Emhosheni River Lodge

We absolutely loved our time at Emhosheni. We spent 5 nights and it was enough time to see/feel/get absorbed in the culture of the lodge. It is no wonder I cried when it was time to say goodbye. The aesthetic and decor of the main lodge and our Chalet (#2), the landscaping, and the design of the entire place was thoughtfully and beautifully done. Much to be admired because of all the intentional design touches. We loved that while we got the safari package with game drives twice a day, we could still choose to be still, be at peace and soak in the environment and the view. We came for relaxation and wonder and we got both. We experienced so much wildlife just at the lodge (a family of 5 giraffes, a family of 10 elephants - including babies, hippos, herds of impala, Nyala, baboons, monkeys, and in our last day there was a huge warthog (Pumba!!) Not enough of a fuss is made about the cuisine at Emhosheni - we had three meals for 6 days and breakfast was good, but the lunch and dinner meals were divine. We weren’t expecting this level of sophistication and we looked forward to our meals every day. Just delicious. I would highlight this aspect of the experience some more. The care and attention our family received was second to none - we were warmly welcomed and the level of care never waned. Every time we were away from our chalet, Paulina slipped in like a ninja to tidy our space. Very thorough but also very unobtrusive. The beds, linen, pillows were so comfortable - we slept well - and the water pressure and hot water in the shower were excellent. Sonia and Eric took exceptional care of us throughout the day and Leandra and Dave’s oversight about guest comfort was evident. Karlich’s communication leading up to the trip was excellent and the transportation from and to Hoedspruit was reliable. Prince is a very knowledgeable game driver and we learned so much from him each time we went out about both the animals we saw and the birds we encountered. Really a great experience with him. My one suggestion would be to give the guests the option of heading back to the lodge after nightfall on the evening game drive. Once it gets dark, it is not as much of a sightseeing experience with the wildlife, especially if it is on the colder side. Leading up to sunset was magical, but once it was dark, it wasn’t as enjoyable an experience. Truly an incredible experience that was made so because of THE PEOPLE at Emhosheni. They treated us like we mattered. They were so affectionate with our 13 year-old son. I’ve never cried leaving my hosts - this was a first. Thank you for making this leg of our first visit to South Africa unforgettable. Love always, ~The Rivers Family

The experience me and my wife had in Emhosheni River Lodge was incredible. We were in our honeymoon and we couldn't have a better time. Everything was perfect, all the employees, food, game drives. We've seen so many animals by the river in front of the lodge.

I enjoyed a fantastic break at this wonderful lodge. The team under the leadership of Sarah were fantastic and the highlight of my stay. The dining and meals by Lucia were first class. the safari drives by William and Rose were very educational. I cant wait to rebook

The lodge in South Africa surpassed all expectations. The staff was incredibly accommodating, always ready to make the stay unforgettable. The location and accommodation were simply enchanting, surrounded by breathtaking nature. This experience with friends was unique, every moment filled with unforgettable impressions. A gem in the wild beauty of South Africa.

The lodge has the best location directly on the river. From the pool you can see elephants, monkeys, impalas, hippos and much more. The staff is very courteous, professional and always up for a joke. Also the privat atmosphere creates a nice and easy vibe around the lodge. The game drives were always entertaining and very informative. In addition to the numerous animals, there were many stories on cultural topics, exciting insights into the plant world and insights into the work of the rangers (reading tracks). All in all, it was an incomparable stay that will always remain in our minds. Many thanks to the whole team. We will come back for sure!

We booked the 5 day safari package and could not be more satisfied with our stay. The location is beautiful, right at the Olifant river. The view from the lodge is great, just sitting by the pool you will spot many animals. While there are lots of animals around, you should have in mind that this part of the bush is pretty dense and hilly, which can make it hard to spot animals. But this is not a zoo, it is all down to luck. We were extremely lucky and saw a big family of lions with cubs having a nice dinner right next to the road and many elephants. But this is not guaranteed. Our private bungalow was really nice with a view of the river and enough privacy from other guests or the staff. It was also cleaned everyday. The staff is extremely friendly and we felt treated with immense care and respect. Shoutout to Eric and his lovely calm aura while presenting food or drinks, to Lucia for the amazing food and warm smiles, and especially to William our amazing tour guide, who drove us from and to the airport and made us experience the bush with such love and detail. If possible, we will be back asap and recommend it to anyone that wants to relax and experience nature/the bush. Ryan & Johanna

5 star experience with the best park game ranger for safaris in South Africa! Keagan the legend! The staff are welcoming, warm and attend to your every need. My girlfriend and I spent 4 days on Safari for my 40th birthday and it was a bucket list experience that we will never forget. I need to give a massive shout out to Keagan our highly experienced ranger. What an absolute legend! His knowledge and experience of nature and commentary on our morning and afternoon drives was second to none! We saw elephants, lion, warthog, hippos, chased cheetahs, walked with elephants on foot which was insane, whilst tracking a lion. plenty of birds, zebra, buffalo, kudu, my South African girlfriend just said gemsbok, whatever that is and lots more! Make sure Keagan is in house when staying here as he will make your Safari the most memorable and enjoyable experience that will last a lifetime. Thank you Emhosheni and a special shout out to the absolute legendary all time best park ranger Keagan 🙏🏽🧡

We had a fantastic stay at Emhosheni. The staff at the Lodge goes out of their way to make you as comfortable as possible. Delicious food served every day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were perfect! Also, the Game Drives we booked through the lodge were super fun. Dennis was a great ranger who knew a lot about all the wildlife in Kruger. The location of the lodge is also great! We were lucky enough to spot an awful lot of animals along the river. We saw lions, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, monkeys, impalas. It was fantastic! We were incredibly lucky. Andrew, Sonia and the entire staff of Emhosheni, thank you so much for the wonderful days and your hospitality.