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Set in the majestic Limpopo Province, Palala Boutique Game Lodge is enticing to those who appreciate exclusivity, fine fare, romance and adventure. A mere 4 hour’s drive from Johannesburg, the lodge is unmistakably 5-star and a haven of sophistication surrounded by the authentic Limpopo bushveld landscape. This exclusive boutique game lodge inspired by the surrounding safari landscape encapsulates a fusion of elements through elaborate solid wooden furniture and exquisite artwork. The suites are the pinnacle of refinement and opulence, each designed and appointed with ultimate luxury and comfort in mind. The air-conditioned suites boast queen or king size beds covered with high quality imported linen and spacious marble bathrooms with free standing baths, glass showers, double basins and specially selected bath amenities. Engage in an assortment of exhilarating activities or indulge in a serene and holistic spa treatment at our world class Sediko Bush Spa. Activities on offer include game drives, guided bush walks, boat cruises or angling on the Limpopo River, indulgent bush picnics, outings on one of the bicycle trails, or some bird watching for the avid birdwatcher in an area renowned as a birder’s paradise. The Matoppie Restaurant provides a distinctive experience in a relaxed and private dining space under a unique and abstract Matoppie tree. Enjoy mouth-watering dishes inspired by truly South African ingredients, whilst the wine collection pays homage to the wine makers of South Africa, showcasing the best of each wine region. Our taste for luxury extends to all our facilities and services, overall offering an indulgent bush experience and world-class spa retreat.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
From the massages, the red wine bath, the food, everything was amazing. Maria, the owner, trains her staff very well because they go out of their way to make sure your stay is unforgettable. Chef Danny prepares the food in the bush and it looks like a city kitchen. The boat cruise on the Limpopo river with crocodiles (babies and their parents) was informative. The river picnic next to the Limpopo river was amazing. Overall - loved it.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2024
Value
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Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
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.
Palala is one of the very few places that really took my breath totally away since the second we arrived.
In fact it started phoning the wedding coordinator Anel whom delivered next level service. She immediately e_ mailed all the relevant information in detail, followed up and gave assistance with every question we had.
My daughters first remark after we arrived was that Palala made her feel like the first bride ever to get married at this venue. As she said. Mom it's all the little things. They kept my feet in the air the whole time like a princess.
I know that after writing this review, it will still feel insufficient for me , as I just can't convey all the positives in one review.
Since the second we arrived the welcome on arrival was just next level and overwhelming.
Francois, Garth and Never received us with so much kindness. We were offered a welcome champagne, warm hand towel. They immediately unpacked our luggage ( lots and heavy) from the car and took my car to the secure area.
Walking into Palala, even after seeing so many photos on the web, completely swept me off my feet. I felt humbled to experience this real " out of Africa" experience in South Africa. A lodge situated right opposite Botswana.
The exterior and interior is absolutely so well and perfectly executed.
The vistas day and night took us by surprise and the sunsets are for the books.
The personnel are extremely well trained. Every single member of this group of people.
Francois and Garth. The management on the property that showed us around. Akim, if we may mention a, favorite. One of the best waiters we've ever encountered.
Never with that big friendly smile,made us feel at home right from the start. The friendliest butler for sure.
The junior suite are breathtaking.
The spa, I will rate separately in full, but will mention quickly. We have visited many ,many spas in the past. Never have I encountered this level of expertise. The ambiance, the outstanding massage, the most upmarket environment.
They offer many activities on the farm, like fishing, crocodile feeding, wild drive, river cruise, picnic, cycling, predator walk, etc.
There is a state of the art gym on the premises. Dinner is 100% signature dinning at it's best.
Just a word of appreciation to Maria,the owner. This lodge took our breaths away in every sense possible.
Thank you so much for preserving our African nature and heritage of the South African bush and the extremely, great, well trained team at Palala.
This lodge is highly recommended.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Last 14 km is gravel road.
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.
Palala keeps on amazingly deliver over my expectations. Their staff is amazingly professional and very friendly. Their food presentation and taste are out of this world. The stay at their facilities makes one feel like they are on a different planet. Keep it up.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2023
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Trip type: Travelled on business
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 Fusion Portfolio, Marketing at Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa
Responded 10 Dec 2023
We are incredibly grateful for your kind words and 5-star review of Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa. Your feedback means a lot to our team, and we are thrilled to hear that we exceeded your expectations in every way. It's wonderful to know that you appreciated the professionalism and friendliness of our staff. We strive to provide exceptional service, and your positive comments are a testament to their dedication. We are particularly delighted that you found the food presentation and taste to be "out of this world." Our culinary team takes great pride in creating dishes that are both visually stunning and flavourful. We are also happy to hear that your stay at our facilities made you feel like you were on a different planet. Our goal is to provide an escape from the ordinary, and we are glad that we achieved that for you. Thank you once again for choosing Palala. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another unforgettable experience!
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The accommodation that we were placed at as a group of about 40 people was in the staff quotas. This was highly inappropriate especially after driving for 5hrs from Gauteng expecting 5star experience. The whole 3 nights at these rooms were just a nightmare, bugs were just everywhere including spiders. Curtains couldn't be opened due to the layout of the area, no privacy at all if you opened the curtains. This means no relaxing in your room, it's only a place to close your eyes and be prepared to be woken up by bugs crawling on you.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2024
Rooms
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Trip type: Travelled on business
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 Fusion Portfolio, Marketing at Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa
Responded 19 Nov 2024
Thank you for your response. You were booked for a Government conference, at a nominal government accommodation tariff of R1500 which included your meals and soft drinks. You cannot expect to be housed in the 5 star units for that rate. The conference accommodation and the 5 star accommodation were quoted to your conference organisers, but your booker decided that your group needs to be housed in the non 5 star rooms due to budget constraints. The non 5 star rooms are perfectly equipped and decorated and lovingly prepared for conference delegates, in fact they are so popular that leisure guests often enquire to book them for leisure Your disappointment is understandable, you expected the legendary Palala 5 star rooms but were booked in non 5 star rooms. As Shakespeare said Expectations are the root of all heartache. If you would like to experience the 5 star accommodation, the tariffs are well published on all online platforms, and we would love to host you in the glamourous luxury that you saw on all the social media platforms. Please visit us again soon to experience all the luxury Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa has to offer.
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Our stay at palala was nothing short of spectacular. The lodge is impeccable and has top-notch amenities, made for a truly relaxing and luxurious experience in the wild. The attentive and courteous staff catered to our every need, ensuring that our stay was as comfortable as possible, nothing was too much trouble for them. We received royalty treatment. The food was also amazing , the menu offered a variety of optios for most dinners. Sediko Spa has to be one of the best spas I've ever been to, their treatments are unique and special. My highlight of the spa was the merlot bath, you haven't lived if you have not soaked your body in red wine ;-).The only downside for us is that its a bit far, otherwise it was going to become my go to 5 star getaway place. Was also disappointed that you have to pay for every game drive, we barerly saw anything to write home about on our drive. The picnic could also be better if we can choose the snacks we like. But overall, tops, we loved it.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2024
Value
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Cleanliness
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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.
Thank you Palala for a wonderful weekend. Your attention to detail (in the rooms, at the Spa, the river cruise, the game drive, just everything) is appreciated. Your staff are attentive and friendly. Your food is amazing. Your conservation efforts are applauded. When we visit 5 Star lodges we expect peace and tranquility and that is what you offer. To be this close to nature is to be close to God and His creations. May you be blessed.
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Date of stay: September 2021Trip 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 Fusion Portfolio Team, Marketing at Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa
Responded 07 Oct 2021
Thank you for choosing Palala Boutique Game Lodge & Spa for your recent bush escape. At Palala we strive to not only meet but exceed our guests expectations. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Palala experience and we eagerly await your return for an even more memorable stay soon!
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some improvement can be done within the kitchen. the food was cold and the lamb shank was old (and not juicy). Improvement can be done with the time it takes to bring food. I would also appreciate that you have lactose free milk (I am not sure if our travel agent brought this message forward)
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2024
Value
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Trip type: Travelled on business
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 Fusion Portfolio, Marketing at Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa
Responded 28 Feb 2024
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay at Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa. We also received your GuestRevu rating with a 90% overall scoring and are surprised to see the different ratings on various review platforms. The industry standard time for the preparation of a main course is 20 minutes. Our management team has investigated the points you raised on your meal waiting times, as all service times are recorded. The 15-minute wait time between your bread service and your main course is well within the preparation time for a delicious, freshly served dish, as our meals are meticulously prepared to perfection. Our Manager on Duty, Richard, checked on your table continuously during your meal and only positive feedback were given. If you found the Lamb Shank to be anything other than mouth-watering, please let our team know on your next visit, as they would gladly have amended the dish to your specifications to ensure your 100% satisfaction. Regarding your dietary needs, we are committed to catering to various dietary restrictions. It’s a surprise that you mention the lactose free milk in your review, as we did offer soya milk as an alternative but understand from the Restaurant Manager, David, that you friendly declined the offer made. Our team is renowned for their dedication to customer service, and you are sure to receive only royal treatment on your next visit to Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa.
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Attention to detail in all aspects. Beautiful, spacious rooms. Incredible food and cocktails. The staff are incredible - nothing is off limits and rhey are only too happy to support your ad hoc requests. A gem of a location, well worth a visit.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
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.
Please be ready for a bumpy ride when going here nothing can prepare you for that horrible gravel road going to the place. Even when you on the road there are no signs that actually give you an idea of how far you are from reaching.
After that horrible experience, we greeted by a lovely gentleman by the name Never he was a real gem.The check in process is just another one that is strenuous and an exercise on its own honestly first impressions here are not valued.
The welcome drink Lacks creativity might as well serve us a glass of juice or plain water shadrack was at the reception he had a big smile and was very welcoming just like Never he made our stay a bit better Vuyiswa a young lady at the reception was also very nice with the brightest smile .
We had our first dinner in the restaurant with the pool.We were greeted by a white tall man I'm not sure but I think his name was Ano. The level of ignorance and lack of professionalism was just shocking one would expect a property that wins so many awards would have a decent host. The man's appearance was just scrumpy rolled up sleeves busy on his phone at the entrance of the restaurant. What a welcome then we were addressed in a fake black accent calling us my friend this and that. The condescending accent used probably he thinks black people cannot see the undertones in his behaviour.
Although we had a terrible welcome, we were served by A David and Moses from Malawi Amazing service very calm and discreet they made amazing recommendations. Two black managers came by a man and female also came by the restaurant service and the food was definitely amazing and probably the best thing about our stay.Ano came again to the tabl checked on us. We herd him say to the female manager these Mahule ( female dogs in Xhosa ) although we were angry at this we just wanted to eat and leave. I have never left a restaurant feeling so offended and the racist behaviour of this man will be a story I tell for years. We also ate in the kraal like restaurant the food was again great Moses served us again doing an amazing job yet again there was no social distancing though one would swear there is no covid however the hotel does a great job at regular checks. Apart from all this the place is beautiful and the spa is definitely something to try. We wanted to see the lions but the management at the restaurant directed us to reception for information on that as they knew nothing of the happenings in that department which was a shame.I would struggle to return to the hotel based on Ano he really left a sour taste
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip 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 Palala Team, Marketing at Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa
Responded 31 Oct 2020
Thank you for choosing Palala Boutique Game Lodge & Spa for your recent bush-escape. We appreciate the time you took to review your stay. We have taken careful note of the points raised, both the compliments and complaints, and have looked into your review in detail. Palala Boutique Game Lodge & Spa offers a remote bush destination experience nested between the Limpopo and Palala River surrounded by panoramic bush views, abundant bird life, game and fauna. To reach this beautiful destination we do have a short 14 km gravel road which builds up to the big reveal of the secluded gem that is Palala Boutique Game Lodge & Spa! Our attentive Guest Service team at the Front Desk takes extra care on arrival to ensure your booking is in order and that you have all the required information to make the most out of your stay. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused with your detailed check in process. We can understand that our guests gets so excited to start their Palala experience that the check in process may feel longer than needed due to their excitement. Our “made with love” arrival drinks are our chef’s homemade recipe for a refreshing ice tea after the long journey. A refreshment loved and complimented by many of your arrival guests. On behalf of Operations Manager, Anro, we wish to apologize if he offended you in anyway. Anro is known for his professional and friendly guest service and always going the extra mile for our guests to make their stay even more memorable. As Anro does not speak Xhosa we are surprised by your notes and comments in the review. We do however internally refer to the Happy Birthday song we sing to our guests at dinner as “ogole” in Tswana and wonder if his pronunciation may have led you to hear “mahula” in Xhosa as per your review and pose the question if it was possible that you misread or misheard the conversation and context of the word between Anro and his colleague. Management has since realized the risk of mis-interpretation and we have changes our birthday custom to the English version of Happy Birthday only. Even so, we apologize if any of his behaviour or word choices offended you. One of the things that makes Palala one of the most popular experiences for our guests, is the attentive and personalized guest service on international five star standards. Guest are treated like the king and/or queens they deserve to be treated as. Thank you for your wonderful review of Never, Shadreck and Vuyiswa at the Front Desk, as well as David and Moses in Matoppie Fine Dining Restaurant. We will also pass your compliments on the food to the chef for both the fine dining a la carte evening and the Lapa Dinner in true Palala style! Thank you for your positive feedback. Kind Regards, The Palala Team
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We stayed for 2 nights and We didn’t enjoy our stay. The junior suite isn’t worth the money so we upgraded for 5k more to a “better” room. We were staying at the Herd. The bed was so soft and uncomfortable we woke up with sore bodies and necks. Second night I could Not sleep on the bed the pain got unbearable and I slept on the ottomans at the end of the bed. No one from the hotel staff cared about having a 6 month pregnant guest having to sleep on a ottoman through the night at a supposedly 5 star hotel because of pain experienced from sleeping on an uncomfortable bed.
The overall place (With the exception of accommodation facilities and building) is beautiful especially the spa. But the room comfort and service we received especially from Shadrack was shocking even more so when it turned out that he was the manager. Most of the staff had attitude towards us and none of them were willing to go to any mile to make our stay pleasant. Really not worth the money. Room quality needs to improve as well as service quality. The Safari itself is a joke but Ismay tried her level best to make it something. She’s a very lovely young lady together with the welcoming gentleman Never whom we met on arrival. He was the only person who cared about our grievances and was the one to help us get a better room. Pitty he was only there on arrival.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip 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 Palala Team, Marketing at Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa
Responded 31 Oct 2020
Dear Mrs Rudnansky, Thank you for choosing Palala Boutique Game Lodge & Spa for your recent stay. First and foremost, we wish to apologize for any inconvenience caused during your stay. At Palala Boutique Game Lodge & Spa our number one priority is to create a memorable experience for each and every guests, especially for expecting mothers. We can assure that our bed selection and quality is of the highest quality and we hardly receive any complaints on our beds. In fact it one of the frequently asked questions for our guests : “where can I buy a bed like yours?” If we have been made aware of your discomfort and sleeping arrangements, we would have assisted in every way possible and even perhaps move you to another room should it have made you more comfortable. We were under the impression that you were satisfied with your upgrade as you tested the bed in The Herd before confirming the upgrade. Our Guest Service team is known for their attentive, professional service and always going to the extra mile for our guests. Two of our Operations Managers also reached out during your stay. Operations Manager, Anro, tried to ask you about your stay numerous times but he was not made aware of your concern regarding, the bed, the Game Drive or even Shadreck at that time. Senior Operations Manager, Francois also reach out to you after Shadreck could not assist you any further. Our Game Drives are also one of the most popular excursions at Palala Boutique Game Lodge & Spa and fully booked every weekend. Some guests even come back to book a second game drive to repeat their pleasant experience. Once again, we sincerely apologize if this activity did not meet your expectations. The Palala Management and Team takes special care in preparing and “designing” each guest’s experience to ensure every guest receives their tailor made Palala experience. Once again we wish to sincerely apologize if we did not meet your basic expectations at Palala Boutique Game Lodge & Spa. Kind Regards, The Palala Team
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There are more places to choose from in the Lephalale area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 6,109 - RÂ 8,545 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaLimpopo ProvinceWaterbergLephalale
NUMBER OF ROOMS
37
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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