What a great place.... Great rooms (ask for a refurbished one!), great location, exemplary staff and service, and a more than average chance of animal spotting close up. More personal than the larger Game Reserves, and helpful in every way to please.

Her favorite animals are giraffes, so what could be better than a Giraffe Walk? It was her 30th birthday, which I mentioned when booking, and they made it so special! Since it was such an important day for her, they arranged for just the two of us to be on the tour. On top of that, she received a little muffin with a candle, which was such a thoughtful touch! With our guide, Jona, we were lucky to find the giraffes very quickly. The entire experience was incredible! Thanks to Jona’s knowledge and passion for the animals, we felt completely relaxed and safe throughout. He was an amazing ranger—you could really tell how much he loves his job, and it made the experience even better. The giraffes were so close to us, and they are truly beautiful creatures. We loved every moment of it and couldn’t recommend this experience enough!

Scenic view over the area from our luxury tent! Awesome sundown! On the giraffe walk tour we got very close to the animals, that was a great experience. We booked a tour through Addo Elephant National Park which we can recommend as well. The Safari vehicles fit 9 persons which creates a private atmosphere. The guides are passionate, the staff is very friendly, everything is cosy and clean. In the tents it is colder and quite noisy in the nights as you are in nature, the bed can be heated.

I must commend the staff for their exceptional service and helpfulness. The breakfast was average but being served outside on a lovely open deck overlooking the reserve made it special. The accommodation did not meet expectations. The room we were assigned was in need of significant attention. There was a noticeable large defect in the plaster, with an unrepaired crack on the exterior patio. Additionally, the room lacked air conditioning, and although a fan was provided, it was of poor quality, and far more efficient at making noise than providing effective air circulation, especially given that the temperature reached 37°C during the day. The bathroom was also quite dated. The shower featured separate hot and cold taps without a mixer, making it difficult to adjust the water temperature. There was only a small cabinet mirror, with no additional mirror elsewhere. To make matters worse, the toilet had a malfunction and only partially flushed. The front door's lock was ineffective, meaning the door could easily be pulled open even when "locked." Regarding the food, I was disappointed with the evening dinner on both occasions. Considering the price of the dinner, I felt it offered very poor value. There was in addition no beer selection with only one choice of beer - small cans of a local craft lager, which were expensive and not to my taste. Unfortunately, my overall experience was less than satisfactory.

Incredible experience with our guide Kristoff walking with giraffes at Bellevue. We managed to get close enough to see these beautiful animals and felt 100% safe. Kristoff was so knowledgeable and reassuring while we observed them - including the largest male giraffe. We also saw warthogs, impalas, and 2 types of antelopes. An unforgettable afternoon

The English language simply do not have enough words to describe the service and treatment we received from Bellevue. From the moment the gate opened, until our last goodbye our experience was out of this world.

The place was comfortable, and the rooms were delightful. It was homely yet swish I loved that there was a vegetable garden that we could literally pick the freshest ingredients The bar was well stocked and the family run owners were on hand to provide whatever we required

It was a lovely experience to see these gracious animals so close and to learn more about them in the beautiful Bellevue Forest reserve. The ranger was very knowledgeable and was able to spot the giraffes in the bush. We were very lucky to see a baby giraffe with mom. We saw other giraffes and were able to get out of the vehicle to walk a little closer to see them drinking.

My recent five-day stay in the newly renovated Room 5 aka The Honeymoon Suite was like stepping into a dream of refined elegance with untamed beauty. Let’s get down to the nitty gritties: Room 5: The newly renovated Honeymoon Suite • Spacious Luxury: The Honeymoon Suite exudes understated opulence. The bed is so enormous that you could roll 4 times before falling over on the other side while the room’s modern finishes seamlessly blend with the surrounding natural landscape. • Thoughtful Details: Three different walls are adorned with plug points because even in the heart of the wilderness, we need to charge our phones and cameras for those Instagram-worthy giraffe selfies. The fully stocked fridge caters to both practical needs (such as nuts and water – sparkling and still) and indulgent cravings (think amarula, soft drinks wines, ciders, and local craft beers). The curio shop is also well stocked with souvenirs, art, clothing, plush toys and beverages. • The private Jacuzzi on the deck: Just outside the suite (on the 2nd balcony that faces the spa) lies a private jacuzzi, where you can the dip under the vast African sky, with a glass of beverage – of course! Here, privacy was sacred; no staff or guests can intruded on your privacy as the area is off limits to the rest of the Lodge and that includes the roars of a lion that you are sometimes lucky to hear! • The Spa: The spa is also a stone’s throw away from the rooms. You can select from the various treatments on offer. Client-Centric Staff • The owner, Loodt is so client- centric, his double-check in on us made our stay even more memorable. Brian is a real guest relations guru and orchestrates a seamless guest experiences. Game guides Shaun and Alex are like walking encyclopedias. They’ll tell you about the birds with the same enthusiasm as spotting an elephant! And then there’s Charmaine and Caster who deliver Masterchef three course meals daily! Lindiwe, St Claire and the rest of the kitchen staff all deserve a special mention for their exceptional service (and this includes prepping the bedroom and leaving a surprise cherry while you dine). As I stepped into the dining area I suddenly felt nostalgia when I saw the paraffin lamps which light up the table in the evenings Definitely recommended!

The lodge has a very familial atmosphere. Acommodation and food is very good. Everybody is very friendly. The game drive in the lodge is very close to nature and the rangers explain many things.

The staff was awesome, did everything for you. Food was very good. Rooms were good, but the bathroom light went off automatically after 15 minutes…at Night that’s not a plus

We enjoyed our stay very much. The Lodge is very small and has about 5-7 rooms in a beautiful spacious garden, so it's very quiet and relaxed. You meet everyone around the dinner table where incredibly delicious food is served. We joined the Giraffe safari and got super close to the giraffes. The guide was excellent. We stayed in the cutest tent with incredible views and saw elephants in the distance from there breakfast terrace.

Very nice place. The staff is very kind and helpful. We ate there and the meals were delicious. There was just one poblem. The temperature was 15 degrees and the room didn't have heating. So we were cold during the night.

There's much to say about this place, but let me start with what I believe is crucial information one should know before staying here. If you consider yourself an animal lover, take a moment to read my review. Bellevue Forest Reserve presents itself as a haven for animals and nature, emphasizing the preservation of endangered flora and fauna. However, it's noteworthy that the owner, Loodt Buchner, is also involved in hunting the same wildlife through Tootabi hunting safaris. This dual involvement raises ethical concerns, especially when requesting a conservation levy for one company while engaging in hunting with another. For those less concerned about hunting, there are additional issues related to the stay itself. The reception was cold, lacking warmth or attention to our child. The check-in process was brief, emphasizing identity document scanning, and we were swiftly taken to our room. Upon entering, we noticed significant cracks everywhere, unsettling us with a three-year-old in tow. Expressing our safety concerns to the staff yielded no response, and despite other safety-related issues later surfacing, no action was taken. The door lock was faulty, allowing it to be easily pushed open even if locked with a key. The shower water was scalding, making it impossible to use, and safety concerns extended to a large window in the shower where outsiders could see despite a partially covered sticker. Despite general cleanliness, there was substantial dust and dirt under the bed. Numerous issues were raised during and after our stay, but no resolutions were offered. This place does not align with its online portrayal at all, and the photos are misleading. A beautiful website, professional images, and communication during booking led us here, but the reality was quite different. A strange atmosphere was evident upon arrival, and if not for our young daughter and the lack of nearby alternatives during the holidays, we would have left immediately after seeing the room. The only positive aspect was the kind and helpful ladies in the kitchen and dining area who showed great care for our daughter. Regrettably, our stay leaves us with significant disappointment, knowing our money indirectly supports someone with a pro-hunting stance.

A very poor price/quality ratio in every aspect. Comfort is severely limited, and the photos do not accurately represent reality. There are significant cracks in the walls that compromise guest safety. There is insufficient water for showering (water from the shower is boiling hot and can’t be lowered) and toilets. Most importantly, the hotel charges a fee for animal welfare preservation, while the hotel owners, through another company, offer the opportunity to shoot the same kind of animals for avid hunters. This is a clear ripoff on every level where profit takes precedence. Avoid at all costs!