Inverdoorn Game Reserve Lodge

This was a truly wonderful experience(we stayed 2 nights). The staff helped to make this a special experience. Our Ranger , Tarisai went the extra mile to ensure we got sightings of the Big 5 plus more and his knowledge was extensive. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge. The food was good and accomodation was very comfortable. Would definitely recommend a trip to Inverdoorn Game Reserve.

Arrived with wife, daughter and grandson. Had lunch and checked in, given adjoining rooms where my daughter’s air on sounded like a jet engine. Made them aware and went on late afternoon drive. Driving along a dusty track our guide, protected by a windscreen, drove close enough to the vehicle in front to be eating dust. We arrived at the lion enclosure, two female and one male, and park up for 45 minutes looking at the front half of one female lion. We eventually moved on to the rhino enclosure, which was as equally exciting with our guide going on an on at why the rhinos horns were missing, he did seem distracted by the three ladies in the front row and continually flirted. We did eventually moved on to on again and saw a few giraffes. Back at our rooms nothing was done with the noisy air con unit, after several back and forth strips my daughter and grandson were relocated. Dinner less than average but the waiter was very pleasant. Early morning drive, we went and saw the same lion! Went on from there to the cheetah run! Yes a set up like a dog track that pulls a bit of bait on a cable and a cheetah saunters after it, he is rewarded with a chicken after. Our guide, ever cautious, eventually came across some elephants, we could hardly see them as we were positioned above them with the sun behind them. He cautioned against going closer despite the other guides being there. Not a good, memorable experience.

I hate writing negative reviews but I would hate anyone to spend the amount of money we did for the experience we had. We booked an ambassador chalet which whilst adequate was not the 5 star luxury we were expecting 3 star at best. The safaris were good and our guide excellent, but at the end of the day all animals are corralled into areas for viewing. The worst thing in fact was the terrible food. The first safari back has first dibs and each safari therefeafter. When we were there there were five jeeps. We were last and the food gone !! Be happy with bread rolls, the scrapings of the dishes as there is no more. Saying that the quality is awful and I wouldn't have wanted more. Definitely not a five star experience. Some in our group had been to Aquilla and said how much better it was 3. On our cruise after another couple had an even worse experience in a lesser chalet. That's three separate couples in the space of a week. Be aware that the last 45 minutes of the drive are on a dirt track which the vehicle has to crawl along. A total drive of 6 hours round trip from Capetown could only have been mitigated by the 5 star experience promised.

This was a very good value Safari experience relatively close to Cape Town. I was concerned about the two recent poor reviews, but having returned yesterday from an overnight stay I can say they are not balanced or representative. Obviously this doesn’t have the wow factor of private game reserves that are well over twice the price, but why would you expect that? It’s great value, the staff do care and you see plenty of animals with very knowledgeable guides. The food is good enough and plentiful, and the accommodation clean and comfortable. If you are near Cape Town and are not jaded safari veterans or have unrealistic expectations then go, it’s a great trip !!

Such a lovely safari lodge in a wonderful surrounding. The Karoo ist beautiful in spring. Great safari guides with a great knowledge. Beautiful swimming pool area. Staff is very helpful and friendly. We saw a lot of animals and very close. I can highly recommend this place.