The lodge is fantastic and the staff are friendly and welcoming - we loved our stay! The game drives are very good, and we enjoyed all of them. We got to see the big 5 and lots of other wonderful animals with a super knowledgable guide and tracker (Cameron and Solomon). As it is a private reserve, there were only ever maximum 2 vehicles at a sighting which meant you were able to really see the animals and it felt much more relaxed (both for us and the animals) which led to an amazing experience. The vegetation is quite dense (it is the bush!).

Whilst breakfast was good, we felt that lunch and dinner could have been improved to match the outstanding quality of the rest of the lodge.

The reserve has over 10,000 acres with at least five different lodges on the reserve. Staff very attentive and helpful. We received a welcome drink upon arrival. We got to see the big five over the course of our daily safaris. Our guide Stefan and tracker Alfred were great. Each safari we always saw lots of animals. The food was delicious and we received a welcome back drink after the afternoon drive. I should mention that we stayed at the Becks safari lodge and not at karongwe river lodge. Nice little gift shop on the premises.

It would have been nice to have a small gym to work out as we had fair amount of downtime. Also the pool was lovely but we would have enjoyed a float to lay on.

Great variety and everything was delicious.

Everything about the lodge was outstanding. Super friendly staff and guides. The attention to detail was superb.

Had an amazing time at Karongwe River Lodge. Our accommodation was a luxury hut with a nice view where you could see several animals from the balcony. In between the game drives, the staff would keep the room clean. All the main meals were provided and one of the meals was a braai with a bonfire. The game drives were amazing, we could see at different degrees all the Big 5 + other animals. Stefan was our guide and was very knowledgeable. One day he had a sore throat and even with this he made an effort to explain the sightings. All in all, it was an unforgettable experience.

I think the pool could have a solar heating so even in cold months you could enjoy it.

Almost everything was excellent. The planning of the day with 2 game drives and arranging for food in a timely manner was good. The tracker and the guide accompanying the game drives are very hygienic when serving snacks. They were also very considerate of not bothering animals during game drives (we had alternate experience outside Karongwe where the guide was extremely in the way for animals). The staff were very hospitable and accommodating of our needs during the stay. A champagne and birthday cake were a nice touch to our stay as well. The food tasted good. Dinner at the boma is a nice experience. The stay is also well situated as you can see some animals passing by for a drink right from your room/dining areas. Well worth every cent.

After a long day, dinner service seemed a little slow on two of our three night stay.

Such an amazing place to do Safari. We stayed for two nights in room 10. Beautiful, spotless, couldn't find anything wrong with it at all. Class. There are two safari's daily, one starting at 6 and the other at 15:30 (it changes on the time of year)... but essentially for sunrise and sunset. The drivers and trackers are why we give it 5*. They are unbelievable! Thomas and Ernest, thank you again! For the breakfast - outstanding.

If I had to comment on one or two things it would be the restaurant service. It's a little loud and chaotic inside. Some of the instructions were not totally clear to us either, we didn't have the spa menu or know about the 2nd pool (which was better) until after we left.

Everything. Our one bedroom river suites were beautifully appointed and very rustic while being chic. The common areas were beautiful and authentically decorated in African style. Food was fantastic. Staff could not have been more welcoming. And the game drives gave a unique and up close experience with the animals unlike the larger private game reserves. We loved it.

The only improvement could be to slow down the dinner service and give more time between courses to savour the food and South African wine.

Amazing trip we did four nights it was perfect we seen all the big 5 more than once the guys are really gate on the drives. Food is amazing very well cooked I was originally worried about the food since it’s all inclusive but it was very good! Wine and water not included in the all inclusive package. (Which isn’t a problem as it’s very good price)

Kitchen staff ask everytime they come to your table what number your room is after every single order so maybe think about putting a number in the table so they don’t have to interrupt every time. Also will help them be more organized as they kept mixing the tables up. (Again wasn’t a big effect on the trip just could be more organized)

Great property, well kept, cleaning was to a high standard and decor was beautiful. Presidential suite was amazing!!! Staff went out there way to make sure you were taken care off. We had a lovely set up in our room for Valentine’s Day and my husband’s birthday!! Shout out to Maria, Jonathon, the amazing chef, Lucia, and Tracker Forget and Guide Matthew’s for such a memorable experience.

Charge for bottled water and drinks outside of lunch/dinner time. I understand wine and beer was included but did not know that it was only included at lunch time and dinner time. I would have liked to be informed.

This was our 2nd stay on our South Africa trip, the previous stay was a self drive onto the Kruger. We were 4 couples and we all loved this place, the initial greeting and drinks from the reception team, the animals roaming free around the lodges. It should be noted that staying here is full on, i.e. full inclusive and a daily morning game drive from 5am to 8.30am and and a daily evening game drive from 4pm to 7.30pm, so there is limited down/relaxing time but for us that was ok, as we were there for the animals and boy didn`t we see some animals on our 4 safari`s. Our excellent trackers Evans and Gabriel found us a pride of Lions preparing for an evening hunt, a herd of Elephants crossing a river close by us, 3 stroppy Rhino`s, Cheetahs resting and a Leopard preparing for a hunt and most over animals. The location on a river was perfect for breakfast, Lunch and Dinner every day. The rooms were fantastic with everything you would expect. It also had a lovely swimming pool area to relax.

The monkey`s who made sitting out on the balcony a bit uncomfortable. The Lodge should employ people to chase off the monkeys.