Discover you own piece of the African Bush Sungulwane is an exclusive, Big 5 Safari lodge with just 8 private suites. It’s the ultimate intimate African bush experience for you and a loved one, friends or the whole family. Sit back, relax and sip on an ice-cold G&T while the 31000 hectares of the Mun-Ya-Wana envelopes you with its tall thickets, grassveld, savanna, thornveld and pockets of dense woodland. This Big Five game reserve borders the iSimangaliso Wetland Park which is a world heritage site and authentically encapsulates the true spirit of Zululand. The Munyawana is an incredibly diverse conservation area boasting lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah and leopard. Not to mention an abundance of prolific plains game including impala, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, nyala, bushbuck, giraffe and of course a plethora of birds. It’s particularly famous for its awe-inspiring cheetah sightings.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Luxury
Romantic
Languages Spoken
Afrikaans
Location
Munyawana Game Reserve, Hluhluwe 3960 South Africa
We really enjoyed our time at Sungulwane, everyone was lovely, the lodges are great, the game drives were particularly special. The first one was challenging due to the rain but the second one in the morning was perfect (we managed to see a pride of lions, rhinos, buffalos and lots more).
The style here is very personal, we were sharing the resort with just 2 other couples and it did feel a little overwhelming at times. The service was amazing and discreet, nothing would have been too much for any of these guys. I think I need to change my mindset a little as I find it difficult to separate the individual from the business. I suppose what I mean is that it felt like the rate you pay goes to the owners and the staff depended on the tips. The tipping (gratuity) system is laid out for you in the welcome letter in your room. I don't mind this but i'm not used to carrying cash nowadays and I had about $80 on me (The letter recommends about $100 per night split between the safari guide and staff). In the morning I asked if I could put tips on a card or get cash anywhere and was told it wasn't possible. So then you start feeling bad because these people are going the extra mile but all you have is the money you have on you and no other option.
So i suppose my issue is that you pay a high nightly rate anyway which really should mean that the staff here are paid top $ and you receive service that equates to that level (which you do, staff here couldn't be faulted). The issue is you then really feel obliged (I know they will say you aren't obliged, but it is how you feel) to pay an extra $100+ a night in tips for everyone. In a larger resort you don't feel this pressure, you pay your rate and maybe $10 here and there for porters etc. Anyway as a resort I would have preferred to have just had the option to have a service/staff charge added at the end that I could just pay on the card. Otherwise my advice to anyone coming to Sungulwane is bring a fair amount of cash.
With that aside, the food here was lovely, little treats that were obviously handmade and the food was cooked well and tasty. We had lunch, dinner and breakfast and everything was superb. The lodge as mentioned was great with an inside and outside shower, both huge. The view from our balcony (lodge 4) was OK, nothing like the one advertised (see my pics), it was a little like an English woodland, pleasant but nothing to see. You also have the big heavy doors that are double glazed that need to be closed at night (due to monkeys and bugs) so it shuts out all the outside noise. For me I love to hear all the chatter and animals in the night, an option of just pulling across a screen would have been great.
Overall Sungulwane is a lovely little place to stay, definitely you receive a very personal and high level of service. I would definitely recommend, the game drives are superb and really informative and the public areas overlooking the watering hole are very relaxing. You do feel at times as if you have the whole resort to yourself which feels very unique.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Try and get one of the lodges a little higher up with better views
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 Sungulwane Lodge, General Manager at Sungulwane Private Game Lodge
Responded 1 week ago
Dear Adrian, Thank you for your feedback, and for taking the time to write about your visit. Thank you for your thoughtful review and for sharing your experience at Sungulwane. We're so glad you enjoyed your time with us, especially the game drives and the service provided by our team. We truly apologize for the miscommunication regarding gratuities. It is indeed possible to leave tips on a credit card, and we're sorry if this wasn’t made clear to you during your stay. We understand that carrying cash can be inconvenient, and we'll work on making this process more transparent for our future guests. Your feedback regarding the service charge option is appreciated, and we’ll certainly take that into consideration as we continue to enhance the guest experience. We also noted your comment about the room view and will review the details shared with guests to ensure expectations are set accurately. Thank you once again for your kind words and recommendations. We look forward to welcoming you back to Sungulwane Private Game Lodge soon! Kind regards, Sam General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The reviews for Sungulwane were almost too goo to be true, but we took a chance and booked two nights at the end of an amazing three weeks in South Africa. The reviews are spot on. This is one of the very best in its class.
Location: Sungulwane is located within a vast game reserve, on a par with Kruger in terms of wildlife and birdlife.
Accommodation: fabulous rooms with a big, comfy bed, a balcony, spacious showers (and an outdoor shower option), electrica outlets and charging points (USB and USC), a walkie talkie system to connect with the staff and stunning day and night views.
Facilities: a pool with a view of the watering hole (frequented by Impala, Inyala, warthogs, numerous colourful birds and at nighy (during our stay) a Jennet and a Leopard. I should mention the golf buggy transfers between rooms and main building, needed at night (this is in the park, with minimal fencing to keep elephants out) and welcome in the heat of the day.
Food: incredible. We're both vegan, which can be a challenge in SA. We let Sam know in advance and boy oh boy did the chefs do us proud. There's a misconception that Vegans don't like flavour, or that we need gluten free bread. Not here. Somebody did their research, and the two chefs on duty during our stay served up some real treats. Wine is SA is excellent and Sungulwane has a good selection at very reasonable prices.
Staff: outstanding. Hosts, service staff, kitchen (see above) and the rangers are all clearly happy to be there and focused on your comfort and pleasure. Our Ranger was superb. He seemed young, but had such a. wealth of knowledge, including the ability to mimic bird calls, he must have started studying from age 4. He engaged with us, sharing secrets of bushcraft and stories from his experiences.
Our only regret was not booking a longer stay at Sungulwane. 10/10
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â It's fairly new, so not any reviews (yet). Ignore that, this place is the real deal.
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 Sungulwane Lodge, General Manager at Sungulwane Private Game Lodge
Responded 1 week ago
Hi Ashley, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that Sungulwane exceeded your expectations and that you had such a memorable stay. It’s great to know that the accommodations, food, wildlife, and the personal touches from our team made your experience so special. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to our chefs, rangers, and staff—your feedback means the world to us! We hope to welcome you back soon for an even longer stay to explore more of what Sungulwane has to offer. Thank you again! Kind regards, Sam General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
In my many years on this big blue marble I've had the opportunity to travel far and wide. The challenge that comes with that privilege is maintaining one's sense of childhood wonder. I found it at Sungulwane. To be fair, this was our first Safari so I don't have a basis for comparison. That said, I now understand why everyone I know who has been on Safari proclaims it to be one of their top experiences. From the moment we arrived I knew we were about to experience something special. Staff were waiting for us with drinks and warm towels to welcome us to their secluded private game lodge. The setting is intimate, with only 8 cabins throughout the property offering privacy and serenity. The main lodge is a separate facility just a short walk from each cabin that offers a modern, curated, warm and inviting take on African design. For your all inclusive price, you are treated to a morning and evening game drive with an experienced, knowledgable and passionaite guide. The landscape, with its rolling hills, lush and verdant bush was breathtaking. The opportunity to be up close and see the "Big 5" along with many other majestic creatures was more thrilling than I imagined. Since it's a private reserve your drives are never crowded - offering you the opportunity to spend as much time viewing the animals as you like. Each drive is also accompanied by a coffee break or a "sundowner" (what I call a happy hour) in a strategically selected location offering gorgeous views and privacy. You won't go hungry with high qualify breakfast, lunch, dinner and high tea offered daily. One evening all guests were treated to a Braii (a South African BBQ) in a candle lit open air "room" on property. The setting felt magical. We booked this Safari considering that it would be a "once in a lifetime" experience. Now that we know what to expect, we consider this the first in our lifetime - with more to come.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
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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.
We are a family of four who travelled to stay at Sungulwane in August 2024 and we loved every minute of our stay here. The staff, lead by Sam and Keenan, all went above and beyond to make our stay very memorable. The family room was lovely and spacious. The food was to die for, and very plentiful! We loved that the total guest numbers (capacity) is low as it made for a very intimate experience. Our guide for our 4 days was Jordan, and he was very knowledgeable and friendly. The game vehicle was comfy and the touch of blankets to keep us warm was very welcome. We saw four out of the Big five, only missing the elusive leopard - although not for lack of trying! Overall an exceptional experience and I would not hesitate to recommend to others.
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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 Sungulwane Lodge, General Manager at Sungulwane Private Game Lodge
Responded 22 Nov 2024
Helen, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience at Sungulwane Lodge! We’re thrilled to hear that you and your family had such a memorable stay with us. It was a pleasure to host you, and we’re delighted that our team, led by Sam and Keenan, was able to make your visit truly special. We're so happy you enjoyed the family room, the food, and the intimate atmosphere that our small guest capacity allows. It’s fantastic to hear that Jordan’s expertise and friendly approach made your game drives even more enjoyable—he truly loves sharing his knowledge with our guests. Seeing four out of the Big Five is an incredible achievement, and we’re glad you had such amazing wildlife encounters during your time here. We hope that the elusive leopard will make an appearance for you next time! Thank you for recommending Sungulwane Lodge—your kind words mean the world to us. We look forward to the possibility of welcoming you and your family back for another unforgettable stay. With warm regards, Sam
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Exceptional. We really appreciated our stay in Sungulwane Lodge for two main reasons : the staff is so kind. Each of them wants to satisfy the clients just to please them and make of our stay as unforgettable. That is the case. And the place is very comfortable, ultra clean, modern and so cosy. The cooking is also delicious. Moreover, the drives with Cait were fantastic. We saw the big Five but not only. We learned a lot about other animals, birds, flowers, paths of the animals and so on. Each drive was different. Drink the coffee in the middle of the bush each morning and the cocktail during the sunset... Waouh. We liked each oh them. And we have had full of lovely surprises during the stay. If you want to offer you an unforgettable time in the bush, do not longer hesitate, choose Sungulwane. Many thanks to the team.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Location
Service
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.
Our experience was amazing. This place is a must if you plan to do a safari. The facilities and cabins are breath taking. The staff was friendly and fun. Truly a great group of people they have working for them. The chef prepared wonderful meals daily and we saw every animal we wanted to see during our safari. I highly recommend this place. You will not be disappointed
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip 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.
The main lodge and the separate accommodation buildings are stylishly appointed to give you that luxury feeling. Couple that with very friendly staff and delicious food and drink selections and the frame is perfect.
Our ranger/tracker Daniel was so knowledgeable and provided us with wonderful game and bird sightings, coupled with his insights on the various species. Our (close) sightings included lions on a chase(!) - lioness with two adolescents and a male, cheetah with cubs, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, zebras, baboons, tortoises, puff adder snakes, impalas, wildebeest and of course nyalas and warthog families coming by the lodge on a regular basis.
Enjoyed the outdoor shower in the company of curious monkeys in the trees.
This was our first safari and as such it could not have been a better start.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip 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.
From the time you arrive until the day you depart you are treated like royalty. All your needs are taken care of by the friendly professional, knowledgeable staff. The experiences and memories will forever linger, long after your stay. I have been to many game farms, big and small but this one truly takes first prize. A lot of care and attention to detail has been take in making the experience/s forever lasting... I can highly recommend Sungulwane Private Game Lodge.
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Date of stay: August 2022
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.
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This lodge is extraordinary! It is exclusive and allows you to live a fully immersive safari experience. We had a great ranger, Calvin, who allowed us to observe the Big 5 on several occasions. I recommend this lodge to all visitors to eastern South Africa. Congratulations to the whole team on site!
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip 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.
Taste and Style in a wonderful Bushveld environment Singulwane is part of the Muny--wana conservancy named after the River. Phinda is also located on this traverse just off the great Lebombo Mountains. Shower inside and out with a magnificent view but the food is amazing- Bri and her staff were exceptional,
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Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:Â The Greatest Shower ever- size of a squash Court
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.
There are more places to choose from in the Hluhluwe area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 13,899 - RÂ 18,123 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKwaZulu-NatalZululandHluhluwe
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
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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