Jabulani

Reviews

"My husband and I are animal lovers and the idea of staying at a camp that was created around a herd of rescued elephants while offering a five star experience was ideal to us. Camp Jabulani and the amazing staff there not only delivered but exceeded any and all expectations we could have had. Within minutes of entering the park on the drive to Camp J we saw giraffes, impala, zebra and many other wild animals. On arrival to the camp we were greeted by the staff and met our private guide and ranger, Angie. Every single one of the staff were determined to provide us with an exceptional experience. The villa we stayed in was so beautiful. The architecture and decoration with attention to details was truly amazing. It was comfortable, quiet, totally private and really couldn't have been nicer. Our guide and the staff catered to our every need and arranged each day around whatever we wanted to do. Typically our day started with a private game drive which never failed to disappoint. Angie was lovely and so informative we couldn't seem to ask a question she couldn't answer. Her enthusiasm for the camp and the animals exceeded our own. We not only saw the Big Five but were able to get just feet away from nursing lion cubs twice! A herd of wild elephants passed within feet of our vehicle. Absolutely unbelievable. We were surrounded by elephants including small babies that were still nursing. This is something we will never forget. On returning from the early morning game drive we would eat breakfast. EVERYTHING we had to eat was so delicious. The chefs greeted us personally and made sure we had whatever we wanted to eat and more. If we felt like resting and not going to lunch we would get a phone call asking us what we would like sent to our room. We felt like royalty. The elephants... what can we say that could fully explain the experience of meeting a herd of elephants that were so well taken care of you could see in their eyes that they enjoyed their "job" of talking guests for an elephant-back safari ride. The elephant caretakers were so dedicated to the elephants and while riding they would tell us the history of each elephant and answer all our questions. Each one of the grooms was so interesting and kind. After the ride we would gather together outside with the other guests for a lamp-lit pre-dinner cocktail and gourmet refreshments. Other highlights included watching the elephants play in the watering hole mid-day with the little ones slinging mud at one another. The visit to the endangered species center where we had the pleasure of meeting the owner and founder Lente Roode had us in tears. It was such an honor to have her share her experiences with us and truly changed our lives in terms of understanding the importance of conserving the animals that make this place so magical. We were inspired to adopt a Cheetah that we named and will follow as it gets older. Oh and let's not forget the resident hippo that liked to hang out in the pond just outside the main Lodge. We could eat our meals and watch the hippo and other animals gather around the water at the same time. An unforgettable experience. I should also add that my husband is legally blind and needs special assistance getting around and also extra time and patience helping him make out the animals when it was possible for him to see them. He was so well taken care of and enjoyed every minute of it. After 6 unforgettable nights at this magical, special place the only thing we could think is when can we come back!"

- Natalie

"Very friendly and professional staff, beautiful location and decoration of the main lodge as well as the accommodation, and an endearing herd of elephants with a dedicated team. The elephant rides every evening were amazing, the game drives interesting due to the rangers intensive knowledge. The food was superb, deserving a Michelin star. Overall Camp Jabulani surpassed all my high expectations and I definitely cant wait to be back."

- Ulrik

"Camp Jabulani is highly luxurious as one would expect from a Relais and Chateau Hotel. Our lodge was fabulous with a great view over the river bed and its own small plunge pool. The proportion of trackers to guests meant that we had our own guide for most of the visit (a lovely and informative young lady called Chané) and only shared with another couple on one occasion. There are no fixed times for game drives as this depends on individual wishes. The meals were excellent. The executive chef coming to each client at meal times to discuss the meal and the quality make this a top restaurant as well. The highlight, however has to be the safari on the back of an elephant. Riding through the bush for an hour or so on an elephant is an amazing experience. The elephants are well treated and are all rescue elephants or orphaned elephants so would not be able to return to the wild. The owner of the hotel also owns the local Hoedsprit Endangered Species Centre (which is also very well worth visiting to see the Cheetah) and the Hotel and elephant safari's were set up as a result of experiences there. The fact that the elephants are not in any way tethered, go out on their own during the day with one or two trackers with them make it clear that if they did not want to do this, they would simply wander off into the bush. They clearly enjoy interacting with humans and are very well treated. Overall - incredible."

- Peter

"Saw all Big 5 and many other species; 3-1 hour safari elephant rides and morning, afternoon, and evening vehicle safari rides. Fed and put elephants to bed. Saw Bush Baby that came into the vehicle and hung out for a few minutes. Enjoyed Endangered Species Center experience. Great food. Fantastic rooms that we were hardly in as we were out on safari so much. Staff attentive and seem to love their jobs. Can't imagine a safari could be better anywhere else."

- Stephen F

"Beautiful lodge tastefully decorated with very attentive staff and delicious food and wine. The elephant back safari is absolutely amazing and so is the visit to Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. Go now!"

- Marcelo

"Everything is perfect at Camp Jabulani. The hotel, the food, the people, the decor, the ambiance, the fact that it is luxurious without being pompous. It really makes you feel comfortable. The experience with Jabulani and other elephants is something we will never forget. We were expecting to be "all about elephants" but in fact the Kapama Reserve is wonderful, full of zebra, giraffe, rhino, hypo, gazelles, buffalo, lions and in November there were several cubs! The Endangered Species Center does a great and much needed job. Lente Roote should be proud. I think that instead of staying home and making donations, the best way to help save rhinos, elephants, and cheetahs, is for people to go spend their money at camp Jabulani. We will go back in 2016, for sure."

- Silvana S

"It was our third safari experience and this lodge is amazing! The room is really comfortable, beautifully decorated in African style, nice pool in the terrace, peaceful place! Staff always attentive, and rangers are great! Ryan and Chane were very nice to us, always doing their best to show us the animals we would like to see most! And we finally got to see a leopard! At this lodge you can do elephant back safari, and watch elephants playing in the water. It is really great! I totally recommend!"

- Carol

"It doesn't get any better than this. From the time you are greeted you are taken care of with warmth, professionalism, and graciousness that left me in tears when I said goodbye to the staff! The suites are magnificent, food is gourmet and the amount of food, wine and hospitality is out of this world. Riding the elephants after or before a Happy Hour put a wonderful thrill in the experience. Animals galore, where we saw the big 5 and the guide was extremely knowledgable. What a great first South African experience!"

- Judy C

"We enjoyed three memorable days and nights at Camp Jabulani. It featured wonderful accommodations, including an awesome common area with massive fireplaces. The room was spacious and comfortable. Everything was very tastefully-decorated. The meals were deliciously-prepared and the service was outstanding. The elephant experience was a great deal of fun. We did the late afternoon elephant ride and had a blast. Our visit to the Endangered Animal Center and seeing all the cheetahs was another highlight of our stay. We enjoyed it so much that we went back for a second tour in order to see the rescued rhinos. Camp Jabulani is a real gem of an experience! We recommend it highly."

- Hank S

"This has got to be the best accommodation we have ever stayed in. Tastefully decorated and the most welcoming lounge areas. The staff are so friendly and fun to be with and the food was fabulous. We enjoyed every minute of this place. Including lying awake at night listening to the lions roar. The elephant experience is magical and we were so impressed with the Hoedspruit Endangered Species centre - they are doing great work. Hats off to all and well done Kate especially."

- Karen B