Mabalingwe Nature Reserve
Mabalingwe Nature Reserve
Mabalingwe Nature Reserve
3.9
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.9
191 reviews
Excellent
79
Very good
57
Average
29
Poor
12
Terrible
14
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Rika K
Dortmund, Germany188 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
The resort lives off its substance, i.e. if the wall at the pool is broken, it will stay that way! There are no more parasols or loungers at the small upper pool, just 4 plastic chairs! The load shedding is bad, but they could have helped with a gas stove and internet via solar, other resorts offered us that! Internet was extremely important to us, as we had to plan our further journey, but what do we do when the restaurant and reception close at 6 p.m.?
The game drives were only 2 hours, we were used to the sunset drive with a short break, sunset and a drink!
The roads have become much worse, you definitely need a 4-wheel drive if you want to drive yourself!
The game drives were only 2 hours, we were used to the sunset drive with a short break, sunset and a drink!
The roads have become much worse, you definitely need a 4-wheel drive if you want to drive yourself!
Written 10 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashika D
Sandton, South Africa79 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Booked a weekend away fro my husbands birthday. I was not impressed with the unit. we were in the Ingwe camp unit 34 (EFF Unit). The shower floor was not constructed properly, so the water stands and takes forever to go through the drain. we thought that there was a blockage, but the maintenance person confirmed no blockage. The reception we received when checking in was not the greatest. It felt cold and unwelcoming. The lady at reception had minimal knowledge of the reserve. Also found her to be rude.
Written 21 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaxw1962
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa96 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
We spent a tranquil week surrounded by wildlife. We did not see any of the Big 5, but nonetheless we were happy with what we saw. Ingwe Camp is well run, with very friendly, helpful staff.
I personally wouldn’t take children under 8 to Ingwe. The units are in the bush with no flat areas for kids to play. Warthogs are in abundance so I wouldn’t allow kids to venture beyond the unit. There are, however, 2 swimming pools (one heated) and a large play area behind reception.
The loft units have a very steep incline access path so we requested a porter to carry our bags. Also note that the bathroom is on the ground floor and the bedroom in the loft. Trips to the toilet at night could be hazardous!
All in all we had a great time. Frans took us on an informative game drive where we saw giraffe, zebra and nyala.
I personally wouldn’t take children under 8 to Ingwe. The units are in the bush with no flat areas for kids to play. Warthogs are in abundance so I wouldn’t allow kids to venture beyond the unit. There are, however, 2 swimming pools (one heated) and a large play area behind reception.
The loft units have a very steep incline access path so we requested a porter to carry our bags. Also note that the bathroom is on the ground floor and the bedroom in the loft. Trips to the toilet at night could be hazardous!
All in all we had a great time. Frans took us on an informative game drive where we saw giraffe, zebra and nyala.
Written 28 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna
Hermanus, South Africa14 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Boomhuis@Mabalingwe Advertising places us under false impression that it is inside Mabalingwe Game/Nature Reserve when its not in fact the Owner directed us to drive into Mabalingwe on arrival then directed us to exit through a gate into Yukara then turn onto a private farm and following a hazardous dirt road to a house I would rate 3/10. The photos placed by the owner Lizette was of the one Main Building Restaurant of Mabalingwe that she telephonically confirmed was the house we are renting, the photos of the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve childrens family grounds was used to give us the impression we will be staying in a very large family house with all amenities a total lie, when in fact we were given a house on Ouplaas a privately owned farm!!No security no facilities only left out in the sticks! What followed was 2 days/ nights no heating hardly cold water a treacle, no hot water only one toilet working a very distressing situation and the master bedroom with no window only a huge gap where the glass window was supposed to be fitted. we slept in zero degree room with no working bathroom. Behind the shabby building the sewing overflowing a disastrous health hazard.The owners incoherent and after a tremendous amount of stress Lekkerslaap refunded us 2 nights accomodation. A shocking distressing experience.
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaina Farrell
Johannesburg, South Africa4 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
We recently visited Mabalingwe and camped there. Unfortunately our visit was cut short by the fire. During the time of high levels of anxiety the staff stayed calm and assisted everyone with great patience. This disaster could have been so much worse had the staff not been trained so well. We will definitely be back due to how well this was handled. The staff made us feel safe at all times. Thank you so much and all of the best for the rebuilding process that lies ahead.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
reneeerasmus
Boksburg, South Africa4 contributions
Jan 2020
Beautiful resort with nature scenery and animals roaming around the camps. This is an peaceful environment and trips can be booked to do safari drives to see the wildlife. Different camps to stay but our favorite camp is the "Ingwe" camp where the reception, restaurant and main swimming pool are situated closeby. Wild animals feeding is on the booking list to be experienced. This resort is highly recommended for any tourists that want to see Nature and the wildlife all in one.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Riaan
1 contribution
Dec 2019
What a disaster.
During a week-long tent stay at the Mabalingwe nature reserve, Lightning destroyed the camp water booster pump. After the pathetic maintenance personnel took three days to perform a two hour maintenance job, we were hit by load shedding. This means we effectively had water for two days during a 7 day stay.
How on earth the owner thinks that you can reliably supply a camp site with water by using a cheap domestic booster pump, beats me. But of course cheap is the reason: installing a R3K domestic booster pump is much cheaper than installing the gantries needed to support 30 tons of water tanks.
For those lucky enough to avoid load shedding, avoid staying to close to the tanks with the booster pump running 24/7 and the tanks that constantly overflow.
The water shedding and apathetic, pathetic on-site personnel we could still stomach.
The final straw was when the maintenance crew started spraying Roundup / Glyposhpate all over the camp site and right next to our camp kitchen. Not only the camp site, but the all the houses in the nature reserve, roads, open spaces and the like get the Roundup / Glyphosate treatment.
Even if you believe the liberal news outlets that roundup does not cause Cancer, Sterility, Autism etc. , it kills everything else.
Nature reserve? More like a circus.
Stay away.
During a week-long tent stay at the Mabalingwe nature reserve, Lightning destroyed the camp water booster pump. After the pathetic maintenance personnel took three days to perform a two hour maintenance job, we were hit by load shedding. This means we effectively had water for two days during a 7 day stay.
How on earth the owner thinks that you can reliably supply a camp site with water by using a cheap domestic booster pump, beats me. But of course cheap is the reason: installing a R3K domestic booster pump is much cheaper than installing the gantries needed to support 30 tons of water tanks.
For those lucky enough to avoid load shedding, avoid staying to close to the tanks with the booster pump running 24/7 and the tanks that constantly overflow.
The water shedding and apathetic, pathetic on-site personnel we could still stomach.
The final straw was when the maintenance crew started spraying Roundup / Glyposhpate all over the camp site and right next to our camp kitchen. Not only the camp site, but the all the houses in the nature reserve, roads, open spaces and the like get the Roundup / Glyphosate treatment.
Even if you believe the liberal news outlets that roundup does not cause Cancer, Sterility, Autism etc. , it kills everything else.
Nature reserve? More like a circus.
Stay away.
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan M. Matter
Johannesburg, South Africa125 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
We loged for a week in Unit 3. Very close to the reception, Spa & the Swimming Pool.
Staff is very friendly & helpful. The unites are clean at first sight, yet due to the size & back-to-back occupancy very hard to maintain thouroghly clean (i.e. Toiletbrush, under the bed, beneath the couch, kitchen cupboards & touster)
The area is amazing on wildlife at the time we were there. Saw lots of birds, insects & wild animals.
The game drives are well organized & informative. Really educational.
Based on our observation, being so close to the parking area, the blankets in the game-buckkies are not regularly washed & handed over day by day from one group to another. Not really hygienic .
Due to the loadsheding every morning, there is a generator running right below unit 3. Sleep is impossible due to the constant noise. Reception area is very nicely decorated & inviting. Altough a heated pool is advertised, it was not heated most of or stay. Loadsheding was mentioned as a reason. The matter was brought to the receptions attention on a number of occasions yet was/could not be resolved. We left the premises refreshed & reated & nontheless enjoyed our stay. Average Lodge in a breathtaking area.
Staff is very friendly & helpful. The unites are clean at first sight, yet due to the size & back-to-back occupancy very hard to maintain thouroghly clean (i.e. Toiletbrush, under the bed, beneath the couch, kitchen cupboards & touster)
The area is amazing on wildlife at the time we were there. Saw lots of birds, insects & wild animals.
The game drives are well organized & informative. Really educational.
Based on our observation, being so close to the parking area, the blankets in the game-buckkies are not regularly washed & handed over day by day from one group to another. Not really hygienic .
Due to the loadsheding every morning, there is a generator running right below unit 3. Sleep is impossible due to the constant noise. Reception area is very nicely decorated & inviting. Altough a heated pool is advertised, it was not heated most of or stay. Loadsheding was mentioned as a reason. The matter was brought to the receptions attention on a number of occasions yet was/could not be resolved. We left the premises refreshed & reated & nontheless enjoyed our stay. Average Lodge in a breathtaking area.
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom M
2 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Amazing and beautiful reserve. We saw rhino and elephant right next to our vehicle. The kudo were amazing but my favorite animal were the nyala. Such a majestic and beautiful animal. What an amazing place. I’ll be back as soon as I can!!!
Written 9 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanya V
4 contributions
Sept 2019
The units are small and uncomfortable. The stairs are so steep to the bedroom that we slept on the couch and floor downstairs for fear of falling down the stairs at night. The bathroom is not on the same floor as the bedroom.
We had to pay extra for the aircon and was not informed when we booked or when we checked in.
We had to pay extra for the aircon and was not informed when we booked or when we checked in.
Written 29 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Ruchane
It is always advisable to contact the resort directly for such information.
They have specials and seasonal prices so I would never be able to give you that information.
Thanks
Written 10 December 2017
which one will be unit 81. I.m really concerned about safety!! are thr places cleaner now? will be there in 3 weeks.. not looking forward after reading bad commenta....
Written 27 May 2017
We were there again in December 2016 and we did not have any problems with safety. The chalets have been upgraded and are in excellent condition. They are cleaned properly everyday. The veranda(stoep) have been enclosed so that the warthogs cannot get on the veranda. (No one can control the monkeys though) If people will stop feeding the animals then 90% of the problems will disappear. Please never forget that it is a game reserve and the animals are wild. Follow the rules and you will be safe. We had a wonderful stay and just about every afternoon we had a Kudu ewe come and eat from the tree directly against the veranda. Birds are plentiful. I hope this satisfies your request.
Written 28 May 2017
how much is the game drive for day time visit? we coming to bela bela next week for a weekend
Written 18 October 2016
Dale G
Gauteng, South Africa
Hi there,
1. Would it be advisable to do self - game drives or go on the organised ones. Would they have a map of the routes to take so that timing is not an issue to get back to accomodations before night fall. Are their toilet facilities available along the game drive routes.
2. What security and medical assistance measures are in place were one to experience a burglary or need to call for a doctor?i.e. are their phones in the chalets or, if not, what is cell phone signal like in the whole of the Reserve?
Thanks
Written 8 September 2015
Do you have breakfast lunch and supper for couples? And how much is it for everything including sleep
Written 11 July 2015
We have been to Mabalingwe 3 years in a row. Each time a different experience. Lovely place although can get a bit tedious driving yourself around game viewing.
The restuarant was good and we had lunch there, and an evening meal with family. The staff couldn't have been more accomodating as I have an alergy to peppers.As to prices to stay you need to contact the resort itself as we own timeshare but there is also a camp site if you are into camping. Hope this helps.
Written 13 July 2015
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