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#4 of 13 lodges in Balule Nature Reserve
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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.
Set in the Olifants West Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger area, Sausage Tree Safari Camp promises rich game viewing and spectacular views, as our boundary with Kruger National Park is open and the Northern Drakensberg Mountains form a majestic back drop. This family operated safari camp pride itself on the warm atmosphere and African safari tented accommodation it offers. Enjoy lantern lit dinners in our boma or open deck under the African sky. Sunrise and sunset safaris in open 4x4 vehicles are the highlights of the day. Our four African safari-styled tents and one Luxury Tented Suite are nestled in between Marula, Knobthorn and Sausage Trees and overlook a dry riverbed, the bush and the Northern Drakensberg Mountains. Each spacious tent has insect gauze, is air-conditioned and built in an elevated position with each a special view. The tents are fully furnished and have their own private deck and ensuite bathroom with a bath and outdoor shower. Our suite is suitable for families
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
We had such an incredible four nights at Sausage Tree. Where to start??? You are warmly greeted on arrival and after coming back to the lodge from each game drive. You are treated like family from start to finish. Karinne and Thandy were always so kind and welcoming. Meals were incredible thanks to Pitzo and his team. You certainly won’t leave hungry! From snacks on the game drive, treats right before and hearty meals in between, the food was exceptional. And the guides and trackers are so knowledgeable and love to teach you about everything you see and make sure your drives are memorable. Huge thanks to Polite, Life and Themba. We saw the Big Five multiple times and more unique sightings than I could possibly imagine, as well as laughs. And then there are the accommodations… the tents are very private and have lots of little touches to make your stay as comfortable as possible, including water bottles in the beds at night and fresh water refilled throughout the day. Eating dinner around in the boma was such a great way to end the day and you can relax by the pool or overlooking the watering hole and have a drink to relax throughout the day. It was a magical week and one we won’t soon forget. Thank you James for such a unique property and experience.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:You’ll want at least three nights here for the full experience.
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 Sausage Tree Safari Camp, Marketing at Sausage Tree Safari Camp
Responded 03 Aug 2024
Wow what an awesome review and we are so glad you enjoyed your stay with us so much and we will certainly pass on your very kind words to our team of whom we are very proud
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I had the most wonderful 3 nights at Sausage Tree Safari Camp. Every aspect of my stay and the game drives were of the highest standard and it was one of the most memorable experiences in my life. The staff are without exception warm, welcoming and expert at their jobs. They strive to go a step beyond to provide their guests with the best possible experience. The food is some of the best I have ever eaten - every meal was a delight and they had no trouble catering for my gluten free needs including delicious GF muffins for breakfast. It was great that our guides and trackers sat down to eat with us as it gave us an opportunity to gain get to know them and also gain further knowledge. The property has every comfort you could want while still blending sensitively and caring for the environment. The 'tents' are luxurious with all the mod cons and some nice extra touches but still retaining the feel of being under canvas. The game drives were the highlight of course. The guides and trackers (shout out to Jimmy and Polite) went out of their way to find every animal we wanted to see and we had some truly unique experiences - watching a male lion roaring to his brothers from a couple metres away, seeing a baby giraffe only a few hours old. Their knowledge, expertise and love for nature was obvious as was their pleasure in sharing it with others who appreciated the beautiful Balule Conservancy environment. For a solo traveller, their prices were very reasonable for a camp of this quality so I consider this a very good value property. It is a small camp so there are no problems with lack of privacy and overcrowding. You are able to get to know your fellow guests and enjoy congenial time together over meals and game drives but also have plenty privacy. I cannot recommend this property highly enough.
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Date of stay: January 2020
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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.
I've stayed in some of the best hotels in the world, and don't give 5* reviews very often, but this was an amazing experience. Everything was fantastic: the safaris, the room, the food - the FOOD! The Food was incredible, INCREDIBLE! Really, really good. We stayed for three nights, which I think was about perfect. You really need that many nights in order to see most of the animals (we saw everything we had hoped to except leopards, which are here but very hard to find).
It wouldn't be one of my reviews without a little constructive criticism. Really I can't come up with much (which is really saying something). On our last day, the beds were changed and made up before we checked out, which was slightly inconvenient (we had planned on using the bed), and I found the tipping policy very confusing - in EUR (but you tip in Rand), and very detailed - you are expected to write in an amount per person. I don't even know how much a Rand is. A set tip per night in Rand would be much, much easier. I hoped I tipped correctly because the service was EXCELLENT!
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Date of stay: February 2020
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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.
Where to start on this absolutely incredible camp! I had the most incredible 3 nights stay at Sausage Tree Safari Camp! Every aspect of my stay was above and beyond my expectations, from the world class game drives by Jimmy and Polite! I cannot commend them enough! We saw the Big 5 on the first day due to their incredible tracking skills and knowledge of the bush! This was definitely a highlight of my stay here. All the staff went out of their way to make us feel extra welcome and more like friends than guests. The food was delicious, the setting was beautiful and the luxury tents were top notch. The outdoor shower was especially great, and at night we could hear hyenas calling! Thank you to everyone at Sausage Tree Safari Camp for such an incredible stay! I hope one day to be back, as it was emotional leaving!
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Date of stay: March 2020
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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.
As experienced safari travellers we are always keen to try new places and had not been to the Balule region before.
Sausage Tree Camp is fenced off which has the advantage of being able to walk out of your tent at night but compared to some other camps we had been to it does mean the camp is some way from the adjacent water hole.
The tents are excellent and, unusually, have air conditioning which is the 40C plus heat was actually very welcome. Tents are of a good size and were very comfortable, each with its own private veranda.
The public area was beautiful with bar, raised decking and a swimming pool to cool off in. Staff are ever so friendly and nothing is too much trouble here.
Our game viewing was with Themba and Polite who made a first class team, very informative and although they tried very hard to find leopard it was not to be. There is a very large pride of lions close to the camp (which can keep you awake at night) which are a wonderful sight but are keeping some animals away. Nonetheless we saw plenty. It was a shame that the black rhino had had their horns removed to deter poachers but understandable.
Although many reporters have liked it for us the only slight drawback was the food which we found somewhat rustic and heavy - although we do appreciate that is part of the experience being created. Nowadays we prefer lighter options with less emphasis on meat. Notwithstanding this we had a great four days here.
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Date of stay: December 2019
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Room Tip:All tents are comfortable with no differences
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 Sonja Sussens, Owner at Sausage Tree Safari Camp
Responded 05 Sept 2020
Dear mfranks911 Many thanks for writing such a lovely review. We’re delighted to know that you thought our tents were excellent and comfortable ...especially the air conditioning which certainly helps in the hot weather. Yes, we are very blessed with our friendly and helpful staff, and game viewing with Themba and Polite is always a treat. We’ve taken note of your comment on our food, and we’ll ‘lighten the fare’! We’re so pleased you had a great four days with us and hope we can welcome you back some day, meantime take care and stay safe. Warm regards from us all at Sausage Tree
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Amazing place! The location is outstanding with a little waterhole just outside the lodge where you can see all kind of wild animals. The staff is wonderful and made our stay just amazing. The food was really tasty and we especially enjoyed having dinner in the booma! We also had the best safari experience and did see all the big five. We really recommend this place and looking forward to come back again. Greetings from Linda & Simon
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Date of stay: December 2019
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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.
Response from sonsussens, Owner at Sausage Tree Safari Camp
Responded 24 Feb 2020
Dear Linda v Thank you so much for your very complimentary review! We’re so pleased that you had the experience of seeing so many animals ...including the Big 5, and that our wonderful staff made your stay so amazing. Having dinner in the boma around the campfire certainly is a unique experience too. We do hope you and Simon will visit us again some day. Bush greetings from us all at Sausage Tree.
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Thank you so much for the most wonderful holiday we have ever had . Our first experience in the “bush” surpassed all our expectations. Our guides and tracker , Themba, Polite and Jimmy , were brilliant . Really funny and so knowledgable . We saw the big 5 and they even found Lion Cubs waiting for their pride to return . They obviously know the reserve really well , although to me all the tracks looked identical ! Every day there was new scenery and something else to learn . We got so close to the animals but never felt at risk . They understand animal body language well, so we got fantastic photo opportunities without causing distress to the wildlife.. I have to say the addition of Amarula in morning coffee or hot chocolate was quite delicious on the early morning game drives and sundowner G &T overlooking the bush at dusk was wonderful.
Now on to the camp itself ….the 5 tents are luxurious and the camp is surrounded by a fence so you are free to walk around by yourself . The outside showers are fun and you absolutely do not need to be concerned about being seen by anyone other than the birds !
You can hear the animals close by as you sleep and the deck overlooks the waterhole . As we sipped wine we watched elephants and impala walk by . The food is first class, varied and really, really tasty….the chef , Pitsu, is excellent . Thandy and Corinne looked after us well and were such great company. Eating supper in the evening with the staff was lovely and gave us the chance to get to know them a little better . The camp has a lovely family feel and you are made to feel like friends not guests. We had some great conversations with the owners James and Sonya about life in the bush , which were fascinating.
We also took the Panorama Day tour from the camp to Blyde Canyon , the third largest canyon in the world. The scenery was magnificent and well worth it .
I know we will return as soon as we can and we cannot recommend Sausage Tree safari camp highly enough.
The bush is a magical place and brings home what is really important in life. Sausage Tree is the epitome of everything a “Safari” holiday should be …..great location and facilities , fabulous camp, wonderful food and wonderful people who work there .
Thank you all for showing us to a wonderful part of South Africa xx
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Date of stay: June 2023
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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.
Response from Sausage Tree Safari Camp, Marketing at Sausage Tree Safari Camp
Responded 08 Jul 2023
This is such a wonderful review and we have printed it out and put it on the staff noticeboard. Thanks so much for your kind words and we are so happy that you enjoyed yourselves so much. We look forward to seeing you here again soon.
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We spent 3 nights at Sausage tree earlier this moon for our Honeymoon. Our originally planned trip unfortunately was delayed due to Covid last year, but the folks at Sausage Tree was able to accommodate us and reschedule it for this year. What a way to start our Honeymoon! The tents are the definition of glamping, always very clean, cozy and comfortable and provided fantastic view of the watering hole, where we saw kudu, giraffes, and other animals from our bed. When it came down to the food, I think their goal was to make sure you gain weight! All the food was delicious, and beautiful (visually). They can accommodate your diets as well (make sure to tell them in advance!) as they were extremely attentive to everything. When it came to game drives, I highly recommend you ask for Jimmy. He was amazing and a wealth of knowledge, whether its about the animals, plants, insects or the stars! Also wanted to give a shot out to Nomi (sp?) for always making us feel welcome and keeping us company during the day! Thank you everyone at Sausage Tree for making our stay and honeymoon amazing.
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Date of stay: May 2021
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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.
Response from Sonja Sussens, Owner at Sausage Tree Safari Camp
Responded 13 Jun 2021
Dear Jasonchen520 Thank you so much for writing this very complimentary review, we really appreciate it. It was our pleasure hosting you both on your very special honeymoon. How wonderful that you got to see so many animals and especially from your bed. We’re also so happy to know that you enjoyed our food so much and that we were able to cater to your dietary requirements. Jimmy is an amazing guide and always makes the drives so fun and interesting and I will be sure to give Nommy your compliments too...she really does know how to make people feel welcome and comfortable with her bubbly personality. We trust you enjoyed the rest of your honeymoon trip in our beautiful country and we hope to welcome you to Sausage Tree again one day. Take care and have a happy life together. All the best from the Sausage Tree Team.
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After a week in a fab hotel in Dubai and 44 days on Oceania, known for the best food at sea, arrived at Sausage tree. It was the best 3 days of the trip. It was interesting, fun, with the best food of the trip. Every staff member and owners were better than great. Game drives spectacular. On Oceania, we paid usually $300+ a person to have to drive 1.5 to 2.5 hours each way to a game park for a game drive of two hours. So about $700 for one two hour game drive. At sausage tree, received 6 to 8 hours a day of game drives with Matthew, a far superior guide, leagues above any of the other guides at any of the seven reserves and parks we had visited. On my Facebook page “Allyn Landau” I have posted description of each day with photos from drives. Right now it is the middle of the night Lake Tahoe and I was told on FB, by my friend who used to live in South Africa, that the photos I posted of wild dog, the rarest predator in South Africa are hyenas! Looked at one of the books I bought at Sausage tree and photos I posted are correct. Wild dogs have a stripe between their eyes. Wish we had more time at Sausage tree, alas, it was the last stop of trip and plane tickets home were fixed.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2020
Value
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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.
Response from Sonja Sussens, Owner at Sausage Tree Safari Camp
Responded 05 Sept 2020
Dear Abbymcdonald Wow! The best 3 days of 62....we couldn’t as for a better compliment than that...thank you SO much! We’re delighted you loved our food so much and had such fun with our staff. It’s always a special experience to go on game drives with Matthew who is so passionate and so knowledgeable and loves sharing this with his guests. How fantastic that you got to see the rare wild dogs too! We do hope to welcome you back to Sausage Tree in the future...and we all send our warmest regards to you. Take care and stay safe The Sausage Tree Team
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We had a great six days at this lodge. Living in very nice tents ( glamping). Tents have air conditioning and a fan, bathroom is very large with a bath and a private outdoor shower. The staff,guides and owners are wonderful , very friendly and can not do enough for you. 3 huge meals a day and a good range of drinks for you to purchase at very reasonable prices. I would recommend this camp for sure and we got to experience seeing a lot of animals up close but the guides are very mindful of the safety of both animals and the environment. A small camp (5 tents) so you get a very personal holiday with just a few people. A few steps to negotiate, a nice deck with a pool overlooks the African bush. About 5 days in my opinion to enjoy all the camp has to offer and see lots of the animals,birds and flora.
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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.
Response from Sausage Tree Safari Camp, Marketing at Sausage Tree Safari Camp
Responded 09 Sept 2023
Thanks so much for your very kind review. We are so glad you enjoyed your stay with us and look forward to welcoming you here again sometime.
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Hoedspruit, South Africa17 contributions2 helpful votes
Hi there , all five tents are nicely secluded and separate from each other. Tent number 1 is furthest away from the main lodge and Tent number 5 is the second furthest away
Good day jtsang72,
Thank you for your question and for you interest in our Unique and Private Safari Camp. The Game Drives are included in the rate and are done on Balule Nature Reserve which is open and part of the Greater Kruger National Reserve. (Its just on a different area in the Kruger)
Don’t forget to pack your sunblock, insect repellent, flashlight, camera, binoculars and anti-malaria tablets.
Although Sausage Tree is situated in a low-risk malaria area, anti-malaria prophylactics are recommended for visitors going in to the Kruger National Park. The highest risk period is between November and April which is the rainy season.
A 24-hour malaria hotline is available on +27 (0)82 234 1800 to give a detailed explanation on risk and advice on precautionary measures. We advise that you consult a knowledgeable medical practitioner about recommended medication.
WiFi is available, with a charge of Rand 50 per night per tent.
Also, walks are available for Rand 400 per person. We went on a walk ourselves. The walks are conducted by another organization, which supplies the guides (who come to Sausage Tree). We enjoyed the walks ourselves.
There are more places to choose from in the Balule Nature Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
R 12,679 - R 14,295 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkBalule Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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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