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John A
London, United Kingdom

Fantastic food, but what about the wildlife?

2.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 13 Mar 2024
I have been lucky enough to do over twenty safari holidays in South Africa, Kenya and Namibia and without doubt the food at River Bend is among the best I have had anywhere. The service from all the team and quality of accommodation also ranks amongst the best I have ever had. However game viewing left a lot to be desired. On the Lodge’s website it states “River Bend Lodge is one of the few game reserves in the Eastern Cape where you can view the Big 5 all in one wilderness area.” I have to question this as Micky, our guide, made it clear that there are no leopards on the property. Another point to note is that although the Lodge is in the Addo National Park it is separated from the main Addo Elephant Reserve by a road and railway track. Within the area covered by the game drives from the Lodge there are, according Micky who did know her stuff, two hundred elephants as opposed to four hundred in the Main Reserve. Even those two hundred elephants were elusive enough although we did have a couple of good sightings of a couple of elephant families. There are only three lions which we did not see, the fact that off road driving is not permitted means that even though the lions are fitted with GPS trackers they are going to be very hard to get close to. There are no cheetahs, or giraffes. We did see rhino, zebra, kudo, mongooses, meerkats, warthogs, vervet monkeys, baboons, leopard tortoises and hartebeest.
Date of stay: March 2024
Room Tip: If it is wildlife you want check out Sabi Sands or Madikwe.
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
3.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this review
Responded 29 Mar 2024
Dear 4417UNjohna,

Thank you for your time in writing your review.

We are delighted that our food rated as some of the best you have had and that our accommodation and service also was amongst the best. Yaay this really means the world to us as we are really passionate about what we offer at RiverBend Lodge.

However, we are devastated by such an awful score. And I feel I need to give clarity to a few of your incorrect comments, and please I do this respectfully. As a regular safari person, you know that animals in the wild are NEVER a guaranteed sighting and upon chatting to Mikky there seems to have been a bit of confusion to which I need to give 'clarity'.

1.We definitely do have Leopard on the property and in fact it was a previous Guide of RiverBend, that spotted the previously seen Leopard with Guests on his vehicle. Since then, SANParks has placed trails cameras at that site and have happily reported that there are frequent photos on the cameras for the Leopards on that trail and that they have even had photos with cubs at their side. So apologies for that confusion.

2. Also being a SANPark Addo is held to very ethical standards. Nature is a balance, and the land must provide for the animals on the property hence there is no 'feeding' of prey species to habituate them for the benefit of humans and as such our Leopard will continue to be shy and when spotted and absolute moment to treasure.

3. Yes, we do have fewer elephant on our concession area, but then our area is smaller than main camp. We are 14 000ha, they are
24 000ha.

With our terrain covering 5 biomes, which main camp doesn't, there are times that animals will go into unreachable valleys. With this point in mind, I do stress that this is why we have the best of both worlds at RiverrBend Lodge, the exclusivity of our 14 000ha as well as access to the other 24 000ha, which other Addo Guests not staying at RiverBend Lodge don't have.

The saddest thing is, for all these negative comments, in the last week we have had the lion at the lodge, and the full breeding herd of over 200 elephants, with the cutest of tiny brand-new babies. But that is the luck of the bush and the Guests have been just delighted.

4. No, we don't have cheetah and we don't have giraffe as SANParks is incredibly ethical and will only introduce wild animals which are endemic to the specific area and have never said we do have.

Having said all this, I am still so happy that you were well looked after and managed to some of our beautiful reserve.

Sincerely

Debbie
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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    11 - 16 of 650 reviews
    Reviewed 12 March 2024

    This was our second stay at River Bend Lodge. The first trip was ten years ago, Each trip was a unique experience. The accommodations, food and especially Leo, our guide, was first class. We hope to bring another generation of grandchildren in the future.

    Date of stay: March 2024
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    Review collected in partnership with this hotel
    Thank RSPINNER
    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.
    Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 29 March 2024

    Dear RSPINNER,

    Wow wow and just WOW.

    Thank you so much for coming back to your Home from Home and taking the time to write such wonderful review.

    It is the most special thing to be able to share such a beautiful spot with Guests and have them fall in love with the beauty that is RiverBend.

    We so look forward to your next visit and to grow a love and respect for conservation with your next generation of family.

    Trave and stay safe until we see you again.

    Sincerely

    Debbie

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    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 16 January 2024

    We had decided last-minute dot com, to head to Addo. The park's accommodation was full and so we started searching elsewhere, but in the park. We found and booked River Bend Lodge and had the most amazing time. The attention to detail, the friendliness, the willingness to please...was all above expectations! Our daughters saw a magnificent lion on their morning game drive, which was a highlight, and came back bursting with excitement and information. Special mention must be made of the food and restaurant service...both were exceptional! Compliments to the chef!

    Date of stay: January 2024
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    Review collected in partnership with this hotel
    Thank DaleK562
    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.
    Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 29 March 2024

    Dear DaleK562,

    Thank you so much for your review, it is greatly appreciated.

    We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us and that your last minute.com brought about a stay with us at RiverBend Lodge.

    I will pass on your wonderful comments to the Team, again Thank you.

    We look forward to seeing you again in the future.

    Sincerely

    Debbie

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    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 10 January 2024

    Had a lovely stay over Christmas even though the weather wasn't as hot as expected! This was our 4th visit but the 1st over Christmas and we have already booked the same rooms for Christmas 2024!
    It was so nice to return and be greeted like friends and family. Debbie and all the staff work so hard to make your stay as pleasurable as possible, they get really disappointed when you don't have lunch as you ate too many snacks on the morning Game Drive and then had a massive breakfast!
    The guides are excellent, we had Ryan this time, ask what you're interested in and what you'd like to see on your drives. We managed to find Jess! Recommend staying All Inclusive as this includes 2 Game Drives a day at times to suit you. The scenery in this section of Addo Elephant NP is stunning, so different to the main sections of the park. Only River Bend vehicles allowed so you feel as though you are the only ones there!

    Date of stay: December 2023
    • Trip type: Travelled with family
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    1  Thank susieBirmingham
    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.
    Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 11 January 2024

    Dear Susie Bimingham,

    We just loved having you back with us, your appreciation for nature in its balanced environment is such a pleasure to behold, as is your appreciation for the efforts made by the Team.

    We look forward to Welcoming you back into your Home from Home, and until then all the very best for 2024 travel safe and see you soon.

    Sincerely,

    Debbie and the RiverBend Lodge Team

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    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 3 January 2024

    We have just moved on from a four night stay at River Bend Lodge. Very friendly and helpful staff and extremely well run by Debbie who puts her hand to everything.
    The property is like an English Country House Hotel in a private game reserve. The rooms are lovely and comfortable and very well furnished. Breakfast is nice although I would have liked to have seen a few more cold options on the buffet. Lunch and dinner are both very good with friendly service and the inclusive wine list was excellent.
    Game viewing is perhaps not the best you can experience but the star of the show for us was our Ranger Leo Herbst who was exceptional and possibly the best we have had in many years of safari. Highly informative with a lovely way and his interest in birds was a great benefit for us. He deserves to have a great career
    This is very much a luxury Lodge and we spent New Year there. Certainly one to return to sometime.

    Room tip: All rooms are comfortable. The lodge is 7km off the main road and the approach is bumpy so an SUV is a good option.
    Date of stay: January 2024
    • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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    Thank mfranks911
    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.
    Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 6 January 2024

    Dear mfranks911,

    Thank you for your absolutely awesome review, and for choosing RiverBend for your holiday.

    We are so delighted that you loved RiverBend as much as we do, and that your holiday was one that you enjoyed.

    The wildlife were definitely playing 'Hide n Seek' with us over a good portion of the holiday, especially over the rainy colder days.

    Do take care and all the very, very best for 2024.

    Sincerely

    Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge Tram

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    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 2 January 2024

    This place is truly wonderful! We were here with our 2 year old son and they COULD NOT have been more accommodating. The rooms are gorgeous, the communal bar and dining areas are lovely and the pool is heavenly (it was very hot when we where there). Moses and Ntumbi where amazing! They made our stay so magical! Nothing was too much trouble for them and they made our son's food outside of the normal hours and were just brilliant.
    The food is excellent! Eating an incredible breakfast whist wanting a massive herd of elephants playing in the watering hole for a good hour is something we shall never forget.
    The safari was amazing - our guide Paul was perfect and so warm and friendly with our son, keeping him involved, letting him taste fruits and leaves and teaching him about tracking the footprints and just made it a wonderful experience for us all. A month after we left he still talks about 'Paul's truck' and all the animals we saw! THANK YOU.

    Date of stay: November 2023
    • Trip type: Travelled with family
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    Thank Nao186338
    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.
    Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 6 January 2024

    Dear Nao186338,

    Thank you so very much for your wonderful review, and for taking the time to write it, this means everything to us as this is how we keep a finger on the pulse of RiverBend, our GUESTS.

    I will pass on your wonderful compliments to the RiverBend Lodge Team

    Wishing you all a safe, happy and healthy 2024.

    Sincerely

    Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge Team

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