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Reviews of Mabalingwe Elephant Lodge

R516 Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, 0480 Bela-Bela, South Africa

#25 of 33 hotels in Bela-Bela

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 338 hotel reviews

7.7

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    7.6

  • Comfort

    7.8

  • Location

    9.0

  • Facilities

    8.0

  • Staff

    8.0

  • Value for money

    7.9

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Showing 76 - 100

  • Reviewed: March 25, 2023

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Every chalet should have their own braai stand, like last time i was there. BBQ facility is slightly far from the chalet. And there should be information about the slots of seeing lions, that it's only Wednesdays and Sundays mornings. Other than that I'm pretty much satisfied.

    The location is extremely good, no gravel road. The pools were very clean and in good condition. Enjoyed the sunset game drive. When the door handle broke cause it was faulty why we got there, the landlord got it fixed and i liked that she was attentive.

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: March 13, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    What a beautiful tranquility place. We enjoyed the surroundings and the bush field around us! Had a lot of encounters with the warthogs foraging for grass and some came close to inspecting us! Value for money! The place was clean and well equipped!

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: March 9, 2023

    7.0
    Refreshing
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Refer to my answer above please.

    The serenity and the kitchen were awesome. We self - carted for everything, we only went out for drinks just to see the area. Our shower was small and showering with my partner was difficult and our bathroom door was also not convenient. But overall, it is a nice place.

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: March 9, 2023

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO RECEIVE ADEQUATE TOILET TISSUE AND SOAP EVEN AFTER REQUESTING SAME FROM OWNER ,WHO SUGGESTED THAT WE PURCHASE SAME FROM THE SHOP ON THE SITE.

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: February 27, 2023

    8.0
    Bush weekend
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Place is small but everything we needed, the only downside is there is little privacy between chalets. It was not nice to sit next to our neighbours when we want to have a barbeque. We had to speak softly otherwise everyone both sides can hear every word.

    Great weekend, good location close to restaurant. Perfect for weekend stay.

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: February 23, 2023

    7.0
    It was lovely
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    It wasn’t properly clean. There were hair in the bathroom from previous guest and could see that the shower/bathroom isn’t cleaned. Dishes wasn’t properly cleaned and the stove were dirty. When the house cleaning lady came, I asked her to please clean it nicely and she told me but it was clean but it wasn’t. We came in late the Friday night and we didn’t use the stove so the Saturday morning when we wanted to make breakfast we saw it and the dishes. Further, very nice accommodations. It was a lovely stay. Don’t have any other complaints.

    the animals walking in front of the chalet and the privacy

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: January 4, 2023

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The chalets could do with a bit more thorough cleaning. There were a lot of spider webs

    I loved the friendly staff. Especially the game driver we had by the name of Ettienne. Really passionate about his job

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: December 5, 2022

    8.0
    We will stay there again!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Our unit didn’t have a utility knife, and cutting tomato with a bread knife or a steak knife didn’t work.

    The food at the restaurant was generous in quantity and priced so well that we had breakfast there every dat.

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: November 2, 2022

    8.0
    In the bush, tranquil, love watching the wild animals walk right up to our units. Entertaining.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The two sleeper units were rather small. Windows needed to be cleaned and cobwebs wipes from inside window sills. The shower drain was blocked and smelly. Water would fill the shower floor. Our cleaner for our unit was loud and rude when speaking to me. She was careless and rough with the dishes breaking a glass.

    The warthogs and mongoose were entertaining to watch. The location of the unit was in walking distance to the amenities. Wild buck roamed close to the units, I would definitely return to stay longer.

    Stayed in September 2022

  • Reviewed: October 19, 2022

    7.0
    Very pleasant getaway in nature
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    it was clean and well equipped

    Stayed in October 2022

  • Reviewed: September 25, 2022

    9.0
    Thank you Sonja. We shall definately stay at your lodge everytime we visit Bela Bela
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The accommodation -* It was ncah!! # It was clean # we had all the utencils we needed. # everything was as expected. Above everything else - SS (the owner of the lodge) -Thanks for your patience. We called you SEVERAL times cause we forgot our directions and you PATIENTLY assisted without complaint.

    Only booked the accommodation without B/fast.

    Stayed in September 2022

  • Reviewed: September 15, 2025

    10
    Amazing
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Liked everything

    The pictures on the website/booking.com are not doing this place justice. Please relook into this and get a photographer. the place exceed our expectations. it is really beautiful. We booked Malalingwe close by Unit 257, we had our own private outdoor fireplace, we had a breakfast on Sunday by the dam, such a beautiful car picnic with the damn view. The place is family friendly as well. I will definitely come back.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: September 7, 2025

    1.0
    Very Poor
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    This was the most horrendous experience. The front door of the unit did not lock. The bathroom curtain was full of blood and the toilet and rest of the unit was filthy. We could not even walk from the shower to the bed without shoes as the floor was so dirty. Not to mention the fact that the actual unit was in a shocking state of disrepair with broken blinds in the kitchen and all the cupboards have water damage. I have tried to contact the owner since we arrived on Friday and there has been no response to my WhatsApp or phone call as well as when I asked the main reception to phone her there has been no answer.

    Stayed in September 2025

  • Reviewed: July 26, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    Location and friendliness of staff

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: July 6, 2025

    3.0
    Second stay It was dirty. Inside the bedding The Kitchen Shower was blocked
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    It was our second visit The bedding was very dirty Yellow marks on the duvet. The blankets in the coubourt was dirty. The kitchen The microwave was dirty. All the kitchen essentials In the coubourt was dirty. I washed everything before use. The Shower was blocked

    It was our second visit The bedding was very dirty Yellow marks on the duvet. The blankets in the coubourt was dirty. The kitchen The microwave was dirty. All the kitchen essentials In the coubourt was dirty. I washed everything before use. The Shower was blocked

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: June 27, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Room spacious, clean decent bathroom, private boma a plus.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: June 10, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Everything is clean and get around the place was a breeze due to the maps and staff

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: June 8, 2025

    6.0
    Quite ok, but lacks little details
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    I expect not just 2 big towels, but hand/hair towels as well! Also, no soap in the bath room is really unsatisfactory.

    The Boma with the private braai area next to a little stream was pleasant.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: May 25, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    None

    Ambiance and overall experience: 5/5 (you loved everything about the lodge!) Communication: 5/5 I was informed about the lack of network early, and I appreciated that.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 12, 2025

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    No warm water

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 11, 2025

    2.0
    We loved the game drives and the horses and exploring the game reserve but the accommodation and Restaurant was below st
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    It was not clean. It was filthy. Bugs were everywhere. Not enough utensils. The beds were filthy and uncomfortable.

    Nice game reservation, accommodation wasn’t up to standard.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 11, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    We hated the fact that we just had two nights! We definitely want to come back

    We loved everything about the place. The activities, the restaurants, bars and the whole setup of the place was excellent 👌

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: April 12, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing... all was just perfect

    The views the facilities....day spa game drive restaurants

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: April 10, 2025

    4.0
    Had a bad experience with electricity problems. Got 2 nights free.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Problems with electricity in unit untill Saturday 2 o'clock and also no hot water.

    Animals that visited the unit

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: March 20, 2025

    6.0
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Deluxe Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    This review is hidden because it doesn't meet our guidelines.

Showing 76 - 100

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