Maninghi Lodge

Excellent lodge by the river

Pros: Very friendly lodge alongside the Olifants river. Small and intimate it's a great place to relax and enjoy the bush. Hayden the guide whilst young is very knowledgeable and puts a huge amount of effort into ensuring we all had a great time . The rest of the staff ensure everything is smooth and serve up good food.

Cons: Game viewing could be difficult as the bush was thick and it was green season. However we knew this before we visited and Hayden ensured we still had some great sightings.

A peaceful two night stay in a beautiful location with friendly and attentive staff.

Pros: The location on the Olifants river and the animals walking right past the patio was amazing. Meals were great. Never went hungry. Staff were friendly and attentive. Rooms were cleaned quietly while we were out. A real little gem!

Cons: Generally great. An upgrade to the bathrooms may be beneficial as a tallish person cannot stand comfortably under the shower head. Perhaps a pressure pump could also increase the pressure in the shower. The single bed mattress has a well slept in hollow which can make it a little uncomfortable. Overall, no dislikes just a few suggestions.

A true wildlife experience

Pros: The Maninghi lodge was the most memorable stay of our trip! The lodge is located at a river with a lot of animal activity. Hayden told us the guidelines of the lodge and how to handle animals encounters, which made us feel confident and safe. We had a room with river view and the first morning we woke up an elephant stood right in front of us eating the trees in the garden, it was amazing! The hospitality was great, the food was delicious and we could get drinks by ourself (self-service) which made it feel like we were at home. We went on game drives and bush walks, Hayden and Paul know so much about everything in the bush! They realy take the time to tell everything about it, which made us appreciate the nature a lot. We would recommend this lodge if you want to experience life in the bush during your whole stay (other lodges have fences around the lodge).

Perfect

Pros: Everything was perfect from start to finish — from Victoria’s kindness to Johnathan, who was an excellent guide during our safaris. The place is stunning and the food is excellent. You can go there with complete confidence.

A beautiful space to stop at in the middle of travel. A great rest day. Two nights recommended!

Pros: The location and the food were superb. I loved the no fences and real feel of Africa as you step out of your door. A real little treat in the middle of the bush. The staff were awesome! Courteous and super fun to be around. The food.... ah... real good. The management were fun and very hospitable. My boy had a great time with their kids which was such a nice surprise as they were the same age. Hayden was the bomb as a guide. A real love for the bush and a passion for nature and very kind. Paul and Victoria thank you for our awesome stay.

Cons: There was quite a strong wind the one morning, so we had to eat inside. Maybe clearer communication on the extras... game drive cost etc. are not included in your stay. Also there was sometimes a strange/off smell that wafted through every now and again.

Great space to unwind

Pros: The overall setting perfect and great for game watching whilst having breakfast or sipping your favorite drink

An amazing place

Pros: The property is beautiful and in the perfect location. In our 3 night say we had visits by Elephants,Bush Buck,Kudu, Hippo,Giraffe, were woken each morning by a family of Baboons and saw Crocodile in the river and Wild Dogs on the other bank. Absolutely fantastic The hosts are amazing and the food was perfect.

Cons: The road through the reserve to the property is rough and would be tricky without a 4wd. But it’s like a game drive itself.

Would recommend to stay at this lodge! It was just perfect. Thanks to Victoria & Paul!

Pros: Chef-kok Riri made the best food! From breakfast to dinner: 10/10. Even when we went out they prepacked a lunch for us which was yummy! The hosts Victoria and Paul were very kind, flexible and helpful and provided us with everything we needed. The location was so perfect and so peaceful with a beautiful garden. Just loved it. Also the room was very nice (with airconditioning yes!)

Cons: The drive up to the lodge is a rocky road (but very fun if you’re a bit adventerous) rent a good car ;)

Amazing wildlife experience

Pros: In the middle of the private game reserve between the animals, this beautiful lodge with amazing view is situated. The hosts were lovely, welcoming and above all: passionate about wildlife. We enjoyed every minute.

Cons: None

Pros: Very hospitable owner. We even watched the Rugby world cup at her house!