This place is South Africa's best kept secret. I have never raved about a lodge like I will about this one. Everything was great and I highly, highly recommend you stay here. Before I get to my own experience, I would advise you to forgo, at least in part, the fancy schmancy safari lodges that cost up to $1,000 a night and stay here instead because it's just as nice if not nicer and you get WAY more value for your money and can still book guided safaris from here and see all of the animals your heart desires. What's more, you are near the world's third largest canyon here with a breathtakingly beautiful boat ride. Use eKhaya Bush Villa as your base to then explore both Kruger National Park and the canyon area. Now to my individual experience. To put it mildly, my trip to both Cape Town and Johannesburg did not go well and I was at the end of my rope. I had intended to stay at eKhaya Bush Villa two nights. Those two nights turned into four because it became my oasis of tranquility and beauty. I don't know how old the place is but everything looks BRAND NEW. Claire, the owner, is a hospitality goddess. Truly. Hearing of my unpleasant experiences in Cape Town and Johannesburg, she bent over backwards to make me - and all other guests - feel at home and she helped me salvage my vacation (my experiences in Cape Town and Johannesburg were so bad I was thinking of flying home to the U.S. early). I am a HUGE fan of Claire and eKhaya and you will be too. The rooms are very spacious, the beds very comfortable, the bathrooms are very spacious, the grounds are beautiful, the food is good and the staff friendly and helpful. AND it's in a secured estate so you are 100% safe!! This was important to me after my travails elsewhere. Whether you are a single traveler like me or part of a larger group, you should know you will be both safe and at home here. I can't recommend this place enough. My only regret is that Claire and eKhaya aren't closer to me in Los Angeles. I'd stay here as often as I could! Lucky you that you will get the chance to. Enjoy!
- Gregory C
We've rent the whole house for our whole family and it was a fantastic stay here at the Ekhaya. Each room is big. Each members of our family found the beds very confortable. Some little things was missing in the rooms but when we asked the 2 persons in charge of the house, we've get it very quickly. (for example Some hangers was missing in my room but when I asked for it I got it very quickly) The staff to make our stay more easier was incredible. I've asked something special for the birthday of my mom and Tanja and Clare managed to get it. But I particularly would like to thank Adronica and Viggy (the housekeeper and kitcheners) who were so kind with us. Thanks to her, we felt like in an hôtel but in a private home. To be honest, I was with my wife in Hoedspruit 5 years ago in a more luxury place (and way more expensive) where everything was perfect but we felt uncomfortable. Everything was perfect but without warmth. With the Ekhaya, by the way the house is built and the kindness of the staff you can feel that the human relationship are the most important things. So in my opinion, if you're in honey moon and you would like to be alone in a very exclusive place, I don't think the Ekhaya is suitable for you. But if you're looking for a house in a very good location and where you can feel like in a friend home so don't hesitate this is the place to be !
- Guest User
