BABOHI is a distinguished lodge exclusively for adults, topped with excellent dining and polished service. This highly modern and inviting retreat displays earthy tones, wooden finishes and warm fabrics that merge with modern coppers, marble finishes and sophisticated hues that allude to the African skies
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Arrival welcome After a 3.5hr drive from Jberg with mostly highway but around 30km of dirt track we arrived at Letamo initially, the sister lodge. Make sure to book with a reputable transfer company as the dirt track is a challenging drive. After a beer in the bar at Letamo our dedicated ranger Sam picked us up in the land cruiser and took us over to Babohi, it was quite a nice touch to get a transfer over to Babohi with our guide and become acquainted. We knew straight away we were in great hands with Sam from the outset! Once we arrived at Babohi, a ceremonial hand wash and welcome drink during a relaxed check in.
Room We stayed in a 'premium room' which was immaculately furnished, a lovely plunge pool, bath tub, and two showers; inside and outside. A welcome drink of African rum and ginger ale in the room was a nice touch. The room enjoyed lovely views in which we could see baboons and an array of bird life. Golf buggies would escort you from your lodge to the main reception. Another lovely and convenient touch was that laundry was included! Wish we knew beforehand as we over packed.
Food The chefs were very talented, each meal was delicious and varied, and an exceptional pastry chef who makes the best blueberry muffins I've ever tried! Favourite meals were lamb chops and the springbok shank. Standard drinks were also included with the full board package. 4 meals a day, pre game drive breakfast, brunch, high tea and dinner, plus snacks on the game drives, you won't go hungry!
Game drives Our package included two per day, around 3-3.5hrs each, one first thing in the morning and another up to sunset. Our ranger Sam was incredible, friendly, entertaining and very knowledgeable! Most importantly, kept us safe and located a wide array of wildlife, 4/5 of the big five, they have leopards on the reserve but they are very difficult to find, but a great excuse to return! The truck was modern and comfortable, plenty to see and a nice touch to have a book provided to tick off species in the room. Glass reusable water bottles provided during drives and blankets when it was cooler. Morning drives would include a stop for a ranger coffee with amarula and some biscotti etc, sipping a coffee watching the giraffes in the background was amazing. Afternoon drive would include a stop for a pre dinner drink with some biltong, Sam would arrange which ever drink you'd prefer. Watching an incredible sunset with a cold beer and biltong, and chatting with the small group after the drive was very pleasant indeed!
Overall A fantastic experience, a high end and well equipped Safari lodge with plenty to see. Extremely friendly and professional staff, a truly remarkable trip, and we certainly hope to return! Couldn't recommend enough.
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Bring a small torch and binoculars. The lodge includes a complementary laundry service so don't...
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.
Stayed in May 2023 for eight days, travelling from the UK. Had an absolutely fantastic time, with 2 x 3 hour game drives a day with our knowledgable guide Jonathan, and more food than we could ever possibly eat! All the staff were brilliant, headed by Brian, who made our stay extra special (even helping with my proposal to my girlfriend!). Every day was different, with different ways of dining (I won't spoil it!) and the G&Ts and biltong out on the game drives was a great touch. We also used the spa which I highly recommend.
The rooms were great too and we had a chance to stay in Rhino and Leopard. Both are great, with the Rhino room having a very cool wrap around arrangement and fantastic view. Leopard had a pool and was closer to the boundary line bringing you closer to the animals of the reserve. To get to/from rooms they have a chaperone service, collecting you and dropping you off in a golf cart.
The main lodge was great too, with a modern high-end take on the safari lodge, a pool, well stocked bar, wine tasting room and large veranda with a pool overlooking the park.
We look forward to staying again one day in the future.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Try the Inverroche G&Ts! Make the most of the drives. Bring binoculars. Maybe eat lightly 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.
My visit was good, the property is amazing, it is a private place that is serene. The luxury suites are amazing and very spacious, it’s like you have an apartment to yourself with a lot of privacy.
The staff is good and friendly, very good people.
The property needs to put up no smoking signs in the public area of the restaurant. We had an issue where another guest was smoking where the rest of us sit and eat, the only place to do this at the property and where the pool is. One of the staff members could not manage this and told us that there is nothing that he could do. This was in contravention of the country health regulations and laws as they relate to public smoking. We had to ask a second manager to deal with the issue, which he did.
The owners or managers need to train their staff about health regulations and how to manage smoking, with guests. It was shocking that in 2023 in South Africa one could be forced to inhale secondary smoke in a public area where you are asked to move for the smokers not vice versa. The owners need to put up no smoking signs in public areas, especially where people eat! This was shocking and a let down. Thanks to the manager that eventually sorted it out.
The food could be better. The restaurant needs to improve their stock management. They had things run out that continued to be on their menu. Please cater better for plant based or vegan guests. Train your Chef and work on a better menu for us.
The staff at the Spa need help. When I went for a treatment the poor lady was alone and had to manage the front desk while being the only person doing treatments. The experience could be much better if she has help. She was very good thankfully.
Besides the disastrous smoking experience that we had to complain about and force the staff to deal with and the quality of the food, the experience was very good!
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip 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.
True luxury is defined as meticulous attention to detail. Although the setting was wonderful, the bush drives were memorable and the lodge staff was attentive, the online booking, internet directions supplied, and the spa experience was found lacking. It placed a damper on an experience anticipated and advertised as exceptional.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We just got back from a 3-day safari at Qwabi Babohi, and we already miss it. It was one of the most amazing and special experiences we’ve ever had. The property is absolutely gorgeous! The entire staff, from the guard at the entrance, to the gardner, the cleaning ladies, the restaurant staff, the buggy drivers, everyone - was so polite and kind, and always with a smile. The manager, Barry, always checked up on us, whether at mealtime or after each drive, making sure we were happy. And our guide - the absolutely wonderful Sam S. - made our holiday better than we could have ever imagined it. Sam was always on time, always offering to help, checking our preferences, sharing so much wealth of information and experience. And what a guide (/tracker) he was! We saw lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and so much more, on every drive! It was as if Sam calls out to them, and they come :-) Special thanks also to Lucy from the reception, who also took great care of us. Spa was wonderful, as was the food (amazing selection). We absolutely recommend Qwabi Babohi, and we shall be back!
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Make sure your car or driver’s car is high, as the dirt road leading to Qwabi is rough on most cars.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our stay at Babohi was unforgettable. The accommodations were beautiful and extremely comfortable. The staff were top notch and went out of their way to make us feel welcome. Wayne, our bartender knew our preferences and always had great wine suggestions. Our guide Semti was outstanding. Very knowledgeable and respectful of the animals and their habitats. He gave us many facts and had lots of great stories. He also was a great little chef during our sundowners! We have so many beautiful pictures thanks to Semti and his guiding skills.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip 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.
Incredible lodge, immaculate and luxurious finishes the likes of which I have not seen in a reserve previously. The rooms are enormous and incredibly comfortable. The common area is superb with a beautiful pool. The staff could not be friendlier. The food was excellent throughout our stay.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip 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.
We recently had the pleasure of a three night stay over New Year's Eve.
We'd booked pretty much sight unseen as Babohi is a NewMark property and we have been very pleased with their offerings so far. Even before we arrived, attention to detail was evident. The team reached out with handy route suggestions and to check on our arrival time.
Collecting a hire car we drove to the resort from Sandton. The last 20-25 km is on dirt track and we were glad of having a higher clearance car (as suggested by the resort). We planned to arrive for 13:00 to take maximum advantage of the facilities, but ended up arriving closer to 14:00. Turning up at Letamo we were greeted warmly and introduced to the person (Shiluva) who'd be our game guide for our time here. She was in very good spirits. We were offered hospitality but chose to continue the journey to Babohi in our guide's landrover type vehicle. Having previously been disappointed by what some reserves consider luxury we were pleased with how comfortable the vehicle was.
During the drive to the lodges Shiluva provided background information on the resort. Open for less than a year, etc.
We were met by Lucy and Albert who welcomed us with a pleasant water ritual then settled us down with a drink whilst be completed some formalities. Our minibar and sundowner orders were taken, then we were escorted to our lodge. Lodge is a slight understatement, we'd booked a Leopard lodge and it was significantly bigger than our house. (We're London based so it's not like we live in a mansion but still). All of the facilities were explained, along with the magic self stocking minibars, coffee and tea, plunge pool, jacuzzi... Someone has obviously given a lot of thought to the decor. It was understated but confidently luxurious.
We hadn't given much thought to how we'd spend our first night, it was New Year's Eve after all. We were delighted to find that we didn't have to do anything - everything was arranged. A spot of high tea before a crepuscular game drive, returning to drinks followed by a celebration dinner, with confetti cannons provided for midnight.
The game drive set the scene for the next 5, with Shiluva making sure we saw the big 5, but also ensuring we didn't miss out on the scenery.
Rather than provide a blow by blow account of each day, I'll just list highlights. The sparkling cleanliness of the lodge. The comfortable loungers with adjacent plunge pool. The beautiful bathroom facilities, the comfortable bed. The engaging entertaining games drives. The excellent food and drink selection. The friendliness of the staff. The cleanliness and manicuring of the grounds.
What could be improved? Well Bahobi have it pretty much in hand. Whilst we saw the big 5, there's room for more animals and it is being addressed. We REALLY enjoyed tracking elephants through the bush - especially as we found them after a couple of hours of finding clues! It might have been nice to try a game walk, but that might be just one of the things available we didn't ask about nor use. Like the free laundry service or the wood fired jacuzzi on the balcony. Perhaps the dirt tracks could be a little less dirt tracky but, they're dirt tracks. They won't affect the owner though as he can doubtless use one of the FOUR helipads at Letamo.... hmm helicopter transfers, there's an idea ;).
We loved the entire experience and look forward to returning!
A big vote of thanks to the staff, seen and unseen who made our stay such a delight.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The accommodation was more than we expected, super spacious, lovely private outdoor seating and plunge pool. The bathroom is exquisite, with large sliding doors opening up to an outside shower, so you get the same feeling as showering outdoors. Lots of thoughtful extras. Very private and peaceful with lovely views of the bush and close to the fence so you see animals walking by. The main building with the bar and restaurant is perched high on a cliff, so the views are exceptional. Dining is a lovely experience, and the food and service is superior. The game drives are the best we've been on. The guides are knowledgeable, friendly and go out of their way to make it an unforgettable experience. One of the main reasons why we will be returning to this establishment is the staff. They were exeptional and really went above and beyond. Their service is faultless and professional but at the same time making you feel at home. The vibe the create is friendly, upbeat with lots of wit and humor, which is refreshing for an establishment of that standard.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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London, United Kingdom13 contributions1 helpful vote
"Try the Inverroche G&Ts! Make the most of the drives. Bring binoculars. Maybe eat lightly the week before - there's a lot of very good food you won't want to miss out on."
There are more places to choose from in the Bela Bela area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 12,697 - RÂ 15,866 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaLimpopo ProvinceWaterbergBela Bela
NUMBER OF ROOMS
25
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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