- 5 Luxury Suites & 3 Luxury Chalets
- Balule Private Game Reserve
- True african big five safari
- Award winning & excellent rated
Pondoro is on the banks of the Olifants River inside the 40 000-hectare Balule Nature Reserve. There are no fences between Balule Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park, which means all the animals move freely between Balule and the Kruger.
All their suites are air-conditioned and offer modern comforts. Each suite has a private wooden deck, a lounge area, a Jacuzzi and an outside shower for those who are adventurous at heart. There are three luxury chalets overlooking the Olifants River. Each chalet has an African theme, an en-suite bathroom with a shower overlooking the river, air-conditioning, mosquito nets and a wooden deck.
Meals are an extraordinary culinary experience where traditional African cuisine fuses effortlessly with modern European trends. To complement the food, guests can select wine from our extensive wine cellar. We cater for vegetarians and we serve all meals on a wooden deck high up in the tree canopy overlooking the Olifants River. An unforgettable bush dinner will await those who stay for the third night.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Affordable luxury safari lodge;
- Located within the private Balule Game Reserve;
- Superb African/European cuisine;
- Award-winning extensive wine cellar;
- Rock pool;
- Game drives with qualified guides and trackers.
Facilities
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Meals on Request
- Wine Cellar
- Terrace
- WiFi
- Swimming Pool
- Spa
- Gym
- Library
- Gift Shop
- Safe
- Laundry
- Parking
- Airport Shuffle
Rooms
Room type | Features | Rates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Luxury Chalet![]() Available: 3 chalets Unit Sleeps: 2 adults Check-in: From 1:00 PM Check-out: To 11:00 AM Show Room Info | FROM R5990 TO R8360 Per person per night sharing Enquire Now What's Included Seasonal Rates X Luxury ChaletINCLUDED IN THE RATESWarning: printf(): Too few arguments in /home/site/wwwroot/wp-content/themes/asgtemplate/content-lodge.php on line 204 Low Season
High Season
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Luxury Suite![]() Available: 5 suites Unit Sleeps: 2 adults Check-in: From 1:00 PM Check-out: To 11:00 AM Show Room Info | FROM R9180 TO R12840 Per person per night sharing Enquire Now What's Included Seasonal Rates X Luxury SuiteINCLUDED IN THE RATESWarning: printf(): Too few arguments in /home/site/wwwroot/wp-content/themes/asgtemplate/content-lodge.php on line 204 Low Season
High Season
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Activities
Since there are no fences between Kruger National Park and Balule Private Nature Reserve, the diversity of wildlife is spectacular and impressive.
Guests can head out on game drives and nature walks with the lodge’s armed and experienced guide. Wildlife, such as the famous Big Five (leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino) along with other animals, are sure to be spotted by the guests.
- Birding
- Honeymoons &Weddings
- Walking Safaris
- Picnic lunch at the hide
- Evening game drive with spotlight
- Swimming
- Wine tasting
- Spa treatments
- Shangana Cultural Village
- Moholoholo Centre
Rates
Low Season
Dates | Room Type | Board Basis | Rate |
---|---|---|---|
01 May 2019- 30 Jun 2019 | Luxury Chalet | Per person per night sharing | From R5990 |
Per person per night single | From R7680 | ||
Luxury Suite | Per person per night sharing | From R9180 | |
Per person per night single | From R11760 |
High Season
Dates | Room Type | Board Basis | Rate |
---|---|---|---|
01 Jan 2019 - 30 April 2019 | Luxury Chalet | Per person per night sharing | From R6670 |
Per person per night single | From R8360 | ||
Luxury Suite | Per person per night sharing | From R10200 | |
Per person per night single | From R12840 | ||
01 July 2019- 31 Dec 2019 | Luxury Chalet | Per person per night sharing | From R6670 |
Per person per night single | From R8360 | ||
Luxury Suite | Per person per night sharing | From R10200 | |
Per person per night single | From R12840 |
INCLUDED IN THE RATES
The all-inclusive rate per person per night includes:
- Accommodation
- All meals
- 15%
VAT - Tea & Coffee
- Soft drinks, house wines, a selection of spirits and beers
- Morning and evening game drive
- Nature walks
Reviews

Based on 754 Reviews


“Amazing Pondoro”
We just returned from a month trip to South Africa, Egypt and Jordan. Our favourite place during this time was definitely Pondoro. The staff made you feel as if you were part of their family. They greeted you by name every time they saw you. They were always there with a smile when we returned from our game drives. On our drives we saw all of the animals you go to Africa to see; Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffalo, Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra, Jackal, Hyena, and more. Every day was a new experience. After the game drives we were treated to the best meals I’ve ever had. One night they surprised us with dinner alongside the river. After the food was served the staff put on a little dancing and singing show. This place was just amazing!!! I will be going back!!
~ John C ~ Milwaukee, Wisconsin

“Everything was perfect”
The experience we had at Pondoro was perfect and everything was like a dream. The staff is very friendly, the rooms are big and comfortable, we really felt like we were at home. We loved our picnic, our surprise dinner and our surprise bath, it was very romantic. I would recommend you to anyone, the food is also fantastic and I really hope I can come back one day. I wish we had more nights at Pondoro because I felt that only 2 nights are not enough to enjoy all the great things the lodge can offer. Thank you for this wonderful experience we had, we will never forget.
~ Lenharetto ~ Sao Paulo, SP

“Extraordinary experience at Pondoro”
My wife and I had the pleasure of staying at Pondoro for 3 days during a tour of southern Africa last month. The rooms are large, well appointed, with a view of the Oliphant River and almost constant parade of impala, waterbuck, kudu, and other hooved animals on the banks. Our guide Rule and tracker Andriese were tireless in their efforts to find the “big five” and other wildlife in the reserve. The highlights included viewing of juvenile leopards feeding on a fresh kill, several sightings of lions(including 3 lionesses that almost surprised us during a sundowner drink-spotted by Andriese), and a herd of elephants including some babies that put on quite a show. The game drives were always exciting, but we never felt unsafe. All the meals were delicious and presented to us with a smile by the excellent servers. A word of caution-watch for monkeys who are always on the look-out to snatch a muffin or piece of bread from the table. The dinner near the river and show put on by the staff our last night was another highlight. We have nothing but good things to say about our time at Pondoro-and would recommend it to anyone looking for a game viewing experience in South Africa.
~ sarm78 ~ Springfield, Missouri

“Cannot be bettered”
I have been to quite a few game lodges over the years and this rates as one of the best. The location is stunning on the Oliphants River and we had a wonderful view from our terrace. The lodge has a warm, friendly atmosphere and the staff are very helpful and efficient. The reserve itself has the Big 5 and an abundance of impala, wildebeest, warthogs, birds, giraffe, and much more. It is well worth sleeping out in the hide as it is magical waking up to the animals drinking at the waterhole. I also think it is excellent value for money.
~ Caroline47410 ~ Saint Colomb de Lauzun, France