D464 Zululand, Manyoni Private Game Reserve 3966 South Africa
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About
#2 of 8 lodges in Manyoni Private Game Reserve
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Travellers' Choice
Rhino Sands is a luxury tented safari camp, set in the riverine forest on a peninsula of the Msunduze River in the big five Manyoni Private Game Reserve located in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The camp is an intimate and exclusive safari experience, with a maximum of eight guests in camp at any one time. Each guest tent has its own private living space and ensuite bathroom with bathtub, raised wooden deck and plunge pool, and outdoor shower.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Board games / puzzles
24-hour security
Concierge
Private check-in / check-out
Parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Plunge pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary tea
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Butler service
First aid kit
Umbrella
Laundry service
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Room features
Bathrobes
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Electric blanket
Walk-in shower
Bath / shower
Seating area
Sofa
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, Zulu
Location
D464 Zululand, Manyoni Private Game Reserve 3966 South Africa
E-mail hotel
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156Reviews1Q+A28Room tips
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Beautiful place and recent upgrades even better. Everything about it is superb ! The people, food and safaris. Accommodation is first class and views so good. Food choice was ok although very nice. Really great stay
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
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.
Helpful
Response from Shannon Airton, Owner at Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Responded 25 Oct 2023
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your review. And thank you for returning to Rhino Sands. We appreciate you mentioning our recent upgrades to the camp. We know that new visitors might not pick up on them, but it is very nice to hear that it has made a difference for one of our return guests. The changes are brand new and we are hoping to get a photographer up in the very near future to be able to share new images. While a small camp operating on a set menu we do aim to offer guests a choice of options at every meal and our new chef is absolutely excellent. We truly value your business and hope we will see you again in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Property's Favourite Review
The most amazing place we have ever visited. Every single thing from the wonderful welcome by Spha, the amazing food cooked by Zanele and team, the fantastic service provided by Chris, welcome back from Safari from Nico and Storm and of course the best Safari guide ever in Anton who went out of his way to track the lions calls, find the leopard we so desperately wanted to see, and much more, this place was perfect in every way. The ‘tents’ were stunning, your every need met. Beautifully decorated and very comfortable beds. We loved the electric blankets at night and hot water bottles on morning game drives to ward off the chill. The food was exquisite, and plentiful. The ice cream has to be given a special mention! I honestly don’t have the words to describe just how special this place is. In the words of Oscar ‘the best 3 days I have ever had’. Thank you so much to you all, we loved our time so much. We’ve already recommended you to lots of people and we’ll definitely definitely be back!!!…
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
Helpful
Response from Shannon Airton, Owner at Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Responded 15 Jun 2023
I can't thank you enough for this review. I'll be honest, the hospitality industry can be challenging, and probably never more so than the last few years. Our team puts in long hours and works extremely hard, and reviews like this make everything we all do...from reservations to management to kitchen to housekeeping...worthwhile. Words like these matter to us more than I think our guests realize and are the reason why we all do what we do. So thank YOU! I am so happy you bonded with so many of our team members. I am so happy you enjoyed your game drives and your tent and your food (the ice cream IS delicious ;-)). It is our absolute pleasure to host you and we appreciate you recommending us to others. Even in the time of social media and online marketing, personal recommendations are still the best form of marketing we've got. We truly appreciate you leaving this review for us.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
I don't think our review could do it justice. We went for our honeymoon and it was the dream luxury safari experience. The camp and tents are a wonderful haven amongst the wildlife, every single person from the small camp family make you feel super welcome, the food and drink were amazing and the rangers are so knowledgeable and ensured we saw amazing wildlife. For our last night they organised the surprise of a romantic candlelit dinner just the two of us on our terrace. Otherwise meals are around the lovely boma. You have coffee and sundowners in nature during the game drives. The fact there are only four tents makes the experience nice and intimate. Nic and team, we cannot thank you enough and can't wait to come back!
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
Helpful
Response from Shannon Airton, Owner at Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Responded 15 Oct 2023
What a privilege it is to be a part of such special moments in our guests lives. Thank you so much for choosing Rhino Sands. I am so glad to hear how special the team were able to make your honeymoon. Our team is our biggest asset and form such an important part of the Rhino Sands guest experience. Thank you very much for sharing your feedback here, we do truly appreciate it and I hope we will see you for an anniversary some time in the not too distant future!!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
From the breathtaking moment of arrival at Rhino Sands, the anticipation of an extraordinary adventure turned into a reality beyond imagination. The safari experience was unparalleled, offering us the most exquisite wildlife sightings we've ever encountered. Anton, our exceptional ranger, guided us to view the majestic rhino, graceful elephants, and multiple rare, heartwarming scenes of a cheetah with her cubs as well as two viewing of lioness with their young cubs. We also had the opportunity to see a serval - extremely rare! We also saw hyenas, and a lioness killing a warthog, which added to the thrilling tapestry of our unforgettable safari journey. The impeccable service, led by the warm and attentive general manager Nick, enhanced our stay, making us feel like esteemed guests. Our luxury tent accommodation was a haven of elegance and comfort, complete with a private pool and meticulous attention to detail. The phenomenal cuisine delighted our palates with every meal, and the exclusive treatment of private game drives in our own vehicle made our experience at Rhino Sands genuinely unique and special. The memories created here will be cherished forever, and we eagerly await our return to this magnificent oasis of wildlife and luxury.…
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
Service
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.
Helpful
Response from Shannon Airton, Owner at Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Responded 29 Sept 2023
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback here. What a lovely description of the Rhino Sands experience. It sounds like you had some very special game viewing...we are very lucky currently with both lion and cheetah cubs on the reserve. Little ones always lead to especially magic sightings. I know the staff will be extremely happy to read your review. Thank you again for your thoughtful review, we truly appreciate it and hope to welcome you back to Rhino Sands one day.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Truly an amazing place. The setting and the staff make Rhino sands so special. The perfect balance of privacy and impeccable service. The food is sublime and the decor is perfection. The reserve is beautiful with fabulous rangers to share their knowledge and the lodge adds special touches like sundowner drinks or special dinners. The best part: it’s relaxed and stylish - no stuffiness here, but you are in utter luxury, with hosts who make you feel so welcome. Thanks to every single staff member who made our 4th visit as fab as the first 3.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
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.
Helpful
Response from Shannon Airton, Owner at Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Responded 05 Sept 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. And I was so happy to read it as this is EXACTLY what we are aiming for at Rhino Sands. A luxurious environment, excellent customer service but delivered with warmth and comfort. Nothing over the top, nothing stuffy, we want our guests to feel extremely well taken care of but also like they are a part of our family. I am so thankful for this wonderful review and grateful that you have chosen to visit us once again. Thank you very much for your support over the years.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amazing lodge and a brilliant four days of safari. The whole team work together brilliantly to ensure you have a fantastic time . From the minute you arrive they all know your name - the food, the hospitality and the drives with Josh were all fabulous. He made each drive and every time we saw something very special. The tents are amazing - we stayed in August so the middle of winter and a couple of nights it was very cold however the heated blankets made it warm and cosy. Thank you for a brilliant safari in your very special place.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Think about the time of year you go and pack accordingly- even in winter it’s warm in days but...
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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.
Helpful
Response from Shannon Airton, Owner at Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Responded 05 Sept 2023
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback on your stay at Rhino Sands. I know the team will be very happy to read your compliments. Winter is a special time to visit Manyoni as the grass is generally shorter, the water tends to be more concentrated and so the game viewing is generally very good. But it is cold (as you mention). We do our best to keep our guests warm with heated blankets, hot water bottles and blankets on drives, and fires in camp but it is very important for guests to know what to pack and bring with them to ensure they stay warm and cozy during their visit. I am glad you enjoyed your stay. Thank you again for sharing here and it was absolutely our privilege to host your stay.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I'm still pinching myself and looking at pictures so that I can believe it was all real! Rhino Sands takes luxury & service to a whole new level. You are out in the most raw and rugged land, and yet living the most pampered life all at the same time. The accommodations are breathtaking, your room/tent with it's own private pool and outdoor shower are an experience you don't want to miss. The staff knows you by name on day 1. The chef is fabulous and I can't say enough about how he and his staff ensure every meal is an experience. The game drive guides were incredible with their knowledge of the animals and ability to track and share intricate details of each species, as well as rich history of the land, and the vegetation. I give the highest recommendation to the beauty of Rhino Sands. …
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
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.
Helpful
Response from Shannon Airton, Owner at Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Responded 05 Sept 2023
Thank you so very much for taking the time to share your feedback here. It is sincerely appreciated. It was an absolute pleasure to host you and your family in camp and I am so pleased to hear how much you enjoyed your stay. An African Safari is definitely a bucketlist trip for many, many of our guests and it is such a privilege to provide that experience for them. I know the team will be thrilled with your compliments. Thank you again for sharing your wonderful experience.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
The whole experience from the game drives, to the accommodations, to the amazing food was a 10/10. The guides Jonno and Anton were knowledgeable, kept us feeling safe and laughing. Thanks you to everyone for a trip of a lifetime.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
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.
Helpful
Response from Shannon Airton, Owner at Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Responded 31 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback on your stay at Rhino Sands with us. I am so glad that you and your family had a wonderful stay. I know the team will be so happy to hear your fantastic feedback. I'm really glad you mentioned that the rangers helped you to feel safe...I know for many guests being in the bush amongst wild animals is a very new experience and outside of their comfort zone. Having a confident and responsible game ranger to help facilitate the safari experience for you is a really important, but less considered, aspect of safari. Thanks so much for choosing Rhino Sands and I hope to see you again in the future!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
This is my 2nd stay at Rhino Sands, and I am just as impressed as the first time. Upon arrival, the hot sandal wood-infused towels and warm greetings by the staff are a welcome respite from the long travel. The rooms are premium and comfortable, airy and spacious. The bathrooms suit a queen, with an indoor and outdoor shower and clawfoot tub for wind-downs after early morning or afternoon drives. There are so many highlights to write about. Still, the elegant campfires, bespoke gin cocktails, incredible three-course dinners, beautiful pinotage, warmed beds in the evening, and top-level service and attention make you feel really special and relaxed. The staff is the best. Each person brings their own unique personality, education, and love of their job to the experience. We stayed five nights, and each touch blew away my entire group. I recommend Rhino Sands to anyone who wants a thoughtful, luxurious, and delicious getaway. …
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
Service
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.
Helpful
Response from Shannon Airton, Owner at Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Responded 31 Jul 2023
It was our absolute pleasure to host you and your family again. Thank you so much for sharing your experience here and thank you for returning to Rhino Sands. I am so happy to hear how much you enjoyed your time in camp. Thank you for your thoughtful and kind words, I am so glad that you enjoyed all the little details and moments that the team works so hard to create. Can't wait til next time!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
The most incredible place I have ever stayed. I chose Rhino Sands because it felt like an intimate place with only four tents available. The tents are so luxurious! It was pretty cold in the mornings and nights but the heated blankets helped. The staff was amazing! They took such great care of my husband and I on our honeymoon. Storm always made sure we were doing great and kept us filled up with drinks. Chris was always checking in on us as well. The food was absolutely delicious and felt like a five star restaurant. Our ranger, Jonno was amazing! We loved hearing how passionate he is about the bush. And it was nice to have regular life conversations with him getting to know each other and our lives. He tracked animals so effortlessly even in the dark. I don’t know how he does it. The first 2 nights we only had one family on the camp with us and then the last night two other couples came in. It was so fun to hang out with the staff and guests around the campfire. The lions got so close to camp the last night that we fell asleep to lion roars which is so cool. We were so sad to leave and cannot wait to come back one day. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!…
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
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.
Helpful
Response from Shannon Airton, Owner at Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Responded 12 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for sharing your experience at Rhino Sands here on Trip Advisor. I am so happy to hear how much you enjoyed your stay and I am so glad we were able to create a special honeymoon experience for you. I know all the staff members you mention by name will be absolutely thrilled with your feedback. I think many people are surprised how chilly the winter mornings can be. We do our best to keep you warm with electric blankets in the beds, fires to warm yourself by and hot water bottles on the game drives, but we always tell our winter-time guests to pack lots of warm cozy clothes, for the game drives and for the tents. It makes the experience much more comfortable to be well prepared. Thank you again for your wonderful recommendation. I hope we get to see you to celebrate anniversaries to come in the future!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$733 - US$916 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKwaZulu-NatalManyoni Private Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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Frequently Asked Questions about Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Which popular attractions are close to Rhino Sands Safari Camp?
Nearby attractions include Bayete Zulu Lodges (4.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Rhino Sands Safari Camp?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Rhino Sands Safari Camp?
Top room amenities include a seating area, a sofa, and a walk-in shower.
What food & drink options are available at Rhino Sands Safari Camp?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Rhino Sands Safari Camp?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Rhino Sands Safari Camp?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Rhino Sands Safari Camp?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Afrikaans, and Zulu.