Sebatana has been welcoming guests for the past 20 years and our experience and expertise in South Africa ensures our guests the best possible nature and safari experience. Checking in a BA we were astounded not to have seats together after booking as a party of 4 and Newmarket Holidays had previously stated it was not possible to pre book seats as this was a. group booking, so we assumed all guests staying at Sebatana would not seated together. 5 star luxury lodge in South Africa sold through travel agents world wide on a group package basis. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC. This is a MUST see and the best I have ever attended.Most of our group purchased the non-alcoholic drink package. .. The food was delicious and nicely presented all of the time, the lodge itself you could not fault very clean and our room was amazing . Matswani Safari Lodge,a place to remember. See more questions & answers about this hotel from the Tripadvisor community. Vegetarian meals catered for but fetta cheese is not to everyone's taste. Our room was so beautiful with a walk out, private porch we could sit and watch the river and animals. Sebatana Private Reserve is a wildlife paradise with a unique collection of 3 seperate 5 star lodges, Rhino, Elephant and Lion. We truly had the best time with you guys and can't recommend you enough. I also want to mention the guides that are with you all of the time . Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. All three lodges are full service lodges with all amneties included, ensuring a personalized experience for all. My only regret that I am not still there. Sebatana Private reserve is one of the best and most unique wildlife experiences in South Africa. I had booked through Hays Travel /Newmarket Holidays, and the price seemed competitive. Loved the giraffes, walking like a long-legged model and looking at us with the eyes with thick and long eyelashes beautiful! So why did we not get the original flights booked? We were also fortunate to see the big five on our first try, plus numerous other animals day and night. Josh was our tour guide and he made our holiday, he has a great knowledge of the animals and wildlife. Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant. Had an outstanding trip to Sebatana Private Reserve staying at the Lion Lodge. We later found that all 14 guests staying at the lodge had also split and seated throughout the BA Flight. toiletries and essentials needed as you are a few hours away from any shop etc. What food & drink options are available at Sebatana Private Reserve? So thanks to everyone who we spent time with you were all awesome . light your world and see matswani for the last time things change now and then and welcome again we give away a smile on your face. Upon arrival, I noticed the fly screen were damaged throughout the Giraffe chalet. There are more places to choose from in the, Frequently Asked Questions about Sebatana Elephant Lodge. If you are interested in becoming a trusted partner please contact our world wide support staff, info@sebatana.com - www.sebatana.com - International sales and support Tel: 0045 7613 4048. We were apprehensive about doing a group organised holiday as we like our own space and we are both not great social butterflies. On Safari in South Africa - Elephant Lodge - Newmarket Holidays Half of a cottage with good facilities. Had an outstanding trip to Sebatana Private Reserve staying at the Lion Lodge. However our time at Sebetana was filled with laughter, animals and good food - staff are brilliant and we'd love to visit again. What food & drink options are available at Sebatana Lion Lodge? We'll worth signing up for the extra tours and the drinks package. John L. said this would be a trip of a lifetime and he was correct. Outstanding holiday and would recommend to anyone :), We had the most Anazing experience at Elephant lodge , The staff are the true stars that hold everything together beautifully. Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay. Which room amenities are available at Sebatana Private Reserve? towels and welcome cocktails , and get to meet some of the staff , the 3 barmen are absolutly Fantastic and I mean fantastic we loved each and every one of you guys , Patrick had the most amazing smile , the other 2 were also nothing less than fabulous, they all work so hard and NOTHING is too much trouble , they stay up until the last person goes to bed even if it is 3.30am , they join in and have great banter with you, dance with you and work so so hard , their cocktails are fabulous especially the frozen strawberry daquari . Plenty of varieties of antilopes, zebra, wilderbeast, giraffes etc. Sebatana Private Reserve - Tripadvisor Food is prepared as and when ordered making for a delightful culinary experience. Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay. Nature is indescribable beautiful - and right outside your door!!!! Antonia was a lovely addition to the team. I cannot praise the staff in the lodge enough for their great service, always smiling, helpful and on hand . Had an outstanding trip to Sebatana Private Reserve staying at the Lion Lodge. Especially upstairs where there was no air conditioning and the fan had but one speed.Some hanging room, for drying clothes, would be a good addition to the rooms, as no laundry service is providedOur guide, Carel, was an absolute positive. With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. However remember its a bit of pot luck, these parks are huge and animals are not constrained to certain sections. Our guide Basil was so knowledgable and went above and beyond to make sure we saw as much as possible. Do your sums carefully. We had an enthusiastic . Now the trips we plumped for the full package at 349 euro pp . I also want to mention the guides that are with you all of the time . We certainly would not have attended if we had known this The animal life is amazing as are the staff. The guides were extremly knowlegable and fun to be with. i can saying a place of royal family because the reality is our friendships and family relationships are so important to us. With no public access, and only a limited number of guests having access to the reserve at any time, guests are ensured the best possible wilderness experience, up close and personal. Does Sebatana Private Reserve have airport transportation? We truly had the best time with you guys and can't recommend you enough. What are some of the property amenities at Sebatana Elephant Lodge? The safari trips in jeeps were excellent but the busses too small for longer trips - not the same standard as the rest of the holiday. From the Hughes party of two from Lincolnshire, England, What can I say, the staff, food, accommodation were all amazing. Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant. We had Josh as our guide and wow he is so passionate about his job not to mention funny and always ready to get the best for you. Great thanks to our guides Shumba, Carel and Megan, they were all fabulous. Newmarket also failed to inform us that extra trips and drinks packages could be purchased prior to leaving the U.K. as other guests had been informed. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The food was outstanding and we had more than we could ever have eaten. TOP TIPS The early morning drives were very cold so pack a hat and scarf especially in winter months. Luke and Jurie were our safari guides and they went out of their way for the best trips we could have had even finding us a cheetah! Sebatana Private Reserve operates four lodges: Rhino, Elephant, Lion and the newly-opened Leopard Lodge, which is our home base for the trip. SEBATANA ELEPHANT LODGE - Updated 2023 (South Africa/Waterberg) The location only 270 kilometres north of Johannesburg allows for smooth travel arrangements and easy access to the Reserve. Most of our group purchased the non-alcoholic drink package. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details. We certainly would not have attended if we had known this The animal life is amazing as are the staff. FANTASTIC!! He kept our group in chat and laughs. A very privileged experience to do. Food was exceptional, but far too much for most of us for one day! We were led to believe that this was going to be included. We were so fortunate to see the big five plus numerous other animals day and night. Contacting Newmarket upon arrival to resolve the issue on the return journey i was informed the issue would be looked into within 28 days, 18 after our return! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. We also drove with Jacques who has incredible eyes, he missed nothing seeing animals we would otherwise have missed. All three lodges are full service lodges with all amneties included, ensuring a personalized experience for all. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. What food & drink options are available at Sebatana Elephant Lodge? soft drinks package. Room types may vary. WOW what a fabulous experience. I went with a group of 6 and we could not fault one single thing. Lion Tries Hiding from Elephant but Ends Up Getting Sprayed. Knowledgable beyond what you would expect and attention to detail - superb. See more questions & answers about this hotel from the Tripadvisor community. The location, rooms, set up. Our. The guides did everything they could to make your stay unique and eventful. The food was lovely, although there was little choice for vegetarians, which in todays world feels disappointing. Rooms spotless and roomy .we were looked after from pick up at airport to drop off foe flight home. A lioness relaxing at a waterhole was unexpectedly chased off in a rather funny lioness and elephant encounter. But every single member of the kitchen were absolutly amazing, and worked so so hard. We got to see 4 out of 5 of the big 5 as the cats were nowhere to be found. This was a problem for most. The optional tour package was 350 euro. We had the bonus of a dressing again plenty of storage There is a small pool and hot tub where everyone could sunbathe and have a drink. If you're looking for entertainment like home. calm and professional at all times , also on the safaris through all the game reserves was always on the look out and did not give up looking for animals , he was very interesting and a fountain of knowledge. The desserts were out of this world. Some flexibility is needed to truely accomplish guests needs and wishes. All pricing and payments are in Euros and is paid using credit card. We were fortunate to see them plus a cheetah! The whole experience from being met at the airport and a smooth transfer to Elephant Lodge, where we were greeted with smiles and cold flannels. that we did not bother to take a photo after a few days. A great holiday ! The "optional tour packages" should really be compulsory and really you should go for the lot. The reserve was in idiliic location, with memories that will last a lifetime. I also want to mention the guides that are with you all of the time . Nothing was too much trouble for him. There is a souvenir shop on site, however that you can get any memorabilia from. Additionally guests will find more than 300 different species of birds, 270 flowers and more than 100 different trees. Including Things that we would never be able to try elsewhere (Impala, Kudu etc). Sebatana Private Reserve, Hermanusdoringsroad, 0530 Vaalwater, South Africa info@sebatana.com - www . Feedback from the others was that night Safari was terrible and finished late. thanks for taking your time reading this welcome, welcome. Management needs to listen to their guests. We were a group of 21 in total, all coming from Norway. The optional tour package was 350 euro. The manager yan welcomed us on arrival but was not on resort enough to support his staff , he seemed to be there for special events , and payment days, apart from that just flits in and out but was definitely not hands on ,which was disappointing as he doesn't see truly what amazing hard working staff he has. We were fortunate to see them plus a cheetah! All pricing and payments are in Euros and is paid using credit card. Sebatana Private reserve is one of the best and most unique wildlife experiences in South Africa. trip was cut short by the Corona Virus and we missed out on the Cape Town extension. Staff are friendly and cant do enough for you. Loved the giraffes, walking like a long-legged model and looking at us with the eyes with thick and long eyelashes beautiful! The facilities at the lodge were of. Our tour was booked through Tripadeal Australia and 12 of the 14 people on the tour was Australian. With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. The location only 270 kilometres north of Johannesburg allows for smooth travel arrangements and easy access to the Reserve. Be careful to clarify what you are getting with your extra options. I will be back ! Is parking available at Sebatana Private Reserve? Own or manage this property? an apology is a good way to have the last word.spread love everywhere you go.let no one ever come without leaving happier.Stop worrying about the portholes in the road and celebrate the journey! The resort doesn't offer the Big 5 as advertised which has been fed back, however there is ample opportunity to see them in a mixture of included or optional excursions. The food was very good, better than expected with lots of game meals for dinner. The bar staff, the kitchen staff , the gardener, and all the back house or not public facing work tirelessly to ensure everyone had a great stay. He was excellent and very professional, and helped a great deal when needed something sorted out in the lodge. All the staff were friendly and happy. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details. We stayed at Lion Lodge where the staff were amazing and facilities good. Book Sebatana Private Reserve, Vaalwater on Tripadvisor: See traveller reviews, 3 candid photos, and great deals for Sebatana Private Reserve, ranked #30 of 56 Speciality lodging in Vaalwater and rated 4 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Which room amenities are available at Sebatana Private Reserve? The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans. Just returned after an amazing week at Sebanta Rhino lodge. We ended up on her cruiser throughout the holiday with 3 other fab couples and we have all.said we will keep in touch, which is lovely. So no need for bathing suits in winter. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. The food was amazing every day. Note, that meals are served outside under roof. This allows you to focus on the "big 5" when you travel to the other game parks.The three trips to other game parks were all great and a necessity if you want to see the "big 5". The managers, guides and all of the staff looked after us so well and after a week there, we were so blown away by how much we saw, and experienced.There was crazy amounts of food, and it was all amazing. Guests staying at the reserve are able to enjoy an extensive list of services, ranging from traditional game drives and Big Five safaris to cultural and historic tours. So it meant uncomfortable nights where a cool breeze or cooler night night air could have made the difference between a perfect stay and a less than fully comfortable stay. . We have had memories we will never forget, thanks to you all! This is a MUST see and the best I have ever attended. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details. Does Sebatana Private Reserve offer any business services? Does Sebatana Private Reserve have an airport shuttle? With amazing panoramic views, Sebatana Elephant Lodge will be your home away from home. Improve this listing Property amenities Free parking Pool Hot bath Free breakfast Having booked over twelve months ago for a holiday to the Sebatana game reserve, South Africa I feel completely let down on a once in a life time holiday. The "optional tour packages" should really be compulsory and really you should go for the lot. Staff chefs and guides are so attentive. Up until our last drive we hadn't seen any lions but our rangers made every effort to locate them and we were very fortunate to see the western pride out in the open range. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Sebatana Rhino Lodge - An Incredible Experience - Tripadvisor I didn't purchase any drinks package as I only drink limited alcohol and am not a fan of sugary drinks (mocktails etc). We only took the Pilansberg national Park one. We bought a few drinks and 3 wine bottles and paid more for this for 7 days than the price for the package, so that is a must. Hermanudorings Road, Vaalwater 0530 South Africa, There were so many amazing things about this holiday but be careful of their advertised additional trips. Does Sebatana Lion Lodge have airport transportation? Note that sound travel easily between rooms. The staff permanently smile and are happy all the time! For The Safari Seeker. Massive variation in rooms. Upon arrival, I noticed the fly screen were damaged throughout the Giraffe chalet. Each has kitchen, bar, pool etc. We as a group all made a speech to say how exceptional his staff were, but unfortunately he was nowhere to be seen so didn't hear it . With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. Left a sour taste in what was otherwise a wonderful experience. Airport pick up and drop off is available for guests. The bar staff, the kitchen staff , the gardener, and all the back house or not public facing work tirelessly to ensure everyone had a great stay. Thank you to everyone at Elephant Lodge who made us feel welcome and contributed to our amazing experience!! 5* always so well presented. We went out on all the excursions missing nothing and we got to see the big 6 as the cheetah was an added bonus. The water is bore water and no one on our group had any sickness.The food was fantastic! Incredible Trip with amazing staff and facilities. Arriving to cold towels from staff at the Lodge, we were greeted by a collection of Kudu and impala from the dining area - then lunch! SEBATANA PRIVATE RESERVE - Lodge Reviews & Price - Tripadvisor Such a high standard. Too bad Tripadeal will probably lose this venue - it was spectacular in its lack of care for the group, leaving us all to get ourselves home at our own expense with no help or advice from them. The chefs and cooks made amazing meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each room at Elephants Lodge has a patio, tea-and-coffee-making facilities and a private bathroom. WHERE STORIES BEGIN - SAVE UP TO 15% ON ALL 2023/24 AIR HOLIDAYS - BOOK BY 28 FEBRUARY. With more than 40.000ha in size this malaria free paradise offers guests a truly intimate experience. We were collected from Jo'burg airport by shuttle and taken overnight to the Holiday Inn Airport Hotel - 8am next morning we left in the Sebetana bus to tour Pretoria's sights. The kitchen staff run by head chef Natalie were absolutly amazing too , they worked their buts off day and night to provide amazing food for us everyday we had ostrich, wildebeest, impala , kudu to name just a few meals all beautifully presented and full of flavour (lots of spice used in their food ) so if you don't like spicy food please mention this .we absolutly loved kia (our omelette girl ), she was exceptional and we all loved her to bits , bubbly doesnt come close so full of fun . So it meant uncomfortable nights where a cool breeze or cooler night night air could have made the difference between a perfect stay and a less than fully comfortable stay. We will be back and can`t wait!! Sebatana Private Reserve - Tripadvisor Great thanks to our guides Shumba, Carel and Megan, they were all fabulous. It's a busy trip so be prepared for early rises and not much sleep. Simultaneously, Pilanesberg offers "the Big Five" - lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard - in addition to giraffes, hippopotami, cheetahs, 300 species of birds and so much more. We were led to believe that this was going to be included. We were so fortunate to see the big five plus numerous other animals day and night. The water is bore water and no one on our group had any sickness. What a wonderful holiday . by others who saw it as inauthentic and food was terrible and hard to eat with fingers. The days were full of early mornings and little time to sit around, although a bit more down-time would have been nice. Yes, guests have access to a business center and conference facilities during their stay. Pack plenty of warm clothes. We were unable to upgrade these rooms booking through TripaDeal. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. With amazing panoramic views, Sebatana Elephant Lodge will be your home away from home. View Hotels Further Information Itinerary changes Hotel transfer times Passports and visas Foreign Office Travel Advice Luggage allowance If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Unfortunately the website for the location and correspondence from the lodge indicated a heated pool, which was NOT the case. Overview. The staff and accommodation was excellent. Natalie the chef couldnt do enough for you and catered for any dietary requirements. We only took the Pilansberg national Park one. And the best thing for us as a group was, if you don't ask, they definitely cant help. All of the staff did everything possible to make this stay one of the best we have ever had right from the greeting to our farwell at the airport. We later found that all 14 guests staying at the lodge had also split and seated throughout the BA Flight. . Where to start!!! The kitchen staff regularly sing which is very entertaining. Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay. All three lodges are full service lodges with all amneties included, ensuring a personalized experience for all. Great thanks to our guides Shumba, Carel and Megan, they were all fabulous. During the winter season the bar package is probably not a good deal. Do your sums carefully. With a total of 14 rooms and panoramic viewpoints this is a true wilderness experience where you will be pampered by our chefs and dedicated staff. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Sebatana Private reserve is one of the best and most unique wildlife experiences in South Africa. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. Own or manage this property? He was with us day in day out and always eremained. Was the change of flight and random seating Newmarket's way of saving a few pennies ??? Despite all this I would recommend this reserve/lodge, esp if you get a good price. South Africa Safari Sebatana Private Reserve - Vogue Australia Food was exceptional, but far too much for most of us for one day! Read more Suggest edits to improve what we show. This is highly recommended. This was the story for the whole group. and more in matswani so that it can turn to a place of promise land. Our tour was booked through Tripadeal Australia and 12 of the 14 people on the tour was Australian. There are more places to choose from in the, Frequently Asked Questions about Sebatana Private Reserve. We saw 3 of the Big 5, as well as Cheetahs, Crocodiles, Giraffes and Zebras. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in South Africa. What food & drink options are available at Sebatana Private Reserve? A great time away from modern distractions. Yes, it offers wheelchair access. The weather was perfect on our trip as we had no rain on any day. Sebatana has been welcoming guests for the past 20 years and our experience and expertise in South Africa ensures our guests the best possible nature and safari experience. Lion Tries Hiding from Elephant but Ends Up Getting Sprayed The managers, guides and all of the staff looked after us so well and after a week there, we were so blown away by how much we saw, and experienced. The same goes for the staff that fed us and kept our rooms nice and tidy every day. Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay. The beds were a bit short for some of the long-legged Norwegians, but very comfortable. Excellent 46 reviews #15 of 56 Specialty lodging in Vaalwater Location Cleanliness Service Value 5 star Lodge primarily sold as package tours from scandinavia including flights, transfers, meals and acitivities. This was thought to be due to the issues with the airline industry, however the original Virgin flights were still scheduled and indeed flew within an hour of the BA flights. The location only 270 kilometres north of Johannesburg allows for smooth travel arrangements and easy access to the Reserve. Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when.