Monwana Game Lodge

Monwana was a fantastic experience from beginning to end. The people were so lovely and attentive. Food was beyond exceptional and the rooms were spacious and comfortable. Great drives - of course saw the big 5 - we loved our stay there - total luxe and we were completely taken care of every minute of every day!

Our family spent six unforgettable days at Monwana Lodge in the stunning Monwana Residence, a nearly 5,600-square-foot haven perfectly positioned before a tranquil watering hole. From morning coffee to evening sundowners, we watched elephants, rhinos, hippos, and antelope gather — a breathtaking reminder of Africa’s wild beauty, right at our doorstep.||The residence and lodge epitomize luxurious safari elegance. Every detail — from the curated décor to the woven safari bags and plush blankets in the jeeps — reflected thoughtful design and care. Monwana has mastered the art of anticipating every guest’s need, allowing one to simply arrive and be fully immersed in the experience.||As seasoned safari travelers who have stayed at world-class lodges across several African countries, our expectations were high. Yet Monwana managed not only to meet them but to surpass them in every possible way. We were a three-generation family celebrating our parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, and the staff made the occasion profoundly special.||Highlights included a beautifully arranged bush breakfast, complete with floral touches and a heartfelt card; a private braai on our residence deck cooked by our personal chef, Joel; and a surprise anniversary cake presented on our final night, adorned with sparklers and a “50” topper — moments we will cherish forever.||Camp Manager Talitha was the heartbeat of it all — warm, gracious, and attentive, orchestrating a seamless and deeply personal stay. Chef Joel’s cuisine rivaled that of Michelin-starred restaurants, while Butler Phillip provided flawless, intuitive service. Glory, our housekeeper, maintained our residence with exceptional care and kindness.||Our guide Alex and tracker Matimba were a world-class team. Alex’s knowledge, humor, and storytelling made every drive engaging for both safari veterans and first-timers, while Matimba’s skill and keen eye were extraordinary — spotting even a perfectly camouflaged chameleon at night, some 50 feet away. Their expertise led us to unforgettable sightings: not only the Big Five, but also the rare thrill of witnessing wild dogs on a hunt, followed by a leopard appearing from nowhere to steal the kill and carry it up a tree. It was pure National Geographic — live before our eyes. ||From coffee and Amarula stops at sunrise to sundowners under painted skies, and indulgent spa treatments with Phido and Ragna, every moment at Monwana felt designed to delight and restore.||Monwana truly lives up to its ethos of #ComingHome. It is a place where luxury, nature, and heartfelt hospitality meet — and where we felt both profoundly cared for and deeply connected. We left with full hearts, lasting memories, and immense gratitude to the incredible Monwana team.

Thank you so very much for the most amazing stay at Monwana. Tommy and I loved every single minute. It really was coming home for us after being part of the corporate lodge so many years ago.|The lodge is beautiful, our room was gorgeous, the food was absolutely delicious and the service was outstanding. Our butler July was awesome and looked after us so well and our guide Alex is a respectful, well mannered, upstanding young man. The game viewing was crazy! We saw so many leopards, 8 different ones and some more than once. The attention to detail and everything was perfect! Thank You!

Monwana was a delight from beginning to end! The people, the food, the rooms and the drives - This was a great experience all around. We were so taken care of and had great safari drives - We saw the Big 5 multiple times!

We visited Monwana for our honeymoon, and it truly was one of the best trips of our lives. The location is exceptional—beautiful, peaceful, and tranquil.||The lodge itself feels intimate and welcoming, and by the end of our stay, the staff felt more like friends than hosts. Every detail was handled with care, and it was clear that everyone at Monwana genuinely wants you to have the best experience possible.||The game drives were incredible. We saw the Big Five multiple times, often up close, and it never felt intrusive or forced. Unlike at other places, in this reserve the animals don't scare away. Bonus, we were also able to chase after wild dogs and see them rip apart an Impala. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and clearly passionate about conservation, creating a respectful connection between guests and wildlife.||Suffice it to say Monwana is stunning. After our stay, we left feeling refreshed, inspired, and already planning our return. Monwana isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling

I hesitate to write a review about our amazing experience at the Monwana Lodge only because I don't want to have trouble re-booking for our next visit! Having said that, it is not a place you want to miss. From the moment we arrived we were greeted with welcoming faces and full hearts. The Lodge itself is absolutely beautiful architecturally as well as being award winning for their eco-consciousness. Our game drive guide Al and tracker Nick were top notch. Their passion to share there talents, love of the animals and their unbelievable abilities to find so many of the Big 5 and beyond was just wonderful. The Lodge itself is beautiful - It consists of a main lounging area, an indoor / outdoor dining are that is constantly visited by Giraffes, Impalas, Warthogs and others , not to mention a plethora of birds. There is a welcoming bar for morning coffee of your choice as well as any and all alcohol you could imagine. If you look down from your bar seat you will see an underground wine cellar that you can visit, wine taste and even dine in. (careful if you are wearing a skirt and their are guests below haha) There is more food than anyone could possible eat. tarting at 5:30 AM with fresh juices, smoothies, coffee, tea and pastries and fruit. Then off we went in search of whatever we might find. Mid morning a stop in the bush for some tea and treats then off again. By 9:30 AM we are back at the lodge for a full on breakfast prepared Chef J and assisted by so many smiling faces including lovely Evelyn who was always warm and welcoming. The options for food were plentiful so don' worry you wont go hungry ! And dinner was equally delicious and no matter what they offered you could ask for something different and they would happily oblige. Our accommodations were absolutely beautiful. A small family villa with two master suites on each side, outdoor showers, and small pools to enjoy while again watching any and all animals roam the property. Our main great room had a lovely living room area with games and TV looking out to a lovely outdoor patio and infinity pool with a BBQ/pizza oven close by. Dining area seated 12 with an open galley kitchen. There was always fresh fruit and milk, coffee and alcohol for us whenever we wanted. The entire lodge was air conditioned as was our home away from home and as mentioned built to be totally self contained and eco-conscious. Off the main lodge is a glass encased gym so you can stretch or walk in place while again enjoying the view. And there is a spa - which after 4 days of game drives you might find your body needs a little rub down. I really can't say enough about our experience at this amazing Lodge in Thornybush Private Reserve. It was our final stop (after 3 previous lodges) and what a fabulous way to end our incredible trip.

Wow! What a fabulous experience we will never forget! From the moment we walked into Monwana, the service was exceptional. The water hole is an incredible bonus and within about an hour of arriving, a giraffe wandered over, assessed whether there was any danger, and dropped down to drink from the water hole. In the 3 days there, we saw elephant families, lions, and many other animals at the water hole. We had the pleasure of staying in the owners residence and it was just gorgeous. We literally had front row seats to the water hole. The food was outstanding.....AND importantly, our guide and tracker we super experienced and managed to track almost every animal we could think of including a leopard lying up a tree with his catch on another branch, wild dogs, lots of giraffes, zebras, elephants, etc etc. Thank you Monwana for a truly memorable outstanding experience.

A beautiful and personalised experience. Spacious and luxurious accommodation, service always with a smile, knowledgeable and dedicated safari guides and trackers and a true private game lodge ambience. Thank you Monwana for a simply amazing stay, we certainly feel part of the 'family'.