REVIEW: KLASERIE RIVER SAFARI LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA

Located in a private game reserve in the Greater Kruger area Klaserie River Safari Lodge is the perfect base to see some of the amazing wildlife Africa has to offer. All the accommodation lodges are located on the Klaserie River with private balconies providing stunning views. Game drives are run every morning and evening by the wonderful staff of the lodge where all of the Big Five can be spotted and breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided as well. In-between spotting wild animals on the game drive you can relax by the luxurious pool and can even spot wild zebras, giraffes and impalas roaming the grounds.

Location: Klaserie River Safari Lodge is located in the Thornybush region of the Greater Kruger area. Located on the banks of the Klaserie river, private game drives can take place in the game reserve just opposite the lodge. Within day trip distance is the world renowned Kruger National Park where day trips can be organised from the lodge. 

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Nearest Airport: The lodge offers transfers to and from Hoedspruit airport which is only 16km away. The short flights go daily from Johannesburg making the area easily accessible.  

Rooms: Each of the chalets have en suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, terraces overlooking the river, coffee facilities, mini bar fridge and mosquito nets.   

The rate for the deluxe room including the ‘Royal breakfast’ is around £160 per night in high season.

Facilities/Activities:

Take a dip: There are two stunning swimming pools within the grounds of this lodge on opposite sides. Both the pools also have bars, dining areas and wifi to help you relax during the hot days. There is also wifi around the pool and dining areas for those all important instagram uploads.

Game Drives: The lodge runs daily game drives within the Thornybush game reserve where the big five can be spotted along with giraffe, zebra, warthog, hyena, baboon, hippo, impala, kudu, monkeys, waterbuck, wildebeest, bush baby and steenbok.

Kruger National Park: The lodge provides day trips with lunch included to the national park. Other activities include hot-air balloon excursions, boat cruises, bird-watching, bush walks and horseback safaris.

My husband and I were luck enough to stay in the Klaserie River Safari Lodge for our honeymoon and we had the most amazing time. In the mornings we were treated to a sit-down breakfast with the rest of the lodgers before heading out in the Jeeps for the morning game drive. The safari drivers were incredibly knowledgeable and did an amazing job of explaining how the animals behaved and what was to be seen in their natural habitats. On one of the morning drives we were lucky enough to come very close to a family of elephants who were uprooting trees to get moisture from the roots, it was amazing to see the power of these beautiful animals.

We then had lunch back at the lodge everyday and got to hang around by the pool frequently visited by giraffes and monkeys looking for a quick drink!

In the evenings we then got to go back out on the game drives and have dinner back at the lodge. One evening, the lodge set-up a surprise romantic dinner for us on the island in the middle of the watering hole which was an experience we will never forget, especially as we could hear a wild leopard not to far away from us!

05h30 Wake up call and rusks
 06h00 Bush walk on the reserve or Game drive
 09h00 Breakfast is served – continental followed by hot breakfast
 10h00 Leisure time spent at the pool or on your private deck
 13h00 Lunch is served
 14h00 Time out for an afternoon siesta or refreshing swim
 16h00 Sunset game drive with scenic sundowners
 19h30 Dinner is served at the lodge