Maroelani Lodge- Greater Kruger Private Reserve

We have a lovely overnight stay. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, beautiful place

Pros: We have a lovely overnight stay. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, and the service throughout the stay was excellent. The room had a beautiful view, which made the stay even more special. They also went the extra mile to arrange and take us on a bush picnic near the dam, which was a wonderful and memorable experience. The food was also very nice and well prepared. We truly appreciated the effort and hospitality and would definitely recommend this stay

Many thanks

Pros: We had an incredible time at Maroelani. The manager Alfred was fantastic, the food an absolute highlight (thank you chef), and the game guide Bright was an absolute star. The owner was also present, and super friendly and welcoming, evening offering us a complimentary night. We really appreciate it so thank you. Many thanks to all the team, would highly recommend!!

Cons: Not staying longer

Delightful

Pros: Bright was very friendly and enthusiastic All the staff were fantastic Beautiful main lodge and room Lots of birds and trees Hammock and outdoor shower were a highlight

Cons: Lack of wildlife No aircon Could reposition bed to be under the fan or an additional fan

well organised host

Pros: big thanks to the staff and especially Bright, the game drive guide. the lodge is perfect and outstanding, like a fairytale. everything is well planned 2 offered game drives and since we were alone, it was like a private game drive

Cons: only herbivore wild animals unfortunately, no leopard on sight

Perfect Stay at Maroelani Lodge!

Pros: Perfect Stay at Maroelani Lodge! We had an amazing time at Maroelani Lodge. The value for money is fantastic – luxury at a fair price. The service was excellent – from the friendly owner and great kitchen team to the ranger, who made every private game drive special. The lodge feels like a small boutique hotel, perfect for couples. The food was delicious, with big portions, and the chef was happy to cook what we liked. Everyone did everything possible to make us happy. We could even watch animals right from our lodge – just amazing! Highly recommended! Thanks to Francis and her team, who made our trip very special ♥️

A Truly Memorable Stay

Pros: Even before we arrive a lovely message is sent enquiring about our requirements for our stay and whether we were celebrating any special occasion. Lucky for us the resort was not too busy and we were upgraded to their fabulous Riverbed suite with its own splash pool. We did a couple of game drives on the estate with Brandon. Who is extremely knowledgeable and conscientious. The second day was my birthday and Kim and the team laid on a special breakfast out by the dam complete with singing and dancing!! Despite the resort being quiet, the quality of service never diminished. Every meal was excellent, and the staff always went above and beyond to accommodate our needs. Nothing was ever too much trouble, reflecting the team's commitment to guest satisfaction. Our holiday was truly unforgettable, thanks to the outstanding efforts of Kim, Brandon, and the entire team. Their attention to detail and dedication ensured that our stay was exceptional in every way.

Cons: Cannot fault anything.

Great place to stay

Pros: Nice location, not far from Hoedspruit airport, services was amazing, food was really good. Room was nice, the giraffes were right outside our room when we checked in.

Cons: Game drive was okay but we have been made aware of it when we booked. If you are not looking to see big 5, they still have a lot of animals in there. Also, they offered to book other game drives when we checked in.

Maroelani was one of the highlights of our honeymoon — a magical place made even more special by its amazing people. Hig

Pros: We spent two unforgettable nights at Maroelani for our honeymoon, and everything was simply perfect. The staff is absolutely exceptional — Kim and Brandon went truly above and beyond anything we could have wished for. Their kindness, warmth, and attention to every little detail made our stay incredibly special. They made us feel at home in the middle of the bush! The chef deserves a standing ovation: every dish was both a work of art and a delight to taste — and we say this as Italians, who are usually quite picky about food! The table service was flawless, and we loved that each meal was served in a different location, beautifully arranged setting, making every moment unique. Our Riverside Suite was stunning — spacious, elegant, and perfectly immersed in nature, where we could watch animals passing by right from our terrace. Obviously no wifi. But it was nice be out of the world for a couple of day. It’s part of the experience.

Cons: Nothing, everything was perfect but small thing to know: - The reserve doesn’t host the Big Five, but it’s still rich in incredible wildlife: we saw buffalo, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, gnu , and many others. Anyway Kimberly can arrange a Big 5 safari in another hotel near by with an extra cost. - If we had to mention one small detail, the transfer from the airport felt a bit pricey, but everything else was truly outstanding. - We didn’t use the pool, but the rest of the experience was so wonderful that we didn’t miss it at all.

Amazing staff and food, but poor amenities and communication keep me from returning.

Pros: The staff is incredible — they are super nice and do everything they can to make you feel welcome, and you can really feel it. The food is fantastic, special thanks to the chef. The room is very good as well. The fact that you are in a tree house in the middle of the savanna makes it really special. All meals include starters, a main course, and desserts. All drinks are paid separately.

Cons: Their game drives obviously happen at their own reserve — and it doesn’t have any big cats, elephants, rhinos, hippos, or all those wild animals you expect to see when you go to Africa. That’s not a big problem, but they could’ve told me that beforehand, so I could book other private game drives in advance and make the most of the time I had left. I had to act quickly when I was already there, so that I could still book, go to Kruger, and see the big cats and the Big Five :) The pool is dirty and very cold. I don’t think you can swim there. The rooms don’t have AC, only a fan. Since it’s Autumn now, it wasn’t a big struggle, but I can’t imagine how it is during the summer. They turn off the power during the night (11pm to 6am), which makes it impossible to charge your phone, have the fan working, take a hot shower, or even turn on the light to find whatever you need. You’re just in total darkness in the middle of the savanna. When you check in, there is water in your room, but they don’t refill it unless you ask. And if you do, they only give you a very small bottle. I spent 3 days there and drank about 500 ml of water per day. Wi-Fi is VERY poor. If you work remotely, don’t even consider it. It works “OK” at the reception for WhatsApp or emails, but forget about social media or using it in your room. We had our own car, and the signal is very poor. We left the hotel at 3am and got lost for one hour, since there’s no sign at all to help you get to the road. We called the hotel and they came to help us, thanks!

Pros: Great service and hospitality. Guided safari trips were a highlight