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Its located very central to use as a base to explore the Lowveld area and surroundings. Right in the heart of the Greater Kruger area. Rafiki is located within a private Wildlife Estate in Hoedspruit, within 40min drive from the Kruger National Park, and 1:30 hour drive from Blyderiver canyon. Our logde includes 4 rooms and can take max 8 guests.
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Everything about the facilities, the hosts, the activities offered and the food was exceptional.
It would be great if they add television sets in the rooms so one is able to keep up to date with news and sports etc, even whilst in the relaxation zone.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed to Rafiki November 22 and would recommend it to anyone. Reinhardt and Maria were excellent host and couldn't do enough to make us welcome and feel at home. Everything was well planned for our stay - Reinhardt would take us out on various treks into the wildlife reserve and with his expert knowledge and instinct - found all the big five and more. Marie and Lasan (their helper) always gave us a warm welcome (as did the couple's little girl whose name I forgot) when we came back from a trek. The food was amazing and attentiveness outstanding. Everything was well organised by Reinhardt right from being picked up from Joburg to being dropped off. We wish them all the success in their wonderful venture and lifestyle. Bharat & Mina
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Date of stay: November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very comfortable and relaxing lodge.European class of Interior and exterior design. The owners are masters in hospitality . Tasty food and sense for details . The estate is very well maintained and within a short drive or walk the visitors can enjoy the nature and see lots of game. Close proximity to the town and not to far from Orpen gate of the Kruger park, where a daily self-safari trips could be arranged.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there ! We had a lovely time in Rafiki Bush Lodge The room was stunning . Maria was also reactive to a last minutes guest and that was good .
We chose 2 activities and they were also very good . We enjoyed both of them our safari and guided tour were both amazing
Nothing to complain about the house except the pool was not clean so we couldn’t use it. The rooms were stunning I really appreciated the decoration and the comfort.
As for the food I was dispointed because it was supposed to be inclusive yet we had to pay for soft drinks and water. The food was not enough for 6 people including three men besides we only had a main courses and a desert no entry no starters was included except on the first night at the lodge. Same thing for the breakfast helping were not generous enough , we had to ask for jam and more bread the fruits were in small quantities. The breakfast was not varied and generous enough. I was very disappointed about the take away breakfast to safari. The special wraps prepared the night before were most unsavoury and obviously cold .
Any way the bad point here is the food.
Nothing to complain about the hospitality and the rest only the food .
My family enjoy everything except the food.
Thanks’ you
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This property is a true gem in a quant location surrounded by nature. The host family and chef were super nice and the meals were delicious. The amenities were top notch. I wish we had stayed longer to experience their safari. Totally recommend if you're looking for a great lodging place in Hoedspruit.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
To begin with, Maria and Reinhardt made our whole group (6 women traveling together), feel like very privileged family. Ours rooms were perfect, and so very comfortable. I never wanted to get out of my wonderful outdoor shower! I apologize to everyone else, if I used up the hot water every time I got in! I'm not sure why anyone would complain about the food, but there was plenty of beautiful fresh local food for every meal. Maria and Lunghi cooked whatever was desired, or surprised us with very high quality meals at all times. The guided tours of the local reserve or of the Kruger National Park, were so very special, done expertly by Reinhardt. I can't thank the family enough for sharing their obvious love of the area.
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a wonderful stay in beautiful Rafiki Bush Lodge! The Lodge is modern, beautiful and spotless. It has the feel of a very upmarket family home. Maria, Reinhardt and Lungsanne (sp?) made us so welcome, and little Mara provided the entertainment. The food was fantastic - I think we gained 3kg each during our 5 day stay! The pool was refreshing and very welcome on those 35C afternoons. The bush comes right up to the garden fence; the red-necked nightjar sang us to sleep each night. Nothing was too much trouble for these supreme hosts: Maria brought us into town for some shopping; Reinhardt drove us to a sports bar to watch a Rugby World Cup match. When a wedding anniversary was mentioned, champagne appeared; at the end of an early morning bush drive, we emerged into a clearing to find a splendid al fresco breakfast laid out for us! To cap it all, a huge giraffe strolled up the driveway to the lodge to wish us a perfect au revoir!
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's like a home away. They make us feel at home, with all the care they take. They give us privacy but at the same time they provide all the information and have every care to make the experience unforgettable. Maria and Reinhardt cooked for me everyday. Im vegetarian and all the meals were like.. eat on the best restaurant in the world. They never repeat a dish, with so much flavour, textures and smells. I felt so safe there. I travelled alone, and that week was one of the best of my life. The animals on the wildlife reserve are a bonus, a beautiful bonus. I will certainly return, I miss you a lot! thank you for all the care, i felt so spoiled. Thank you again, miss you! with Love, Marta
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our stay at Rafiki Bush Lodge was very exceptional, the quality of our stay the exceeded my expectations. The food was amazing, both breakfast and dinner. The rooms were top tier, I really liked the outdoor shower. Keep it up guys
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: June 2023
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Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We really loved our stay at the Rafiki Bush lodge. T he room was clean, we really enjoy the big and spacious bath tub The bed was big, clean and comfortable. Maria was sweet and friendly The food served was scrimptions, no need to eat out
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2021
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Breno,
Thank you for your message. The game drives are extra and we offer Kruger safaris and private reserve safaris. Please email us for prices.
Regards,
Maria Du Plessis
There are more places to choose from in the Hoedspruit area.
PRICE RANGE
$272 - $295 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkHoedspruit
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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