Tzaneen Vacations from $2,798

I cannot express how amazing this place was. I've been all over the world, and every aspect of the AM Lodge is by far the most superior. The unique daily game drives had our Bush Bar (best bar in South Africa, thanks to Benjamin and Penwey) interrupted by a Nyala being chased by a wild dog. Literally chasing Lions led to our fantastic guides helping another group get out of a ditch. Even seeing zebras and wild buffalo ended up being so hilarious, it brought tears to our eyes! For the millennials reading this, imagine the perfect mix between Steve Irwin and Wild Boyz. Shepherd is the definition of what a proper host looks like. We had a strange request of being shuttled to a nearby tattoo shop, and they happily obliged. Our chefs made amazing food, with our only request being to show us the local cuisine. That kota sandwich and African buffet was exactly what we were talking about! Way to deliver! At no point did I ever think I was anything less than royalty thanks to the amazing staff, treatment, and accomodations. I don't know how they managed to do it, but they also made it seem like me and my father were the only ones there! As if the entire safari grounds were just for us (even though, they obviously had other guests). I hope to have the chance to visit again. If any guest is considering a safari, the search ends here.

We saw everything we came to Africa to see in three days. Our first game drive yielded three different groups of elephants, a pride of lazy lionesses sleeping off a meal, giraffes, a Cape Buffalo, impalas, a spectacular male kudu and others. By the middle of the second day we had seen each of the Big Five except the leopard. That's when Hannes, out ranger, and Lodrick our tracker decided it was time to focus. We spent three drives following the tracks of a large male who always managed to keep his head down just as we went by. That night Lodrick spotted something and sure enough there he was. It was a terrific thrill to follow him, he finally decided to cross the road and we got some great shots of one of the most elusive and beautiful beasts in the world. And the food was divine, too!

We had a great experience at Nyati Safari Lodge, from check-in to check-out. We stayed for six days and had a wonderful time. All the staff were friendly and polite, and the game drives were both knowledgeable and enjoyable. We did four game drives with Peter, which were exciting adventures as we searched for animals. Also, Lux and Henry were great and knowledgeable. The food was delicious, and everything was well-organized. There are a few areas that could use some attention and improvement: -The outdoor restaurant was difficult to enjoy during our stay because of windy and cool weather. It would be helpful if they provided heaters for such conditions. -During the buffet, I noticed some guests refilling their plates without using new ones, which could pose a hygiene risk, especially since many guests were coughing and sneezing. -It would be great if they offered hot drinks like cappuccinos or lattes. When I asked if I could buy one, I was told they didn’t have any, though a coffee machine could easily provide this option. Overall, I highly recommend Nyati Safari Lodge to anyone seeking adventure along with a luxury stay.