Though I travel a lot it is rare that I will give a review good or bad. Abelana has caused the exception as it is a treasure. A rare melding of relaxation and exciting experiences. The property itself is beautifully appointed from the main lodge to the luxurious bungalows. To wake up to monkeys cavorting in the trees above , bushbuck just off your deck or giraffe feeding behind your bungalow, the wildlife experience is incredible. The view from the main lodge made every meal an adventure from watching baboons to elephants to crocodile and hippo whilst you dined on excellent food . The variety in the reserve of animals and birds to spot was fantastic and it was lovely to see the interaction with the researchers who we encountered throughout the park.The staff were amazing from the cleaners thru to management , all friendly attentive and patient. The little touches of having really good rain ponchos at the ready when we were caught in a shower way out bush shows great attention to detail. Thank you Robert as manager and the ever smiling Issac and all the staff but especially thank you Cedric for your expert guiding and the laughs .

The only problem which is really a first world one is the internet being poor and limited in its coverage but I understand they are addressing that. It is something we can live without but the craving to share your photos to friends and family becomes too great.

A great choice of breakfast items to choose from from cereals, continental meats, fruit, yogurt & hot breakfasts too. Staff cleaned room every day and prepared room for night time by providing fresh water and making sure lights were on, blinds were down and mosquito net was surrounding the bed We had the most amazing game drives with the best guide, Adi, who was so caring and knowledgeable and answered all our questions on all the animals interestingly and thoroughly - and there were many!

Had trouble getting the right temperature in our shower but as weather was hot didn't mind that it was on the cool side.

I genuinely cannot rate the Abelana River Lodge highly enough. We spent a weekend there for our first ever family safari (two adults, one eight year old boy) and this lodge exceeded every expectation. The staff, the food, the location, everything was superb! The location is incredible with the lodge and rooms nestled beside a river. We regularly saw elephants and monkeys as we sat for our meals. Note that the lodge is about a 1.5 hour drive from Hoedspruit Airport. The decor is amazing. It does not jar with the surroundings but instead it complements the nature with the indoor-outdoor setting. The food was ridiculously good. We felt like we were having Michelin star food for every meal. It really was that good. Compliments to the kitchen team! Last but by no means least, we wanted to say a special thank you to our game ranger, Duncan. He made the entire trip so special. He brought us close (and safely) to the animals and you can tell that he really knows his stuff. Our twice daily safari trips with him were fantastic and he made it his mission to get us to see the animals. He fully succeeded in that mission and we are totally grateful! THANK YOU DUNCAN!!!

We had the most incredible 3 nights at Abelana celebrating our honeymoon and my 30th birthday, which was made even more memorable due to the fantastic staff, delicious food and beautiful lodge & facilities. Wern and Mr T were our personal (and private!) guides for all our drives who were both incredibly knowledgable and made sure that every drive was a completely different experience, from seeing 4 of the big 5 throughout the duration of our stay, to finding the best spots on the reserve for morning coffee and G&T sundowners. We even experienced a bush walk with the lions and managed to see the incredible views from the south of the reserve, including the ancient baobab trees and a rare leopard on our way! The staff were friendly and hospitable, always making sure we had a drink in hand when we were relaxing by the pool. We were even lucky enough to spot a couple of elephants cooling off in the river as we were sat poolside on not only one but three separate occasions! Every meal and cocktail was 10/10 - not to mention the amazing birthday braai and cake the staff arranged for my 30th birthday. The rooms were beautiful, clean, spacious and private whilst offering perfect views of the river. Couldn't recommend it enough and will be encouraging friends & family to visit!

Our stay at the Abelana Hotel in South Africa was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel incredibly welcomed and catered to our every need with genuine warmth and attentiveness. The highlight of our stay was the safari experience. Our guide, Adi, was absolutely fantastic. Her deep knowledge of the wildlife and her passion for animals were evident throughout the safaris. She had an incredible ability to spot even the most elusive creatures and shared fascinating insights about their behavior and habitat. The most unforgettable moment of our trip was that We had the rare opportunity to witness and participate in a lioness collaring operation conducted by the veterinary team. Being able to touch a lioness as her collar was changed was a surreal and awe-inspiring experience. The culinary experience at the hotel was outstanding. Each meal was a delight, with a variety of delicious dishes that showcased the best of local and international cuisine. Whether it was breakfast, lunch, or dinner, every dish was prepared with great care and flavor. One of the aspects that truly impressed us was the housekeeping service, which was done twice a day. The attention to detail was impeccable, ensuring that our room was always in perfect condition, allowing us to fully relax and enjoy our time. Overall, our stay at Abelana Hotel was an incredible adventure filled with luxury, comfort, and unforgettable moments. We highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking to explore the beauty of South Africa in an exceptional setting.

Nothing could have been better, it was worth every penny !

The Lodge is absolutely insane. We are travel a lot in good hotels but this is right at the top. We food is delicious, the safaris are very exciting and you learn a lot about afrikas animals, flowers, trees and the culture. Mostly you see a much bigger variation of animals, compared the the Great Kruger. We also had the chance to do a walking safari and we saw also cheetah nearby and we were absolutely safe. The staffs helps you with brilliance if you have any questions or wishes. Very often there are several animals across the river, you can wach from the pool. For example giraffe, monkey, elefant, impala. You feel very safe here, cause the staff also walks you to the room in the dark. No doubt that we will come back to this beautiful place. Thank you for the time here, especially to John and Natalie.

There really was nothing to complain about!

The game reserve is really well located. The rooms are “outside” so we get to see a lot of animal right outside our rooms. At night they always asks us to go to the room only with someone of the staff because of the possibility of an encounter with an animal. There are 2 game drives (safaris) every day. One in the morning, one in the afternoon. The staff is really kind. The food is really good.

The shower is really REALLY hard to adjust, or you get freezing cold or burning hot.

We had an amazing time with Nathalie and the entire lovely team of Abelana River Lodge. Special thanks to Thomas, our tour guide, who showed us the big 5 in 3 game drives - extraordinary! Next to that we were even able to attend a bush walk with John, which was a completely new experience to us. Over all, everyone is very lovely and welcoming, the service, rooms, the lodge itself and food is just wonderful. You made our trip end with an unforgettable experience by the stay at your great place. Thanks so much, Nadine&Robert

What a fantastic oasis! Beautiful lodge by the Selati river with wildlife roaming around the property. The lodge is beautifully furnished. We enjoyed excellent hospitality by the team and great game drives with Duncan - our passionate and very knowledgeable guide. Everything was perfect; food was fabulous every meal. it was exceptional!! We highly recommend this place and will be back for more.

A real gem, Amazing staff, amazing location and amazing food. Really well organised and just a pleasure to stay at. I love the attention to details like the game drive drinks and the little snacks before game drives. Perhaps a bigger wine collection would have been nice. But that is just nitpicking/

1 night they changed from a set menu to buffet. Even though the food was amazing I rather sit and enjoy company of my family the getting up for buffet. And WIFI at the main building was quite poor. I loved that there was no wifi in the houses. But I needed to do some work and wifi signal was quite bad. Leaving me stranded to finish what I needed to.