Rhulani Safari Lodge

Our first visit to this incredible and truly unique place was a holiday we will never forget, and we’re already hoping to return very soon. Words simply can’t describe how amazing it was my partner and I genuinely had the best trip ever. There was a sense of comfort, warmth, and belonging that is so hard to find, yet it came so naturally here. Every moment felt effortless and memorable, and it’s the kind of place that makes you wish you could press pause and stay forever.It’s not just somewhere you visit it’s somewhere you feel, and it will stay with us for a very long time. From the moment we arrived, we were surrounded by wonderful people. Every single member of staff was exceptional so friendly, welcoming, and genuinely caring and it was an absolute pleasure to meet such wonderful people. They are a real credit to Rhulani we’d love to give a special mention to Portia and Albert, who went above and beyond to look after us. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and they always made time to check in and make sure we were okay. Michael also looked after us and assisted us back to our room when it was dark. We really enjoyed his company and his friendly personality. A huge highlight of our trip was Thato, our ranger. He wasn’t just a guide he was the heart of our trip. We seen everything and more than we could have hoped for and the game drives were thrilling and entertaining with something different each time. His dedication, personality , and ability to create such magical moments made our holiday truly unforgettable.His knowledge and skill were clear, but what made him truly special was his friendly nature and genuine connection with us. We loved every conversation we shared he was engaging, interesting, and that made each experience so enjoyable. Quite simply, he was incredible the star of our entire experience and we will always be grateful for everything he did to make our time so special. Tom was exceptional throughout our stay and played a significant role in making our experience so enjoyable. From the moment we arrived, he made us feel genuinely welcome and at ease, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere. He was consistently approachable and more than happy to engage in conversation, which added a personal touch to our visit. It was a pleasure getting to know him, and my partner especially enjoyed sharing interest with him ,his friendliness, professionalism, and thoughtful approach greatly enhanced our experience. Thanks Tom We also loved the thoughtful touch of being greeted after drives with cold drinks it added to the magical experience. The food was outstanding throughout our stay, and the chefs were just as lovely as everyone else we met. Thank you so much for such a special and unforgettable stay. We’re already planning our return visit next year and can’t wait to see you all again. Leaving was incredibly difficult this extraordinary place truly touched our hearts.

We had an incredible stay. An amazing experience. Lodges and communal areas are great. Food is excellent, dining settings are magical. I cannot say enough about all the staff, fabulous service from all, they go above and beyond!

My wife and I spent 5 nights at Rhulani Safari Lodge to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. What can I say about the experience, truly incredible. And honestly, it's the staff that make the difference. The Lodge itself is wonderful, rooms are gorgeous, you want for nothing. The team at Rhulani are dedicated to ensuring you are comfortable and having as good a time as possible. Two specific staff members made our stay so special, Tom and Ralf. That's not to take away from everyone at the lodge, they are a team, everyone works to make your stay fantastic. Ralf was our Guide for the duration of our stay, so we spent at least 6 hours every day with him. Ralf is brilliant, enthusiastic, dedicated, caring, and so much fun. We didn't stop smiling and laughing on the game drives. And it goes without saying, he knows Madikwe Game Reserve and the animals there. He showed us so many animals, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Wild Dogs, Hyena, White Rhino, Elephants, Warthogs, Lions, Lion cubs, Girraffe, Zebra, African Wildcats.... (breath) we saw everything... Ohh! And of course Impala. Only thing missing was a Leopard eating an Ardvark. Ralf was a big part of our trip and we are so grateful for him. Tom is the Lodge Manager and he is such a fantastic person. He made our time when not on Game Drives as much fun as when we were in them. He made us feel so welcome. He made sure our evening meals were different every night, both cuisine and setting. From meals on the grass overlooking the floodlit watering hole, to a full boma dinner with a huge open fire. The food is amazing, high quality and made with love. Paired with dinner is Tom's care and service, and if you like to chat, his enthusiasm and love of Bush life and Madikwe. Finally, I'd like to mention Mr Joseph, he ensured we always had a lovely log fire every night to go bed, and kept us safe during the night. Our experience of Madikwe with the team at Rhulani was magical and we will always remember it. Thank you. Now, more specific helpful things. 1) Rhulani Safari Lodge and Madikwe Game Reserve are amazing, do not second guess yourself, this is the place to go. Wildlife and scenery are incredible. Book it. 2) Rooms do have international plugs, but only 1 UK plug, so I recommend taking an adapter. There are lots of USB sockets available in the room though. 3) Food is frequent and plentiful. I don't remember being hungry at all! Meals times are casual, often we went to dinner straight from the game drive. All dietary requirements are catered for, just let them know. Food is top quality, from a professional chef. 4) Check the air temperature, it gets cold when dark. Pack layers, we needed them, including hats and gloves. 5) If you have any questions, email the lodge, they're very responsive and helpful. 6) If you want a more authentic, and potentially exhilarating experience, book a Bush walk, it's epic. 7) The cost of the additional activities and souvenirs is very reasonable. 8) Tips, cash

It was an amazing experience . The ranger did everything he could to make sure we see the Big 5 and we got amazing sightings. The food was some of the best we ever had and they tailored to my preferences. They were constantly giving us snacks and drinks. The staff were some of the nicest and most helpful people we’ve have ever met. It was once in a lifetime experience. Highly highly recommended Was truly sad to leave

If you are reading these reviews pondering which lodge to go to and which provides the best value for money, then just stop now! Rhulani is worth every penny - you won’t be disappointed. Even if you’ve never heard of Madikwe before, don’t let that put you off. From the moment you arrive until when you sadly have to leave the staff are absolutely superb - they are kind, attentive but unobtrusive, friendly and humorous and display pride in everything they do. The thought which has gone into making the whole Rhulani Lodge experience unforgettable for the clients really shines through. The accommodation and food are first rate - the rooms are very spacious and impeccably clean, the views are amazing and the quietness (apart from the occasional roar of a lion!) is so welcome in this hectic world. The dinners very tasty and plentiful and their presentation is excellent. Our guide, Willem, was the absolute shining star of our holiday. His knowledge and passion was second to none. What was most impressive was his ability to second guess not only the animals but also the other guides from different lodges. He would organise our game drives so that we ended up seeing the best selection of animals and always have the prime position to spend as long as we wanted making some absolutely unforgettable memories. Willem ensured that we weren’t just ticking animals off a list, but were experiencing the bush and its wonders. His passion for the area is absolutely infectious. We have no reservations whatsoever about recommending Rhulani for a safari holiday.

With many thanks to the amazing staff, we had in incredible stay at Rhulani Safari Lodge. The chefs cooked delicious food served by attentive waiters and waitresses. Uncle Michael escorted us to and from our private chalet at night in case we would meet one of the animals from the bush - Rhulani is a place where you can observe elephants as you enjoy your tea! Our chalet was always kept clean and tidy. The staff at the reception was always welcoming, waiting for us when we would come back from our morning and evening game drives. And what amazing game drives! In addition to the “Big Fives”, we observed cheetahs and wild dogs hunting, giraffes, and plenty of zebras. Willem, our guide, is passionate about nature and impressed us as he answered all our questions on this complex ecosystem - which needs to be protected. As we came with a curious mindset - and not the “Big Five” obsession - it seems that nature gifted us: we saw much more than we expected (selection of pictures attached). Among the many great moments, we will remember an outdoor dinner in a traditional setting, with a brai, ox tail cooked in a pot on fire and other delicious food. It was also touching to see all staff, including the manager, performing several traditional songs a cappella. Against the background of Apartheid and continued challenges in South Africa, we've had the impression that there is much respect of and among staff. We heard also positive accounts of the mindset of the lodge's owners from Switzerland. We strongly recommend Rhulani Safari Lodge!

My husband and I stayed 9 nights at Rhulani and overall it was a fabulous experience. We have been many times to Africa so have experienced many types of lodges and camps. This is right up there. The suites are spacious and very comfortable and very private. Our guide Alisdair was wonderful. His joy and passion were quite infectious. We had some amazing sightings of wild dog (including new pups), lions and their cubs and magnificent males. And we were very privileged to be in the the right place for a cheetah kill (fortunately didn't witness the actual kill, but the before and after was incredible). One of the great things about Rhulani is the small number of suites and the staff who go to great lengths to please and made our stay very pleasant. A real highlight for us was being in the hide and spending time being so close to the elephants and other animals that visited there. Again, a real privilege. And a late night visit by black rhinos just made it more special. Thank you to everyone at Rhulani and I apologise for the late review, but the whole experience is still very fresh in my memory and I can't wait to return.

We spent 3 nights at Rhulani and loved every minute ! From the beautiful room with pool , the food and drinks ( amazing sundowners) and the hide , everything was great. The team were friendly and helpful . However , nothing beats our guide Villem. This man is amazing ! His passion for the bush , his knowledge and commitment is second to none. We were so blessed to spend our time with Villem. We learnt so much about the bush and the animals who live there, the landscape , flora and fauna. Would we go back, in a heartbeat !

Our stay was perfect. It’s exactly what we wanted in a first class safari. The lodge, game drives, service, communication…everything was great. We were a family five, and could not have had a better time with this great company and reserve. I will recommend going here to everyone.