Mabalingwe Nature Reserve
Mabalingwe Nature Reserve
Mabalingwe Nature Reserve
4
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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Attractions
2 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
187 reviews
Excellent
78
Very good
56
Average
27
Poor
12
Terrible
14
Shaina Farrell
Johannesburg, South Africa1 contribution
Sep 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.
Anna
Hermanus, South Africa4 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.
Jonathan M. Matter
Johannesburg, South Africa75 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.
Liza V
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates679 contributions
Jun 2021
Beautiful clean houses. Friendly staff. Enjoyed the meet and greet . Lots of wild. Awesome food at caravan park restaurant. Nice activities at pools and scheduled entertainment. Lion and hiena and rooikat feeding was amazing.
Written 26 March 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.
Jaxw1962
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa83 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.
Theblommies
6 contributions
Feb 2021 • Family
Lovely to have the animals roaming amongst the accommodation. The staff were excellent and our few maintenance issues were sorted out very quickly. Accommodation was well stocked and well kept. The game drive guide was excellent. There were 3 different areas with pools, so social distancing wasn't an issue. The only thing that wasn't good was that their self-drive game viewing maps were not good and the roads insufficiently marked. Other than that, it was a great stay.
Written 13 February 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.
Guide314229
11 contributions
Dec 2020
Lots of private residences and family entertainment. Saw none of the big 5 they claim to have. Would not go again.
Written 7 February 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.
Victoria201154
Fort Lauderdale, FL637 contributions
Nov 2020 • Friends
Great Game Reserve near Johannesburg and Pretoria. We stayed at the Stone Lodge and it was heavenly. Highly recommended.
Written 25 November 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.
Rebecca
1 contribution
Dec 2019 • Friends
We went for Horse ridding.. Had a terrible experience because the horses started getting into a fight.. I fell off the horse because im an inexperienced horse ridder and had a dislocation.. And had to be rushed to Bela Bela hospital. Im definitely not going back there.. Soo disappointing and the place does not have even a mere FIRST AID KIT!!! GO AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
Written 20 November 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.
Tanya V
4 contributions
Sep 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.
Charmaigne B
Pretoria Gauteng31 contributions
Are there fishing facilities
Riccardo V
Johannesburg, South Africa64 contributions
no
Ruchane L
Pretoria, South Africa
what is the prices per night 2 persons
Mykal62
Johannesburg, South Africa19 contributions
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
Liza V
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates679 contributions
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....
louisl561
Kempton Park, South Africa85 contributions
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.
how much is the game drive for day time visit? we coming to bela bela next week for a weekend
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
Do you have breakfast lunch and supper for couples? And how much is it for everything including sleep
Diane M
Bishops Stortford, UK26 contributions
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.
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Claim your listingMABALINGWE NATURE RESERVE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mabalingwe Nature Reserve
- Mabalingwe Nature Reserve is open:
- Sun - Sat 07:00 - 22:00
- Hotels near Mabalingwe Nature Reserve:
- (2.82 km) Itaga Luxury Private Game Lodge
- (2.96 km) Mabalingwe Nature Reserve
- (2.83 km) Phumelo Lodge
- (12.24 km) Safari Plains
- (12.87 km) Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp
- Attractions near Mabalingwe Nature Reserve:
- (9.60 km) Adventures with Elephants
- (6.81 km) Big Cat Experiences
- (3.41 km) Ingilozi Park
- (10.69 km) Zebula Golf Course
- (15.73 km) Loebies Gasteplaas