Ezulwini River Lodge

We stayed a both lodges : Billy's and River lodges. Both are very different and have their own character. Staff friendliness is a must, games drives are exciting, bush walks are an experience (we even had the experience to face a lion during one of them.... it is something...) Food was ok, but menus could be improved and diversified. We were a bit disappointed with the Christmas diner (chicken breasts and pap....). Response from Lodge : New chef has arrived - working hard at upgrading menues

We stayed at the River lodge and we felt at home. The rondavels were furnished very stylishly and cosy. The only thing that was not perfect was the food, which was of good quality but rather basic - here I hope they will offer something more adequate to this nearly luxury camp - and we missed some hammocks which would fit perfectly in the surrounding. The safaris were a great experience, however the reserve is not very big and after 4 tours you've seen the most of it. Yet it was the only reserve on our trip where we drove cross-over right in front of the animals to seem the closely!! There are not herds of animals, but we spotted many girraffs, zebras and bocks. We were lucky to watch a couple of lions (20m distance) and two elephants beside the camp (50m distance!) As there had been no rain for 9 months the nature looked very spectral. You feel very on your own at this lodge and can enjoy the day near the pool on a cosy sofa.

Overall I would classify it as average and acceptable. The food menu needs more variety. Food was cooked well and appetising. The river view is a slight misnomer and it is very restricted and will, I assume be almost completely obscured when the rains come and bush turns green.