Explore top 2025 5 Star Hotels in Balule Game Reserve

"Super welcoming, friendly and safe. Very attentive to details. "

"We had the most incredible experience at Pondoro Game Lodge. From the moment we arrived, everything was absolutely phenomenal. The staff made us feel so welcome and cared for, going above and beyond to make every detail perfect. Our suite was stunning—luxurious, private, and designed with so much attention to comfort and beauty. The game drives were unforgettable. Our guide (Dewalt) and tracker (Andrès) were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, and thanks to them we were able to witness breathtaking wildlife moments that we’ll never forget. The food was exceptional—every meal was a treat, beautifully prepared and served with warmth. What truly stood out was the atmosphere of the lodge: intimate, peaceful, and filled with genuine hospitality. Pondoro exceeded our expectations in every way, and we left with memories we’ll treasure for a lifetime. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience."

"I stayed in the hotel only so I am not sure about area around the property. All the staff are friendly and hotel facilities are great. Only one thing is my room was too far from the main lobby. As a solo traveler, I felt a little nervous of walking in the morning and at night before and after safari trips."

"I cannot express how amazing this place was. I've been all over the world, and every aspect of the AM Lodge is by far the most superior. The unique daily game drives had our Bush Bar (best bar in South Africa, thanks to Benjamin and Penwey) interrupted by a Nyala being chased by a wild dog. Literally chasing Lions led to our fantastic guides helping another group get out of a ditch. Even seeing zebras and wild buffalo ended up being so hilarious, it brought tears to our eyes! For the millennials reading this, imagine the perfect mix between Steve Irwin and Wild Boyz. Shepherd is the definition of what a proper host looks like. We had a strange request of being shuttled to a nearby tattoo shop, and they happily obliged. Our chefs made amazing food, with our only request being to show us the local cuisine. That kota sandwich and African buffet was exactly what we were talking about! Way to deliver! At no point did I ever think I was anything less than royalty thanks to the amazing staff, treatment, and accomodations. I don't know how they managed to do it, but they also made it seem like me and my father were the only ones there! As if the entire safari grounds were just for us (even though, they obviously had other guests). I hope to have the chance to visit again. If any guest is considering a safari, the search ends here. "

"Essa foi a pior hospedagem olhando custo benefício das nossas vidas. O custo foi em torno de 1000 dólares a diária, esperávamos algo incrível! Uma pena…. O all inclusive é igual a uma pensão completa, o quarto super antigo, nosso game driver terminou 30 minutos antes. Nos deram um papel com horários e uma mensagem no WhatsApp, nenhum tinha a mesma informação, o que nos fez perder o café. Estamos 100% descontentes e insatisfeitos com oque recebemos pelo o que foi pago."

"This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. A graduation trip including myself, my husband, and our 3 teenage daughters. I highly recommend the Ezulwini River Lodge for a safari vacation. The staff was fabulous, food and accommodations were 5 star, and the safari drives and animal encounters were amazing. I am recommending this trip for anyone interested in a South African safari. Planning was seamless and every want or need was met. The entire stay surpassed my expectations in every way."