Senalala Safari Lodge

Our family traveled to Senalala and had the most amazing time in June. The lodge is a little slice of heaven with such beauty. The staff are incredible at making you feel comfortable and are so welcoming. The accommodation and food were spot on. We were able to see the big five and the guides were amazing with my children (and with adults) keeping them engaged the entire time. I highly recommend booking your next South African safari here. You wont be disappointed! We can’t wait to visit again!

My spouse and I spent four nights at Senalala Safari Lodge this month. Honestly, it was the highlight of our trip to Africa. Sinéad, James, and Darvy were all incredible hosts. We had a blast during meals, chatting and laughing the whole time. Whether we were discussing movies (Shrek), learning Zulu names for animals, or having an impromptu talent show, each meal was better than the last. We especially enjoyed the eight game drives we had with James. He truly enjoys what he does and his passion for the drives was contagious. We were lucky and got to see the Big 5. While I was worried about food options, Senalala did not disappoint. Everything we ate was delicious. Leaving was kind of sad. It felt like we were saying goodbye to friends we had known for years. When we return to Africa in the future, we will definitely be coming back to Senalala. I'll also be recommending Senalala to anyone I know planning to visit South Africa.

Senalala Safari Lodge is more than just a safari destination—it’s a place that feels like home. As returning guests turned friends, we can confidently say that each visit to Senalala is as magical as the first, if not more. There’s a warmth, a sense of belonging, and an authenticity here that’s hard to find anywhere else. James and Corlia, our wonderful hosts, go above and beyond to create a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere where every guest is treated like family. Their deep knowledge of the bush, passion for conservation, and incredible hospitality are what keep us coming back. Every detail is taken care of with such heart and thoughtfulness. The lodge is beautifully designed, understated yet luxurious, with a peaceful view over the waterhole that constantly draws in wildlife. The game drives are exceptional—the rangers brings the bush to life with storytelling, tracking skills, and respect for the animals and environment. We’ve had countless unforgettable sightings and always leave with a deeper appreciation for nature. Delicious meals, fireside conversations, stargazing, and quiet moments with the wildlife—Senalala offers all of it, wrapped in a sense of tranquility and connection. It’s not just a place you visit—it’s a place you return to, time and again. Forever grateful for this special lodge and the lifelong friendships we’ve made here. We can’t wait for the next return.

Our family of 12 recently spent several days at Senalala Safari Lodge. Everything was outstanding from the accommodation and its cleanliness to the ambience, food, game drives, knowledge of the game rangers and friendly hospitable staff throughout the lodge. If you are looking for a wonderful bush experience for yourself or your family, Senalala gets a five star recommendation.

As a Travel & Safari Specialist for Africa, I had the pleasure of visiting Senalala Safari Lodge on a site inspection to check out the property for potential clients of mine. While I only stayed for one night, it was more than enough to experience the magic this place holds. Here are the highlights:||🌍 Location|When considering Senalala Safari Lodge, you’re stepping into one of the most intimate and rewarding safari experiences in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. The lodge is perfectly positioned on a highly active waterhole; so active, in fact, that you often don’t even need to leave the property to witness remarkable wildlife encounters.||Senalala also boasts one of the largest traversing areas in this part of the reserve, giving your guides ample space to explore. This increases your chances of diverse and memorable sightings across a range of landscapes and terrain.||🛖 Lodge Setting & Décor|The setting is clean, well-organized, and tastefully styled with thoughtful touches throughout. Labels and signage make everything easy to find, and the attention to detail, especially in cleanliness and organization, is exceptional.||There are multiple seating areas including a charming boma and relaxed lounge spaces, all set around the waterhole for the best possible vantage point. Whether you're enjoying morning coffee or an afternoon drink, you're front-row to whatever wildlife action may unfold.|The lodge also features a spacious pool for a refreshing midday dip. The gardens are kept neatly trimmed with minimal landscaping, keeping the natural feeling intact. The property is fully fenced, which offers added peace of mind for those who might feel uneasy about animals wandering through camp.||🛏 Accommodation|The rooms are beautifully appointed with solid walls and thatched roofs, featuring large sliding glass doors and windows that let you take in the view from the comfort of your bed. They're spacious, with ample cupboard space and configurations for both king and twin setups to accommodate different travel styles. Bathrooms include a lovely shower and a freestanding bathtub, a wonderful touch after a long day on safari.||🦁 Guiding|Our guide, Dawie, was fantastic. He brought the bush to life by focusing on the smaller details from tracks and signs to birdlife. One standout moment was when he demonstrated how to calculate an elephant’s height based on its tracks, drawing the measurement in the sand. Though I learned this during my own guide training, it was the first time I’ve seen a guide take the time to explain it to guests in real time. His calm, warm presence and thoughtful conversation made the drives even more enjoyable.||🐾 Sightings|Even during my short stay, the sightings were impressive. Elephants, zebras, giraffes, and impalas all made appearances at the waterhole. A particular highlight was watching a leopard in a tree with a kill, while a hyena waited below, hoping for scraps to fall.||🍽 Dining|Senalala offers a relaxed, “help yourself” style of hospitality. You’re free to make your own tea, coffee, or pour a beverage at any time. For those who prefer more formal, butler-style service, this might not be your perfect match — but for travelers seeking authenticity and comfort without fuss, it’s ideal.||What I appreciated most was the communal spirit of the lodge. Meals are shared family-style at one long table with fellow guests and the team, fostering genuine connections and heartwarming conversations. The food is served buffet-style and focuses on fresh, healthy, well-balanced dishes.||🤝 Staff & Hospitality|The on-site team is incredibly hands-on and attentive. You truly feel well cared for from the moment you arrive. Their passion and dedication are evident in every detail of the experience.||To the entire team at the lodge, thank you for accommodating me. I had a truly beautiful and memorable stay 😌🙏.||To those reading this review, I hope it helps you as you dream and plan your magnificent journey to Africa.

Simple word is Exceptional. Beautiful place for memorable experiences. Staff at Senalala treated us like close family and pampered us in more ways than we ever expected or experienced. Our guide was very talented and knew what he was doing. Master in tracking and leading to the corners of the bush and expert in positioning for best view without disturbing the wild animals. We had seen 'big five' and much much more including wild dogs, a rare sight. Food was phenomenal, kudos to the chef and a shoutout for all the supporting hospitality staff. Front office Corlia, caring and efficient, made sure of every small and big detail more than we expected. Looking forward to our next trip with our grandson in few more years.

As first time visitors to SA we were captivated by Cape Town and mesmerised by the winelands and the Garden Route. How could those experiences be trumped? (no political pun intended!) - well we saved the best to last!! ||Senalala was utter bliss and beauty. The lodge is a true 'home from home' experience ....but it is better than that. The extraodinary team take care of everything and nothing is too much trouble. While you are staying you become part of the Senalala family and whether it is housekeeping, food & beverage, leisure time, they excel in making sure every moment is special. But of course you are most likely to be here for the game drives and in this regard I was simply blown away. ||Our game drive leaders, Dawie & David were extraordinary. Their passion and dedication to a world where many of us are so unfamiliar is breathtaking. No matter if it were an animal from the Big 5, one of the scores of birds or reptiles we were introduced to, their knowledge and enthusiasm to share a life's work of knowledge and experiences, just kept me wanting to hear more on each interaction. ||To Corlia and James - you have a team of people that are so intune with your ethos and aspirations, how proud you must be of them and the experience all your guests receive .....many, many, thanks.||To anyone considering a safari experience - you will not be disappointed by choosing Senalala Safari Lodge .......but make sure you leave the best to last.

Yet another FABULOUS visit and experience at Senalala! We absolutely love it here and this must be our 9th visit! We're always so excited to bring friends to experience everything Senalala offers. We travel a lot and rarely go back to the same place so that tells you how much this place gives us - the peace and tranquility, the care and attention from James and Corlia and all the staff, the expertise of the guides, the rooms and beds are lovely and comfy too, the wildlife is always amazing. We never want to leave when it's time. But we know we'll be back! Thank you again Corlia and James for all the new memories created - we're off now to plan the next trip!