Arathusa Safari Lodge

Reviews

"If one wants a splurge of affordable luxury in the middle of a budget holiday in South Africa, Arathusa is the place, in our humble opinion.The meals were 5 stars perfect. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The Trackers and Rangers were exceptionally knowledgeable and had eyes like eagles. Nothing escaped their attention, not even a Chameleon!Most important for a private pilot on a self fly holiday in a rented aircraft, the reservations staff were able to be flexible in rescheduling our booking Without Penalty when we were weather delayed some 1,000km to the south in Port Alfred by low cloud on short notice.That wonderful luxury suite cabin, sigh, total privacy deep in the African bush... it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.It had enough floor space to lay out ALL the Visual Navigation Charts for southern Africa, so I could work on the flight paths available to us for the rest of our African holiday, including up to Botswana and our options for getting back to Cape Town via Namibia.We also wanted to do just "one more" morning game drive, but on flying days, being well rested and ready to go is more important when your a pilot.In closing we wish to express special thanks to ........the chap on staff whose name I can not recall, who loaned us his lap top so we could check with the SA Aviation Weather website when my laptop's WiFi failed. It was a great help that was much appreciated........ to Ranger Jason, (a fellow private pilot) who not once, but twice, dragged one of the old farm tractor tires from their airfield "lawn mower" up and down the runway behind his safari Land Cruiser, to smooth out the hoof prints and dung piles, so that a retractable undercarriage aircraft with its small wheels could land and take off from Arathusa safely..... and finally to Roy and his fellow Trackers, who helped us secure the aircraft and pack Cape Thorn bushes around the under carriage, to stop hyenas from chewing on our tires and hydraulic lines.Arathusa went the extra mile to ensure that we not only had a great visit, but could safely get a C-172RG into and back out of that amazing airstrip of theirs.We had a most wonderful stay in Arathusa and will telling everyone we meet that it is the best resort in the Sabi Sands Reserve.We will be back, best wishes and our thanks again for a most memorable Safari experience.Warmest regards! Hugh and AnneThe Canadian Flight Crew of the C-172RG ZS-KSS from the Cape Town Flying Club"

- Hugh and Anne

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"The nature experience has been outstanding and driven by an excellent guide. Food was very good, housing average."

- Joachim Becker

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"The Arathusa Lodge is a fantastic place to stay, with exceptional game viewing and beautiful accommodation and excellent cuisine. The rangers have a great deal of knowledge and have a high level of customer service. The only fault I found in the place was that the staff rushed us out of dinner every night (noisily).I will be back!"

- Daniel Burns

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"The camp is up-market, accommodation excellent, the staff very attentive. The game drives were top class, ranger Cedric and tracker Derek were exceptional, we saw the Big 5 within a day of arriving and much more. Leopard sightings, lion kills, and brilliant insights into local names, animal folklore were given. The food was brilliant and varied, Well Done to the team at Arathusa, a much enjoyed trip back to Africa for our family!"

- Malcolm Reed

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"We had a very pleasant, charming and lovely stay at Arathusa Lodge. It was our first safari and we have really enjoyed it. the staff is great and food is delicious. the game drive are great even though we only have seen 2 of the 5 big five"

- Camille

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"An amazing experience all round. The game drives were exceptional, with very knowledgeable ranger (Sedeick) and tracker (Derek). The Ranger was humorous and entertaining and together with the Tracker they were always on the mark in finding animals and wildlife. The food was outstanding, although a few more South African dishes would have better. The food was always of a very high standard and most delicious each time. The accommodation was fantastic and the common areas were also very pleasant indeed.We have been recommending Arathusa to many and hope they visit you soon. We would also certainly consider going again in the future."

- Malcolm Reed

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"We really enjoyed our stay at Arathusa! Staff were very friendly and professional. The accommodation was clean, spacious and in lovely surroundings. We enjoyed the company of all the other guests and the we would most certainly come back. From a general point of view, it would have also been interesting to have the trackers eating with us at the table but this is a comment which is applicable to most game drive reserves I imagine and not just Arathusa."

- Olivia Robert

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"We had the most amazing time at Arathusa. The luxury suites we tastefully decorated, spacious, romantic and superbly private. The plunge pool was a huge highlight during a hot day. Each time we returned from a game drive our unit was cleaned and well looked after. I read on Tripadvisor that the lodge was run down, it was immaculate! It must have been an old write up because it appeared new and refurbished. The game rangers, especially Ryan, we amazing. Such a knowledgeable young man, always smiling, packed with fabulous humour and yet still respectful! The staff accommodated our gluten intolerance and even shared their recipes with us! We saw so much game while we were there, such a glorious treat. The birds were amazing and we all learnt so much while we were out on the drive. The food was outstanding! The Warthog stir fry was by far my favourite! Delicious, filling breakfasts - really healthy. Light, wholesome lunches and the dinners we exceptional. Such delicious variety. We miss the lodge already and so look forward to returning! A huge thank you to all the fabulous staff at Arathusa for making our vacation a little piece of heaven!"

- Rachel Jesson

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"An amazing experience all round. The game drives were exceptional, with a very knowledgeable ranger (Sedeick) and tracker (Derek). The Ranger was humouress and entertaining and together with the Tracker they were always on the mark in terms of finding animals and wildlife. The food was outstanding, although a few more South African dishes would have been welcome . The food was always of a very high standard; always extremely delicious each and every time. The accommodation was fantastic and the common areas were also very pleasant indeed. We have been recommending Arathusa to many and hope they visit you soon. We would also certainly consider going again in the future!"

- Malcolm Reed