Everything about Hillsnek was outstanding. It was my very first time on a game drive ever so I didn’t know what to expect. The pictures on Booking were beautiful already but let me tell you - you will be absolutely blown away when you get there. We‘ve parked the car rather close to the entry thinking we’d just arrived at the Camp but that’s just when we met Nikki, our guide for the whole trip that picked us up and drove us to the actual campsite. We were greeted with delicious cookies and a welcome drink, getting to know everything and brought to our tent afterwards. You’d think you’ll get a full glamping experience but that was far beyond everything we’ve ever experienced. The bathroom and bed were huge, everything was spotless, no bugs in our tent at any point and the outdoor shower was just the cherry on the cake. The food was outstanding; everything was displayed so beautifully and every meal was delicious. You’ll never go to bed even remotely hungry. The service was excellent in any way. We always felt so welcome and highly appreciated all the efforts everyone made - everything was so personal without it ever being too much, everyone was so lovely all the time (even though wake up times are sometimes reallyyy early but you could never tell) and you just felt like home (but even better). The game drives were outstanding as well. The amount of things we’ve learned thanks to Nikki are priceless and besides the Leopard we were able to cross of the big five right away even though the area is enormous! We’ve stayed four days and didn’t even cover a third of the whole park. The vegetation changes so much throughout the drives and you’re just sitting there in absolute awe. My personal highlight was the close encounter with the elephants at the poolside. I’ll never forget the time at Hillsnek and can highly recommend it to everyone!

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Hillsnek exceeded our expectations in every way and gave us an absolutely unforgettable experience. The staff ensured we had a truly special stay that was shared with the other small number of guests. The tents are beautiful and expertly combine luxury with a unique safari feel, overlooking the wilderness and expanse of Amakhala, from the large deck out the front back and side of the tent. All drinks and meals are included and two game drives are included per day (early morning and late afternoon). The drives and guides were amazing, we had so many exciting encounters with the animals, including lion, cheetah, elephant, rhino, antelopes, giraffe and many more. Would recommend at least a three night stay here to make the most of everything this wonderful place has to offer.

Nothing at all!

Just wow! Words can’t describe how wonderful our experience was at Hillsnek. The staff were so friendly and helpful. Accommodating our every need and making sure we were having the most wonderful time. The safari was just incredible with only a small number of people in each vehicle it felt so much more personal. Our guide had such brilliant knowledge of all of the animals and was such a nice guy! The facilities are just brilliant. The most comfortable beds and beautiful bathroom with a roll top bath and outdoor (and indoor) shower to really embrace the surroundings. Each room was private and felt like you could be in the middle of nowhere on your own yet you had access to all the facilities in the main lodge just a 30 second walk along the boardwalks with the most attentive staff. And finally the food… just wow!!!!

Where to start - from the moment you arrive at HillsNek you are greeted and treated like royalty. The staff are incredibly warm and friendly and bend over backwards to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. The tents themselves are private and intimate, making you feel like you are the only people in the world as you take in the breathtaking surroundings. The beds are huge and incredibly comfortable, indoor and outdoor showers are perfect after a long morning of exploration and mini-fridge is always stocked for a relaxing drink on your own balcony before heading down for dinner. Every meal was fresh and authentic, clearly cooked with love by the incredible chefs. The hospitality extends to the rangers conducting the game drives, who are passionate and friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about the vast array of animals and plants across the reserve. They even took us on a walking safari at our request to let us get up close and personal to some of the finer details that you would miss on the back of a Land Cruiser.

Nothing - entire stay was absolutely faultless

We loved out time here. Our guide, Jesse, was knowledgeable and ensured we saw all the Big 5. He even managed to insert us into the middle of the elephant herd...they were within touching distance. The Reserve is in magnificent countryside...Africa stretching to the horizon. We loved the little touches - the early morning tea, the coffee and drinks breaks during the game drives, the cold towels to refresh us when we arrived back from our drives - all were wonderful. The elephants coming to drink at the pool at the lodge was the high point of our stay....they stayed for over an hour and Jesse was able to explain to hierarchy of the families under the protection of the Bull elephant....fascinating. The food was fabulous - great variety and all presented in gourmet style. The staff were superb. Renzo and his team work tirelessly to ensure everything is perfect.

I cannot find anything we did not like

Exceptional camp with really super friendly hosts, staff and guide. The food is sensational with large portions. The tent is simply awesome, the top furnishings and the exceptional view. But the game drives are more than exceptional, they are simply phenomenal. Our guide Jesse has a lot of knowledge and can explain it very clearly. He found all the Big Five and many more in the huge reserve and we were able to get very close to the animals. Many, many thanks to Jesse, Nadine, Jaison, Murray and all the staff for an unforgettable experience.

Food was excellent, very high quality, well presented and very carefully prepared. Staff were extremely friendly and very helpful, always doing as much all they could to make all guests very happy. Bed very comfortable, and the bathroom amazing for a "tent" A small camp with only 4 tents, it was very enjoyable to have everyone around the one table for 8 adults. A family would be sat at their own table, to make it more comfortable for all.

There was possibly a little too much food at every meal. Asking for a small portion still produced exactly the same amount as the portion that was a challenge to eat. Raising this with the manager, he explained that they have sometimes provided small portions in the past, but then the guest sometimes found them too small, and it made things awkward for others at the table as they had to wait for a larger portion to be prepared. So I understand the decision, just a bit sad to see some waste

Our stay couldn’t be covered by words or any pictures. It was outrageous and so unique. HillsNek is a very special place, you are in the middle of the Reserve, where you park your car at the beginning and get picked up by the ranger who is going to take care of you the next couple of days during the game drives (safaris). Arriving at the lodge was so nice, being welcomed by the staff with a warm towel and friendly atmosphere. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and the drinks are included as well (unless you want a special wine or something). The food did not only had a great and fresh quality, the team was also very flexibel in terms of dishes (I am a pescatarian and they also cooked only boiled vegetables and couscous for me as I asked once, but my boyfriend always picked one from the day-menu and especially the meat was very good!). The breakfast was lovely as well, they had delicious self-baked bread and cheese, and in addiction to that we were able to choose from a bunch of other things (Joghurt with granola and fruits, all kinds of eggs,…. they even made warm porridge when I asked) - everything very delicious!! Spending time at the lodge was very quiet and relaxing as well. You can lay on the daybeds or sit by the fireplace. The rooms also have a beautiful balcony, an outside shower + bathtub (from where I watched the stars one night - I have never seen so many stars so clearly in my life), and they even provide a yoga mattress. However we focused on the game drives - two a day (one 6 am and one 4 pm) which were incredible. We had the ranger Dex, who has such a knowledge about the animals (he could really read their expressions) and the area and his driving skills where amazing. You also stop for a nice sundowner drink + snacks (the Chardonnay is delicious!!) and enjoy the landscape. We got to see soo many animals so close: lions, cheetahs, zebras, buffalos, special birds, elephants, giraffes ….

Unreal experience! HillsNek will make you feel in the heart of nature while offering you the best service and luxurious feeling. Having only 4 lodges, the whole experience felt very personal and private while at the same time enjoying the feeling of community with the other guests during game drives and meals. Our ranger Tim did his best to show us everything we wanted to see and more while making us feel safe and sharing great stories. Renzo and the staff made sure to be ahead of every of our needs. We even had the elephants coming to drink in the pool twice during our stay - it's not just great marketing ;)

The pool was not usable after the elephants came to drink - but who will complain about that after experiencing this?!

Delicious food for all meals and included a surprise birthday cake and champagne

Nothing except that we got back to the lodge after a herd of elephants were drinking at plunge pool and blocked our return for an hour and a half so supper in our last night was very late.We were warned they were in their way but unfortunately got back too late to avoid the elephants getting there before us and it was unsafe to get out at the lodge This needs to be circumvented for future guests, so we don't have to sit in an open jeep in the dark waiting for the elephants to finally move off. It could have been raining and that would have made it more uncomfortable as we all had a long wait, 4 of us were leaving the next day with an early game drive first, and it made an extremely late night as supper had to be postponed indefinitely until all the elephants had gone.