en nieuwsgierig in de buurt bleven

Voor ouderen is het ‘s avonds niet even makkelijk om van de centrale ruimte/het restaurant terug te komen naar de lodges. Er was weliswaar begeleiding maar het waren smalle paadjes en niet altijd even goed verlicht. En als je dwangmatig de big 5 wilt aantikken dan moet je nog even wachten met boeken; het is een jong park (sinds 2017) en alles is nog in opbouw. Tegelijkertijd hebben wij een zeer exclusief gevoel gehad doordat wij tijdens onze (5) game drives geen enkele andere ranger/groep zijn tegengekomen.

Unser Bungalow hatte eine spektakuläre Lage, das Essen ist köslich, das Personal sehr freundlich und die Landschaft grandios.

Perfect view from our lodges, game drives very individual, food (only from chef) very delicious and also accommodating for allergies.

Food was only perfect from Chef - if the chef was off then only mediocre.

Everything was absolutely perfect ! The view is out of this world, staff so helpful and friendly. And we got to see almost everything in 3 days !

Nothing.

I feel that I must say that the park and the rangers are both 4 star whilst accommodation is good quality

My issue is with the kitchen which I would rate 1 star at best. My wife and I recently stayed for 3 nights in the Honeymoon room at Zulu Rock. At one point we were the only guests in the establishment and the kitchen had clearly run down food stocks to avoid waste and the chef had taken 2 nights off out of the 3 we were guests. Being vegetarian should not cause a problem in an establishment of this quality however my wife does suffer from a medical issue which makes eating certain spiced food very painful. The latter I accept may give the kitchen staff added consideration but should not be a problem. How within hours of explaining to the chef my wife cannot eat spiced food was she served highly spiced spring rolls? Why the following night having reiterated the medical problem my wife was served a highly spiced vegetable soup? How can a meal that consists of a quarter of a walnut and 2 crumbs of feta served with a pound of butternut squash be described as a salad? (this is not an exaggeration) Why on more than we had to send food back covered in Balsamic vinegar despite us explaining it aggravated my wifes condition. Why as the only guest of the game drive I was served meat for the snack despite clearly telling kitchen staff we were vegetarian? We were served brown mouldy salad at nights and then breakfast sponge cakes that purchased for longevity not freshness or taste. Why the breakfast buffet itself was not available until the day we left when suddenly pastries cereals and fruits appeared in buffet formats. We skipped lunch on 2 days not entering the restaurant for a lack of understanding of our simple requirements. On the last evening the food was inedible and we went to bed having eaten nothing at all since a poor breakfast. Our experience was so bad that we left early and did not eat breakfast next morning preferring food at a local petrol station

Everything was perfect, the location, the game drives, the suite, the food, but especially the staff. They made our stay special and we will definitely be back!

Everything was amazing!

The setting was beautiful and finishes were great.Staff were friendly and always willing to make your stay memorable,which they certainly did.

We would have liked to have seen more of the big five,only seeing 2 (Rhino and Buffalo’s ),but it was extremely hot, and they might have been in hiding.

We loved the location with magnificent views, the friendly efficiency of the staff and the excellent game drives.

Nothing, all was good

The food and hospitality from the staff was amazing. Londy our host was amazing catered for every need 10/10 and Hardy went out of his way in Game drives to make sure we all the animals. House keeping is like a secrete spy agent you never see them you only see they amazing work. I dont know where to start with the food sometimes I found myself eating more than I should because it was so good. 🙃 all the time.

At some point I felt like they were trying to get us to gain a few kilos 😆 🤣.

DAS Highlight unserer 3 wöchigen Südafrika Reise. 4 Nächte Luxury Suite. Eine Zeit die wir nie vergessen werden. Unsere ersten Wildtier Begegnungen plus sehr viele interessante Infos erlebten wir hier mit Hardy. Die Suiten, der Ausblick und das grandiose Essen sind außergewöhnlich. Der Service unaufdringlich perfekt.

Der Bewegungsmangel. Eine kleine Möglichkeit etwas Sport zu machen fehlt.

The staff, food and accommodation was excellent

Incredible lodge with beautifully decorated rooms, the most comfortable beds and a beautiful view. Staff was friendly and food was 5 star. Game drives were fantastic with cheetah and lion spottings. Would definitely go back!

Impresionante, personal de 10. Comida exquisita, instalaciones de lujo. Me sentí como un príncipe.

Nada.

I spent four unforgettable nights at Babanango Reserve, and the experience was absolutely outstanding. The reserve itself is stunning, a true sanctuary of preservation and care, with a project that meaningfully involves and benefits the local community. We were lucky enough to see the Big 5 in breathtaking surroundings. The service was exceptional: spotless rooms, consistently kind and attentive staff, and delicious à la carte meals that exceeded expectations. It’s the perfect place for anyone seeking peace, excitement, and a deep connection with nature. But the real highlight of our stay was our guide, Zee. It was truly a privilege to meet and learn from him. Zee is incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much about the vegetation, the animals, and Zulu culture. Beyond his expertise, he stood out for his kindness, care, and dedication to every detail. He turned each game drive into something extraordinary and made our experience unforgettable. I highly recommend Babanango Reserve and hope to return soon for more relaxing and exciting days — and, of course, with the chance to be guided again by the amazing Zee

What an amazing stay at Zulu Rock Lodge. Perfect and professional staff, delicious food and amazing game drives. We had a wonderful time!

Clean with great facilities and amazing stuff

All the staff are well trained and amazing. The place is super clean and exceeded my expectations. I stayed in the honeymoon suite, but the deluxe suites were exceptional too. The game drive was amazing; we saw animals and the most awesome sunset.

Nothing.

Serene and well positioned on a game reserve

Nothing

The staff were amazing

Food portions could have been bigger

This place offers outstanding service by friendly professional staff. The gourmet food is exquisitely presented and scrumptious. The location offers some of the spectacular and dramatic scenery I've seen at any game reserve. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. In winter the fireplace is an added bonus.

The game viewing was a bit sparse. Although the reserve offers the Big 5, perhaps they could stock up on more antelope.

A soul-soothing escape in the heart of the wild…the stillness, the beauty, the clarity… unforgettable. Most friendly staff ever they made my birthday super special

Breakfast and location were wonderful

The facilities were top-notch, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The amenities exceeded our expectations, providing us with a comfortable and memorable experience. From the well-maintained rooms to the exceptional service, every aspect contributed to a delightful visit. We look forward to returning in the future.

Nothing.

Wonderful experience!

Everything

Nothing

We had a wonderful stay at Zulu Rock Lodge. It was such a beautiful and peaceful place; so good for the soul! We obviously loved seeing all of the animals, but our game drives were made all the more special by our ranger, Zondi. He was friendly, knowledgeable and sincere, and we were so sad to say goodbye to him at the end. As for the accommodation, it was utter luxury! The service was exceptional and the food was exquisite! We really hope to be able to go back again one day!

There wasn’t enough hot water for a bath

Everything was amazing

The view was spectacular, the staff were so wonderful, the food was next level and the overall experience was just fantastic. Such friendly people all over the Lodge are always willing to help or assist however they can. The rooms were so comfortable and well presented. The staff really made the whole experience more comfortable and relaxing. The food was more than we could imagine and there was so much of it! Definitely great value for money. 10/10 would recommend!

There wasn't anything that we weren't satisfied with... it was perfect...

Beautiful scenery and fantastic accommodation

Beautiful property with amazing potential

The game reserve is in early development. A few more years and the game should pick up.

The view from the Deluxe suite and dining terrace were breath taking! The private pool as part of the Deluxe suite was a bonus. On our final evening we had a surprise cake and rose petal run bath as a lovely gesture to celebrate our anniversary. The morning and evening game drive stops with coffee/hot chocolate and beer/wine were a treat. JB our guide was very knowledgable of the reserve and its plants/animals. I loved hearing his stories.

The Game Reserve isn’t very well stocked of the big 5 which meant quite long game drives with unsuccessful sightings. Across the 5 days we misses out on seeing Lions, Elephants and Buffalo’s. However there are plenty Antilopes, Zebra, Giraffe and a few rhinos.

The staff is the friendliest lot. The facilities are exceptionally clean. There's a porter that transports your bags and fetches you from your room in the evenings.

There are minimal activities on site. There are spa facilities on request, but the staff has to travel to get to the lodge which makes it difficult to secure a booking.

The breakfast was great, the eggs were prepared just the way i like there and there were ample vegetarian options.

That no one told us of activities that the Game Reserve offers other than game drives that are included in the booking and spa treatment that we had pre-booked.

We had the suite with private pool, room and view were amazing. Everything within the room had been well thought out and tastefully presented. Staff were polite and friendly. Guide on the safaris, NG, was engaging and very attentive to our requests. Tried his hardest to get to see the wildlife despite the weather! Dinner was lovely, all three courses were fresh, flavourful and nicely presented.

Breakfast was a bit standard, some items not replaced and simple things like self service toast not offered, this may have been because there was only one 4 of us in total staying the night. The only booking options are all inclusive of safaris, would love to stay an extra night or two without two safaris on every day(even the option of just one safari per day) to fully enjoy the use of the pool, relax on the deck and just take in the views.

• Exceptional and daily varying high-quality cuisine. • Professional, passionate guides for twice-daily game drives. • Staff are incredibly friendly and attentive. • Stunning, peaceful, and well-maintained suites with breathtaking views.

• Game drives could be more punctual. • Cappuccinos/Americanos at breakfast incur an extra charge, which I feel could be included given the accommodation rates. • Be aware of many potholes on the tarred road leading to it (not unusual for that area). • Unfortunately, the air-conditioning in our reserved room (with views) was not functional during a time that temperatures exceeded 30°C. This was a known problem that staff did not inform us about until we raised it after the first night. While they offered alternatives—a different suite without views, or a fan—it was disappointing as we had specifically booked that room for its views. This oversight greatly affected my experience, to the extent that I am reconsidering a return visit.

The view! The hospitality was lovely, the staff attentive and friendly. The food was great and well presented. It is still a new game reserve so not heavily stocked but we had excellent sightings and the ability to watch lions mate and cheetahs hunt for a good length of time with no pressure from other game watching vehicles was special. Hendrick our guide has a true passion for the bush and loves imparting knowledge. Our room was luxurious and made even bad weather a delight as you got to enjoy the fireplace and rain, and the private pool was a treat on a hot day. My only build ( I’m not putting it as a dislike as the meal was perfectly lovely) but even when there are only two guests, there should always be a limited choice for dinner - even two options. You never know what you feel like on the day and I think selecting at lunch will give ample time to prepare

The food was delicious ( breakfast, lunch and dinner). They met our expectations. The hospitality we received from the staff was exceptional. We had the best experience ever.

Honestly Nothing, they met almost all our expectations.

The views from our room were great.

Everything was great, except not getting to see lions during our drives

Our stay at Babanango Game reserve at the Madwaleni River lodge and Zulu Rock Lodge was an experience we will never forget. The Lodge is a fantastic " tent" with all the comfort you can imagine. Our Diner was served as a private dinner at the libary, in the winecellar and other places. We also had a suprise breakfast outdoors in the wild, absolutly fantastic. Under the guidance of one of the best experts, mr Eduan Balt, we enjoyed the gamedrives in the morning and afternoon. We never learned so much during all those gamedrives in our whole life. Special thanks to Lungelo, Lunka and Ntombi and everyone of the staff , they were all very friendly and forthcoming, This was a once in a lifetime experience.

there is nothing not to like, everything was perfect in every detail

Everything about Zulu Rock is phenomenal! Just gorgeous. Completely surrounded by nature. The game drives were out of this world. Theo was so knowledgeable and lovely to be with (We even witnessed the most thrilling kill) lol! The food!!! The food!!! Huge shout out to the Chefs! Did not a single bad meal, it was too good! The attention to detail in ALL things. WoW! The amazing staff! I honestly cannot recommend it enough! Absolutely stunning and I cannot wait to go back!

Nothing.

Awesome place with awesome staff that will go the extra mile to make stay memorable

Loved everything

Everything about the place was fantastic

Nothing

BGR - ZULU ROCK LODGE is truly special. We loved everything from the location (the views come second to none), the food was amazing, our suite was stunning and comfortable and our guide (Sbu) was spectacular! It really is a special place, wishing them continued growth and we can't wait to return, to a place that felt like home.

Size and moderness of the room was great. Stunning views. Large bed. They also upgraded us to a honeymoon suite for the night at no extra cost.

Everything was great - no complaints.

Nice Place, great food.

As a new Reserve, the animals are a little bit scarce, but hopefully that will change with time.

The location is great, easier to navigate and get to the lodges. The lunch and dinner was amazing! The breakfast was okay. Would appreciate a buffet style more

There aren’t a lot of animals in the bushes. But we had a great guide who kept us informed about the rich history of the area, birds, plants etc

The property is amazing, the staff I’m lost for words, the food OMG. The rooms ooooh my word speechless

N/A

The property is amazing, the staff I’m lost for words, the food OMG. The rooms ooooh my word speechless

N/A

I loved everything about the lodge. The food, staff members, our tour guide was great. Well done.

None

The property was so breath taking, amazing staff great hospitality from the time we got there at the reception they welcomed us with a warm welcome, to the stafff at the Lodge, and the amazing guide we had Theo , the house keeping 👌👌👌 everything was 10/10

Cleanliness, the hospitality, love it more like a home away from home

Incredible views. Super comfy and luxurious room. Very pleasant dedicated and friendly staff. Delicious food and affordable wine list. Amazing bird life. Awesome having a fireplace inside the room.

Could only see a small portion of the reserve as some of the roads were affected by unusually heavy rainfall, so ended up covering the same route every time. Still a relatively new reserve and lodge, so not as much game yet. Game drives could start a bit earlier to increase chances of seeing animals.

Zulu Rock Game Park was incredible. From the beautifully appointed room with stunning view, super comfortable bed, great and spacious bathroom to the amazing 5 star delicious food and again amazing views from the dining room and outdoor deck, we were so pleased to have chosen this particular reserve. Then the staff, they were so friendly, approachable and in particular our Ranger Sbu was so knowledgable and he knew exactly where to find so many animals. We realised how lucky we were that within 24 hrs we'd seen 3 (elephants, lions and buffalo) out of the big 5, plus additional animals such as jackal, ostrich, wart hog, zebra, buck, impala, kudu, giraffe!

Nothing, it so met our expectations and more!

The quietness was a great way to start my year

That I wasn't made aware of paying for drinks like Juice