​User Reviews – Balule NR

Sort By: Date Most Helpful 11-20 of 20 Reviews
Jacqueline H.   –  
United States US
Visited: September 2018 Reviewed: Nov 7, 2018

Email Jacqueline H.  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

Perfection. Everything was perfect.

Emily   –  
United States US
Visited: July 2018 Reviewed: Aug 15, 2018

Email Emily  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

Saw lots of wildlife, the bush walk was great. The guides were very informative.

Frank Ferrer   –  
United States US
Visited: June 2018 Reviewed: Jul 31, 2018

Email Frank Ferrer  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

We saw the big five and much more.

Chris Conti   –  
Peru PE
Visited: March 2018 Reviewed: Mar 24, 2018

Email Chris Conti  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Overall rating
5/5

I don't remember the names of the parks. Kruger was the worst. Partly was not your fault; there was a strike on. But we spent most of the day (only one in Kruger) entering a less desireable gate then racing to get back to the one we were supposed to enter. So most of the day was at top speed, not comfortable and rushed. Hardly saw any animals. The guide was grouchy.

Luca Cambriglia   –  
Italy IT
Visited: September 2017 Reviewed: Oct 17, 2017

Email Luca Cambriglia  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

Great accommodation and great guide at Masodini. Bert is probably the best guide in South Africa.

Barbara Urias   –  
Spain ES
Visited: July 2017 Reviewed: Aug 29, 2017

Email Barbara Urias  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

because of the marvellous bush walks and outdoor sleeping.

JoshBakerPhotography   –  
Australia AU
Visited: April 2016 Reviewed: Sep 24, 2016

Email JoshBakerPhotography

Overall rating
5/5

A great place to stay, amazing team of guides and hospitality staff. Great Safaris at night and during the day. Plenty to see and do. Well organised and centred around your satisfaction. 100% recommended. The sunset safari with a sundowner was a highlight. An amazing amount of wildlife. All of the staff were great, very welcoming and extremely knowledgable about the wildlife and reserve itself.

Kanikoski   –  
United States US
Visited: April 2016 Reviewed: Aug 2, 2016

Email Kanikoski  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

As far as our game sightings at Balule were concerned, the elephants topped the bill. We had some very close, very powerful experiences with the beautiful animals on the reserve.

Soma   –  
Switzerland CH
Visited: August 2015 Reviewed: Aug 30, 2015

Email Soma  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Luxury among the Widerness
Overall rating
5/5

We stayed at the Pondoro Game Lodge in Balule Nature Reserve for a couple of days - and we can absolutely recommend it.

A typical day at Pondoro used to start at 6 am in the morning with the morning safari drive. Safaris were on a open jeep with a guide / driver and a tracker. Our guide and tracker (Rulani and Andries) were absolutely wonderful. Rulani always gave us a brief description of the animals we sighted - which was very helpful for us city people. Both were very friendly and absolutely motivated to provide us the best safari experience. We still remember the time when Andries went out on foot in search of lions, and after half an hour we saw a family of lions heading our way with Andries following them calmly with a stick in hand. We managed to see not only the Big 5, but also zebras, giraffes, hippos, etc.

Robbie and Lize maintain the lodge as a family home and you are always made to feel very welcome. Returning from the morning safari (around 9 am), there is a luscious breakfast waiting for you. It is indeed an exhilarating experience having breakfast out in the open, with the sound of a stream flowing nearby, where different animals often drop by for a drink. After breakfast, you are free to relax, roam around a bit and explore. The cottages are beautifully designed with modern amenities such as air conditioners, fully equipped bathrooms; and a bit of wilderness such as showers and a jacuzzi out in the open. So you might be taking a shower when an elephant decides to drop by for a visit :)

For a more detailed review, please refer to our blog: http://travel-pics-tips.blogspot.ch/2015/08/south-african-wilderness.html

Rob Severin   –  
South Africa ZA
Visited: September 2011 Reviewed: Apr 16, 2012

Email Rob Severin  |  35-50 years of age

Overall rating
5/5

Part of the Great Kruger National Park

Average User Rating

  • 4.4/5
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star 20
  • 4 star 8
  • 3 star 4
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 1
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