Find hotels near Orpen Gate, from CA $73

"This is a gorgeous lodge with incredible staff; delicious meals; comfortable and well designed rooms; a very small number of guests to keep the experience intimate; and a once in a lifetime safari opportunity with extremely knowledgeable guides. "

"Our stay at Elephant Plains Game Lodge was unforgettable. From the warm welcome to the seamless rooming experience, everything was handled with care and professionalism. The highlight of our trip was the remarkable safari adventures (game drives), where we had the chance to see elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinos, leopards, and more up close—a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. The delicious meals, tailored to accommodate vegetarian preferences, were excellent. The staff also went above and beyond, assisting with retrieving our luggage from Johannesburg and providing thoughtful support with laundry and toiletries. Their hospitality and attention to detail made our stay exceptional. We are truly grateful for this amazing experience and will gladly recommend Elephant Plains to anyone visiting the area. We can’t wait to return!"

"Experience with elephants was special, but the lodge needs some TLC and lacks attentio to detail"

"This place is magical. The tents (luxury tents) are like nothing I had ever experienced before. The private plunge pool , though too cold to swim at, was an amazing watering hole and we had Impalas and Kudus there every single day. Game drives where incredible, Big 5 in a day. The staff went out of their way to make us feel special. "

"Rooms were very noisy from surrounding guests."

"Waterbuck Lodge is a small, intimate lodge with only four rooms. Our room was beautifully appointed. The bedroom is sizeable, with a very large comfortable bed. There is plenty of storage space (both hanging and shelving), a dressing table and an armchair. There is a small safe in the wardrobe to keep your valuables secure. A ‘drinks station’ with a kettle, tea and coffee is provided, almond with yummy home made biscuits and rusks. There is also a fridge to store your choice of drinks in the room. The bathroom has both indoor and outdoor showers, a fabulous deep double ended bath and a ‘loo with a view’. The food was excellent. Breakfast, served after game drive, consisted of a buffet of cereal, fruit, yoghurt ,cold meats and cheeses. A hot portion was then cooked to order, usually consisting of your choice of eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes and mushrooms. Afternoon tea was served at 3:30, just before the afternoon game drive, and usually included a couple of savoury and salad choices and a sweet selection. Evening meals were varied and tasty three course affairs. In ten days we never had the same menu twice. The game drives utilise both ranger and tracker on the vehicle, and Marnus and Solly are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The lovely staff are not always visible at the lodge during the day. They have an ‘honesty bar’ system, where you mark down drinks you have had in a ledger. If you want ‘Butler service’ go elsewhere - otherwise, come here!"

"The safari guides were excellent and the staff were all great. We enjoyed the isolated location, food, and total experience. "