Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa

What can I say! Having just left a four nights stay at this beautiful location. I’m not sure life will ever be the same again! The location, the staff, the facilities, the lodges, the food, the welcome, the choir, the activities, the animals & the protection of this beautiful game reserve, along with the locals, the decor and the luxuriousness of it all, it was phenomenal. From starting at the farm on the edge of the reserve with a fabulous welcome from the staff and pair of giraffes & goats in gorgeous surroundings. A beautiful lunch of handmade springbok pastries and raw homegrown vegetables with delicious dips and tasty wine to the journey through the game reserve to the lodges and spotting hippos along the way. Welcomed at our villa by no less than 10 of the team singing. We stayed in the three bedroom villa and nothing has ever compared to this accommodation. I will post some photos but none of this will do it justice. I could waffle on forever about the game drives that Zon took us on, rushing to experience the incredibly rare black rhinos, experiencing male elephants many times, eating lunch on a plain as an elephant crossed the path of rhinos, zebras and wildebeest, or the champagne we drank at the top of the hill as the sun was setting, all the many many close encounters we had with different prides of lionesses’s & the stalking we witnessed or the 19 strong elephant herd that walked past us with the baby and up the hill. None of which would’ve been possible without the fabulous guide, Zon. Every single part of our day was taken care of and customised to us. The fabulous team at the villa kept the place immaculate, washed and folded all our clothes, served us the most delicious food (huge thank you Chef Tenby) all lead by our wonderful butler (and so much more) David. From running the kids over to the main lodge watering hole (via tunnel) to witness animals, or taking them to the shop or finding a tooth brush charger we forgot to bring - to the double birthday cakes and balloons for our birthdays. Every single little detail was taken care of. The special South African BBQ was magical, just go with it! I could literally keep writing forever but make sure you don’t forget to have a spa treatment as the girls were amazing and have the kids go out with the guides to make plaster moulds of the animal footprint, a priceless experience.

We had an unforgettable stay at Mhondoro Safari Lodge. From the moment we arrived, the service was warm, personal and thoughtful - especially regarding our severe food allergies, which were handled with care and professionalism. The accommodation was stunning, with luxurious touches and a private plunge pool overlooking wildlife at the waterhole.||Safaris were a highlight, expertly guided by Tish, and included incredible sightings - from a leopard on our first morning to close encounters with lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and more, and managing to see the big 5! Dining was delicious and safe with the head chef Patrick personally tailoring our meals for us daily.||The lodge offers magical moments - like elephants drinking from the pool at sunset or watching wildlife from the underground hide. Every detail was perfect. We left with full hearts and lifelong memories.|Can't recommend Mhondoro highly enough and hope we can return in the future!

From the moment we arrived at Mhondoro Lodge, our holiday felt like it had truly begun. The welcome at reception was so warm and efficient, setting the scene & tone for the upcoming experience for our family.||The staff at Mhondoro is exceptional. Every single person we encountered was attentive, friendly to ensure our comfort and enjoyment. The lodge facilities themselves are nothing exceptional - from the beautifully rooms to the common areas, everything is designed with incredible attention to detail. We particularly enjoyed relaxing by the pool and taking in the breathtaking views, including the elephants coming by (aka “pool ellies”).||A special mention must go to our guide, Tish. Her passion for the bush was infectious, and her expert knowledge of both the animals and the flora was truly impressive. She patiently answered all our questions, pointed out details we would have otherwise missed, and even helped with DSLR camera settings and telephoto lenses to capture the perfect wildlife shots. Tish made every game drive an exciting and educational adventure.||The game drives were, of course, a highlight. We saw an amazing array of animals in their natural habitat, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Finally, the Boma dinner under the stars was another unforgettable experience, with delicious food and a wonderful atmosphere.||In summary, our stay at Mhondoro Lodge was exceptional in every way. The outstanding staff and everything else – from game drives to the spa - made this a holiday we will cherish forever.

There will always be nice facilities, but what sets the best apart from the rest is its people.||From the team who took care of us at home (David, Chef T, and the list goes on) to the man who showed us his playground (Hein) to Andri (who would check on us regularly if we were OK) - we were never short of care and attention. They paid so much attention to detail to making our stay a memorable one, that next year we will be going back again and bringing more family with us! ||THEY MADE MHONDORO FEEL LIKE OUR HOME. ||Despite coming off a 5-star train ride, we were mesmerised when we saw the Mhondoro setup. The villa was amazing - very clear that the owners had invested significantly to bring an exquisite experience to their guests.||I don’t know how to explain what we experienced and saw, so I hope the pictures do a better job!

We spent 3 nights at this amazing place in June. The accommodation was perfect, staff could not do enough for us. Food was excellent and our ranger, Hein, was extremely knowledgeable and gave us 5 superb game drives. Loved our Sundowner gin and tonics on the range!! Rene and all staff are to be complimented!!! Hope we can return sometime xx

From the moment we arrived at Mhondoro, we were left speechless and even brought to tears more than once. Hospitality and customer service are at the heart of everything they do. We arrived as strangers and left with lifelong memories and friendships.||I’ll never forget Isaac’s warm smile as he welcomed us at reception and how beautiful of a scene was set with a farm fresh meal and glass of South African wine. My boyfriend and I realized this was going to be the African Safari we dreamed of.||Travel from reception to the lodge on a safari vehicle was the perfect start to our trip. We saw some of the Big Five on our way in! We were warmly greeted by a welcome song from the staff and Oupa's smile with a glass of homemade tea that was delicious. ||Every dish felt like a culinary adventure and as foodies from the U.S., we were blown away by what truly felt like five-star dining throughout our stay. The food and water were safe (such a bonus) and we were also in a malaria-free zone. The weather the first week of June was pure perfection, with warm sunny days and cozy, fire-lit evenings. ||The lodge itself, from reception to the rooms, was beautifully decorated with thoughtful details designed for comfort. We especially loved the romantic touches: evening turndown service and sleeping beneath a canopy of netting. Taking a dip in our private pool and using the outdoor shower during the warm afternoons was such a luxury. One unforgettable moment? An elephant stopped by for a drink from our pool at the Honeymoon Suite!||Oupa, Jacob, Isaac, Renee, and Andre truly felt like family by the time we left. Tish, our safari guide, made the early mornings worth it. She kept us laughing, taught us so much, and made it her mission to find all of the Big Five (though that elusive leopard managed to stay hidden!).||Sunrise "Rancher" Coffee and sunset happy hour stops while watching South African wildlife, will forever hold a place in my heart. The views and sounds of nature were magical. ||I mentioned in passing this was a 55th birthday celebration and on our final night, Renee and the staff surprised us with a special dinner by the fire, a song, and birthday cake. We shared stories and laughter - it was a truly memorable moment.||If you’re in the U.S. and feeling hesitant about booking Mhondoro, don’t be. It’s everything a luxury African safari should be and more. The people make it unforgettable. They’ll go above and beyond to make sure your trip is truly the experience of a lifetime.||Tips: Pick a room with a pool, pack warmer items for early morning and evening game drives in the winter months, and book a couples massage to relax. Wake up a bit early for fresh cappuccino and the beautiful sunrise, before the morning game drive. Don't pack a hairdryer - the one provided is powerful. 2 USB plugins are on either side of the bed, so you likely don't need adapters. Make sure to stop by the gift shop for treasures to take home. You'll definitely want a Mhondoro hat :)

Where do I begin! ||Who would’ve thought a random Instagram discovery would turn into the trip of a lifetime. ||Upon arrival… we received the warmest welcome and were introduced to all staff members by name. ||I have never experienced a place that is so idyllic in its setting, accommodation that felt like home and staff that went above and beyond. ||Our ranger - Tyrone was friendly, warm and knowledgeable. Showing us around, seeing lots of different animals and breathtaking scenery. |Our early morning coffee & biscuits or afternoon sundown drinks & nibbles to watch the sun setting was an added bonus. ||Our accommodation which featured 2 double bedrooms, lounge and terrace with our own pool overlooking the estate was spectacular and so comfortable. ||We also enjoyed a massage at the spa with Letta and Gift, our amazing therapists. I have been fortunate to enjoy many treatments over time but my massage here was by far the best I’ve ever had. ||All of the chefs (who unfortunately didn’t wear name badges) were incredible, creating delicious dishes every day using such fresh produce, fruit and vegetables. |Our eldest daughter who is a big eater, thoroughly enjoyed every meal, often asking for seconds. |Our youngest daughter, who is coeliac has always struggled with food choices when travelling but the chefs were so accommodating and she has never eaten so well. Even on the game drives, there were always separate tasty snacks thoughtfully made for her. ||All staff made it their upmost priority to ensure our stay was unforgettable. |Special thanks to Jacob, Sam, Lebo and Issac ||To the Mhondoro owners who have created this lodge with such vision, we applaud you. Not only have you created a heavenly escape but have chosen the best staff to look after everyone that visits with such care. ||If I had one wish, it would be that everyone was able to experience Mhondoro at least once in their lifetime. ||As a family, we all left a piece of our hearts behind.

Everything from start to finish was incredible. The staff was super friendly and helpful, the food was beautiful and tasted amazing, the lodge is stunning and the game drives were so much fun and informative. Thank you René, Jaces, Althi, Zaan, Patrick and everyone involved! It was an experience we will never forget.