Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve by Newmark

My family and I have been to this wonderful place before and it was because it was so amazing that we booked to go for my 50th and take my parents. We had the private lodge with our own guide, and staff. Nothing was too much trouble from the surprise birthday cake to the special dinner on my actual birthday. Our guide Solomon was second to none (thank you Solomon!). The location was incredible and the game drive up to the summit was sublime. Nothing could have made my birthday more perfect. Thank you to everyone at Mount Camdeboo for really going the extra mile. It was wonderful.

We booked for the 'best of both' package deal. We spent two nights in the lodge (not the main one which is where we took meals but one that is about 300m away down a well-lit pathway). Then we spent our third night up in the pod which is an absolute must. Both the lodges have swimming pools, and luxurious beds and typically luxurious lodge furnishing. For the pod experience you get taken up to the pod with your meals and dropped off for the night. There's a glorious wood-burning hot tub, unbelievable views, and a sky so full of stars it will take your breath away. We didn't see any animals besides impala from the pod but the night air was full of lions roaring and baboons barking. The food is excellent and all local alcohol is included. Also included are two game drives a day. We saw lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and all manner of buck. Our ranger was Charl, and he is incredibly knowledgeable about not only animals but also birds and plants. He was really great. To be fair, all the staff are great - Nthabiseng communicated with us throughout and made sure that my vegetarian request was attended to. Highly recommend - if you're looking for a spot for an indulgent get away... this is it.

It is a beautiful location and the views from the pod were spectacular, but the pre-cooked dinner was inedible. I would suggest you ask the lodge if you can take your own food or ask that they stock the pod with snacks in order not to go hungry…..

I cannot imagine any other accommodation or setting better than what we experienced at the pods at Camdeboo. Difficult to describe, but you have it all there: breathtaking scenery, complete silence, delicious meals, comfy bed, astonishing stars at night, such friendly and helpful staff, it was just perfect. If you love being in nature, far away from civilisation, but you also love being spoiled, this is for you! Such a treat.

We stayed in Camdeboo Manor for 2 nights during which time we were the only guests in the whole estate, this gave me the opportunity to look at the other options. Courtyard Manor, Hillside, Peppertree and the Pods....the pods were very luxurious given their location but I think we made the right choice. The room and manor as a whole was gorgeous, spotlessly clean and very well equipped. The gardens were just a please to relax in. The staff were all so freindly and the food was very good. If you're going to Camdeboo for Game Drives you could be dissapointed as there is a lack of sightings but they are there. What made the drive special for us was the scenery which was beautiful ....and how elephants can climb up the steep hillsides I will never know.

Amazing place, amazing landscape (must have for south african visitors) amazing game drives, amazing and very friendly service and people, very good communication before with the management, one of the best winelist in the country - small but fine, fresh and good food.