Nedile Lodge is situated in the Malaria free, Welgevonden Game Reserve 3 hours drive from Pretoria. Welgevonden Game Reserve is a declared Heritage Site of 36000 hectares (more than 80000 acres) bordering the Marekele National Park and part of the Waterberg Biosphere. This true bushveld environment is home to some of Africa’s most sought after game species, including one of the largest collections of white rhino on private land. Other species housed within this reserve include elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, eland and many other varieties of antelope. There may even be the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the aardvark, brown hyena or rarely seen honey badger
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Nedile lodge is, in a word, AMAZING. First of all, we can tell you by name the six staff that worked their during our stay: Dominique and John were the hostess and guide. Chef John was the cook of our exquisite and delicious meals. Jon O (big Jon) was jack of all trades. And, Mapula and Lizzy did housekeeping, spa, and overall guest comfort. On arrival we were met at the west gate by John for the 20 minute ride to the lodge. Dominique and Mapula greeted us and everyone showed us the grounds and our cabins. Every day we got a wake up at 4:50 to be off by 5:30 am for game drive, with coffee and hot chocolate along the way with Rusk to snack on. Breakfast at 9:30. Lunch at 2:00. Afternoon drive at 4:30 with drinks out on the savannah. Dinner at 8:30. Usually bed by 10:00.
John is an amazing guide: he knows nearly everything about the animals and the park and he is super instinctive finding us views that the other lodges simply did not get until we were done. We saw the western pride lions daily including feasting on Zebra, in the bush, on the pathways, and super up close and personal. We also found the cheetah, elephants, giraffe, wildabeast, impala, jackle, warthog, rhinos, and anything else you can imagine.
Dominique is a hostess extraordinaire taking time each day to talk to us and bond. She has amazing attention to detail, and no need was left unattended. She has a great relationship with the staff, and she made sure that we had anything we needed. Other guests had some problems arriving and they broke their car and despite not being a part of her job she worked overtime to help them.
Both John and Dominque are delightful to converse with.
Chef John is a trip: funny and full of whit. His food was delicious and we had a lot of special food needs he catered to wonderfully.
Jon, Mapula, and Lizzy are all quieter and super friendly, often working in the background to help guests in so many ways.
By the time we were back firm morning drives rooms were already done and turn down service at night.
The rooms are amazing with private outdoor shower that made you feel one with nature. Indoor shower too if you are shy.
The grounds are immaculate, the views incredible. The food delicious, the staff amazing.
I was in Nedile once for a night 13 years ago and loved it. This stay was eleven better and we were there four nights and five days/ just amazing!
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Date of stay: January 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.
I don't really know where to begin. My girlfriend and I had 4 nights here and our only regret was not having more time! The lodge itself is in a fantastic location (an easy drive up from Johannesburg if you fly into there) with amazing views! There's a pool for relaxing between game drives (although a herd of elephants commandeered this on our final day!!), a nice little bar, TV room and a gym. Our room had a similarly great view, complete with an outdoor shower! The service in the lodge was among the best I've had anywhere. Marne, Jonathan and the other staff couldn't do enough for us, from welcoming us off the drives with wet towels, bringing us a steady supply of G&Ts by the pool and just generally making sure we had everything we needed. Obviously the game drives are what we were there for, and Barend, our guide, did not let us down! Barend was great, hugely knowledgeable about all aspects of the park and its wildlife, and really went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time (including a much appreciated G&T sundowner at the end of the afternoon drives). He also cooks a mean lamb chop if you're lucky enough to be there when they do a Braai (good luck getting the recipe off him though!!) Speaking of food, the meals served to us at the lodge were excellent, as good as you'd get in any nice restaurant back home! All in all I'd highly recommend Nedile, the service really did make it so special for us so a big thank you to all the staff!
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Date of stay: March 2020
Rooms
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Service
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We had the pleasure of visiting Nedile Lodge last week, as a family of 3 adults. The booking process was easy and handled in an efficient way by Rina. From the moment we were met by John, Dominique and the staff to the moment we left the reserve, we were treated with so much love and respect. The game drives and walks were super exciting, we were never disappointed, because John made sure there was always something amazing to show us. He is a very knowledgeable guide and has a real passion for what he does. The food and presentation thereof was out of this world !! Rooms were very clean and bath amenities were of the very best quality, also white fluffy towels to wrap yourself in after a long day and super comfy beds. The views from the rooms and main lodge were incredible.
But what made our stay fabulous was most definitely the staff. Thank you for making each day one to remember, the little spoils and the way you took care of us. YOU, the staff of Nedile, that is who Nedile is. Keep it up, this was our second visit, and we will be most definitely be back for more.
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Date of stay: November 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
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 was really disappointed when we arrived at the lodge. I can't believe they have a 5 star status and cater to international guests. The lodge opened in 2003 and I am almost certain they have not changed anything since then. In my opinion they need to renovate the whole lodge and most certainly the rooms. The rooms does not have air conditioning, wifi, or a television - which in my opinion should be included if you claim to be 5 star.
The manager could obviously see my dissatisfaction because she discussed me with her staff and unfortunately for her, I overheard her. After the incident the staff's attitude changed towards me and the whole weekend was ruined. That was really unprofessional.
I have to add that John was really friendly and he is an excellent guide. We were lucky to see the elephants drinking out of the pool.
It was really disappointing to be mislead by positive reviews. I will not return to this lodge and I will not recommend it.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip 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 Nedile, Owner at Nedile Lodge
Responded 01 Mar 2020
Dear Hanelise, I am very sorry to hear about your disappointing experience. Something or someone must have upset you terribly for you to take the effort to post these negative reviews on a number of accommodation sites. I have also emailed you over the last couple of days to discuss your review. This will help me to understand what happened. You are unfortunately not responding to my e-mails. I investigated your allegations at the lodge but could not find any evidence to your claims that staff would have an "attitude" towards you. We pride ourselves on our guest service and have done so for many years. If this was how you experienced your treatment I would like to apologize for the team at the lodge. This is not what we stand for. Your review is now the first-ever rating of 1 out of 261 ratings since we opened Nedile Lodge. More than 90% of our reviews were consistently excellent ratings of 5 out of 5. We also don't "claim" to be a 5 Star Game Lodge. We get an annual inspection by the South African Tourism Grading Council (SATGC) and they will then allocate the 5 Star Grading. To mention that we have never done any upgrades since we opened our doors is not only mean but is vindictive and untrue. The SATGC annual inspection requires that all aspects from buildings, food, linen, and decor be maintained to standard and upgraded when required. It is based on the most recent revised SATGC criteria for Game Lodges that we expanded the lodge to also include a TV room, Small Gym, and a Massage Room. It is important to remember that we are remotely situated in the middle of a wilderness area. 5 Star Game Lodges are also not kept to the same criteria as Hotels and it is not a requirement for each room to have a tv, aircon or wi-fi. The TV is provided in a central area where guests are welcome to make use of at will. The rooms are designed to make use of natural airflow and are equipped with ceiling fans. Wi-fi is provided in the main lodge, but due to the remote location, we like to encourage our guests to disconnect from the outside world and enjoy the natural wonders right in front of their room balconies. Numerous guests have also given us feedback that it is a fascinating experience to be able to detox from technology and social media for a couple of days. We hope that you will see your way open to come and visit us again in the future once the dust has settled.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We chose Nedile after sifting through a long list of game reserves and lodges. We were travelling with a 13 year old and many lodges cater for smaller children but the in 'inbetweeners' are harder to cater for. Nedile offered a 'family' setup where the two end rooms had a shared internal foyer yet completely separate. Her room was exactly the same specification as ours yet we were safely tucked away 'together'. What a fantastic setup - space for her, space for us.
Aside from the beautiful rooms (and they truly were - the website and other photos do not do justice) the location was stunning. Perched high up on the elevation you had views down across the Welgevonden. The layout of the lodge was intimate, boutique in style. The watering hole in front of the communal area (where breakfast, lunch and dinner were served) brought in some lovely wildlife to gaze at while chilling out between drives.
The food was excellent. More than enough and the options were great. The wines were priced very reasonably and the choice was very good. We didn't try one that we didn't like (and like many... we like our wine :) ) Meals were served at separate tables (not communal) which added to the 'intimacy' of our experience. We all decided to sit together at one meal but the lodge never assumed we wanted to be in a group. This is different to my stay at another lodge and I really appreciated the downtime with the family.
If you have been on safari before, the format is generally the same. Our guide and driver Frikkie was the most incredible, patient, crowd pleasing gentleman that we have ever met on our travels. His knowledge was vast, he humour was appreciated and his seriousness and passion shone through at the right times.
Back at the lodge, the rest of the team were equally passionate. There was nothing that one could wish for. The fire lit in the rooms on demand, the little chocolates and letters at turn down. The hot drinks to wake you up in the morning before the early morning drives. It all exceeded expectations.
I could keep going on but to be fair, you just need to experience it. Having only been on one other safari I can say that Nedile is incredibly special as a lodge. This is what set this holiday apart from any others.
We can not wait to go back. This was a holiday that I never wanted to end. When we were leaving and said goodbye, I felt my eyes getting wet. Only once in all my travels has that ever happened and I can honestly say it was down to the hospitality of the staff and the peaceful, serenity of the location.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Location
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Service
Room Tip:Â Room 5 - corner room, if the elephants visit they trample down next to this side.
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.
My wife and I recently stayed for two nights. The Johns, Gloria, Dominique, and so many other staff at the lodge are friendly and professional without the over the top, slightly icky feeling one can get at high end hotels. The way that makes you feel they genuinely enjoy working together! The rooms are lovely, with epic views from the bathroom and lovely chairs to relax on each porch. However, the best part was the outdoor living/dining are where we enjoyed naps, the pool, and excellent food, even for vegetarians, which we know is not always easy in remote locations. If you're used to high density parks and reserves, you should temper expectations but the reserve is beautiful and we got excellent sightings of elephant, lions, and so many rhinos. Overall worth it for a special trip (given cost) and again kudos to each staff member!
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip 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.
This exquisite little lodge sits on top of one of the tallest hills in the area, affording fabulous views of rolling hills, woodland and huge skies from your own private deck. We spent a wonderful three days there. Our ranger Barend was extremely knowledgeable and informative not only about the game but also about the plant life, and we learned a great deal from him about the vegetation and geology of the area, as well as the usual smorgasbord of iinformation about the game. We saw lion (including two lionesses and two cubs at a kill), rhino, cheetah, elephant - one a little too curious about my husband for his comfort, though we were perfectly safe - and many shy and elusive eland, the largest of the antelope. The usual gatherings of zebra, wildebeest, jackals, elegant giraffe, and impala were in good supply. There were also many and beautiful birds, though the birding season was almost over, and we spent a few leisurely drives concentrating on them, which was a very peaceful experience. Barend is not only knowledgeable about his charges but has a deep love for them, which becomes apparent as he forges his way around the reserve. Finally, the food was outstanding - thank you Mapula and John.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
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.
To say that we had the most incredible time is an understatement. It is difficult to put into words our 4 night stay and how emotional we felt leaving Nedile.
Upon arrival we were in awe of the views, the decor and the kindness of all of the staff. However after our first game drive, we can firmly say we felt part of the Nedile family!! Nothing was ever to much trouble for Natasha and the Personnel staff and the knowledge that Frikki has is second to none.
During the Game Drives, Frikki did his utmost to please everyone onboard whilst keeping the animals welfare and passengers safety his top priority. We had some incredible sightings and this was all down to his knowledge of; the area, the animals behaviour and his tracking skills.
We especially enjoyed the homely touches, of wake up calls with tea and coffee, the hot water bottles on the chilly mornings and the turn down service with information of animals and the local area (not to mention the bedtime chocolate).
Minky would offer us our evening meal choices and these ranged from steak options to fish and all tasted delicious. Further to this you can also expect a Full English Breakfast every morning - if you wish.
We will not hesitate in returning to Nedile and can genuinely not thank the amazing staff who made our stay superb!! If you are considering a Safari holiday - you have found the perfect one!
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip 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.
We were blown away by the gorgeous accommodation, especially the bath overlooking the view of the valley and mountains. The food was amazing and personal attention was paid to dietary requirements. But it was the fabulous staff who added the caring touch to everything, like meeting every arrival, hot water bottles on the game drive vehicle seats on cold mornings and hot water bottles and a fire in the room after dinner. Very highly recommended
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Date of stay: August 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
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.
You can stop searching for the perfect South African Safari experience right now because you've already found it!
Our second visit to Nedile Lodge was perhaps even better than our first! The service, food and comfort were as outstanding as our last trip, though this time we visited in winter. The special touches - fires lit in our room, hot water bottles in the bed and on the morning game drives - made this visit all the more special.
Frikkie is an incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide who made sure we had the best possible experience, even when the wildlife weren't playing ball. Natasha, Hanro, Kate and Jono were fantastic hosts with nothing being too much trouble. The food that Minky, Gladys and Mapula prepare is both hearty (perfect for chilly winter days) and fantastically tasty.
Thank you all for a wonderful trip - we will be back (again!).
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â Room 1 has private access to the pool and a direct route to the main living area - good for the...
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.
Hi Gary,
Hope you are well.
Looking forward to having you stay with us. April is still seen part of summer, though it can get quite cool in the mornings as well as the evenings. It will be best to bring a warm jersey or jacket with you when you go out on game drives.
Have a great day.
Warmest regards,
Nedile Lodge
Hi Steph,
Hope you are well.
September can be warm but still with cool mornings and evenings. Best to bring something warm.
Please feel free to contact us directly if you have any other queries.
Warmest regards,
Nedile Lodge.
September is generally very pleasant. Thin jacket in the evening and early morning game drives. Game viewing tends to be good as there are fewer leaves and it is not as green and lush as it is at the beginning of the raining season. Each season, however, has its own advantages and you can really visit Nedile at any time of the year. You will enjoy your stay!
Nedile Lodge is unfortunately not a kids friendly establishment and we have a 10 years old minimum policy. It is situated in Welgevonden Game Reserve with no electric fences around it. Elepants come and drink water at the swimming pool and roam freely around the rooms. We also have leopard around. We prefer to be truly part of nature without artificual fencing. There are, however, other lodges in Welgevonden that are fenced and that can accommodate kids.
Hi
October is usually quite hot already - I would suggest comfortable summer clothes and maybe a sweater for the evening game drives. Other than that, nothing specific - what ever you are comfortable in. :)
There are more places to choose from in the Welgevonden Game Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 8,515 - RÂ 12,510 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaLimpopo ProvinceWaterbergWelgevonden Game 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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