Mbizi Bush Lodge

Our stay at Mbizi Bush Lodge was mixed. On the one hand, we were utterly amazed by the viewings around the Grietjie Private Nature Reserve on which the lodge is located, as well as the frequent elephant visits to the pool. Despite the summer season making it difficult to see across the bush, we were lucky to see many elephant herds, rhinoceros, lions, giraffes, and more. In addition, Divya's cooking was exceptional, and she kindly accommodated last-minute to my vegetarian diet despite us having forgotten to give advance notice. On the other hand, many of our experiences at the lodge made it feel like we had overpaid for the service we received. First of all, we were not contacted prior to our arrival except in response to our own inquiries, and no arrangements were organised to help us arrive from the airport to the lodge. Although this is not something we expect everywhere we stay, we feel it is a part of the safari industry in South Africa, at the very least for the host to explain how to arrive to the lodge, and typically to also arrange airport pick-up. Secondly, upon arrival at 2pm, we were told the kitchen was closed and we could no longer order or purchase any food for lunch. Having come straight from the airport (with our own transportation method), we therefore had no food other than (chargeable) potato chips until the evening meal. This again falls short of our expectations given the price paid and the remote location of the lodge preventing us from looking for alternatives for food. Adding to this point, we were often left to our own devices during the day. The staff was hidden away in the main house of the owner, and we were unable to find them to make simple requests (such as for lunch on our second day). Had it not been for the delicious food in the evening, it would have felt as though we were staying at a self-catered accommodation, perhaps more suited to clients with rental cars who are able to arrive and get their own food by themselves. Third, and most importantly, the game-drive experience was considerably lacking. Bjorn, the owner and safari guide, was reluctant on two occasions to bring us on a morning-drive, claiming that the weather would be too bad for any sightings. We accepted the cancelation on the first day, but insisted on the second day to do the game-drive nonetheless, and it happened to be one of the best drives we had done out of the three. My sister being in the safari industry in South Africa, I also know that guides tend to 'try' whether or not the weather is ideal because you never know what you may spot. It was disappointing for Bjorn to insist upon not doing the game-drives. On top of this, while we were beyond happy with the sightings we had, we found Bjorn's engagement during the game-drives to be lacking. We were offered no spontaneous information, on either the animals we were seeing or on the bush in general, and our numerous questions obtained short, often snappy responses. The coffee/drinks brea

We visited Mbizi at the end of our stay for two nights. Warm and friendly staff, great game viewing and perfect place to relax after two weeks in the bush. I wouldn't want to drive my car round the roads but Bjorn provided great game drives morning and evening with some spotlighting on the way back.

We spent 4 days in this camp with unfenced lodge. The rooms had AC which was needed, even though outside was cold. Nice room, shower, safe and a decent pool with elephant visiting daily to drink. That was the highlight. Game drives started at 4:30 for 2 1./2 hours which was really late since it got dark at 5:15 so most of it was in the dark and we started skipping the afternoon drives for that reason. Nothing much is seen after dark in my opinion but some like it. Winter schedules should go to 3:30 like at the other lodges but they did not switch over yet at the end of May. We took a full day trip to Kruger. Other rave about it but we found it lacking. It was 14 hours long with little sightings & lots of driving. Not many other cars either, and other than elephants & buffalo, we found nothing more than at the lodge which would have been a lot easier. But maybe it was an off day since others highly recommend the trip. Food was nice, we were hoping for Indian dishes as shown in the photos but we instead had fusions of different countries. It was sometimes good but sometimes not to our liking. Beet pie, not for us for example. esspresson/cappuccino machine available anytime was nice. The highlight was elephants visiting the pool or running through the camp several times daily! It was amazing & you got very close the animals. Price was also a lot lower & lunch & drives were not included but extra. So if you wanted to skip lunch or a game drive you didnt pay. But they were both really low priced. So the stay was very nice & we would go again. Love the elephant visits to the pool & watering hole & around our rooms in the morning close by. Drives were decent but not a real high animal density in the area, but we did see lion & lots of elephant.