Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp

The staf was very kind and welcoming. The location is well situated and you truly feel at ease. You feel at home and the lodge itself is amazing😍 There are lights that the facility has to spot wildlife from the balcony

The lodge didn’t have a lock. Everything went well, but it would still have been nice to lock your valuables away. Also no wash soap and handsoap in the lodge and supermarkets are quite far away.

The location and hospitality

Expected it to be more self catering and private braai area

Location goog swell as food

The two hosts who welcomed us in the absence of the main hostess were exceptional—friendly, accommodating, and genuinely caring. They made us feel like long-time friends and went out of their way to ensure we were comfortable. Japie, our game drive guide, was a pleasure to spend time with. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and made the experience enjoyable. The overall hospitality from the staff was warm and sincere, which we truly appreciated.

The rooms could not be locked, which led to repeated baboon intrusions—around four times—resulting in stolen food, damage to personal belongings, and unsanitary conditions. Even after being moved to another room, the issue persisted. While trying to rest, baboons scratched around in the thatch roof, causing debris to fall inside and disturbing our sleep. The beds were uncomfortable and had donsies, making restful sleep difficult. The road leading to the lodge is not accurately described online. It is a long, rough dirt road that requires slow driving (under 30km/h). The water had an odd taste and was undrinkable, forcing us to rely on lodge-provided cooldrinks after our groceries were taken. Supper was not included and came at an additional cost of R350pp, with a set menu and no choice in meals. This added significantly to the overall cost of the stay. Pricing discrepancies were frustrating—game drives were initially quoted at R750pp but charged at R980pp, and an unexpected 15% VAT was added to all costs including drinks and accommodation. The overall cost of the stay ended up being much higher than expected and not aligned with the pricing shown on Booking.com.