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User Reviews of Balule Nature Reserve (35 Reviews)

Balule Safaris South Africa
Sort By: Date Most Helpful 1-10 of 21 Reviews

Average User Rating

4.4000 / 5 4.4 /5
4.4118 / 5 4.3939 / 5 4.4516 / 5 4.4348 / 5

Rating Breakdown

5 star 21 / 10 21
4 star 9 / 10 9
3 star 4 / 10 4
2 star 0 / 10 0
1 star 1 / 10 1
Write a User Review
Female avatar icon Georgina Mexico flag MX       Visited: January 2023 Reviewed: Jan 27, 2023

Email Georgina  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

It was the best trip ever !!!!

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5

I was traveling solo from Mexico and I book for Balule Private Game Reserve and Ilana was so nice with me sending all info via what’s she is so nice, she have me all tips i needed for the safari, thanks so much! Balule game reserve is an amazing place to stay, all the staff is amazing humans with so much knowledge about their gob and make me feel safe and at home ! Miss you guy ! Food was delicious, the tent was incredible and the bed was amazing, I felt so connected to nature and animales, it was one of the top moments in my life thanks to you !!!
Georgina from Mexico

Male avatar icon Derick Australia flag AU       Visited: January 2019 Reviewed: Jan 26, 2019

Email Derick  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5

We saw the big 5 within 2 outings amongst the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery.

Female avatar icon Leslie Kuhlmann United States flag US       Visited: November 2018 Reviewed: Nov 29, 2018

Email Leslie Kuhlmann  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5

Along with the larger animals like lion, elephant and rhino, our guide had an intimate knowledge of the bush. He was able to share tons of information about the trees, birds, rocks etc. which was a perfect compliment to seeing the larger animals in their habitat.

Female avatar icon Soma Switzerland flag CH       Visited: August 2015 Reviewed: Aug 30, 2015

Email Soma  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Luxury among the Widerness

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 / 5 5 / 5 / 5
We stayed at the Pondoro Game Lodge in Balule Nature Reserve for a couple of days - and we can absolutely recommend it.

A typical day at Pondoro used to start at 6 am in the morning with the morning safari drive. Safaris were on a open jeep with a guide / driver and a tracker. Our guide and tracker (Rulani and Andries) were absolutely wonderful. Rulani always gave us a brief description of the animals we sighted - which was very helpful for us city people. Both were very friendly and absolutely motivated to provide us the best safari experience. We still remember the time when Andries went out on foot in search of lions, and after half an hour we saw a family of lions heading our way with Andries following them calmly with a stick in hand. We managed to see not only the Big 5, but also zebras, giraffes, hippos, etc.

Robbie and Lize maintain the lodge as a family home and you are always made to feel very welcome. Returning from the morning safari (around 9 am),
Read more there is a luscious breakfast waiting for you. It is indeed an exhilarating experience having breakfast out in the open, with the sound of a stream flowing nearby, where different animals often drop by for a drink. After breakfast, you are free to relax, roam around a bit and explore. The cottages are beautifully designed with modern amenities such as air conditioners, fully equipped bathrooms; and a bit of wilderness such as showers and a jacuzzi out in the open. So you might be taking a shower when an elephant decides to drop by for a visit :)

For a more detailed review, please refer to our blog: http://travel-pics-tips.blogspot.ch/2015/08/south-african-wilderness.html
Male avatar icon Patrick Ty Philippines flag PH       Visited: March 2025 Reviewed: Apr 7, 2025

Email Patrick Ty  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5

I get to experience a "real" safari. You can not replicate that.

Male avatar icon Robert United Kingdom flag GB       Visited: May 2024 Reviewed: Jun 10, 2024

Email Robert  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5

Balule Reserve offers a personal safari experience. The guides are knowledgeable and go out of their way to make your experience memorable whilst protecting the environment and the wildlife within the reserve.

Female avatar icon Lisa L United Kingdom flag GB       Visited: April 2024 Reviewed: May 16, 2024

Email Lisa L  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5

We managed to see the big 5 and much more. Our guide Viktor was the best!

Male avatar icon Ian Matthews Australia flag AU       Visited: January 2024 Reviewed: Feb 25, 2024

Email Ian Matthews  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5

So peaceful and serene. We saw plenty of animals in a short space of time. Really excited to be there.

Male avatar icon Wojciech Koziołek Poland flag PL       Visited: May 2023 Reviewed: May 21, 2023

Email Wojciech Koziołek  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 4 / 5 5 / 5 4 / 5

Amazing lion sightings (very cloes to the car!), we saw pride of lions a couple of times. Lots of rhinos (we saw 6 of them in one day!!), in general great safari destination,

Female avatar icon Sarah Hulett United States flag US       Visited: February 2023 Reviewed: Mar 16, 2023

Email Sarah Hulett  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5

So much fun!!!