Garonga Safari Camp

Although stayed at main camp before this was our !st visit to MCH camp and were not disappointed. We had a luxurious tent situated on the side of a hill giving glorious panoramic views of the bush. All the staff were very welcoming and friendly and with lots of banter between us greatly enhancing the experience. The game viewing was good including siting of a pangolin and black rhino as well as the usual big 5.

I would 100% recommend Garonga Safari as we everything from the game drives, food, accommodation , staff, facilities are excellent and we had am amazing trip that there are not enough words to describe.

I wanted to take the opportunity to thank Garonga Safari Park for playing an amazing part in our honeymoon. Let's start with the team; the Game Reserve management team was incredible from the moment we got there, making us feel like we were the only couple there with their attention and service. On safari, our guides, Bongie and Norman, gave us an experience we'll never forget - at times being arm's length away from the Big 5 and more, not once did it feel unsafe. Their skill in tracking down animals was amazing to witness, and getting to know the guys was great too. The food was insane, when the Chef came out I had to know her story We experienced the 'Sleep Out', Massages, and the Star Bath...if you can do them all, I recommend doing them all. We're so glad we did. We also got to meet the owner, Bernie, which added a nice personal touch. If you're thinking about a safari, Garonga has to be in the mix. Thanks, everyone, and good luck Norman... you'll make an amazing guide. Eddie

Absolutely amazing stay at Garonga. Finnis our tracker was awesome. Food was 5* the staff couldn’t do enough for you. Totally recommend. If you don’t like to have too many guests then this is definitely the place. Made some good friends too 😊

I am just back from an amazing experience at Garonga. We were treated like royalty throughout our stay and were overwhelmed by the attentiveness and kindness of everyone towards us. The place is beautiful and the photos definitely don’t do the rooms and common areas justice - they are fab!! The main areas over look a beautiful open area with a waterhole and it was beautiful to sit and watch the wildlife there. There were lots of animals around the camp during our stay and we saw a great variety of wildlife on our game drives and got up close to a lot. It has been an absolutely wonderful experience and we are so grateful and indebted to Garonga for making our stay so special. It will stay in our hearts forever.

I recently had the privilege of participating in the ‘Rediscover Your Wild’ retreat at Garonga lodge, a perfect fusion of yoga and wildlife set in the breathtaking Makalali private game reserve. This unique experience was masterfully created by Steph, with Susie and Sarah from Glow in Ibiza lending their expertise in yoga and meditation. Bernie, the heart and soul behind Garonga, truly impresses with his commitment to wildlife conservation. His dedication to ethical practices and conservation efforts added a profound depth to our experience. Steph’s meticulous planning was evident in every aspect of the retreat, harmoniously blending yoga with the excitement of wildlife encounters. The collaboration with Susie and Sarah enhanced our daily practices, bringing a sense of tranquility and mindfulness. Lee, as the head of operations, played a pivotal role in ensuring that every aspect of the retreat ran as smoothly as a Swiss clock. His passion for the African bush and his attention to detail contributed immensely to the seamless experience. Our group of 18 formed a close-knit community, and in sharing the Hambleden lodge with three other participants, I found lifelong friends. The retreat was filled with unforgettable moments, from the serene star bath at night to the exhilarating sleep-out under the African sky, waking to the sound of lions. The walking safari on our final day was a thrilling culmination of our adventure. The staff at the lodge were exceptionally kind and attentive, ensuring our comfort throughout the stay. The culinary experience was outstanding, and hearing the story behind the lodge’s creation from its founders was both enlightening and inspiring. The insights from the wildlife vet and the anti-poaching team were not only educational but also highlighted the critical challenges in wildlife protection. This retreat has reignited a part of me that was lost in the hustle of city life, awakening a sense of compassion and bravery. It has inspired me to explore ways to contribute to conservation efforts. I leave Garonga with a heart full of unforgettable memories and a renewed appreciation for nature and wildlife.

The service and accommodations here are 5 star, top notch. We LOVED the staff, they were like family to us. The service is truly amazing. Aldrin was our dedicated server for our stay--he's the best. Our dedicated safari guide, Kaizer, and tracker, Godlove, are like no other guides we experienced during our stay in Africa. They are the best of the best at what they do. The property is also very beautiful, well designed, and homey. The only thing to consider before booking Garonga is that it is on a PRIVATE game reserve that is gated on all four sides. While the reserve is large and it has wild animals, it is not the same as an open reserve where the animals are truly wild. During January the brush is very thick and tall here (more so than Kruger), so sitings are not as frequent. We saw Giraffes, Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, and various Antelopes during our stay.

Stunning-stunning-stunning!!! We stayed in the Hambledon Suite - spacious, amazing views and huge pool with our own massive deck making us feel the freedom of the bush. Our sleep out was a once in a lifetime experience and well orgainised. See Black Rhino was super special. Value for money is terrific!

This was a very magical experience for us because of the people who took care of our stay. We lodged at the MCH lodge, which is the luxury tent camp at its finest. It’s very intimate, only 4 two twin bed tents are available, and they are tastefully decorated. During our stay we were taken care of like family. Norma the lodge manager coordinated all of our needs without hesitation. She was to the point, and was honest when there was something she could not accommodate. We found her communication with us to be clear and mindful. Every morning, the staff comes and opens up the tent “windows” (they’re screened, so don’t worry about bugs) and every afternoon they close them up. The rooms have a well fitted air conditioning system to make the evenings nice and cool. Our game drives were lead by some of the best trackers I’ve ever met - Godlove and Kaiser. Both of these men understood the land and its animals like the back of their hand. They were highly effective together in finding game for us to view, and Kaiser answered our questions without missing a beat. He had a clear answer for anything we were curious about. The food, was all made custom. And with high quality ingredients. Meals felt like well made food right at home. The staff made sure every dining experience was met to our standards and they created a beautiful ambiance for our dinners. All the food was delicious. The staff there is so warm, we felt right at home. The chef, Venicia , honored a special request for a challah bread to be made, and she nailed it. Aldrin, the waiter, was there for anything we needed, and Douglas who does the night watch, escorted us in and out of our tents each night. The actual land has more bush and less open space, so looking for game was a bit challenging for us. Because it’s a private property, the guides don’t have to stay on the roads like in public parks, so it helped with tracking the game. All in all, we had a fantastic experience. Highly recommended.