Mavela Game Lodge
Manyoni Private Game Reserve 3965 South Africa
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
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About
#4 of 8 lodges in Manyoni Private Game Reserve
Location
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Service
Value
Travellers' Choice
Mavela Game Lodge is an intimate tented lodge offering authentic safaris to birding enthusiasts, nature lovers and game watchers alike. Mavela Game Lodge is located within the 23 500 ha Manyoni Private Game Reserve in the north of KwaZulu-Natal. The reserve is home to the big five as well as healthy general wildlife populations. It also offers superb birding opportunities due to the wide variety of habitats and birdlife within the reserve. The lodge has seven luxury tents each with a private deck offering beautiful birds eye views over the valley below. The en-suite tents are tastefully decorated, complete with aircon, minibar, outdoor showers and in-room tea & coffee facilities.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Free breakfast
Walking tours
Board games / puzzles
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Secured parking
Internet
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
First aid kit
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Coffee / tea maker
Minibar
Sofa bed
Walk-in shower
Seating area
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Private bathrooms
Refrigerator
Electric kettle
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, Zulu
Location
355Reviews2Q+A40Room tips
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+1
Really cannot overstate how impressed we were with our stay. Simply outstanding in every aspect. From the welcome the moment we arrived, until we left, the service was brilliant. We felt like family. The meals were exceptional, in a wonderful setting and the rooms (tents) were first class - like WOW! Obviously the focus was the wildlife, and our afternoon/evening and morning game drives were out of this world, with our knowledgeable guide Roland. For me a place is defined by whether it will be ingrained in our memories, and I can confidently say Mavela was the highlight of our two week holiday to South Africa.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Remember a game drive is not defined by what animals you see, but by the hope of seeing these...
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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
+1
Property's Favourite Review
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 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Prepare to love it.
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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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
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 response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My husband took me to Mavela Game Lodge for my 60th birthday. What an amazing experience. The service was the best I have ever experienced. Our Game Drives where amazing and our guide simply the best. The food was out of this world. It was the best birthday every.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
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
Our stay at Mavela was simply wonderful. The group of humans who take care of everything at Mavela are just lovely. Their warmth, their knowledge, their hospitality - perfection. The tents are just beyond, the game drives spectacular, the meals scrumptious, we loved every moment. The number of thoughtful experiences to participate in, were welcomed and added unforgettable moments to our stay. We are looking forward to returning.
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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 Martenique Swanepoel, Guest Services / Front Office at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 3 weeks ago
Thank you so much for the kind review on our lodge and humans! :) It means a lot to us to know you had a great time. We hope you enjoy the rest of your South African adventure and will be looking forward to your next visit! Kind regards, The Mavela Family
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a more than wonderful week stay at the Mavela Game Lodge. The lodge is beautiful settled in Manyoni Private Game Reserve. The main lodge and the seven luxury tents are beautiful designed, tastefully decorated in a modern African style and equipped with every luxury you can wish for. We were threated by all the staff with great hospitality and kindness and enjoyed every meal in the great setting and atmosphere from the main lodge. The game drives with Roland were fantastic, through his experience and super knowledge as ranger we experienced wonderful meetings and sightings with the animals, who are very relaxed and close. That gave us many opportunities to make great pictures such as from the very rare secretary bird, the cheetah’s looking for a hunt, lions, the elephant herd and the very endangered pangolin. Fantastic. Mavela Game Lodge is in every sight a five-star lodge, we had an unforgettable time here. Caroline van den Borst & Peter Boonen, the Netherlands - October 2023…
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Date of stay: October 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 Martenique Swanepoel, Guest Services / Front Office at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 4 weeks ago
Dear Caroline & Peter, Thank you so much for the great feedback, as well as the nice photos you shared with us. We appreciate it and are happy you arrived safely on the other side. It was sad to say goodbye! Best safari wishes, Martenique, Roland, Larissa and the team.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were a group of seven including children and all of us were on the same page: clearly the coolest place we've been to during our two-week holiday. Awesome accommodation, fantastic food, super sightings! Big shout-out to Anastasia and Jason who made our stay extra special. The 7 Erfens
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Date of stay: October 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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Martenique Swanepoel, Guest Services / Front Office at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 16 Oct 2023
Dear Lauraline and the rest of the Erfen family, Thanks so much for sharing your positive experience and making our day, especially Jason & Anastasia's. It was really awesome having you stay with us. We hope you are keeping safe and we look forward to welcoming you back sometime soon! Best safari wishes, The Mavela Family
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Could not want for anything. The staff were attentive and everything that you could want was available. food was plentiful and delicious. We had Sitelo on the game drives and he was the most knowledgeable i have ever experienced - and he was amazing with our 5 year old while still being a fantastic guide to all of us. On the drives we got an up close experience with Elephants and Lions…while seeing buffalo, cheetah, jackal and a ton of other animals up close as well.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Take warm clothes and a windproof jacket for the morning and evening drives - irrespective of...
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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 Martenique Swanepoel, Guest Services / Front Office at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 06 Oct 2023
Dear Kennith, Jessica, Izzy & Charlie, It was a joy having you with us, and we can't wait for another visit. Thank you for taking the time to write this gracious review, we are happy to hear about your good wildlife experience on our beautiful reserve and with Sicelo, he is a gem! Until next time, all the best safari wishes, The Mavela Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Firstly I would like to state that we have stayed in far more expensive lodges and that our experience at Mavela showed us that you don't need to spend a pile of money to get a sensational African experience. All of the staff were very friendly and helpful at all times. The food was fantastic and the variety was great. Views from both the tents and the guest areas are phenomenal and exactly what you need to take in the surroundings and feel part of the game reserve. The tents themselves are large and comfortable and all of the amenities could not be faulted in the slightest. The range of wild animals in the park is right up there with much bigger and pricier game reserves which is a great bonus. Our guide (Jason) was nothing short of fantastic, his knowledge of the animals, their behavior and the area made the drives all that much better. He was always friendly and professional and while I can only speak for our guide, if the others are only half as good this is the place to go! …
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Have your morning coffee with Amarula instead of milk for a great start to the day.
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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 Martenique Swanepoel, Guest Services / Front Office at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 03 Oct 2023
Dear Claude & Sarah, Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review, we were honoured to have celebrated your 9th wedding anniversary with you, and we hope you enjoyed your last few days in SA with the family. I have passed on your review to the team and they want to say thank you! It really means a lot to us. We can't wait to welcome you back in the future! Until then, all the best. Kind regards, Martenique
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We had the most wonderful stay at Marvela. Everything was exceptional from the location, the incredible accommodation and top class service from start to finish. Our game guide Sitelo was brilliant and shared a wealth of knowledge on animals, birds, plants and trees. The food was amazing and well presented and our hosts were uber attentive, particularly Anastasia. Thank you all for making it a holiday to remember....we will be back and recommending Marvela to our friends. Top marks. Best wishes Bill, Tanya and Greta. X
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip 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.
Helpful
Response from Martenique Swanepoel, Guest Services / Front Office at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 22 Sept 2023
Dear Bill, Tanya & Greta, Thank you for taking the time to write this kind review of our little lodge. We are very lucky to have both Sicelo and Anastasia on our team, and we're happy you got to experience the bush in such a special way. We can't wait to welcome you back! All the best and warmest regards, The Mavela Familyu
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
WOW. What an incredible lodge, the most amazing staff and the most memorable wildlife sightings! From the big 5- to cheetah and rare bird sightings- we had the best trip. We will be back! Thank you! Ps- the outdoor showers are just too amazing 😻
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Some helpful information:
- The rooms have added benefits like strong WiFi, tea and coffee...
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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 Martenique Swanepoel, Guest Services / Front Office at Mavela Game Lodge
Responded 15 Sept 2023
Dear Sarah, Thank you so much for your generous review of our lodge. It was a pleasure having you stay with us and hope to see you in the near future! All the best, The Mavela Family
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$605 - US$639 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKwaZulu-NatalManyoni Private Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
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Frequently Asked Questions about Mavela Game Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Mavela Game Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Mavela Game Lodge?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Mavela Game Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Mavela Game Lodge?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Mavela Game Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Mavela Game Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Afrikaans, and Zulu.