Ximuwu Lodge

We had such an amazing visit to Ximuwu. The lodge was beautiful. Staff was incredibly helpful and kind. Food was delicious. Helicopter was such a wonderful surprise - as was the dinners and breakfast across the property. The owners have thought of everything. I cannot recommend them highly enough! It was the perfect start to our visit to South Africa!

I've been putting off writing this review because I was afraid I wouldn't capture how truly incredible the experience at Ximuwu really is. We had the pleasure of visiting in July with a group of friends and every aspect of our stay was unbelievable!||Elly & Patrick are gracious hosts and their team made us feel like we were part of the family. Melinda, Albert, Dino, were so attentive and fun but never intrusive - as were the entire team (sorry, I'm terrible with remembering all the names!). Special shout out to Amanda, the Chef who delighted us with every meal! Her flavors, creativity, and attention to detail were unbelievable. Some of the best meals I've ever had! We were surprised by a lovely bush dinner one night by a watering hole and lunch next to a beautiful Baobab tree, both of which would have made a Michelin star restaurant jealous. I could go on and on about the food, but you get my point. ||Troy our guide and Tulani our tracker were outstanding. We could have done nothing but game drives with these two, and that would have been enough. Their knowledge, patience and expertise were second to none. They put up with our group, always made us feel at ease and taught us so much about the local wildlife. ||The lodge itself is simply gorgeous. It's a modern take where every detail has been carefully considered. Having been to Sabi Sabi and Singita on a prior trip (both exceptional lodges), I can say that Ximuwu is a cut above. Patrick & Elly have raised the bar with a bush experience that simply can't be beat.||Thank you so much for making our stay so memorable!

Ximuwu Lodge was truly the greatest experience of my life! As a full time wheelchair user, I can vouch with 100% certainty that this lodge is truly fully accessible at every level. I spent 4 nights with 6 friends and I was able to partake in every activity without a worry. The staff was beyond amazing and the establishment was 5 stars. Ximuwu lodge truly delivered on their “fully accessible” description. It’s the perfect safari spot!! The service, the friendliness, cleanliness, safety and overall safari experience is completely unmatched. Everyone must experience Ximuwu Lodge once in their life.

We had the pleasure of staying here for 3 nights to kick off our African adventure. After a nightmare 18 months which has left my husband disabled ximuwu was just the perfect place. |From the moment we were picked up from the nearby airport by Bradley and arriving to a welcome from Elly, Patrick, Demi and the whole team we knew we were in for a treat. |We were taken care of perfectly in a friendly and unobtrusive way which made us feel part of the family and enabled us to relax for the first time in 18 months. |The rooms are amazing, with plenty of space, huge bed, a walk in shower (and an outside shower) and a deck overlooking the waterhole. To sit on the deck in an evening watching the animals visiting the waterhole was just indescribable. |The game drives are the highlight with Bradley, Tulaney (apologies if my spelling is incorrect) and Bernard going above and beyond to ensure we saw all the fantastic wildlife in their own habitat. We saw sights and had experiences we will never forget, Even the male Elephant in Musth who was a bit annoyed with us 😂 the help and care you gave to us both also enable me to have a break too. |The food is delicious and Amanda makes sure she caters to your tastes (best eggs Benedict ever). From breakfast in the bush, an evening meal with the team down by the hide/dam and a food/wine pairing evening it was simply delicious. |We can’t thank all of you enough for making our short stay perfect and I could write a lot more. |You have a fabulous gem in the Klaserie reserve and an amazing team. |I do hope we will be back at some point in the future.

Absolutely blown away by this hotel — words can hardly do it justice. From the moment I arrived, the level of service and hospitality was nothing short of exceptional. Every member of the staff went above and beyond to make the stay seamless and memorable. The attention to detail, the ambiance, and the overall atmosphere created an experience that felt both luxurious and personal. Whether it was the beautifully maintained surroundings, the exquisite dining, or the small thoughtful touches throughout, everything was flawlessly executed. Truly a five-star experience in every sense — I can’t wait to return! Big thanks and hug to Elly, Patrick, Demi and Bradley and to all the staff 🤍

Ximuwu Lodge was outstanding! ||From the moment we stepped off the plane – we were greeted with gracious hospitality. I want to highlight the dedication and expertise of the staff. They went above and beyond to care for us. With excellent attention to detail and compassion they provided a joy-filled and relaxing stay. The staff was so helpful with our family member who has mobility issues. They are comfortable with wheelchair transportation and cared for us with such patience. Albert, Dhino, Demi, Brad, Happy, Amanda and so many others blew us away with their professionalism, knowledge, service, and kindness. Elly and Patrick were extremely helpful throughout our time there and the planning process as well. ||We had amazing wildlife viewings throughout our stay. The teamwork between Brad, Bernard, and Thulani allowed us to see all of our bucket list animals from the Big 5. There were many lion and cub, leopard, elephant, giraffe, and rhino sitings (just to name a few!). We couldn’t have asked for better wildlife viewings. The tracking that this team does together allowed us to have these incredible viewings each day. The helicopter experience was an adventurous and fun way to see the animals and landscape – we loved it! ||The food at Ximuwu with Chef Amanda was phenomenal. It was fresh, flavorful, and creative. We had many choices and it was a variety of foods throughout the week. Dhino created fantastic drinks from the bar as well. We also loved the local South African wine options available. We especially appreciated the breakfast and dinner in the bush where we listened to the sounds of nature while we dined. Sleeping in the treehouse was a unique and fun way to experience the sounds and sights of the wildlife as well. The staff created happy hours and coffee breaks for us throughout our game drives which was an added luxurious touch. ||This lodge is truly accessible for those with mobility issues. There is a zero step option for all activities for the entire stay. This is perfect for multigenerational families traveling together and those with mobility issues. Not a detail is missed, and because of this every member of our family was included on all activities. It’s luxury accessibility at its finest. ||Our time at Ximuwu was special and cherished. We will be returning for all future safaris and telling all of our friends about it too!

As a full-time wheelchair user, I’ve grown used to adjusting my expectations when traveling. But Ximuwu Lodge didn’t just meet those expectations, it completely redefined them.||From the moment we arrived, I could tell this place was something special. The team welcomed us like family, and the entire lodge was genuinely accessible in ways I’ve rarely seen anywhere in the world, let alone in the heart of the African bush. ||The entire property has been thoughtfully and beautifully designed with accessibility in mind. No steep thresholds, no narrow passageways, and no “patchwork fixes”, just seamless design that makes you feel included, not accommodated.||My suite had a fully accesible shower and bathtub, grab bars in all the right places, and plenty of space to maneuver. Even the private deck overlooking the bush was fully wheelchair-friendly. ||When it came time for the game drives, their custom-adapted vehicle made transfers easy and comfortable, and I was always securely positioned and fully part of the group.||What truly makes Ximuwu Lodge extraordinary isn’t just the stunning bushveld surroundings or the luxury accommodations, it’s the people.||Every single member of the team went above and beyond to make my stay unforgettable, inclusive, and deeply meaningful. As a full-time wheelchair user, I often anticipate complications when traveling. But here? I felt not just accommodated, I felt at home.||Melinda, the hotel manager, led the lodge with grace, warmth, and a calm attention to detail that made everything flow effortlessly.||Mike, our game drive guide, was an absolute star. Incredibly knowledgeable and endlessly patient, Mike brought the bush to life in the most engaging and respectful way. He never rushed a moment, always made sure I was fully included, and treated the animals and the land with real reverence.||Thulani, who joined us on the vehicle as our tracker, was a powerhouse of quiet expertise. With eyes like a hawk and a calm presence, he and Mike made a brilliant team. ||Bernard, our second tracker, followed in a separate vehicle and did much of his work on foot. Though he often worked behind the scenes, his contribution was essential and deeply appreciated.||Amanda, our chef, was another highlight of the entire experience. You could taste the love and thought in every plate. Beyond the food itself, Amanda brought such warmth to the table. She often came out to explain what we were eating, and it was clear how much passion and pride she puts into every meal.||Albert, our butler, brought so much joy to every moment. He always seemed to dance his way in just when something was needed. He remembered my preferences, always greeted me by name, and somehow made everything feel effortless.||Dinho, our barman, added so much care to the evening. His easy conversation, attention to detail, and genuine interest in our experiences made each moment feel extra special.||Together, this team created a space where luxury and wilderness, inclusion and adventure, comfort and authenticity all existed in perfect harmony.||At Ximuwu, I felt like part of something rare, a community that believes everyone deserves to experience the magic of the African bush in full.

If I could give it 10 stars I would! We spent 3 nights here with a group of 10 of us and had the entire lodge. From tip to toe, the service, food, drinks, and game drives were beyond our highest expectations. Worth every single penny and more.