We stopped at the Elephant Lodge, this place is amazing & relaxing. Lion Tries Hiding from Elephant but Ends Up Getting Sprayed. This was the story for the whole group. The Lodge LODGE FACILITIES Overlooking the river, Sebatana Lion Lodge is perfectly situated for animal sightings, and the ideal base for all activities offered during your stay at Sebatana. Is parking available at Sebatana Private Reserve? 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. Our tour was booked through Tripadeal Australia and 12 of the 14 people on the tour was Australian. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. Does Sebatana Elephant Lodge have airport transportation? Sebatana Private Reserve is a wildlife paradise with a unique collection of 3 seperate 5 star lodges, Rhino, Elephant and Lion. It would be perfect with a few more days, so there was time to digest all the impressions and enjoy the swimming pool etc. So why did we not get the original flights booked? Had an outstanding trip to Sebatana Private Reserve staying at the Lion Lodge. We got to see 4 out of 5 of the big 5 as the cats were nowhere to be found. This allows you to focus on the "big 5" when you travel to the other game parks. It may be during the summer. Food was exceptional, and we opted for the drinks package which is a must as there was some confusion at the end of the stay with others, that didnt take the package. Just returned after an amazing week at Sebanta Rhino lodge. 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. The guides were extremly knowlegable and fun to be with. I also want to mention the guides that are with you all of the time . Our. Our guide was CASPER . There are plenty of non "big 5" wildlife at Sebatana which are relatively easy to find. Some flexibility is needed to truely accomplish guests needs and wishes. Most of our group purchased the non-alcoholic drink package. TOP TIPS The early morning drives were very cold so pack a hat and scarf especially in winter months. With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. 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. A couple of things to note; There are optional drives/activities that cost 300. I will be back ! No TV, nor Radio but generous wifi, and the baboons are great fun to watch as is star gazing. The beds were a bit short for some of the long-legged Norwegians, but very comfortable. 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. . Loved the giraffes, walking like a long-legged model and looking at us with the eyes with thick and long eyelashes beautiful! Overlooking the river, Sebatana Lion Lodge is perfectly situated for animal sightings, and the ideal base for all activities offered during your stay at Sebatana. . 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 . 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. Wonderful Time in this beautiful oasis in the bush, My sister and I have not long returned from our amazing holiday in Elephant Lodge. On our tour most people took all the optional extra activities. Please see our partners for more details. Management needs to listen to their guests. Overview. Most of our group purchased the non-alcoholic drink package. Own or manage this property? This was thought to be due to the issues with the airline industry, however the original Virgin flights were still scheduled and indeed flew within an hour of the BA flights. We all swapped photos in a WhatsApp group and had belly laughs daily. With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details. The most amazing experience. 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. The guides are very knowledgeable and handles every situation with a smile. 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. Aidan Rademeyer shared the images with . We met 22 other amazing people who we shared the lodge with and the memories we made will stay with us for life. We were also fortunate to see the big five on our first try, plus numerous other animals day and night. Josh was our tour guide and he made our holiday, he has a great knowledge of the animals and wildlife. Great thanks to our guides Shumba, Carel and Megan, they were all fabulous. We couldn't of wished for better barmen . The tour programme is quite busy as it involves a lot of transportation. .There is nothing bad to say about this resort. We would recommend the Tribal Night. The food was very good, better than expected with lots of game meals for dinner. Quiet, relaxing, exciting. Yes, Sebatana Lion Lodge offers an airport shuttle for guests. Had an outstanding trip to Sebatana Private Reserve staying at the Lion Lodge. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Our room was so beautiful with a walk out, private porch we could sit and watch the river and animals. The optional tour package was 350 euro. The cleaners kept our rooms so clean and turned beds back each day , and were always chirpy and friendly thanks guys . Each room at Elephants Lodge has a patio, tea-and-coffee-making facilities and a private bathroom. Staff were amazing Sully the barman was 2nd to none. 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. Guests staying at the reserve are able to enjoy an extensive list of services, ranging from traditional game drives and Big Five safaris to cultural and historic tours. The staff permanently smile and are happy all the time! The same goes for the staff that fed us and kept our rooms nice and tidy every day. Also please don't expect to see the big 5 at elephant lodge as they only have an illusive leopard, none of the other big five,so you really do need to pay for the additional trips to see them . Our guide Basil was so knowledgable and went above and beyond to make sure we saw as much as possible. What are some of the property amenities at Sebatana Private Reserve? Amneties Restaurant 5 star Lodge primarily sold as package tours from scandinavia including flights, transfers, meals and acitivities. Plenty of varieties of antilopes, zebra, wilderbeast, giraffes etc. The trip to Pilanesberg is a must! Sebatana Elephant Lodge Set in a sweeping private game reserve, and with just 10 rooms (including two suites), the Sebatana Elephant Lodge offers a completely unique - and intimate - South African experience. Especially upstairs where there was no air conditioning and the fan had but one speed. Hope the leftovers were not thrown away.. We were advised not to opt for the drinks package and regretted that. . Just returned on the 2 nd July after an amazing week at sabanta rhino private reserve. Youve got to do this trip. We were so fortunate to see the big five plus numerous other animals day and night. Very well maintained, very well catered, sometimes too much food. The days were full of early mornings and little time to sit around, although a bit more down-time would have been nice. The food was fantastic! Own or manage this property? 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 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. I had booked through Hays Travel /Newmarket Holidays, and the price seemed competitive. What a wonderful holiday . 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. From start to finish it was amazing and the staff go above and beyond to make sure you are happy and comfortable. The reserve is situated in an idyllic location, we have all gotten memories for life. If you don't manage to do it before you arrive then definitely do it whilst you are there . i can saying a place of royal family because the reality is our friendships and family relationships are so important to us. The newly renovated rooms are divided into 3 different categories allowing for families of up to 5 to stay together in one room. Great thanks to our guides Shumba, Carel and Megan, they were all fabulous. The program changes from day to day on a weekly cyclus enriching guests with the true African diversity. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details. Just returned on the 2 nd July after an amazing week at sabanta rhino private reserve. that we did not bother to take a photo after a few days. However remember its a bit of pot luck, these parks are huge and animals are not constrained to certain sections.The biggest surprise of the tour was the optional Tribal night. Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay. Yes, it offers wheelchair access. Antonia was a lovely addition to the team. Asked politely if they could be attended toNo attention was paid to my request. Including Things that we would never be able to try elsewhere (Impala, Kudu etc). There was crazy amounts of food, and it was all amazing. Pack plenty of warm clothes. 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! We certainly would not have attended if we had known this The animal life is amazing as are the staff. We stayed at Lion Lodge where the staff were amazing and facilities good. See more questions & answers about this hotel from the Tripadvisor community. Incredible Trip with amazing staff and facilities. If you're looking for entertainment like home. The optional tour package was 350 euro. We were unable to upgrade these rooms booking through TripaDeal. 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. 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. We learnt a lot about the South African wildlife as well as the stars at night. Own or manage this property? The kitchen staff regularly sing which is very entertaining. Loved the experiencetrulybut a few things lacking. The days were full of early mornings and little time to sit around, although a bit more down-time would have been nice. 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. Asked politely if they could be attended toNo attention was paid to my request. Located within a stone's throw from the entrance to the world famous Udawalawe National Park, Elephant Lodge is a boutique resort built along the spillway of the Udawalawe Reservoir. There are a couple of triple rooms but the majority are doubles (twin beds only). We were led to believe that this was going to be included. During the winter season this gets _cold_ in the morning and the evening. We had ostrich, warthog, impala, kudu, and wildebeest in some of the meals and it was all outstanding. The desserts were out of this world. WOW what a fabulous experience. Food was exceptional, but far too much for most of us for one day! We had an amazing guide, Megan, and formed bonds that will last a lifetime. 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. We bought a few drinks and 3 wine bottles and paid more for this for 7 days than the price for the package, so that is a must. 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. The effort the staff go to with table and food presentation is commendable. Sebatana Private reserve is one of the best and most unique wildlife experiences in South Africa. The food was wonderful, plentiful and piping hot. I (and our group) would certainly recommend Sebatana Lodge! So it meant uncomfortable nights where a cool breeze or cooler night night air could have made the difference between a perfect stay and a less than fully comfortable stay. what i like about this place is because its side by side. Thank you to everyone at Elephant Lodge who made us feel welcome and contributed to our amazing experience!! 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. Antonia was a lovely addition to the team. 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. I have been to a lot of "tribal (native)" nights over the years and had quite low expectations. The guides did everything they could to make your stay unique and eventful. Questions: Why was the original advertised Virgin flight changed? With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. A lone elephant blocks the road in Welgevonden Reserve, around 30 minutes from Sebatana. Loved the experiencetrulybut a few things lacking. What are some of the property amenities at Sebatana Elephant Lodge? Such a high standard. In between we were waited on 24/7 by the fantastic staff, always with a smile on their face. So no need for bathing suits in winter. The beds were a bit short for some of the long-legged Norwegians, but very comfortable. We stopped at the Elephant Lodge, this place is amazing & relaxing. All rooms are equipped with a fridge and this is refilled every day by housekeeping. We have had memories we will never forget, thanks to you all! The three trips to other game parks were all great and a necessity if you want to see the "big 5". All three lodges are full service lodges with all amneties included, ensuring a personalized experience for all. The food was outstanding and we had more than we could ever have eaten. We had an enthusiastic . The location only 270 kilometres north of Johannesburg allows for smooth travel arrangements and easy access to the Reserve. an excellent standard and very clean. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Pack your bathers as spa and pool available. Sebatana Game Reserve was good but lacked 'The Big 5', although we did do excursions to other reserves that had The Big 5. The manager yan welcomed us on arrival but was not on resort enough to support his staff , he seemed to be there for special events , and payment days, apart from that just flits in and out but was definitely not hands on ,which was disappointing as he doesn't see truly what amazing hard working staff he has. Very fishy behaviour and totally deceptive. Also the staff were genuine and a happy family to spend our time with. Note, that meals are served outside under roof. With amazing panoramic views, Sebatana Elephant Lodge will be your home away from home. The rooms were lovely and beautifully kept by the staff, we were in Warthog and were woken by baboons each morning. I have been to a lot of "tribal (native)" nights over the years and had quite low expectations. All in we had an amazing holiday great for a 1st time safari experience. Be careful to clarify what you are getting with your extra options. Improve this listing Property amenities Free parking Pool Hot bath Free breakfast calm and professional at all times , also on the safaris through all the game reserves was always on the look out and did not give up looking for animals , he was very interesting and a fountain of knowledge. There was generous quantities of food with plenty of food left over. Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. There are more places to choose from in the, Frequently Asked Questions about Sebatana Lion Lodge. A great holiday ! We were fortunate to see them plus a cheetah! Hope the leftovers were not thrown away.. We were advised not to opt for the drinks package and regretted that. The walks around the reserve are so good seeing animals in there own habitat and so close. The optional tour package was 350 euro. We were in the two rooms closest to the pool and they were tired run down and very dark. We only took the Pilansberg national Park one. We went out on all the excursions missing nothing and we got to see the big 6 as the cheetah was an added bonus. The desserts were out of this world. Airport pick up and drop off is available for guests. Also a shout out to Caitlyn and Bazil who were also great. ( Shared joy has double the happiness) also in difficult times it is nice to have someone to hold your hand and cry with you.my point of view is i will make shore that i turn my words in action where i realized that knowing is not enough;we must apply. Seeing the Cheetah, Elephants, Rhino, Zebras, Giraffes, Warthogs and any others was amazing and no fence to be seen. Only other recommendation to the reserve is if the guides had a mic handset as we could not always hear at the back of truck what was said. My sister and I have not long returned from our amazing holiday in Elephant Lodge. Casper was our Guide, he was charming and knowledgable. 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. 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". Our luggage was delivered directly to our rooms while we were being introduced to staff. Our guide was CASPER . We were divided into 3 groups to explore the area with our own truck with guide/driver. Just returned after an amazing week at Sebanta Rhino lodge. All three lodges are full service lodges with all amneties included, ensuring a personalized experience for all. We were a group of 21 in total, all coming from Norway. I will recommend this for couples, family (with or without children) and friends. The only critical comment of the food was that there was too much and it was so delicious it was difficult to resist ! The facilities at the lodge were of. Josh was our tour guide and he made our holiday, he has a great knowledge of the animals and wildlife. The staff, the food, the surroundings is amazing. Thank you for one of the best weeks EVER!! Vegetarian meals catered for but fetta cheese is not to everyone's taste. Room types may vary. We were fortunate to see them plus a cheetah! It's a classic East African-style lodge with a rustic thatched roof, elegant wrought iron chandeliers, leather Chesterfield armchairs and ample artworks depicting the wildlife found on the reserve and beyond. 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 . Does Sebatana Private Reserve have an airport shuttle? - Holly. The resort doesn't offer the Big 5 as advertised which has been fed back, however there is ample opportunity to see them in a mixture of included or optional excursions. I can honestly say I didnt want to come home and felt very emotional at the airport. Half of a cottage with good facilities. You did have to get up early to go over to Pilanesburg, but it was worth it as the landscape, and animals were beyond beautiful. Casper was our ranger/tour guide and he was professional, friendly and very knowledgeable. The water is bore water and no one on our group had any sickness.The food was fantastic! Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This holiday was for my 50th Birthday & I will never forget it thank you to Sebatana. We were unable to upgrade these rooms booking through TripaDeal. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Massive variation in rooms. We were led to believe that this was going to be included. I cannot praise the staff in the lodge enough for their great service, always smiling, helpful and on hand . 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. But every single member of the kitchen were absolutly amazing, and worked so so hard. Our driver CAITLYN was absolutly AMAZING !!!!!!! Sebatana Private reserve is one of the best and most unique wildlife experiences in South Africa. Each has kitchen, bar, pool etc. The kitchen staff regularly sing which is very entertaining. We ended up on her cruiser throughout the holiday with 3 other fab couples and we have all.said we will keep in touch, which is lovely. more. Rooms spotless and roomy .we were looked after from pick up at airport to drop off foe flight home. All three lodges are full service lodges with all amneties included, ensuring a personalized experience for all. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. I would definitely suggest this trip to anyone and I hope that one day I can make it back and do this again. The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans. Room types may vary. Best Regards Matswani guest relations, Everything about this visit was excellent from the attentive staff, the comfort of the rooms and the management. 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. Matswani Safari Lodge,a place to remember. Such a high standard. I also want to mention the guides that are with you all of the time . Lion Cubs, a Big Cat Fight, the Wild Albino Elephant & Plenty of Leopards! They had suffered severe storm damage shortly before our arrival which did not detract from our enjoyment of the venue. Yes, Sebatana Elephant Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans. Left a sour taste in what was otherwise a wonderful experience. Thanks to everyone at the Lion Lodge for making my birthday a wonderful memory for all time. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our. This holiday was for my 50th Birthday & I will never forget it thank you to Sebatana Date of stay: January 2023 Trip type: Traveled with friends We saw 3 of the Big 5, as well as Cheetahs, Crocodiles, Giraffes and Zebras. Hermanusdorings Road, Vaalwater 0530 South Africa. There are more places to choose from in the, Frequently Asked Questions about Sebatana Elephant Lodge. It is still in relatively good condition and the service with a smile is unparalleled from all the friendly staff. Only other recommendation to the reserve is if the guides had a mic handset as we could not always hear at the back of truck what was said. Outstanding stay but website is a bit misleading, Overall myself and friends had an outstanding stay at the lion lodge having bought package week long deals from travelzoo. There are a lot of animals close to the lodge, we saw so many giraffes and impalas. more. During the winter season the bar package is probably not a good deal. 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.