5 Star Hotels in Balule Game Reserve, Greater Kruger National Park

"This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. A graduation trip including myself, my husband, and our 3 teenage daughters. I highly recommend the Ezulwini River Lodge for a safari vacation. The staff was fabulous, food and accommodations were 5 star, and the safari drives and animal encounters were amazing. I am recommending this trip for anyone interested in a South African safari. Planning was seamless and every want or need was met. The entire stay surpassed my expectations in every way."

"The Pondoro experience is first class from beginning to end! The location is stunning and we watched hippo, crocs, giraffe, elephants and all sorts from our room. The games drives led by the wonderful Shadlack and Dion were breathtaking, with the big 5 and all manner of wildlife seen on multiple occasions. They also hosted a river walk which showed us how they look for tracks and gave a very different perspective to the hippos and crocs! All the staff at the lodge are fantastic, there is a warm welcome every day and a real personal touch with attention to details that makes each day special. The food is exceptional and would definitely recommend the lunchtime picnic if you get the opportunity."

"The Best Experience Ever! We Felt Like Royalty! AM Lodge totally blew us away. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel incredibly special. The place itself is absolutely gorgeous. The rooms are super comfortable, beautifully designed, and tucked away in nature, which made it feel really peaceful and private. The safari was amazing!! It was personalized just for us, and our guides Sbu and Benjamin were so knowledgeable and fun. We got to see so many animals up close, and experienced some amazing sunrises and incredible sunsets. After the safari, we treated ourselves to a massage at the spa, and wow… it was heavenly. Super relaxing and exactly what we needed. The food deserves a huge shout-out too. Chef Anna is incredible! Every meal was delicious and beautifully presented. Honestly, some of the best food we’ve ever had while traveling. But the real star of the show was the service. Raydene and every single member of the team went above and beyond to make sure we were happy and comfortable. We’ve stayed in some great places before, but this was next level. If you’re thinking about booking a stay here…. do it. It’s worth every penny. We’ll never forget this experience!"

"What a fantastic property right inside the game reserve with daily game drives to catch the big five. The food and service, including impeccable hospitality were the highlight of staying here. It’s a beautiful, luxurious modern property, right across the HDS airport. Highly recommend staying for atleast 2 nights ideally three! "

"This was one of the most best travel expeirences i ever had. The Kapama Southern lodge is superb . The staff was amazing. the accommodations were perfect. The food options were plentiful. I recommend this property to everyone, and of of course the safari tours were better than expected with informal guides. "