From June 4 to 9, 2025, we experienced an unforgettable stay at Ivory Tree Game Lodge. Every game drive — especially the long cheetah tracking adventures — was unforgettable, all thanks to our incredible guide, Lee, who made hide visits and pit stops feel like a celebration of life, reminding us how fortunate we are to have time, to know what it is to love our beautiful planet and all that nature has to offer, reminding us to embrace the patient moment. The lodge food and accommodation exceeded every expectation. No online photos do the experience justice. Nothing about the stay is ordinary; it's a sensory immersion that revives and soothes all 5 senses. To the team at Ivory Tree — especially Lee and those on duty from 4 to 9 June 2025 — thank you. We will see you again.

I cannot think of a thing.

Beautiful,cozy property. A watering hole close by, which we watched elephant at. The lounges overlook the watering hole so you can spend an afternoon having a nap and watching game. Our game drives were great because of our very professional game ranger, Tsiamo. He went out of his was to make sure we had the best game drive experience, which we did. All The staff were always extremely friendly and helpful. The food was top notch, and the boma dinners were fun and special. Our accommodation was lovely especially our heated plunge pool! The only disappointment was the fire place in our room was very smoky and made our room smelled of smoke and it hurt your eyes. I would not light the fire again. The staff made our anniversary memorable by spoiling us with champagne and rose petals strewn everywhere, ran us a bubblebath and gave us cake and sweet treats. We had an incredible stay, thank you Ivory Tree.

Just the fire place that wasn’t working well.

This property was absolutely amazing! The staff are very attentive and friendly! They go above and beyond to ensure we had a great stay. They knew it was our honeymoon and they decorated our bedroom on our final night with champagne rose petals and choc covered strawberries, they filled our bath tub full of bubbles! It was soo prettt and an amazing way to finish our holiday! Highly recommend spending the extra for the room with the pool, it’s heated and absolutely perfect for night time drinks. I would definitely recommend this safari to all my family and friends.

I really can’t fault the property, if I had to pick something I would say when we got the fire in an our lot it was lovely but very very Smokey so our room and clothes smelled of smoke. I’m unsure why this was…. Or how to stop it but everything else was amazing!!

- All staff were amazing and so professional - Food was tasty and of high quality, and the chef was very accommodating to any additional requests - Rooms were comfy, huge beds - The game drive offered to kids under the age of 6yrs was a great offering - Stunning views all around the property

- There is an influx of birds in the dining area especially during breakfast. The birds were sitting on the cereals and pastries that were open. A health/safety concern in my opinion. A quick fix would be to properly cover all food (not with a serviette that the birds easily remove, which is currently being done) - A play area for kids would be a lovely addition since there isn't much else for kids to do - Drinks are expensive

The staff were very welcoming and the food and drinks were spectacular. They place we stayed at was amazing, although it wasn't the outside as showed on the room we booked. We tested the outside shower which was nice but maybe better when the weather is warmer.

It's the small things. After our first night, they didn't replenish our tea and coffee station inside our room. They also left the mugs we had used the night before. The game drives were good but because you had every Tom, Dick and Harry rushing to a viewing we ended up in some heavy traffic jams. It just made the drive frustrating as you were stuck there for about 10-15minutes.

The food was over the top, the cleanliness of the rooms, the staff friendliness. The services. I loved everything about the property it really exceeded my expectation. My kids loved it very much. The chef did a really good job in adhering to my strict diet and the food remained tasteful. The guides were also excellent. I can’t wait to return ….

Cell phone reception and also the WiFi wasn’t great. For someone running a business it becomes stressful. The bottom of the door in the room left a space, makes it easy for snakes to get in. Rangers should exercise more caution around elephants … there should be at least 50 meter space between elephants and guests, being too close made us much more uncomfortable…

Our stay at Ivory Tree Game Lodge in Pilanesberg was nothing short of extraordinary. We spent two nights at this beautiful lodge and had the privilege of going on four game drives, each more thrilling than the last. A huge thank you to our incredible guide, Vumile, who truly made this experience unforgettable. His deep knowledge of the wildlife, sharp instincts, and unwavering passion for nature gave us the opportunity to witness some incredibly rare animals up close—moments we will cherish forever. If you have the chance, we highly recommend requesting him as your guide! Beyond the spectacular safari experience, the lodge itself was a dream. The staff was exceptionally warm, professional, and attentive, ensuring that every moment of our stay was comfortable and special. From the welcoming smiles at check-in to the impeccable service at the restaurant and bar, we felt genuinely cared for throughout our visit. The combination of breathtaking landscapes, thrilling wildlife encounters, and world-class hospitality makes Ivory Tree Game Lodge a must-visit for any safari enthusiast. We will definitely return!

The staff went above and beyond for our anniversary and we were so spoilt from start to finish. We absolutely loved it and our guide was incredible! We are very grateful to everyone who made our anniversary stay so amazing!

One thing we did not like is that everything we had to pay extra was not inclusive of VAT. So when we went to pay for drinks etc at the end, it was a lot more than expected and our tips were then also charged additional VAT which is not right. An Aperol spritz was also 235 rand! Drinks are a bit over priced.

Firstly it's the humanity, every single staff member I came across was so friendly, they made our stay so comfortable... They kept us Informed about everything we need to know. Requesting service wa s met with a sense of urgency and efficiency... The Food was amazing we could not stop stuffing our face, forgot all about January diet. The game drive was also very fun our driver was patient and very informative. They made my sister's birthday extra special but decorating the room she was over the moon. Over all it's a 10/10 I loved it and would come back over and over again.

The weather which was beyond anyone's control.

What a fantastic Stay! We stayed for 3 nights and ended up going on 4 Game Drives. Our Guide, Answer, was extremely knowledgeable and even though I have been to the Pilanesberg many times before, I learned more than I have ever before. He absolutely made the trip! The food was exquisite! Coffee, Juice and Snacks before the Game Drive, Coffee on the drive, Breakfast when you return. Then a 3 course Lunch. High Tea at 4pm just before the evening Drive. Then drinks on the drive and closed off with Dinner! No one could go hungry here! The rooms were fabulous and the staff is so welcoming and inviting. I would stay here over and over again!

If I have to be super critical, the wine list was a little lacking. I would like to see more options there. The Outdoor shower was neat, but could be cold in the winter. Our rooms were the furthest from Reception. They picked us up with golfcarts whenever we requested so definitely not a bad thing! Just something to keep in mind.