Nyala Safari Lodge

Amazing experience and everyone involved in Nyala looked after us so well. The food, guides, rooms, all of it was excellent. Dave and Nikki are excellent hosts and Cristal is a fantastic guide, so knowledgeable about the animals, birds and scenery.

Fantastic overall experience – this place offers both adventure and relaxation. The absolute highlights are the two game drives a day we had with the most passionate and fabulous guide, Christelle – you couldn’t wish for better!! Nicki and Dave and the whole team at the lodge are amazing, you can tell that they are putting a lot of thought into how to make it a memorable stay. They prepared different romantic dinners for us and the chef spoiled us with her delicious food! Do bring a book or two—between game drives, the peaceful surroundings invite you to unwind. Hoedspruit Airport is relatively close by, making arrivals and departures convenient. The 3-4 planes that fly by in the early afternoon are hardly noticeable. Rooms are very clean, and taken care of twice a day when on safari. The lodge is well protected, felt very safe during day and night time. With stunning views of the riverbanks, you might see various animals pass by while dining or relaxing—making this a place to remember and one we would love to come back to one day!

Joan and I had a fantastic week at Nyala Safari Lodge. From the moment Christelle our guide, picked us up at the gate to the private game reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park and the greeting at the Lodge by managers David and Nikki and staff, until we left (with not a few tears) a week later, we were treated as beloved guests. The accommodations are delightful, with views of an ephemeral river bed and permanent waterhole frequented by wild game including elephants, rhinos, antelope, and the occasional lion and leopard. The cottage was immaculately clean, large and comfortable with A/C, indoor and outdoor showers and an African veld charm (including a traditional thatched roof). The food was excellent and prepared by well trained and charming staff. And then there were the animals! Driving from the entrance gate to the Lodge we saw the first of our 5 lepards. Not only did Christelle bring us close to the beautiful animal she was able to tell us about her, how many babies she has had and a great deal about lepard’s natural history. This was typical of Christelle who is not only a great guide and tracker (in addition to being kind and very funny) but is also a knowledgeable naturalist. I am an avid amateur wildlife photographer, and never had to request that Christelle position me for a better shot - she just did it. During our week at Nyala, we not only saw the Big Five once, but two separate times. Equally exciting was seeing and photographing an incredible variety of wildlife and birds. Truly a remarkable experience. Joan and I cannot thank David, Nikki, Christelle and the Staff enough for one of the most enjoyable and exciting experiences of our many travels. While Joan and I are in our late 70’s we are already planning to return to Nyala next year.

This lodge gives an unforgettable experience. The hosts Nikki and Dave are welcoming and give attention to detail. The meals are excellent and tapered to individual preferences. The kitchen staff are friendly and professional. The rondavels are spacious, comfortable and very clean. Our laundry was serviced everyday. We saw the big five and much more on the drives. The guide was very knowledgeable and considerate. We had a wonderful stay and can’t recommend this place enough if you want to experience the bush naturally and in comfort. Five star !