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Elephant Plains Lodge

Our rating

7/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Big 5 game viewing
- 2 game drives and 1 bush walk daily
- Telescope for star gazing
- Photographic safari workshops

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Overview

Elephant Plains is a well-priced, owner-run ‘home from home’ located not too far from South Africa’s Kruger National Park. This comfortable, down-to-earth lodge was established back in the 1950s by private landowners who dropped the fences between their properties to create a larger area for animals to roam free, and today the property is still known for its excellent game viewing. There’s a spa, gym, a small library, a games room and two swimming pools to enjoy. Year-round game viewing is possible, and a popular time to visit is during the May to September dry season when the animals flock to the nearby seasonal river to drink.

The lodge accommodates a maximum of 24 guests and there’s a good variety of room types to choose from – the most affordable being the five charming, albeit somewhat small, ‘rondavels’ which are set out across the pretty gardens. Each ‘rondavel’ comes with air conditioning, overhead fans, mosquito nets and a sundeck and there’s a double, a triple and a family room to choose from. In addition, there are six much larger open-plan, glass-fronted suites, all of which house a lounge with a fireplace, a double bedroom with air conditioning, an ensuite bathroom and a private viewing deck. Last but certainly not least is the Manyeleti honeymoon suite complete with private plunge pool, daybed and fabulous views of the riverbed.

Activities naturally centre on the wildlife. Two game drives and a bush walk are on offer every day, and off-road driving takes visitors closer to the action. The dry riverbanks adjacent to the lodge are a hive of wildlife activity and Big 5 encounters are possible, with sightings of elephants who like to roam close to the lodge particularly prevalent. If you’re lucky you might also spot the elusive leopards, wild dogs or cheetahs. For keen birdwatchers, the bush walks are by far the best way to spot some of the 300 bird species in the area. At night, stargazing with the lodge’s trained guides and telescope is a must, and the professional photographic workshops are also very popular.

Children are welcome and there are loads of child-friendly activities on offer from painting, drawing and beading, to constructing ant farms and going on mini bushwalks. There’s a babysitting service and plenty of activities for children who are too young to participate in the safari tours. One of the lodge’s particular charms is that it is unfenced, and while it’s unlikely that animals will approach humans, parents are reminded to ensure that their children remain under constant adult supervision.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 536 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve

    MissingStephen H reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari on 01 September 2023

  • Hi Lisa, We had a fabulous time thank you. The accommodation and other ideation were all terrific - that’s so much for your help. The apartment in Cape Town was particularly good - we would never have found that: Boschendal was great as well and game lodge was superb. Thanks again, Alistair

    MissingAlistair A reviewing Cape Town, Garden Route and Kruger on 28 April 2023

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