Impodimo Game Lodge

Our Love Letter to Impodimo ❤️🦁🐘🦁 Impodimo, how we are so grateful for the early morning wake ups before sunrise, the crisp morning air on the game drives, driving through untouched wilderness and hearing sounds we have never heard before. Impodimo, how magical it was watching the sky come alive during a sunrise or sunset...those shifting shades of gold, pink, orange and fire, reminding us to slow down and take it all in, and appreciate the moment. Impodimo, how we loved watching the wild animals roam freely in their natural habitat and sometimes getting so close that we could see the giraffes long eye lashes and the wrinkles on the elephants skin and the moment the lions powerful roar gave us goosebumps. Seeing life in the wild, reminded us of patience, courage and the beauty of simply being present. Impodimo, every moment opened our eyes in new ways. 'How blessed we are'... to forget all our worries and have a heartfelt gratitude for being alive. Impodimo, it was not only the stunning landscapes or the majestic animals but the people aswell. Watching our guide and tracker Sebastian and Mpho, celebrate every sighting with us, as if it was their first time. They weren't just guides, they became part of our story. Impodimo, you were exhilarating, restful, emotional, magical and heart filling. You reminded us that some of our best moments in life are waiting for us and still are. You stole our hearts and we know this unbelievably blessed experience will stay with us forever. All our love ❤️

I highly recommend Impodimo Lodge for an exceptional safari experience. The guides are truly outstanding—their deep knowledge of wildlife made every game drive both exciting and educational. Thanks to their expertise, we were able to see an incredible range of animals, including cheetahs, lions, lionesses with cubs, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, hippos, and many more. It is located within Madikwe, a malaria-free game reserve. The lodge itself offers a unique and immersive setting, with a waterhole and special viewing area where you can watch wildlife up close in an unfenced, natural environment. It adds an unforgettable dimension to the stay. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed, featuring private decks and outdoor showers that enhance the connection to the surrounding bush. One of the highlights of the daily routine is the 3:30 high tea before the afternoon game drive—a perfect way to relax and prepare for the next adventure. Impodimo Lodge strikes the perfect balance between comfort, authenticity, and wildlife immersion. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable safari.

The third time we have been to Impodimo and we love the relaxed atmosphere. The facilities are good, food excellent and game drives very well organised. There is a viewing area that gets you very close to the animals so you can watch them closely while they interact with each other.

Not friendly for young children despite their claims to accommodate all ages. Bumble drive (for 6 years and younger) not available on first day when we checked in, which is fine if you have other activities to keep a young one busy but no. The kids activities room is run down, dirty, and not manned by anyone. No presence of toys, just drawers of unwashed paint cups and random pieces of paper. Bumble drives start after breakfast at around 11am which is bearable only in winter. Otherwise be prepared for your little one to be cooked in 32 degree heat. The ‘kids pack’ provided for young ones is the most boring we’ve seen - a pack of colour pencils and a handful of pieces of colouring paper. Pool had a layer of dead flies floating at the top. First meal was a disaster, way too salty. Dreading the rest of the meals. Service is impersonal and robotic, everyone including the manager just doing the bare minimum. Definitely not 5 stars and by far the worst ‘family-friendly luxury’ game lodge we’ve been to in SA. Unfair to compare Impodimo to top-notch places like Tswalu and Royal Malawane, but we’ve had exceedingly better service and experience even at places like Safari Plains. Kid spent the afternoon in the bathtub while I desperately messaged other lodges in the vicinity to see if they can accommodate us for the rest of the weekend. If you just want to make your adult guests happy then just make this place adult-only. I’m over this place already, can’t wait to go home.

Madikwe Impodimo This was absolutely amazing. Not sure how to start so let’s begin with some perspective. We have traveled most of South Africa, including Kruger, been on safaris across Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Every place has its uniqueness and beauty. Our five nights over Christmas in Impodimo in Madikwe Game Reserve offers all you can wish for and the gamedrives were fantastic. We saw the big 5, and cheetahs, black rhinos and so much more. This is a top spot for game watching!! The luxury suites features private deck where we, between game drives, watched elefants, girafs, zebras, kudus and impalas passing through - and it was pretty much constantly. Our ranger Ryan (Jack) and our tracker Wilfred were superb. We have never met a ranger like Ryan that knew so much about the animals in so great details and background. This was like listening to lectures by the professor. Further to this Ryan love his stories and happily share them. Wilfred is a great guy and so cool when on the drives tracking. Wouldn’t have been the same without him. High five. The food is lovely (with new ala carte to choose from ever day) and the staff was very friendly and serviceminded. You share the table with any other in your car and the ranger. Good to catch up on the day’s activities. If you prefer you can also have your private table. In the rooms you have complementary minibar and on the main deck, pool area and even in the hide all services are available. If you are looking for an agency to organize your trip I can highly recommend Biggestleaf Travel. Did I also mention that Madikwe is malaria free. Don’t hesitate just go.

Very unique place to stay having the animals literally walking through the grounds - but it made for an awesome experience! The rooms are spacious, the staff are superb and the food was brilliant. (I have awkward food intolerances that were catered for without issue). The game drives were amazing - getting to see the wild dogs was truly memorable! But in truth, every game drive was great. Ryan our guide was brilliant, he was knowledgeable and had so many interesting stories! The wildlife hide is a great set up, and provides a different opportunity for observing the variety of animals that visit the watering hole. We only stayed for 2 nights, but wish it could have been longer.

First time on safari. We had the most amazing experience. The lodge is awesome in and amazing setting close by a watering hole.

We had the experience of a life time at impodimo. All my dreams came true on the safari’s up close encounters with so many animals Ranger Ryan and Wilfred so nice and knowledgeable it was a pleasure to spend time with them. The food the massages and the beautiful ladies that work there all 5 star. I loved it so much I cried when we left. Thank you all for making our dreams come true

The safety at the lodge is not acceptable as elephants are in an among the chalets all the time. We had to call on the lodge whenever we moved from the chalets. We did not even use the pool or the hide as it was not safe. The camp is not fenced which makes it extremely uncomfortable; in fact, sitting outside at your chalet is also not pleasant and we were advised not to sit there at dusk/ night. I am surprised that there have not been more incidents due to the elephants. The flies at breakfast and mid-afternoon brunch were awful. The vehicles had no roof to shade us from the sun, fortunately, it did not rain. Will certainly not recommend or return to the lodge. Just to mention that we have been to many other lodges in Madikwe over the years. The staff were fine. The rooms and the in-room amenities were good. The Lodge deputy manager and our game ranger was great. Value for money, NO!