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 and black rhino 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 10 years experience. Pondoro has rights to traverse on more than 10 000 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 three 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 two 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.

Serenity Spa at Pondoro offers an escape to a place of sophistication and indulgence, where one is surrounded by elegant décor and cascading waterfalls, in an environment with a breathtaking ambiance. Revitalize your mind, body and soul with classic spa treatments where an exclusive personal approach is taken incorporating innovative and authentic spa and face treatments which range from a glass covered steam room, a spa bath under the wide African sky to a massage in the privacy of your room.

We have a well equipped gym allowing a perfect workout with an amazing view of the bush.

This facility is fully air-conditioned and has a range of cardio machines and free-weights.

We offer sleep-outs at our Tree house hide as an additional activity. There is a solar panel light overlooking the waterhole and guests will be taken there after dinner and picked up again during morning safari.  The sleep-out rate is an extra R2995 per night and can be booked beforehand or at the lodge.

It has become obvious over the years that guests visiting Pondoro do not only want to experience a safari, but that there is a need to understand what goes on behind the scenes of protecting a wildlife reserve. Guests can now get the chance to meet the people that helps to protect Africa’s precious wildlife.

Pondoro has partnered and became a sponsor of the world famous all woman Black mamba anti-poaching team and their affiliate project the Bush Babies Environmental and Awareness Program and we are very excited to announce a Black Mamba Anti- Poaching tour done every Wednesday and Saturday.  Guests will be able to meet the Black Mambas, find out why they are so effective and discover the rationale behind this ground breaking initiative. This includes a visit to the Nonwane research facility, a presentation and a lot more. This is a great opportunity for our guests to do their bit to save Africa’s wildlife and more specifically its rhinos. (All funds will go directly to the Black Mamba Anti-poaching unit.)

o    R850 per person for 2022