Our guide Basil was so knowledgable and went above and beyond to make sure we saw as much as possible. During the winter season this gets _cold_ in the morning and the evening. towels and welcome cocktails , and get to meet some of the staff , the 3 barmen are absolutly Fantastic and I mean fantastic we loved each and every one of you guys , Patrick had the most amazing smile , the other 2 were also nothing less than fabulous, they all work so hard and NOTHING is too much trouble , they stay up until the last person goes to bed even if it is 3.30am , they join in and have great banter with you, dance with you and work so so hard , their cocktails are fabulous especially the frozen strawberry daquari . an excellent standard and very clean. Had the wow factor. The food was fantastic! Does Sebatana Private Reserve have airport transportation? Natalie the chef couldnt do enough for you and catered for any dietary requirements. Upon arrival, I noticed the fly screen were damaged throughout the Giraffe chalet. Additionally guests will find more than 300 different species of birds, 270 flowers and more than 100 different trees. Antonia was a lovely addition to the team. Savour South Africas magnificent wildlife on this once-in-a-lifetime, full-board holiday, based in the four-star Elephant Lodge, with its own sweeping private game reserve. Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a refrigerator. It would have been nice if the guides had a mic handset, as it sometimes was hard to hear at the back of truck what was said. A fleece/jacket was needed for the early mornings and night safari. With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. Yes, guests have access to a business center and conference facilities during their stay. Our room was so beautiful with a walk out, private porch we could sit and watch the river and animals. I would recommend it highly. Airport pick up and drop off is available for guests. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. Sebatana Private Reserve, Hermanusdoringsroad, 0530 Vaalwater, South Africa info . The water is bore water and no one on our group had any sickness. The reserve is home to one of the richest populations of wildlife in South Africa with more than 75 different mammals, including the Big Five. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. I (and our group) would certainly recommend Sebatana Lodge! All pricing and payments are in Euros and is paid using credit card. This allows you to focus on the "big 5" when you travel to the other game parks. Including Things that we would never be able to try elsewhere (Impala, Kudu etc). We were served various forms of game meat each night which was tasty and delicious. Airport pick up and drop off is available for guests. There was generous quantities of food with plenty of food left over. Plenty of varieties of antilopes, zebra, wilderbeast, giraffes etc. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in South Africa. There are a lot of animals close to the lodge, we saw so many giraffes and impalas. The managers, guides and all of the staff looked after us so well and after a week there, we were so blown away by how much we saw, and experienced. We had the best time on her lucky truck ,We spent our holiday with the most amazing group of people who made the holiday fun , exciting and memorable, we ccouldn'of asked for a better group of people we made so many fabulous memories to last a lifetime. The location, rooms, set up. Very fishy behaviour and totally deceptive. Sebatana Private Reserve is a wildlife paradise with a unique collection of 3 seperate 5 star lodges, Rhino, Elephant and Lion. Food was exceptional, but far too much for most of us for one day! The staff and accommodation was excellent. Had an outstanding trip to Sebatana Private Reserve staying at the Lion Lodge. The group of people we were with(19 in total) too our guide Carel and Basil were fabulous, including the staff that fed us and kept us in drink and to all the other staff were out of this world. Incredible Trip with amazing staff and facilities. I reccomend to upgrade to an all inclusive bar package whilst you are there. Located in the malaria free Waterberg mountains, just a short drive from Johannesburg airport makes it the ideal place for everybody from senior travelers to families with children of all ages. Wow what an amazing holiday from start to finish. The lodge features natural gardens, patio's and a lookout lounge overlooking the vast open plains of the Eastern Cape. See more questions & answers about this hotel from the Tripadvisor community. Set amongst the malaria-free UNESCO-listed Waterberg Biosphere, the Sebatana Private Reserve covers almost 100,000 acres and is home to over 75 mammals, 300 species of bird and hundreds of different flowers and trees the perfect place to connect with South Africas wildlife! This was the story for the whole group. What a wonderful holiday . The same goes for the staff that fed us and kept our rooms nice and tidy every day. Unfortunately the website for the location and correspondence from the lodge indicated a heated pool, which was NOT the case. that we did not bother to take a photo after a few days. The food was delicious and nicely presented all of the time, the lodge itself you could not fault very clean and our room was amazing . and the best bit? Is parking available at Sebatana Lion Lodge? The rooms were lovely and beautifully kept by the staff, we were in Warthog and were woken by baboons each morning. Some hanging room, for drying clothes, would be a good addition to the rooms, as no laundry service is provided Our guide, Carel, was an absolute positive. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Especially since the gas heaters were out of order for the entire stay. 1K views 1 year ago Savour South Africa's magnificent wildlife on this once-in-a-lifetime, full-board holiday, based in the four-star Elephant Lodge, with its own sweeping private game. Yes, guests have access to a business centre and conference facilities during their stay. The reserve was in idiliic location, with memories that will last a lifetime. Contacting Newmarket upon arrival to resolve the issue on the return journey i was informed the issue would be looked into within 28 days, 18 after our return! Are there opportunities to exercise at Sebatana Lion Lodge? The staff permanently smile and are happy all the time! The desserts were out of this world. Also the agenda included a visit to the apartheid museum but changes in operating hours due to covid prevented this The local. Good game reserve for photosafari with knowledgeable and nice guides. Does Sebatana Private Reserve have an airport shuttle? Initially booked to fly as advertised with my preferred airline Virgin, this was later changed to BA with no explanation. Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. FANTASTIC!! Josh was our tour guide and he made our holiday, he has a great knowledge of the animals and wildlife. We stayed at Lion Lodge where the staff were amazing and facilities good. He kept our group in chat and laughs. What food & drink options are available at Sebatana Lion Lodge? Asked politely if they could be attended toNo attention was paid to my request. Food was exceptional, but far too much for most of us for one day! Great thanks to our guides Shumba, Carel and Megan, they were all fabulous. We were divided into 3 groups to explore the area with our own truck with guide/driver. We truly had the best time with you guys and can't recommend you enough. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details. The desserts were out of this world. We enjoyed the chance to sample game meat and local dishes. Knowledgable beyond what you would expect and attention to detail - superb. The group of people we were with(19 in total) too our guide Carel and Basil were fabulous, including the staff that fed us and kept us in drink and to all the other staff were out of this world. Does Sebatana Lion Lodge have airport transportation? A very privileged experience to do. See more questions & answers about this hotel from the Tripadvisor community. We have had memories we will never forget, thanks to you all! Which room amenities are available at Sebatana Private Reserve? Yes, Sebatana Private Reserve offers airport transportation for guests. It's a busy trip so be prepared for early rises and not much sleep. We stopped at the Elephant Lodge, this place is amazing & relaxing. Had an outstanding trip to Sebatana Private Reserve staying at the Lion Lodge. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. I didn't purchase any drinks package as I only drink limited alcohol and am not a fan of sugary drinks (mocktails etc). The Lodge and the staff were fantastic and we have been spoiled with great food (and lots of it). However remember its a bit of pot luck, these parks are huge and animals are not constrained to certain sections. Yes, Sebatana Lion Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. Sebatana has a three different 5-star lodges with a total of 34 rooms divided between them. The rooms were immaculate and cleaned daily, refreshing in todays climate. The food was wonderful, plentiful and piping hot. Sebatana game reserve was fantastic and this review does not reflect on their fantastic service. Do your sums carefully. Is parking available at Sebatana Elephant Lodge? We'll worth signing up for the extra tours and the drinks package. I cannot praise the staff in the lodge enough for their great service, always smiling, helpful and on hand . I won't spoil it by revealing some of the extra activities they arranged, just to say we laughed a great deal! Note, that meals are served outside under roof. This is truly a paradise on earth. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. Massive variation in rooms. Pack your bathers as spa and pool available. - Holly. A great holiday ! Initially booked to fly as advertised with my preferred airline Virgin, this was later changed to BA with no explanation. Our. With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. Sebatana Private Reserve is a wildlife paradise with a unique collection of 3 seperate 5 star lodges, Rhino, Elephant and Lion. From the minute we arrived, which was in spectacular surroundings till the day we left was breathtaking. The food was outstanding and we had more than we could ever have eaten. This was a problem for most. On a final note, Matswani was a nice experience and I do recommend it, but note that the marketing as a very luxury experience is not quite matched by reality. Casper was our ranger/tour guide and he was professional, friendly and very knowledgeable. With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. This was the story for the whole group. This was a Tripadeal package and was new on their program. A couple of things to note; There are optional drives/activities that cost 300. 5 star Lodge primarily sold as package tours from scandinavia including flights, transfers, meals and acitivities. Room types may vary. Also the staff were genuine and a happy family to spend our time with. Everybody in our group had nothing but praise for our stay at Sebatana.The "optional tour packages" should really be compulsory and really you should go for the lot.There are plenty of non "big 5" wildlife at Sebatana which are relatively easy to find. We were served various forms of game meat each night which was tasty and delicious. He was excellent and very professional, and helped a great deal when needed something sorted out in the lodge. Lion Tries Hiding from Elephant but Ends Up Getting Sprayed. My only regret that I am not still there. Hope the leftovers were not thrown away.. We were advised not to opt for the drinks package and regretted that. The reserve was in idiliic location, with memories that will last a lifetime. The optional tour package was 350 euro. I went with a group of 6 and we could not fault one single thing. We have just returned from a wonderful, exciting, fantastic and most memorable holiday at the Lion Lodge! There are more places to choose from in the, Frequently Asked Questions about Sebatana Elephant Lodge. If you hadn't thought to go on a safari, GO, you wont be disappointed and if you go to this resort, they cant do enough for you. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details. Our guide was CASPER . What food & drink options are available at Sebatana Private Reserve? She endeavoured to take us to see as many animals as possible and when she saw something new to us would take the time to describe what it was etc. The safari trips in jeeps were excellent but the busses too small for longer trips - not the same standard as the rest of the holiday. Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay. This was such an incredible trip and we will be taking in laws and others to this resort, in the near future. Youve got to do this trip. Upon arrival, I noticed the fly screen were damaged throughout the Giraffe chalet. I have been with other Travel companies that offer more for less, if you get what i mean. Carel, our guide, was interesting and made the 3 hour trip to the lodge a delight. Very first drive the track was blocked by an enormous bull giraffe! Seeing the Cheetah, Elephants, Rhino, Zebras, Giraffes, Warthogs and any others was amazing and no fence to be seen. We saw rhinos, hippos, giraffes, elephants, and more. Amazing Memories from Sebatana Elephant Lodge My first African safari experience, with my 22 year old daughter, my sister and her husband. With a total of 14 rooms and panoramic viewpoints this is a true wilderness experience where you will be pampered by our chefs and dedicated staff. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. thanks for taking your time reading this welcome, welcome. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. The beds were a bit short for some of the long-legged Norwegians, but very comfortable. The optional tour package was 350 euro. Having booked over twelve months ago for a holiday to the Sebatana game reserve, South Africa I feel completely let down on a once in a life time holiday. This allows you to focus on the "big 5" when you travel to the other game parks.The three trips to other game parks were all great and a necessity if you want to see the "big 5". There are a lot of animals close to the lodge, we saw so many giraffes and impalas that we did not bother to take a photo after a few days. Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay. Sebatana Private Reserve is a wildlife paradise with a unique collection of 3 seperate 5 star lodges, Rhino, Elephant and Lion. Nothing was too much trouble for him. There was crazy amounts of food, and it was all amazing. Which languages are spoken by the staff at Sebatana Private Reserve? Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant. Amneties Restaurant Does Sebatana Elephant Lodge have airport transportation? Arriving at Waterside at Royal Malewane a fabulous safari lodge that's recently opened in Thornybush Private Game Reserve bordering South Africa's famous Kruger National Park we were delighted to see several spiral-horned nyala antelopes wandering through camp, many with babies in tow, making themselves at home as they browsed on the indigenous flower beds and took sips from the . Recommended gratuity was 80 euro which I had no issues with paying. Josh was our tour guide and he made our holiday, he has a great knowledge of the animals and wildlife. Where to start!!! Which room amenities are available at Sebatana Private Reserve? What a wonderful holiday . The lodge itself is about 4 hrs drive from tambo airport, the minibus picks you up at the airport and transfers you to the lodge , you take a break for lunch part way through the journey, On arrival you are allocated a lodge, which your bags are delivered to while you are given hot. Would definitely return to Marataba. We had an amazing guide, Megan, and formed bonds that will last a lifetime. But when you get to the Lodge, you need to spend a lot more money to get the 'full safari experience'. The food is amazing and if you have fussy children they cater well for this which was much appreciated. Ask for a room removed from the restaurant/kitchen/office to avoid noises. Very well maintained, very well catered, sometimes too much food. Checking in a BA we were astounded not to have seats together after booking as a party of 4 and Newmarket Holidays had previously stated it was not possible to pre book seats as this was a. group booking, so we assumed all guests staying at Sebatana would not seated together. With no public access, and only a limited number of guests having access to the reserve at any time, guests are ensured the best possible wilderness experience, up close and personal. I would definitely suggest this trip to anyone and I hope that one day I can make it back and do this again. Pack plenty of warm clothes. Questions: Why was the original advertised Virgin flight changed? One cook is very good at making V-dishes. Some of the trips offered are very good. The staff, the food, the surroundings is amazing. Sebatana Private Reserve is a wildlife paradise with a unique collection of 3 seperate 5 star lodges, Rhino, Elephant and Lion. Located in the malaria free Waterberg mountains, just a short drive from Johannesburg airport makes it the ideal place for everybody from senior travelers to families with children of all ages. Sebatana Game Reserve was good but lacked 'The Big 5', although we did do excursions to other reserves that had The Big 5. Some flexibility is needed to truely accomplish guests needs and wishes. Hope the leftovers were not thrown away.. We were advised not to opt for the drinks package and regretted that. There are plenty of non "big 5" wildlife at Sebatana which are relatively easy to find. . We certainly would not have attended if we had known this The animal life is amazing as are the staff. I reccomend to upgrade to an all inclusive bar package whilst you are there. I went with a group of 6 and we could not fault one single thing. View Hotels Further Information Itinerary changes Hotel transfer times Passports and visas Foreign Office Travel Advice Luggage allowance Do your sums carefully. Louis was our main guide he was so knowledgeable and was always telling us about the animals, landscapes and shrubbery. Each has kitchen, bar, pool etc. The days were full on with no time to sit around, although abit of down time would of been nice. Newmarket also failed to inform us that extra trips and drinks packages could be purchased prior to leaving the U.K. as other guests had been informed. This is a MUST see and the best I have ever attended. more. Does Sebatana Lion Lodge have an airport shuttle? Food is prepared as and when ordered making for a delightful culinary experience. The "optional tour packages" should really be compulsory and really you should go for the lot. The whole experience from being met at the airport and a smooth transfer to Elephant Lodge, where we were greeted with smiles and cold flannels. With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. The days were full on with no time to sit around, although abit of down time would of been nice. Stunning to see the milky way , the Southern Cross as well as all the others in a cloudless sky, a sight I will surely never forget. From the minute we arrived, which was in spectacular surroundings till the day we left was breathtaking. I reccomend to upgrade to an all inclusive bar package whilst you are there. This holiday was for my 50th Birthday & I will never forget it thank you to Sebatana. After a bumpy ride we arrived in breath-taking surroundings. With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. Left a sour taste in what was otherwise a wonderful experience. With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. WOW what a fabulous experience. All we wished for and more. All three lodges are full service lodges with all amneties included, ensuring a personalized experience for all. If you don't manage to do it before you arrive then definitely do it whilst you are there . light your world and see matswani for the last time things change now and then and welcome again we give away a smile on your face. Be careful to clarify what you are getting with your extra options. Especially upstairs where there was no air conditioning and the fan had but one speed. The location only 270 kilometres north of Johannesburg allows for smooth travel arrangements and easy access to the Reserve. when paying over 9K for this holiday I expected a better service. The newly renovated rooms are divided into 3 different categories allowing for families of up to 5 to stay together in one room. Most of our group purchased the non-alcoholic drink package. Yes, free parking is available to guests. We were a group of 21 in total, all coming from Norway. One tip would be to pack all. Sebatana Private reserve is one of the best and most unique wildlife experiences in South Africa. Staff are friendly and cant do enough for you. The other just removes the meat (!). Our guide was CASPER . With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. Upon arrival, I noticed the fly screen were damaged throughout the Giraffe chalet. I will be back ! Malaria free five star Safari at Sebatana Rhino Lodge. The walks around the reserve are so good seeing animals in there own habitat and so close. !One tip would be to pack all toiletries and essentials needed as you are a few hours away from any shop etc. Vegetarian meals catered for but fetta cheese is not to everyone's taste. Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. The trip to Pilanesberg is a must! We truly had the best time with you guys and can't recommend you enough. After a bumpy ride we arrived in breath-taking surroundings. A great time away from modern distractions. The whole experience from being met at the airport and a smooth transfer to Elephant Lodge, where we were greeted with smiles and cold flannels. The bar staff, the kitchen staff , the gardener, and all the back house or not public facing work tirelessly to ensure everyone had a great stay. We did not register for this trip but then got charged 270 Euro for this three hour trip as we attended so the manager Johann just added us to the sheet. Yes, free parking is available to guests. more. Located in the malaria free Waterberg mountains, just a short drive from Johannesburg airport makes it the ideal place for everybody from senior travelers to families with children of all ages. We were fortunate to see them plus a cheetah! Are there opportunities to exercise at Sebatana Private Reserve? Which languages are spoken by the staff at Sebatana Private Reserve? by others who saw it as inauthentic and food was terrible and hard to eat with fingers. A lone elephant blocks the road in Welgevonden Reserve, around 30 minutes from Sebatana. The guides are very knowledgeable and handles every situation with a smile. We saw 3 of the Big 5, as well as Cheetahs, Crocodiles, Giraffes and Zebras. On our tour most people took all the optional extra activities. Sebatana game reserve was fantastic and this review does not reflect on their fantastic service. The program changes from day to day on a weekly cyclus enriching guests with the true African diversity. The guides did everything they could to make your stay unique and eventful. Very fishy behaviour and totally deceptive. Natalie was in charge of the kitchen during our stay and she did a brilliant job. All three lodges are full service lodges with all amneties included, ensuring a personalized experience for all. There are more places to choose from in the, Frequently Asked Questions about Sebatana Private Reserve. I had one day illness and everyone from kitchen to management were concerned and helpful. From the moment we arrived, after a 30 hour journey, we were made to feel welcome by the friendly staff who went out if their way throughout the holdiday to make sure we had the best time. Great thanks to our guides Shumba, Carel and Megan, they were all fabulous. The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans. Our guide Basil was so knowledgable and went above and beyond to make sure we saw as much as possible. . Antonia was a lovely addition to the team. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. We were led to believe that this was going to be included. The kitchen staff run by head chef Natalie were absolutly amazing too , they worked their buts off day and night to provide amazing food for us everyday we had ostrich, wildebeest, impala , kudu to name just a few meals all beautifully presented and full of flavour (lots of spice used in their food ) so if you don't like spicy food please mention this .we absolutly loved kia (our omelette girl ), she was exceptional and we all loved her to bits , bubbly doesnt come close so full of fun . So why did we not get the original flights booked? Casper was our Guide, he was charming and knowledgable. We only took the Pilansberg national Park one. We had an amazing guide, Megan, and formed bonds that will last a lifetime. So no need for bathing suits in winter. Saying that, the lodge was very nice, the staff were very nice and helpful, as always in South Africa. The safari trips started early in the morning, and we went early to bed in the evening. The days were full of early mornings and little time to sit around, although a bit more down-time would have been nice. Simultaneously, Pilanesberg offers "the Big Five" - lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard - in addition to giraffes, hippopotami, cheetahs, 300 species of birds and so much more. With a total of 14 rooms and panoramic viewpoints this is a true wilderness experience where you will be pampered by our chefs and dedicated staff. Such a high standard. The reserve is situated in an idyllic location, we have all gotten memories for life. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details. Sebatana Private reserve is one of the best and most unique wildlife experiences in South Africa. Was the change of flight and random seating Newmarket's way of saving a few pennies ??? Incredible Trip with amazing staff and facilities. The food was delicious and nicely presented all of the time, the lodge itself you could not fault very clean and our room was amazing . Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. I will be back ! more. A great holiday ! Yes, Sebatana Private Reserve offers an airport shuttle for guests. more. We were served various forms of game meat each night which was tasty and delicious. Elephants Lodge is located within the malaria-free Bellevue Forest Reserve, home to wildlife such as lion and buffalo. Own or manage this property? what i like about this place is because its side by side. The reserve is situated in an idyllic location, we have all gotten memories for life. If you are interested in becoming a trusted partner please contact our world wide support staff, info@sebatana.com - www.sebatana.com - International sales and support Tel: 0045 7613 4048. The three trips to other game parks were all great and a necessity if you want to see the "big 5". We were apprehensive about doing a group organised holiday as we like our own space and we are both not great social butterflies. There are plenty of non "big 5" wildlife at Sebatana which are relatively easy to find. Airport pick up and drop off is available for guests. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I had booked through Hays Travel /Newmarket Holidays, and the price seemed competitive.