I didn't stay the night, but was a day visitor. It was fabulous. We had Derrick running our tours. We did a walking tour and also a game drive. Both run by Derrick who was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and kept us feeling safe at all times. We managed to see loads on the game drives. The only major thing missing were elephants. However we saw lions mating which was very special. We ate in the restaurant which had a huge variety of options and all at reasonable prices. The lodge had resident Zebra, Nyalas and monkeys. They have a feeding time and the staff let me feed them. It's not like feeding the ducks at home! I would highly recommend this place for its ease of access to Johannesburg and the wonderful staff here. Thank you
So so disappointed. Having booked the River Cruise months ago for a special pre-wedding celebration, it was unfortunately cancelled due to the rain. This is of course understandable but I was super disappointed that Mary (to whom I spoke) could not suggest any alternative activities and made no effort help whatsoever. When, eventually, I suggested that we use the funds already paid at the restaurant, Mongena agreed but wanted to charge an additional R1000 transfer to collect from a neighbouring lodge. When cancelling an activity like this due to the weather, the Mongena team should have done everything possible to accommodate our group some other way, knowing that it was for a special event. Instead, Mary was rude and unsympathetic to what had happened. I'm gutted about by how poorly this was handled.…
I can’t say enough about our time at Mongena. From the minute we arrived and our original room had a leak and we were given a better room. The game drives were excellent with our game range Macs, who was very dedicated to making sure we saw everything we could and went out of his way to explain how the birds reacted to how the game behaved. His knowledge for someone so young was remarkable and we loved his enthusiasm. The staff at the lodge always very polite, the food very good, chalets perfect and having zebras, nyalas and springboks roaming the grounds so cool. I live in the USA so this was perfect for me and why I love Africa having grown up in Zimbabwe. I would highly recommend Mongena for its proximity to Pretoria (48 minutes from my sister’s house), reasonable cost and the peaceful atmosphere, well-run facility and the fact that we saw four out of the big five. That was a bonus for me!! Thank you Macs and everyone else at Mongena.…
Their best asset are definitively their team of rangers, super professional and friendly. Some more knowledgeable than others, but all of them good. We understand it is not their fault if animals do not show up, especially if someone hires a private viewing for noon, in the midst of the day's heat, when most animals are taking shelter from it. The small size of the lodge is also a plus for us, but an individual guest might feel left behind if one happens to be there at the same time as a group. We spent 2 nights, from Dec 28 to 30, with the lodge fully booked, and are looking forward to returning, hopefully during less busy times. We had booked room 19, but we were given room 16 instead. Not a big deal, except for the fact that room 16 faces the parking area. The rooms are not luxurious, but comfortable. It would be great if conditioner could be added to the trio of shampoo/body wash/lotion. Similarly, the system of getting small pieces of paper with codes to use the wi-fi, which is only available in and around the lobby area, is a little painful and outdated. I do not believe that just opening the wi-fi up to guests would be a problem, but I might be wrong. An ice-making machine near the lobby or the breakfast restaurant area would also be an asset. Similarly, updating and upgrading outside lighting with solar lamps could give the lodge a cozier feeling and a reputation for caring about the environment. With so much sun, the potential for everything solar is so big that it is a pity to see it is not utilized. The breakfast buffet was excellent, particularly the pastries and fresh fruit. Lunch and dinner at the Kingfisher were hit and miss. One day, the creme brulee tasted like milk custard, but the next day the hazelnut mousse was superb. Same with other dishes: meats were generally good, but the risotto not so much. As mentioned before, game rides were outstanding. We saw cheeta, buffalo, elephants, rhino, besides a wide array of antelopes from nyala and springbok in the lodge area, to impala, kudu, ehlan, waterbok and wildebeast around the reserve. The boat ride, I regret to say, was underwhelming. Our guide was not as experienced as our game ranger, and we learned little about the dam and its inhabitants. A more experienced guide might have made all the difference in this case. The plate of snacks provided during the boat ride was also sort of small and inefficient, as passengers had to pass it around (even worse given covid). Why not just carry the same individual bags of chips and/or peanuts used for the game rides? In general, we had a most enjoyable three days to close the year, for which we thank all Mongena staff and management, but we believe a few easy changes could make a stay at Mongena even more outstanding.…
No or very little maintenance are done, the rooms are dirty and old, the food preparation take so long and then you receive it cold in any event, 3rd time visiting but not impressed, deteriorating drastically, the only highlight was the game drives, great game rangers with superb knowledge in their field.
We bought our mother for an appreciation lunch, the place was so beautiful, clean and soothing. We appreciate the service we have received from the waiter Joseph, very pleasant man, not forgetting the food was sooo delicious, wow!
We stayed in the barn house @ Mongena and as expected everything was top class. Max the ranger was friendly and eager to assist. The barn house was great for a quiet weekend in the bush with no one around but the animals. It’s was great. The house was fully equipped and very spacious. We enjoyed the view of the animals from our living room and bedroom. We will definitely return in the neer future. Mongena never disappoints . Well done to all the staff!
What a wonderful game lodge very near Pretoria. The warm and friendly staff impressed us the most. Njabulo and Mary at the front desk welcomed us. Rooms are perfect , comfy beds and everything we needed. We had number 21 with a view of the bush and nice and private. Frequent visitors were Baby Zebra and Mom , a springbok team , Nyalas and lots of birds. The young enthusiastic guides Jesse , Matt , Max , Kyle, Sheldon and Chad took us out on game drives , bush walks and boat cruises. We loved the knowledge and skill these guys have. The sightings of cheetahs , lions and buffaloes were very special. We especially loved a Verreaux eagle own and its fledgling. We are keen birders and photographers and the guides soon picked on that and focused on it. Lovely lodge and we will be back soon!…
Staff are very friendly and welcoming. The lodge restaurant overlooking a small dam is beautiful. Watching the day animals make their way through the lodge to graze daily makes it a great place to relax.
Mongena’s King Fischer Restaurant Redeemed itself with exceptional service and great food. We had our dinner at the restaurant and everything from their chicken livers starters to the beef fillet we had was cooked to perfection. Loved it
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