Baulko_travellers
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Leopard Hills was our final destination, concluding our first safari experience in Southern Africa, and what a way to end this wonderful trip! We stayed 4 nights and wish we had stayed longer. |The lodge is stunning, featuring modern, understated luxury with earthy tones that seamlessly blend into the surrounding landscape. The views from the main deck are breathtaking. Situated on the side of a hill, it offers a stunning overlook of both the surrounding landscape and the waterhole below the lodge. There is nothing more rewarding than watching a variety of animals, such as rhinos, elephants, impalas, wildebeests, and hippos, at the waterhole during breakfast and lunch.|There are eight rooms or suites located throughout the resort. Some are built on the hillside with stunning views, while others are at ground level facing the bush. Each suite is beautifully designed, featuring a sitting area with a desk, a comfortable king-sized bed, and a bathroom equipped with both a separate shower and bath. Outside, there is a deck that includes a plunge pool and an outdoor shower. The room offers all the amenities you could desire, including a well-stocked fridge with both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, snacks, and a Nespresso coffee machine. We stayed in room 5, which was located on the ground level and overlooked a small waterhole frequented by various animals, including elephants. It was great to sit on the deck and watch impalas, baboons, and zebras come to the waterhole. One afternoon, I had the most magical experience of being woken up by elephants drinking from the pool!|In addition to the luxurious surroundings, the staff is excellent. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted warmly and attentively. The staff remembered our names and preferences, such as how we take our coffee and our favourite lunch beverages. These small details and personalised service truly reflect what makes this lodge great! Special thanks to Spha for taking such great care of us during meal times and to Portia in the spa for relieving our sore muscles with her magical touch. |What truly sets this place apart is the game drives. The vehicles accommodate only six passengers and are extremely comfortable. Each morning, we were given hot water bottles, blankets, and windbreaker ponchos to ensure we could enjoy the drives without getting cold. We saw a lion and the resident leopard, Ravencourt, on the first game drive, and we had ticked off the “Big 5” within 48 hours of arriving at the lodge. |Justin, our guide, was phenomenal. His knowledge of the African biota was incredible, and he had a wonderful personality to match. He was an excellent host, taking care of us during rest breaks by preparing a “bush mix” of chocolate, coffee, and Amarula in the morning and mixing G&T or DBC at sundown. The trackers, Justice and Ronnie, were great and always going above and beyond while spotting tracks, unusual insects, or birds. |We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this lodge and would recommend it without any hesitation.