Nestled on the cool banks of the Olifants River within the 50,000ha Balule Private Reserve within the Kruger National Park, the award-winning Pondoro Game Lodge offers visitors comfort, sophistication, elegance and unforgettable African Wildlife Safari. African Wildlife Safaris at Pondoro are about the intimacy, tranquillity and romance of a bygone era.

This intimate 16-bed lodge has eight chalets spread along the largest perennial river in Kruger National Park.
Guests can expect an intimate and luxurious safari adventure like no other, a truly bespoke experience.

They strive to provide the perfect balance for those seeking a romantic and special getaway, offering a wide range of activities from safari drives to romantic picnics in their treehouse hide.

Serenity Spa offers an escape from the wild, where one is surrounded by elegant décor and cascading waterfalls to create a relaxing environment. Revitalise your mind, body and soul with classic Southern African spa treatments.

Suites

At Pondoro Lodge, guests can choose from five truly luxurious suites. The Water Suite, Buffalo Suite, Earth Suite, Tree Suite and the Rock Suite.

All of the suites are air-conditioned. Each suite has a private deck, lounge area and outdoor shower. There is also a jacuzzi which is built into the wooden deck overlooking the river. This is game lodge accommodation at its finest and each suite offers complete privacy which enhances the romantic setting.

The lodge also has three tastefully designed chalets, Hardekool, Wildevy and Maroela. Each is decorated with an African theme, overlooking the Olifants River. All chalets have private bathrooms with showers and bathtubs overlooking the river. They also are fitted with air conditioning, mosquito nets and each have their own wooden decks.
Pondoro offers their guests an overnight Treehouse Hide Experience. The hideout overlooks a lit water hole in the middle of the bush and is a must for adventure lovers. Your guest’s adventure begins after dinner with an evening drive to the hideout, where you will be picked up again during your morning safari.

Dining

Dining at Pondoro’s five star kitchen promises a fusion of Traditional African Cuisine and modern European trends.
Meals are paired with a selection of fine wines from their award winning wine cellar and are served on a wooden deck high up in the tree canopy overlooking the majestic Olifants River below. A memorable bush dinner awaits those who stay for a third night.
After dinner guests will be able to relax with a cigar and enjoy a glass of Port or Cognac, should that tickle your fancy.
Vegetarians are specially catered for.

Safari

With no boundary fences between Balule Private Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park a great diversity of wildlife is found here. Open top Game drives on our safaris cover an area of 10 000 hectares and strict vehicle limits at sightings ensure the exclusivity of your game viewing experience.

Off-road driving in most areas allows the best possible view of any exceptional sighting and rangers are constantly in 2-way radio communication with each other to keep track of animal movements.

Their experienced rangers and trackers will not only use all their vast knowledge and bush craft to try and show you the famous Big Five and other plains game such as zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, but they will do their best to paint memories of an Africa that will never fade away.

For the more adventurous, a bush / nature walk with an armed guide would add the thrill of encountering animals on foot.

Should guests want an exclusive safari experience you can also book a private vehicle for your safari game drives, at an additional cost and booking in advance is strongly advised