Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Mavela Game Lodge is an exclusive tented retreat that provides genuine safaris for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and wildlife observers. Nestled within the expansive 23,500-hectare Manyoni Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal, the reserve boasts the Big Five along with thriving populations of various wildlife. With its diverse habitats, the area also presents exceptional birdwatching opportunities. The lodge features seven luxurious tents, each equipped with a private deck that offers stunning views of the valley below. These en-suite tents are elegantly furnished and come with air conditioning, mini-fridge, outdoor showers, and in-room tea and coffee facilities.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Staying at Mavela Game Lodge was a simply unforgettable experience, from the moment we arrived until the last moment of our stay. Since the reception, the staff made us feel at home, demonstrating a rare courtesy and helpfulness. Every detail has been carefully taken care of, from the extremely clean and comfortable rooms, to the food that was an authentic journey between delicious flavors, carefully prepared and served with a touch of class.
Special thanks go to the two rangers, Roland and Jason, who with their deep knowledge of the fauna and territory, have given us a safari experience that will forever remain in our memories. Their passion and expertise made each outing an exciting adventure, enriched by anecdotes and explanations that made each sighting even more fascinating.
The Mavela Game Lodge is not just a place to stay, it is a total experience that allows you to immerse yourself in nature and live moments of authentic wonder. I highly recommend this lodge to anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable safari experience. We look forward to returning!
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mavela Game Lodge is a hidden gem located in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve in South Africa. It is an ideal place for those seeking an authentic safari experience, immersed in the wild with a touch of luxury.
Lodge and Accommodations: The lodge offers luxury tented accommodations, all well-furnished and equipped with modern comforts, while still maintaining a close connection to the surrounding nature. Each tent is spacious, with comfortable beds, breathtaking views of the savannah, and a private bathroom. The combination of wood and natural fabrics creates a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere.
Safari Experience: The real heart of Mavela Game Lodge is the safari experience. The guides are knowledgeable and passionate, able to share their deep understanding of local wildlife and flora. Safaris are organized both early in the morning and late in the afternoon, allowing guests to spot the “Big Five” and an incredible variety of other animals. The reserve is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with a rich diversity of bird species.
Food and Service: The service at Mavela is excellent, with a staff that is attentive and eager to meet every need. Meals are another highlight, with dishes prepared using fresh, local ingredients. The cuisine is a delightful blend of African and international flavors, and meals are often served in a picturesque setting, sometimes outdoors under the starry sky.
Environment and Atmosphere: The tranquility and natural beauty of the reserve make Mavela Game Lodge a perfect retreat for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. The small size of the lodge ensures an intimate and personalized experience, far from the crowds of larger resorts.
In summary, Mavela Game Lodge is an ideal destination for those wanting to experience an exclusive and high-quality safari in an extraordinary natural setting. Whether you’re passionate about wildlife, birdwatching, or simply looking to relax, this lodge offers an unforgettable experience.
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
Response from Martenique Stevens, Guest Services / Front Office at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 18 Aug 2024
Wow- we are so privileged to receive this comprehensive and heartwarming review! It was a privilege to have you all as our guests and we are proud that our team delivered an authentic safari experience. Grazie e arrivederci di nuovo Hamba Kahle
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mavela is 1 of the best value game lodges we have been to in all our years of bush experiences. We have been to ultralux famous names too. To describe the accommodation as 'luxury tents' is unfair. These are brand new magnificent permanent structures, with 5 star spotless fittings, the biggest, comfiest beds with the crispest linen you have ever seen, awesome double outdoor showers and patios with unobstructed views of the rolling hills of Manyoni reserve. The main lodge embodies the theme of modern African Safari. A mezzanine (all inclusive) bar with panoramic views of watering hole and bush. A delightful pool and al fresco dining area. The team are always delightfully changing your experience of eating in the bush! The food. Varied. Delicious. Homemade unpretentious, but worthy of top class restaurants. Rose's Dengezi chili is rightfully becoming an international sensation! The service from the wonderful, friendly staff was impeccable. Every ask was answered with a happy smile and nothing couldn't be done for us. To Joanna - merci bien, Larissa, all the amazing kitchen staff. Thank you! Thank you! Of course you go to Game lodges for the game experience. Emilio amd Sicelo your bush knowledge was mind boggling. Truly. Emilio's eye for a photo opp and ability to find game is phenomenal. We will never forget our up close elephant and rhino standoff! We will be back to find that damn leopard!! Plus you are the only person who laughed at my jokes! All this truly amazing experience despite Eskom's best attempts to ruin business. Also to Dave, Samantha and Dan. What a fantastic team and a beautiful African experience you have created. Thanks for sharing it with us. Reader. If you have read this far keep going to the booking page. I promise you it will change your life for the better. P&C.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Prepare to love it.
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.
Response from Chantal Meyer, Other at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 01 Nov 2022
Hi Pete & Cathy, I hope you guys enjoyed the last bit of your holidays here in SA. Thank you so very much for the amazing review - it is so very much appreciated. We are very happy to hear you enjoyed your stay at Mavela. We truly enjoyed your presence here at Mavela and hope to have you back here with us shortly. Keep well in the meantime! Best Wishes The Mavela Team
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This place was wonderful! The people working there was so friendly, welcoming and kind! We saw all the big five on safari, and the guy who led us thru the safari learnt us so much! The tents were always cleaned when we got home from every safari, they even washed our clothes! The food was always a big wow! Everyone enjoyed the stay and we are going to miss the people there!
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Date of stay: December 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.
Response from Martenique Swanepoel, Guest Services / Front Office at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 26 Dec 2023
Dear Sofia & Norbo family, Thank you for choosing Mavela for special holiday season, we are happy to have been able to host your lovely family. And more so we are delighted that your experience in the bush and at the lodge was unforgettable. Thank you for the kind words on our team, it means a lot to us. All the best safari wishes, The Mavela Family
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The Mavela Game Lodge is a dream place, a little piece of paradise for those seeking an unforgettable experience in nature. We had a wonderful stay and I can say with certainty that we had a great time.
The cleanliness of the lodge was impeccable, every corner was carefully looked after and this helped to make the atmosphere even more pleasant. The food was simply fantastic: a wide variety of delicious dishes that satisfied every taste and culinary need, all enriched by refined and impeccable mise en place.
But what made our stay really special was the staff. Welcoming and helpful, they made us feel like we were guests at friends' houses. Every interaction was warm and genuine, creating an atmosphere of conviviality that I really enjoyed. The two guides, Roland and Jason, accompanied us in Game Drive that made us dream. They always made us feel safe and gave us passion and dedication, we could not have wished for better.
The experience at Mavela Game Lodge was regenerating and unique from all points of view, I highly Recommendation!
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We enjoyed our three night stay at the lodge. It’s in a beautiful location and the main lounge is comfortable with amazing views from the upper deck across the bush. Our room ( number one) was stunning with a huge elevated balcony where we could watch the game roaming close by. The team made us feel very welcome and gave us exceptional service. Our guide, Roland was very knowledgeable.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip 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.
Response from Martenique Stevens, Guest Services / Front Office at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 27 Oct 2024
Thank you Karen for your kind compliments about our beautiful lodge. We do have a wonderful, welcoming team that makes every guest's stay memorable. The tent balconies are impressive, a place to relax and watch the passing game, always a good pass time & experience. We look forward to hopefully welcoming you back in the future! The Mavela Family
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Even though the experience of safari was the first time for us, we remain completely astonished when we came to Mavela Game Lodge. From the first moment we have been treated like special guests. Every request, including special needs for food, have been managed by the kitchen with extreme care and satisfaction. The staff of Mavela is amazing, every person uses to assist the guest in any kind, remind the guest the spirit of vacation and relax.
We are Italians and we remain impressed about the food, every dish was a wonderful experience.
We saw a lot of animals as lions, cheetah, etc. and we came back to the lodge from every game satisfied by seeing something interesting.
The tends and the accommodation are comfortable and stylish and the toilet is confined with through walls, ensuring safety and privacy to the guest.
Now we can easily say that we are in love with the safari, and definitely we would like to come back.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â It is preferable to reach the location during the day light.
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.
Response from Chantal Meyer, Other at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 22 Aug 2022
Dear Simone & Valeria, Thank you so very much for the amazing review, it is much appreciated. We are so happy to hear that we could succeed in making your stay and your first Safari Experience special for you. It was a pleasure having you here with us and we truly hope we will see you again at Mavela in future. Keep well - until next time Kind Regards The Mavela Team
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From the moment you arrive, the warm sincere greetings, a wet towel to clean your hands, a sweet cool drink, you are welcomed as family . The incredible view from the balcony that wraps around the lodge, the tents with linen and covers that are so incredibly comfortable .The food - just wow!!, the service 10/10. The game drives -our guide Jason- so knowledgable, patient and a great sense of humour . Highly highly recommend!! Can't wait to come back ! Thank you
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Everything is incredible
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.
Response from Dan Stevens, General Manager at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 08 Jan 2024
Dear Kim The Mavela Team is always striving to deliver a great South African safari experience and when we receive an enthusiastic feedback report, we are incredibly grateful. Thank you, Thank you. Each of our rangers brings their personality onto the game drives and you have to love Jason's sense of humour and great knowledge. Warmest safari wishes, Dan & Martenique
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What an incredible honeymoon at Mavela. From the moment we arrived nothing was too much for Sky and the team at Mavela, drinks were offered to us within minutes, before being shown to our beautiful luxury tent. Everything from the food, the game drives, additional activities (we did the pangolin walk and a rhino dehorning) to the accommodation and staff were out of this world. Mike, our guide, was entertaining and knowledgable and he got us the most incredible sightings both animals and birds.
Each night we were escorted to our room by Sibongs who diligently scanned the area for wild life as the camp is unfenced.
Sky, words can not describe how much we appreciate all your efforts, my bucket of champagne by the pool each day put a smile on my face and your warm welcome back after each drive with fresh lemongrass infused hand towels ended each drive perfectly.
We will definitely be returning soon!
Thank you Dan, Sky, Chantal, Jarrod, Mike, Kalvin and of course Rose, Sibongs and the kitchen staff.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip 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.
Response from Chantal Meyer, Other at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 22 Apr 2022
Hi Sam We absolutely loved having and hosting you guys for your honeymoon. Thank you very much for the wonderful words - it is much appreciated. We look forward to having you back here with us at Mavela in future! With Love The Mavela Team
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My family and I had the opportunity to celebrate my 60th birthday recently at the lodge. This was our first visit to the lodge, having previously visited our lodges in Manyoni Reserve. The 7 tents are beautifully appointed and rank with other luxury tented accommodation we have stayed in. The staff were warm and friendly, being very attentive and welcoming. Thanks must go to Martinique , Janu and Anastasia for all they did to make our trip memorable. Caitlin our ranger was incredible and went out of her way to ensure we got the best possible sighting. Her calm and gentle demeanor, supported by our great knowledge and bush sense made our outings memorable. The chefs and general staff are great and the food is world class. Our surprise bush breakfast was amazing and really appreciated. We will most definitely return.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Use the North gate entrance for ease of access to the lodge.
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.
Response from Martenique Stevens, Guest Services / Front Office at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 08 Jan 2025
We are thrilled to hear about your delightful experience celebrating your 60th birthday at the lodge. It is wonderful to know that you found our tents comparable to other luxury accommodations and enjoyed the warm hospitality of our staff. Your kind words about myself, Jabulani and Anastasia are greatly appreciated. They will be delighted to know that their efforts contributed to making your trip memorable. We're glad Caitlin's expertise and gentle demeanour enhanced your outings. It's heartening to know that she ensured you had the best possible sightings. Thank you for acknowledging our chefs and general staff. We are pleased that you found the food to be world-class and that you enjoyed the surprise bush breakfast. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future for another unforgettable experience. Thank you once again for your feedback!
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Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately we only allow over 12's unless the entire camp (10 people) is booked for one group then there is no age limit.
There are more places to choose from in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 12,164 - RÂ 12,455 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKwaZulu-NatalManyoni Private Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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