Amakhosi Safari Lodge

The Landfald group are back in Norway, full of many good memories from our stay in Amakhosi.

We thank all your staff for being so service-minded, so kind, so positive, so interested in giving us memories for life. As far as we understood Amakhosi means "many kings" and we all felt that we were treated like kings.

A big thank you from Norway, Oslo and Tønsberg
Dag Landfald

Two days and we were as relaxed as if we had been on vacation for 2 weeks! It was an amazing experience. Since returning, I have spent at least an hour a day looking at the pictures and just savoring the memories.

I travel extensively for my job and am fortunate enough to be able to stay at many of the world's most luxurious hotels and to eat at the top restaurants. Nothing compares to Amakhosi. We drove up from Durban (next time we will take a helicopter) and from the moment we arrived, it was memorable. Shortly after we got to our chalet they brought wonderful little sandwiches and refreshments as we had mentioned during check in that we were hungry.

We got the the honeymoon suite, which was nicely secluded and sat on the deck watching the warthogs and wildebeest grazing in our little yard. The view across the river was so beautiful and peaceful, it was hard to tear ourselves away at 3:00 to go to tea and then on the game drive.

Each day there was a morning and evening drive - each drive was unique and amazing. Our guide, Philip and our tracker, Jeremy were wonderful. They were knowledgable, attentive, and funny. We saw lions, zebras, giraffes, baby cheetahs, and a whole host of other animals, but we especially loved the elephants. At one point, about 25 of them surrounded our land rover and we sat there and watched the babies playing, the teenagers roughaging and the mothers and bulls watching over everyone.

It was our first safari but will not be our last. People we met at Amakhosi had been on many safaris and several of them said Amakhosi was the best they had ever been on. One of the nicest touches is when you leave - they pack a lunch for your travels! We plan on returning soon!

Seen on Trip Advisor

Stayed at Amakhosi for 3 days in October 2009. Luxurious lodge, really helpful staff, great game drives, delicious food.

Lodge:
We stayed in the honeymoon suites which were really luxurious. When we arrived at our lodge, there was champagne chilling in a bucket. Another evening that we arrived back from a game drive, a bath had been freshly drawn, and the bathroom decorated with candles. The lodge had it own plunge pool, which was out of sight of all of the other lodges, so very private. Every evening, when we got back from dinner, the mosquito net was set up over our bed. When we got back from the game drives, we were given a hot towel and a drink to welcome us back.

Game drives: There were two drives per day, one very early in the morning, and one in the evening. Both of them included a break for snacks and drinks (alcohol only on the evening drive!!). The trackers Philip and Jeremy were really knowledgeable and friendly. We saw all of the big 5 and had a lot of adventures. At one stage we found ourselves in the middle of a herd of elephants and another day we came upon a pride of lions who had just killed a wildebeest. The following day, we found the lion cubs playing amongst themselves, practising their hunting skills. They went to great lengths to ensure that we saw all of the big 5. They also had a great knowledge of birds.

Food: The food was included in the price. It was excellent and plentiful. We were so full from all of the food and drink that we did not bother using the minibar in the room.

On leaving, we found that our car had been washed, and we were handed a take away lunch.

Seen on Trip Advisor

Safari luxury at its best. The game drives are led by really knowledgable guides. The food is excellent and the lodges large and comfortable. We stayed 3 nights and managed to see everything. This place is faultless and I would be suprised if you could find anywhere with a better combination of luxury, safari, food and accommodation.

Seen on TripAdvisor

I just wanted to say a big thank you on behalf of the travel agent group for your kind hospitality. We all felt that Amakhosi was a real highlight of the trip. The rooms are stunning, the food exceptional and the staff were all so friendly. Also thank you for lining up that very special Cheetah sighting!
We are all certainly able to highly recommend Amakhosi, Thank you so much again Sonja to you and all your staff.

kind regards
Shirley Hames
United Kingdom

Excellent on comfort and food. Fantastic game viewing, attentive staff and a wonderful location.

Mr / Mrs Buchanan

Frank Melling is an English journalist and author who stayed at Amakhosi with his family. Frank was not an invited guest but paid full price for his three day stay with us. Here’s what he thought about his visit:

You couldn’t mistake Shane for a Social Worker, or a Bank Clerk or the Manager of your local supermarket. Strong, blue eyes. Suntanned face, cut with weathered lines. Big, powerful hands. Shane looks every inch like a Ranger in a wild life reserve. This is good because Shane is a Ranger in a wild life reserve!

We lean on the Landrover and take in the magic of the African sunset. Shane takes a slow sip at his drink and pauses. Many things at Amakhosi happen slowly and you have to accept that this is the way things are done here.

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Ngiyabonga to you all
Richard & Val Hounsell

Arrived home yesterday at mid-day after a truly memorable holiday. We are extremely grateful to you for all you have done for us. Your service has been exemplary and we cannot thank you enough. Every facet of your arrangements were just perfect. Our stay at AmaKhosi was I think the highlight of many memorable experiences. The hospitality there was really outstanding and the four drives they took us on will live in the memory for all time. I have no doubt we will come again (once we have replenished the coffers!) and see more of a most beautiful country. In the meanwhile we will pass your name on to any of our friends and acquaintances who mention the possibility of a trip to SA.

Kindest regards.
Jean and Peter

We finally arrived home in Spain after the most amazing and memorable holiday. Thank you all so much for your hard work in making it all we hoped for, particularly Dean for his perseverance in making sure that we got the utmost from our first, but not last, Safari. Sometimes it was a lot to take in but next time we will be prepared! We have travelled quite widely but were not prepared for the way we fell in love with KZN. We will be back - but in the meantime the weather in Spain is soooo much better. So nice to be warm again!!!!

Ngiyabonga to you all
Richard & Val Hounsell

Right from the security gate it was just incredible. Dean was on his way out when I arrived. He told me about the condition of the road and seemed almost in two minds whether he should carry on his way or turn around to see that I am safe.

What a warm welcome Nina and the staff gave me on arrival! The friendliness of everybody made one feel as if you have come home. Each mealtime was a gourmet experience. Thanks to the chef(s). The game drives were the highlight for me. I knew about the big five, heard about the small five, but discovered that our guide has a good working knowledge of the important five; Birds, animals, vegetation, reptiles and insects. (By the way, Greg, would you mind just repeating the names of the small five again. Thanks.) A big thank you to everybody who made our visit unforgettable.

You are a winning team.
Lynnette Stander

The Hartley group would like to say a huge thank you for the most wonderful 3 days we have spent in your beautiful lodge, it was so wonderful to meet such interesting and kind smiling people. There is just no fault at all, everything was just perfect.

The travelling packs for the trip home were a kind and wonderful gesture and so much appreciated. I tell you, Sean's knowledge of the bush is what it's all about, we thank him for all the knowledge he shared with us and the great drives every day.

Ben, I tell you the way you just were so willing to do the CD for us, take the photo's and share your knowledge showed us all the experience you have of this industry, the rooms, accommodation and the little gestures (flowers on the bath ect... ) are just wonderful, nothing like feeling special. Your whole staff compliment are just the best, friendly all the time and always willing to help.

We say thank you and I promise we will be back with all the guests.

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you on behalf of Derek and myself for the wonderful time spent at your lodge on our honeymoon from 19 - 21 April.

It was a truly memorable experience that we both thoroughly enjoyed. You can definitely pride yourselves on the wonderful service, cuisine, location and warm and friendly hospitatility - it was outstanding!!!

Thanks once again, and I will definitely be sending anyone I can your way!!!

Keep well! Kind Regards
Justine Graham

Thanks for a lovely few days at Amakhosi. You really have a stunning spot. Also thanks to the friendliest staff I have had the pleasure of meeting, and to Greg, who is truly a mine of interesting information - so enjoyed the game drive with him and learnt a lot along the way.

Kind regards, Keri Harvey