Pondoro Game Lodge is an owner Managed Lodge which has been operating as a commercial lodge for the past six years.
The lodge consists of six chalets catering only for 12 people, which offers the privacy and exclusivity of a real African bush experience. Pondoro Game Lodge is the best value for money four star game lodge in a Big 5 Game Reserve in South Africa.
Location
Pondoro is set on the banks of the Olifants River inside the 40 000 ha Balule Nature Reserve, which is situated inside the greater Kruger National Park. There are no fences between Balule Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park, which means all the animals can move freely between Balule and the Kruger National Park. Balule is a Big 5 game reserve.
Accommodation
Standard Accommodation
Pondoro has three architecturally designed standard chalets overlooking the Olifants River. Each chalet has been beautifully decorated with an African theme. All chalets have en-suite bathrooms (with a shower overlooking the river), air-conditioning, mosquito nets and a wooden deck.
Luxury Accommodation
At Pondoro you are invited to indulge in the ultimate luxury when selecting either Tree, Rock or Earth suite during your stay. All our suites are air-conditioned and architecturally designed offering modern comforts in an ancient setting. Each suite is provided with a private wooden deck, lounge area and an outside shower for those who are adventurous at heart.
Meals
Meals are an extraordinary culinary experience where Traditional African Cuisine fuse effortlessly with modern European trends. To compliment the food wine can be selected from our extensive wine cellar. Vegetarians are specially catered for.
All meals are served on a wooden deck high up in the tree canopy overlooking the Olifants River. An unforgettable bush dinner will await those who stay for a third night.
Activities
Pondoro Game Lodge is situated in Balule Private Nature reserve inside the greater Kruger National Park. Regular Big 5 sightings (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) are encountered during game drives. A reintroduction of African wild dogs has also been done in the Pondoro traversing area. Morning and evening game drives are done in open game drive vehicles. All guides have more than 5 years experience. Pondoro has rights to traverse on more than 7 000 ha that includes a network of more than 350 km of bush roads.
All game drive vehicles are four wheel drive and this means that the Big 5 can be followed off road into the bush to get a closer view if necessary.
Pondoro vehicles are in radio contact with two other lodges and close cooperation ensure good game viewing. The vehicles in the traversing area are restricted to six to ensure that the bush ambience is never lost. No more than three vehicles are allowed at a sighting.
Pondoro is one of the few private lodges in South Africa situated on a perennial river (Olifants River). Because of this hippos and crocodiles are regularly seen during bushwalks with an armed guide.
Three bush hides overlooking waterholes can also be visited.
Accessibility
The lodge is situated near Hoedspruit and is easily accessible by car and in close proximity of Phalaborwa, Hoedspruit (Eastgate) and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airports. We provide transfers to and from the airports.
Daily Tariffs include:
Three meals a day
A morning and evening game drive
Bush walk with guide/ visit to game hide
Bush dinner for 3 night stay
Pondoro Game Lodge Amenities
Exceptional bathroom
Private lounge area
Private deck
En-suite bathroom and an outside shower
Outdoor leisure deck over-looking the river
Air conditioning
Mosquito Nets
Fans
Directions To Pondoro Game Lodge
Take the N1 from Johannesburg towards Pretoria. At Pretoria take the N4, go past Witbank, turn left at Belfast on the R450 and go through the towns of Dullstroom, Lydenburg and Ohrigstad towards Hoedspruit. Turn left at Hoedspruit and take the R40 towards Phalaborwa. After 17 kilometers turn right at the Pondoro Game Lodge sign to enter Balule Game Reserve. Follow the gravel road for 9 kilometers and turn left at the Pondoro sign. Follow this road for 6 kilometers. At the T-junction turn right and follow the road for 1 kilometer to Pondoro.
General Policies & Disclaimers
Child policy:
Children all ages are welcome.
Children under 12 stay for half price
Terms and conditions:
Cancellation policy:
Four weeks before arrival 50% of full amount
Two weeks before arrival 75% of full amount
One week or less 100% of full amount
