Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
69 Vergelegen Farm R69, Magudu, Pongola 3170 South Africa
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US$511
Free cancellation until 22/11/10
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US$516
US$478
Free cancellation until 22/10/24
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Prices above are provided by partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and do not include all taxes and fees. Please see our partners for full details.
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Travel safe during COVID-19
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What you can expect during your stay
- All linens sanitised in high-temperature wash
- Face masks required for guests in public areas
- Face masks required for staff in public areas
- Hand sanitiser available to guests & staff
- Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
- Staff required to regularly wash hands
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Updated 22/01/12 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
A note from Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Updated 22/01/12 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
About
#1 of 12 Specialty lodging in Pongola
Location
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Service
Value
Amakhosi Lodge is one of those destinations that you need to visit at least once in a lifetime! Translated as a ‘place of kings’, it is exclusive, offering a unique and personally rewarding safari experience. Situated on the banks of the Mkuze River in the heart of Zululand, on its own private game reserve and close to the Swaziland and Mozambique border, this small yet absolutely charming Lodge is not only about experiencing a ‘Big 5’ safari. It is far more than that as the guides pride themselves in sharing their intimate knowledge of this unique and pristine bushveld with their guests. This affordable five star property is full board and includes all game activities.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Pool
Fitness / spa changing rooms
Free breakfast
Spa
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Secured parking
Pool / beach towels
Infinity pool
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Private pool
Plunge pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot bath
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Light therapy
Massage
Massage chair
Neck massage
Concierge
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Shops
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Private check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Coffee / tea maker
Extra long beds
Walk-in shower
Safe
Seating area
Sofa
Telephone
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Private bathrooms
Minibar
Refrigerator
Electric kettle
Sofa bed
Electric blanket
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Landmark view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Luxury
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, Zulu
Location
Full view
Contact
69 Vergelegen Farm R69, Magudu, Pongola 3170 South Africa
Getting there
Car HireSee all Pongola car hire
333Reviews2Q+A84Room tips
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+1
Amazing, Incredible, Wonderful! We spent 3 nights here and it was not enough- we wanted to stay longer. We were so sad to leave. The lodge and our river suites were beautiful. We enjoyed sitting on the porch and enjoying the natural beauty. The suite is spacious and the beds heated, The food was incredible. We had coffee, juice and cookies before the morning game drive. Then we stopped during the drive for coffee and mini muffins at an incredible location. After the game drive we had part continental breakfast buffet with a hot breakfast choice. A 2 pm high tea was followed by the afternoon game drive. Also with a cocktail stop if desired. Dinner after the game drive at 715. We had lamb chops, filet of beef and Kingklip fish entrees that were all so delicious. Cocktails were so reasonable but we were greeted on return from safari with a special cocktail. The tables for dinner were so romantic. We ate most meals alfresco. What we came for- the game drives, incredible. The reserve is green, lush and beautiful. We saw the big 5 on our 6 game drives. Our guide Pierre and tracker Mandel were so good. Pierre knew so much about the animals and the plants and trees. He could identify birds by their shapes and calls my friend and I were with another couple on the drives and they were so nice that they added to our experience. We saw so many animals including zebras, giraffes, lions, rhinos, buffalos, nyala, warthogs, kudo, leopard, impala, wildebeest and more and were surrounded by elephants. Our fellow guests also loved the lodge and compared it above other safari experiences. We saw amazing sunrises, sunsets and stars. On leaving the staff came out and waved goodbye. Everyone was so friendly, you felt like you were part of family. I would come back here in a heartbeat and could not recommend it enough.…
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Date of stay: April 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
Response from Amakhosi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Responded 4 weeks ago
Oh wow what an amazing review, sorry for the delay in responding as we have been on two back to back travel shows, so lovely to be back to seeing our trade face to face, we also mentioned while presenting to please look at the reviews on Trip Advisor as our wonderful guests literally describe each experience in detail, well I was not wrong as hopefully all did read your detailed review! Thank you so much and your review will be read in the morning meeting WE really hope that you do return soon, fond regards from all at Amakhosi
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+1
Delightful lodge with kind and helpful staff. The safaris were second to none with our ranger Philip and tracker Jeremy being able to find all the big five. The food was delicious and our honeymoon suite even had a hot tub which one could use whilst having a glass of wine and seeing impalas and water hogs in the bush
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Helpful
Response from Amakhosi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Responded 03 Apr 2022
Thank you so much for taking the time to post this wonderful review, we are grateful to have such amazing guests which makes our work all that more worthwhile - we have send a copy of your review to all our departments hope you visit us again regards the AMA TEAM!
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Had a fantastic time at Amakhosi, highly recommend for anyone looking for a safari destination. Saw lots of wildlife here, I even woke up during the middle of the night to either elephants or hippos grazing around our accommodation.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
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Response from Amakhosi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Responded 03 Apr 2022
WOW what a way to start the week with stunning reviews and also to see our international guests back!! We are so grateful to have our guests back and the staff are loving every minute - thank you so much for taking the time to post, much appreciated by us all - hope you visit us again - regards the AMA TEAM!
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The best 3 days of my life were spent at Amakhosi. I arrived on 30th December 2020, stayed in the honeymoon suite (booked because it was still such good value and after 2 years of Covid, we wanted to treat ourselves), and left with a fiancé! The staff were amazing and really helped my boyfriend out when he told them he was going to propose - they set the room up beautifully with candles, flower petals and champagne, so when we came back from the evening drive we had the most perfect proposal. We went on 6 game drives, saw everything apart from leopard (those sneaky scamps) and our sightings were just insane - we were surrounded by a herd of 27 elephants, right next to a cheetah with a kill, saw a male lion in full flight chasing a herd of wildebeest... the list goes on. The food is incredible here and plentiful, you will be absolutely stuffed by the time you leave! We also had massages one day which were divine. The Honeymoon suite has a private pool and the suite is so secluded you feel like you're in your own breath-taking world. One day I woke up from a nap on the hammock on our terrace and there was a male Kudu having a leafy snack right next to me - magical. I could gush about Amakhosi for days and literally cannot wait for the day I can go back - this time on my actual honeymoon!…
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Date of stay: December 2021
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Response from Amakhosi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Responded 23 Mar 2022
Oh my word you have literally made us all so emotional, thank you so much for this absolutely wonderful review and we are so happy that your lovely fiancé chose us for this special occasion. We wish you all the best for the future and hope that you come back one day as husband and wife! We have shared this review with the entire team and a copy is now in all the departments. Sending fond regards from the AMA team! - don't forget to share any of your special photos with us and so that we can enter them in our guest competition for 2022! email them to sales@amakhosi.com
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+1
A great bush experience with highly skilled Ranger Phillip and Tracker Zakhele who won us over when finding stunning animal sightings and their friendly personalities. The highlight of this trip is definitely viewing with these gentlemen who really have a passion for what they do and persevered until they tracked the animals. The thrilling heart-racing experience was definitely when they got out the vehicle to track prints and a lioness menacingly roared and charged 😳... they handled it so well and Phillip had a face-off with her as she slunked away. Both of them have a great inherent understanding of the animals and behaviour so that we always feel safe and learn so much from them. We'll done Phillip and Zakhele! The accommodation is beautiful and spacious so that you're always experiencing a private getaway. It is well kept and truly 5 star lodging. The geckos can be messy at night and the bugs out in the bush are in swarms but it's expected in the bush so we just kept our items closed. Despite us having dietary restrictions, the dining was mostly good for us and having Lindo around from day 2 really ensured that we were truly accommodated for from then on. I only give this a 4/5 rating as two of us struggled on day 1 with food options and it didn't appear as accommodating to our dietary needs. Fortunately Lindo came through on Day 2 and he helped us. The staff are helpful and attentive but special mention again is Lindo who goes above and beyond in his role. The booking process with Marilyn is so smooth and easy. I'd recommend this lodge if you're looking for exceptional game viewing.…
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Helpful
Response from Amakhosi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Responded 14 Feb 2022
Good day sorry for the delay in responding to the review as we have been investigating the reason in the lapse of your dietary requirements, it seems a miscommunication occurred and for this we apologise as this is not in standing with our service levels and thank you for bringing it to our attention , we are so happy that Lindo managed to sort out your meals as this is one aspect that we really to pride ourselves, in that whatever your dietary requirements are, you as our guest have the best possible options. We have forwarded this review to all departments and to our operations manager and he has communicated your lovely review to our awesome guiding team. Thank you so much for taking the time to post such and informative review as I am sure this will assist many potential guests in making a decision to stay with us, Hope we see you soon again and Best Regards the AMA TEAM
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+1
From the moment we called the lodge to book to the moment we drove out the gate we were taken care of fully with personal and kind service. Every staff member seems to be personally invested in the guests comfort and experience! Amakhozi has restored our faith in boutique game lodges. Small and intimate where you feel you are among old acquaintances and friends. Game drives produced 4 of the big 5… elusive leopard did now join in. Food and accommodation is excellent whilst the whole Safari experience is a pleasure…. Even the spa. (we are not really spa people) Thank you to the whole team (yes even the gate guard was a pleasure to deal with) for a great experience - you will surely see us again… and again. Value for money!
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Response from Amakhosi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Responded 11 Jan 2022
Good morning and a very happy new year to you. Thank you for our first review post of 2022 and what an amazing post it is, you have certainly understood our team, nothing makes us happier than guests arriving as guests and leaving as friends with memorable moments and reviews like this is what makes it all worth it! A copy has gone to each department and once again thank you and thank you for taking the time to post this review. Tripadvisor is one of the platforms used when making holiday destination decisions. Hope we see you back again and fond regards the AMA TEAM!
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Everything was perfect and it is very good value for money. Great accommodation, location, food and lovely staff. The safari was truly wild, we saw at most one other car during the game drives. We also manage to see all of the big five! I highly recommend Amakhosi safari lodge!
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Date of stay: December 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
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Response from Amakhosi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Responded 13 Dec 2021
Thank you so much for such a wonderful review, it makes our work so much worthwhile knowing that you left with memorable moments, thank you for taking the time, the team really appreciate this - hope to see you back soon the AMA TEAM !
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The most incredibly welcoming and accommodating staff. This coupled with exceptional luxury, sensational meals and superb animal sightings makes this the game reserve worth a visit! Definitely better than the majority of 5 star game reserves in KZN! Do not hesitate to book your stay at the amazing AMAkhosi!!!
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: If you are seeking a game reserve who can offer you luxury and individualised attention this is...
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Helpful
Response from Amakhosi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Responded 08 Nov 2021
Oh dear!! we did not receive a notification that you had posted a review so we apologise for the delay in replying but a great way to start a week. Thank you for the wonderful review and the team really appreciate you taking the time to post this, especially with the times we live in, a review on Tripadvisor can swing the decision for a guest to stay with us! hope you return soon regards the AMA team!!
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On the recommendation of friends we stayed at Amakhosi for four nights in August, to include my birthday. What an amazing time we had. The staff excelled themselves and it is difficult to single out any one person they were all so friendly and professional. The food was excellent and my food sensitivities were catered for discreetly and with no problem. Our table was set out each time on the deck overlooking the river, in the evening by candlelight. So romantic... Our room was spacious, clean and very comfortable with an adjacent sitting area which we learned could accommodate a third person/child. A fridge, crockery, kettle together with tea and coffee completed the spoil. The large bathroom had a walk-in shower, bath and double wash basins with plenty of towels and toiletries. Cooled drinking water was always available in the main dining area where we could fill our Amakhosi bottles on the way out to a game drive. We treated ourselves to a full body massage and hot stone massage which were great. The whole spa set up was beautiful and spacious with its own pool and lounging area. We were kept company by the many resident nyala and warthog. As we were the only guests due to Covid restrictions but were able to travel from the Durban area, we had a large Landrover to ourselves and were able to set the times for our twice-daily game drives. We have been to many game reserves over the years but have to say that Philip the ranger and Jeremy the tracker were in a class of their own. Their knowledge was phenomenal and their sense of humour much appreciated. They went out of their way to find the Big Five and the lesser seen birds, and we loved the young orphaned giraffe who came out of the bush to greet us. Unfortunately the leopard evaded us but made his unseen presence known over dinner and into the night with his coughing from the other side of the river. All in all a wonderful stay and we can only hope to return in the not too distant future. Thank you.…
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Date of stay: August 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
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Response from Amakhosi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Responded 04 Oct 2021
What a wonderful and detailed review, we really appreciate you taking the time to write it and we are so happy that you left with great memories. Word of mouth is a powerful tool and we hope that you review will entice many more travellers to come and visit us. We hope to see you back again and fond regards from all the AMA team!
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+1
Our trip to Amakhosi was just wonderful from beginning to end. Timing: We stayed four days and three nights. While I could have stayed longer, due to the remote location of the reserve, I would hesitate to book a shorter trip than that. Cleanliness: I have never stayed in a cleaner, more well maintained property. Especially during COVID, we felt like our health - as well as the health of our staff - was of top priority to everyone at Amakhosi. The entire lodge is beautiful and spotless from top to bottom and staff seems happy - clearly management is doing something right. Rooms: Outstanding. We were lucky enough to stay in a honeymoon suite and it was both large and tastefully decorated. The beds were very comfortable, linens were clean and top quality and our room even had a little hot tub/plunge pool! The blackout curtains were a nice touch since we were tired after waking up so early for morning game drives, and the rooms were made up twice a day by their housekeeping crew. There is plenty of space in between chalets so you won't be disturbed by your neighbors and the serene vibe of the nature reserve remains in focus. Every morning when I opened my eyes I felt so grateful to be there. Game Drives: The absolute highlight of our trip was our game drives with King and Jacque. Both guides were outstanding in every way, and it was so fun to watch them interact while they worked. Kind, informative and knowledgeable they seemed genuinely excited to not only point out the animals in the bush, but to provide us with as much information about them as possible. While we were not able to find a leopard, we saw so much wildlife, including things we never expected. I really appreciated Jacques' knowledge in fields outside of just the ¨Big 5" - there is so much more to see in Africa than just 5 animals, and they made sure that we had holistic experience. From pointing out various bird and amphibian species to going as far as picking a few edible berries for us to try, they both genuinely cared not only about the animals but about our experience in South Africa as a whole. They even explained the interaction of each species and how the natural balance of the reserve was maintained through careful management. King has the most lovely smile and disposition, he is always scanning the field for game and quietly pointing out the plentiful animals. King and Jacque are both highly curious people, and I could have talked with them for days. We miss them! South Africa is a particularly complex country, and it is difficult to learn the nuances of their history and political situation from the outside. We learned so much about the history of the country, the current various ethnic groups and their interactions and how those factors have shaped the current political climate in post-apartheid South Africa. Prior to visiting, we spent two full days at the Apartheid Museum in Soweto, but talking with Jacque and King helped us to further clarify questions that even the museum was not able to. To be clear, we were interested and asked for their honest assessments, certainly not something you have to discuss if you are not interested in it, but since we asked, we were grateful they were willing to share their experiences and perspectives with us. Another consideration in booking a safari is size. We had considered booking a lodge in Kruger or Sabi Sabi, but we're so grateful to have found Amakhosi. Many lodges are huge, and due to their international notoriety, packed with cars. At Amakhosi there is just as much wildlife as in other more well known parks, but because it is on a private reserve, you’re almost always the only vehicle moving about the reserve. That means that the animals have more patience with your presence, as they haven't been inundated with visitors all day, and you get a chance to view them behaving as close to naturally as possible (kind of the whole point of a safari…). Spa: A lovely facility tucked away from the main entrance, with a large infinity style swimming pool and comfortable lounge chairs as well as a small but well equipped gym. We indulged in a massage and while it was not as technically impressive from a technical physical therapy standpoint as I would have preferred, it was very relaxing and calming. Dining: All the food we had was of the best quality and prepared on site. We appreciated the obvious attention to detail and time invested in preparing interesting and delicious meals. Quality is so important to me when it comes to meals, and after hearing about the enormous quantity of food often offered at safari lodges, I was concerned that it might be a situation of mediocre food prepared in large quantities. This was absolutely not the case ast Amakhosi, as every dish was prepared with quality ingredients and innovative methods. Overall: I was genuinely sad to have to say goodbye, we had such a relaxing, wonderful experience at Amakhosi and we will think back with happy memories for the rest of our lives. Truly a first class, wonderful experience we will never forget. While the facilities and food were wonderful, the differentiating factor for us was how fantastic the staff at Amakhosi is. I hope the owners realize what a special group they have working for them at the lodge and do their best to retain and continue to take good care of their employees.…
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Date of stay: January 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
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Response from Amakhosi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Responded 27 Jan 2021
Wow - not sure what else we can say but a huge thank you, firstly for choosing to stay with us for your visit in South Africa , we have been so missing our international guests and it was so lovely to have you stay with us and secondly to take the time to post such an amazing and detailed review, this is most appreciated by the team and a copy has been sent to each department, we won't lie it has been a tough time for our team, our owners have been wonderful in trying to keep the team going during this pandemic and for us it is safety of our guests and our team that is vital at this time, so thank you for appreciating their hard work to keep everyone safe. As I read this I am totally bursting with pride to be part of this amazing team/family. It has always been our mission that our guests leave as friends and that they leave with memorable moments and this is so important for us especially now, we want our guests to unwind and for a short while feel safe and try and forget what is happening to the world. So I would say mission accomplished - a copy of this letter has gone to our owners and to all! We hope that one day you come back and stay with us again - Fond regards from the AMA TEAM !
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PRICE RANGE
US$423 - US$488 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKwaZulu-NatalZululandPongola
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa
Which popular attractions are close to Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa?
Nearby attractions include Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve (5.5 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and locker rooms available in the fitness centre during their stay.
Are any cleaning services offered at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Afrikaans, and Zulu.
Does Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.
Is Amakhosi Safari Lodge And Spa accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.