Majiki Lodge

We did enjoy our stay at Majiki Lodge but the experience was marred by the fact that the lodge is in fact a game hunting lodge. This is not made clear on the Safari Now websight. On arrival there were several photo albums filled with photo's of smiling hunters with their feet proudly standing on an animal they had just shot. On the wall there were many baseball caps of previous visitors one displaying the slogan "Let's get some blood". The only option for dinner that first night was impala. My sister, who I was treating for this visit, is vehemently anti bloodsports and was horrified by the whole spectacle. I really think the website should make it very clear that this is a hunting lodge and this fact is blatant wherever you wander about the accommodation. Nice people but we feel very badly misled.

My husband and I stayed here for 4 days over New Years this year, and we could not have been more pleased with everything during our stay. The owners of the lodge: Russell, Julie, and their two boys were some of the friendliest people you can ever hope to meet, and their hospitality made us feel at home right away. Our room had a very cozy Africa motif, and a large bathroom and tub. The whole lodge is spotless and the surrounding scenery is beautiful. We ate delicious food prepared by the chef Peter and had some excellent authentic South African cuisine. The lodge is on a 2500 acre game farm, and the scenery in the area is gorgeous. Russel took us for a late afternoon game drive so we could see the animals that live on the territory. The next day we did a self-drive through Addo Elephant Park which is only about 20 km away from the lodge. On our third day we went on a guided safari on a nearby private reserve which Russell arranged for us. The whole experience was one that we won't soon forget and we can't wait to return. We would definitely recommend Majiki to anyone wanting to visit the area and get a real taste of South Africa.

Very nice place, clean and very neat, lovely food and friendly staff, we enjoyed our stay.

From the earlier reviews we expected a family run lodge on a reserve. Approach is by a very long rough track with plants scraping the bottom of the car, through a herd of cattle which included some very belligerent bullocks which could only be moved off the track by getting out of the vehicle. We finally arrived at a hunting lodge apparently run by 2 men (no family in sight). The owner was out with the other 2 guests who were there for the hunting & went out again with them very early next morning. Presumably that was why the complimentary game drive with B & B was not offered. This was the only place in our 22 nights in S Africa where we were served a fixed breakfast fry up, which we did not ask for or want & actually said so, but it still arrived & with meat for a vegetarian & we were told we always serve this! Room was comfortable but smelt very musty so we turned the heater on for a few hours & went out which improved it slightly.