Pondoro Game Lodge - accommodation in Balule Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, South Africa

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Pondoro Game Lodge is set on the cool riverine banks of the Olifants River in the 40 000 ha exclusive Balule Private Game Reserve inside the greater Kruger National Park, Pondoro offers its visitors comfort, sophistication, elegance and a canvas on which to create a truly unforgettable African safari.

Pondoro Game Lodge lies in Balule Private Nature Reserve on the border of the famed Kruger National Park in South Africa. (Best value for money).

A comfortable 5 hour's drive from Johannesburg International Airport, the well maintained provincial and regional road infrastructure in South Africa provides easy access for private vehicles.

Pondoro Game Lodge is a small, very exclusive 12-bed lodge, the only way to experience the African bush.

In addition to luxurious accommodation and the caring attention from trained professionals, our visitors are lavished upon with international fare and humble African hospitality.

Pondoro has three architecturally designed standard chalets overlooking the Olifants River. Each chalet has been beautifully decorated with an African theme. All chalets have en-suite bathrooms (with a shower overlooking the river), air-conditioning, mosquito nets and a wooden deck.

Pondoro Game Lodge offers a choice of 3 different types of accommodation choose either Tree, Rock or a Earth suite during your stay. All the suites are air-conditioned and architecturally designed offering modern comforts in an ancient setting. Each suite is provided with a private wooden deck, lounge area and an outside shower for those who are adventurous.

Meals are an extraordinary culinary experience where Traditional African Cuisine fuse effortlessly with modern European trends. To compliment the food wine can be selected from our extensive wine cellar. Vegetarians can be specially catered for.

All meals are served on a wooden deck high up in the tree canopy overlooking the Olifants River. An unforgettable bush dinner will await those who stay for a third night.

Pondoro Game Lodge is situated in Balule Private Nature reserve inside the greater Kruger National Park. Regular Big 5 sightings (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) are encountered during game drives. A reintroduction of African wild dogs has also been done in the Pondoro traversing area. Morning and evening game drives are done in open game drive vehicles. All guides have more than 5 years experience. Pondoro has rights to traverse on more than 8 000 ha that includes a network of more than 350 km of bush roads.

All game drive vehicles are four wheel drive and this means that the Big 5 can be followed off road into the bush to get a closer view if necessary.

Pondoro vehicles are in radio contact with two other lodges and close cooperation ensure good game viewing. The vehicles in the traversing area are restricted to six to ensure that the bush ambience is never lost. No more than three vehicles are allowed at a sighting.

Pondoro is one of the few private lodges in South Africa situated on a perennial river (Olifants River). Because of this hippos and crocodiles are regularly seen during bushwalks with an armed guide. Three bush hides overlooking waterholes can also be visited.

Pondoro Game Lodge is situated in the eastern lowveld that has a subtropical climate with hot, wet summers and cool, dry winters. Many animals give birth at this time of year and summer-visiting migrant bird species can also be seen.

Average temperatures

Summer (December - February)

Transfers for guests accessing the area by air through nearby Phalaborwa, Eastgate (Hoedspruit) and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airports will be facilitated by Pondoro Game Lodge.

Pondoro Game Lodge is located near Hoedspruit and is easily accessible by car and in close proximity of Phalaborwa, Hoedspruit (Eastgate) and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airports. We provide transfers to and from the airport.

  Note to accommodation seekers

As our name implies, all booking enquiries sent from Kruger National Park Direct go directly to home owners.

You will be sent an email with the home owners contact details in 24 hours - thus, in the event that they have not gotten back to you in that time, you can contact them directly.

We pride ourselves in being a commission free service and hope that you have enjoyed your visit and will return soon.

Need to hire a car during your stay?