Hluhluwe River Lodge

This is the only place we returned to from our 2019 stay and again we absolutely loved it. This time we booked Mkhulu's house. If you have a family this is the best! Yes, you have to walk 2 mins up a little sandy path to the main compound, but the house is amazing! You overlook the Hluhluwe river and the estuary, lovely verandahs, several BBQ places, fantastic bedrooms, the house is vast, the kitchen, the dining and living room are huge. Lots of interesting books and a private pool too! If I could i would buy "Grandfathers house". We love the food so much at the Lodge that we changed our mind and postponed self catering to the next place. Everybody is lovely, warmhearted and helpful. The staff rock this place and every second day the general manager comes around, he knows everything about birds! The only downside: it is a bit of a drive from everywhere (45min to Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park) and the walks at False Bay Park are done in a day. It depends whether you want to do lots of activities or whether you came to unwind. If this review hasn't convinced you yet: every second evening a Genet joins the dinner crowd to get her share ;-)

We went with our family, 2 children, 6 years old and 10 years old to the lodge. An exceptionel view to the lake of St Lucia, a friendly staff, delicious food and a very good breakfast. There are a lot of activities in the neighbourhood from the lodge. ( game drive, visit of the Cheetahs, …)

I had an exceptional experience at Hluhluwe River Lodge during a two-night stay with my wife. The food surpassed my expectations, ranking as the best I've encountered in various lodges. The staff's competence and friendliness, highlighted by their swift resolution of a noisy animal issue, added to the positive impression. A unique and memorable aspect was the manager's tour showcasing the fascinating microcosm of scorpions and tiny creatures around the lodges – a highly recommended experience that left a possitive and lasting impact.

This was our first time at Hluhluwe River Lodge and it was absolutely EXCEPTIONAL! It is situated outside of the reserve but is it's own little reserve and you truly feel as if you are living amongst the wilderness- various buck and wild birds species greet you each time you leave your chalet- and yet also feel incredibly safe. We stayed in the Honeymoon suite and it was the best choice we could have made. The bed is so comfortable, it has a private tub and a huge shower too- the staff also made up and refreshed our linen and towels each day which was an unexpected surprise. A big beautiful and private balcony allows you to take in the peaceful surroundings. Not a far walk from the chalet you reach the reception and "house area" where you eat your meals, have access to an outside fire pit, a very well stocked bar with numerous local wines and drinks, and even have a small historical museum to wander in. The service is excellent and the staff were so welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable of the area and all the many things you can do whilst there- they are also so happy to book anything you desire. Breakfast's and Dinners are included and let me tell you, THE FOOD IS AMAZING! Each night (we stayed 3) we were offered a different three course meal and were wowed every time- needless to say we stumbled back to our chalet well fed and happy. Lastly the location is PERFECT and so easily accessible to all game drives and a host of fun activities. I cannot stress how wonderful this gem is... GO NOW!!! A massive shout out to Oukie, Rebecca, Thobile, Lesley, Sona, Mona, Cindy and Moosa for making our stay one we will never forget... and we hope to be back soon!

Some context: First trip to South Africa and after nearly a week in Cape Town attending a wonderful business event, this was to be my first time seeing (as my native South African friends told me) ‘the real Africa.’ Hluhluwe River Lodge has set the bar very high! A friend and I were greeted by a friendly and engaged staff member while our luggage was swiftly wheeled to our respective chalets. After an hour long walk on one of the nature trails, a first rate steak dinner, accompanied by a wonderful high-value South African Pinotage, was served on the outdoor terrace and I could sense I was in for a special couple of days. My chalet (#2) was clean, comfortable, everything worked and had a huge shower with enough water pressure that I’d love to have it back in the States! We worked through Reception to book a half day 4x4 guided tour into the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, and the breakfast (for two) that was packed was large enough for two adults’ breakfast AND lunch. There are many options on where to stay in this area of KwaZulu-Natal, but if you are looking for a respite from your screens/monitors and want a laid back lodging experience off the beaten path encircled by nature, come to the Hluhluwe River Lodge. I can’t wait to come back and this time bring my family. Kudos to the entire staff (including Schona and Ayenda) for making this American’s first visit to ‘the real Africa’ unforgettable.