Amakhosi Safari Lodge

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

The immediate impression upon arriving is "Oh my God is this for real?" and one quickly realises that it is. Staff were professional, warm, and friendly without being intrusive. The room is delightful enough, are almost too much to be appreciated and certainly could not be on a one night stop. Although on balance, perhaps the one criticism that could be made is that there is almost too much space.

There are some nice touches like the complimentary laundry service and inclusive mini bar. High tea was a feast and could quite well suffice as the main meal of the day, (in fact for several days).We were blessed with a brilliant tracker and great ranger and we got some terrific lion sightings as well as good elephant and buffalo. Sundowners were something of an occasion as this was our first, (after some 100 or so) with a barbeque for warm snacks!

A warm welcome on return from the game drive. Our ranger was around for dinner although he did not join our table, as we like other guest were seated alone. There were simple, but very effective touches like subtle background music and our wine waiter knew exactly what wine we preferred. The food was very good.

Our morning drive was good, although if one has to make any criticism it would be that perhaps there was too much emphasis on big game, which is a pity for Amakhosi has much of everything to offer. On a practical note I liked the ramp for getting in and out of the jeep at the camp. Lunch packs were provided as we departed and we left wanting to spend more time there.

What a wonderful weekend you all have just treated us to! It was really special to be spoilt like that. From the moment we stepped out of our car, to have our luggage whisked away and to be introduced into Amakhosi's welcoming atmosphere set the scene for the weekend. Thank you for your special attention and care - not to mention the luxury of our beautiful chalet - just to have a little time to watch the game from our balcony was a treat.

The bush drives were a new experience as we have never before got so close to elephant, lion and cheetah. Dean and Sipho are so knowledgeable, professional and enthusiastic about the different game, the birds and even trees and we really appreciated Dean taking the time to walk with us on Saturday.

The service and presentation of all meals was a delight - special thanks to Lawrence and Phumi. Even though there were only the two of us, nothing was spared in making the buffet meals eye-catching and plentiful. Pete is still talking about his kudu fillet!

Thanks too, to the unseen domestic staff who tidied our rooms and made them warm and welcoming after a bush drive - I could easily get used to this way of life!

A special thank you to you, Sonja and Alwyn for the attention to detail in making it a really perfect weekend - something to remember for a long time to come. We wish you a busy year for 2007 - may your lodge be full of returning guests!

Best wishes
Peter & Ianthe Springer

I have now been back home for a day and have 5 minutes to send you all a long overdue thank you. Our stay with you at AmaKhosi was definitely the highlight of our Zulu Adventure and also the most talked about experience of the whole trip for our group.

They could not get over the immense effort that was put in by you all to make our stay that much better along with the unending search for Lion to add to the "bragging" list they were all making!

For me it was a huge justification that we had chosen the right place to bring them to as it is the people that make the experience that much more memorable, beautiful accommodation and outstanding food are nothing without service.

Rest assured that we will be sending you many more "loud" Aussies to keep you on your toes. Thank you to all of you for being part of the memories we will keep of our time in South Africa.

Charl, I must also give you a huge "Congratulations" for being able to cope with Mum for that many hours!!

Greg, you were also the most talked about person especially with Michael being sure you would know what bird we were seeing after we left you. Rest assured that you have almost managed to convert our entire "A" team into avid birders!! By no means a small thing, as Veronica is absolutely adamant that she never wants to see another bird again!! Good Luck in Zambia!

Please add me to your mailing list - I realised I didn't leave any details for you when we were leaving:

Kathleen Nicholson

How do we even start to express what we experienced these last 2 days? To be given such a gift has humbled us, and we have treasured memories of our stay at Amakhosi. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, for magnificent accommodation, service of such a high standard, food that was pure art, visually and orally, and oh oh oh, those beautiful animals. We're still convinced you hid those lions away for a special finale, but hey, we'll keep your secret safe!!

Thank you Charl, for taking such good care of us, and for the free education!! Now we know the difference between our Nyala and Kudu - and I always called those crested Loeries Starlings!! Ok, I am blushing, but hey at least I own my ignorance.

You did a fabulous job and we hope to visit again some time with our family. We will spread the gospel of Amakhosi near and far! Viva Amakhosi viva!

Regards
Trevor and Judith

Just a few words from us, in order to thank you so much for the wonderful time we had at the lodge. It was truly one of the highlights of our tour in South Africa. The exciting trips in the wilderness, closeness to the wild and dangerous animals will forever be in our memories. The luxury we enjoyed at the lodge itself was topped it all!

kind regards
Mona & Erlinginfo