We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View all
Ireen S
Cape Town, South Africa

Peace in the Kalahari

Review of !Xaus Lodge
4.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 29 Jun 2017
This isolated venue, situated on the rim of a red dune above one of the Kalahari's salt pans, is for people who love semi-arid landscapes and spectacular night skies. Friendly staff, comfortable rooms, wonderful night drives.
Date of stay: June 2017
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Problem with this review?
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.
Nearby Hotels
Contact accommodation for availability.
54.2 km from !Xaus Lodge
Free parking
Pool
Tent 15
Contact accommodation for availability.
46.7 km from !Xaus Lodge
Free parking
Pool
Swimming Pool
Contact accommodation for availability.
50.3 km from !Xaus Lodge
Free parking
Pool
Lovely bedroom
Contact accommodation for availability.
49.7 km from !Xaus Lodge
Free parking
Pool
Contact accommodation for availability.
87.9 km from !Xaus Lodge
Free parking
Pool
Schlafzimmer
Contact accommodation for availability.
getlstd_property_photo
Contact accommodation for availability.
95.8 km from !Xaus Lodge
Free parking
Pool
Unit 2
Contact accommodation for availability.
Free parking
Die Privat Chalet
Contact accommodation for availability.
50.6 km from !Xaus Lodge
Free parking
View more hotels in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Reviews (365)
Filter reviews
365 results
Traveller rating
235
82
35
7
6
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageAll languages
More languages
Traveller rating
235
82
35
7
6
Show reviews that mention
All reviews salt pan morning walk night game drive sand dunes sunset drive peaceful place small animals very special place knowledgeable guide self drive two nights animal sightings south africa water hole mata mata anthony bushman
Selected filters
Filter
Updating list...
184 - 189 of 365 reviews
Reviewed 21 May 2017

As before, we were met with sincere and friendly personnel. We were treated in every way, and our stay was superb. After 3-4 days in the Kgalagadi and at !Xaus lodge - you'll return with new zest... We will surely visit !Xaus again....

Date of stay: February 2017
  • Trip type: Travelled with friends
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Thank 744lidal
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.
Reviewed 13 May 2017

We had a lovely stay. The welcoming was very friendly and we got a lot of information from the manager. friendly staff, good Food and a wonderful surrounding. a lovely place to relax and enjoy the great nature.

Date of stay: April 2017
  • Trip type: Travelled with family
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Thank 147margritd
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.
Reviewed 12 May 2017

!Xaus is a lovely lodge set in a beautiful spot in the Kgalagadi Game Reserve. It is not a lodge to stay at if you want easy access to the park, it is well off the beaten track. It is fabulous though if you want to just drink in the surroundings and beautiful African skies at night. We had a wonderful stay there.

Date of stay: May 2017
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Thank Teksas
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.
Reviewed 7 May 2017

A wonderful experience, good for the soul with very friendly and helpful staff. We were welcomed by guides who drove us over the dunes to this special place called !Xaus. We were expecting to see more animals so were slightly disappointed on that score but on all else 10/10. Many thanks!

Date of stay: April 2017
  • Trip type: Travelled with friends
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Thank cooks13
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.
Reviewed 6 May 2017

We were on a 9 day trip through Kgaligadi. We could not find a camp for 1 night, so we decided, although !Xaus was 3 times more expensive then the Wilderness caps/Chalets that we will stay there. BIG MISTAKE!. They offer you the Bushman experience/way of life. What you do get after a hours drive to get there a lecture by the arrogant Operational Manager ("I paid for the water on the table, it is free". No Richard, The quest already paid for it) of what you must do and when. In our group was also a family with two young kids. Richard made it very clear that the kids must stay in their Chalet. Richard, they paid for the so called experience. It sounded to us that you want to put the poor kids under quarantine. Normally, check-in-time is at 14h00 and check-out-time 10h00. We only arrived at the camp at 17h00. (they need to escort us). They made sure the next morning we leave at 08h00. They took us on a game drive - 1 dead snake and a Steenbok that got "lost". There is really no game to write home about. I needed my 4x4 fridge to be charged - not permissible. The rooms do not have a fridge to keep things cold - the rest of SANPARKS Camps and Luxury tents do have fridges - Solar Power. Instead of having Supper prepared the "Mier way", as advertised, you get tasteless fine-dining. Nothing about the Bushman way of life. They advertise that there is a curio shop - really!. Is that what you called a curio shop?
Bottom line: I will never recommend anyone to !Xaus. It was a very expensive bad experience that was a total waste of time. I will give SANPARKS-Kgaligadi a 10 and !Xaus a 1.

Date of stay: April 2017
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
4  Thank deon2016
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.
EleanorMuller, Public Relations Manager at !Xaus Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 5 June 2017

Thank you for the review, and sharing your thoughts.

At the outset, please can we say that we are really sorry that you did not enjoy your time at the Lodge. We have reviewed our correspondence and discussed details with our managers, and offer the following feedback:

Sadly !Xaus Lodge does not have charging facilities for 4x4 fridges. We simply don’t have the type of battery system that’s needed, since our generator only runs for a short period in the evening. In retrospect it’s such a pity that you never told us you’d been looking for that service so that we could have pre-warned you. You are quite right that SANParks do have those facilities, although we don’t because it’s really rare that our guests have that requirement.

In terms of the message about the water it sounds like an unfortunate ‘lost in translation’. We are always careful to explain to visitors that drinking water is not charged for (contrary to what happens at many game lodges in Southern Africa). We do this because we try to encourage people to remain hydrated. Because guests pay for alcohol, we find it best to clarify that drinking water is not charged separately.

We hope you will be pleased to know that your concern about the children’s well-being was unfounded. When they left the Lodge we were told quietly by the parents that because of the time that Richard had spent with them teaching about the stars they would be getting a telescope at home. As the only un-fenced accommodation in the Kgalagadi that allows children, we take child safety very, very seriously and prioritize that. When they can also leave with a new-found passion for something they experienced while visiting – well that’s a bonus.

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
View more reviews