Vuyani River Lodge

Hotels
9.5 (92 reviews)
Leopards Bend BlueCanyon Conservancy , Hoedspruit , ZA

Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Welcoming staff
Great food quality
Excellent game drives
Cons:
Limited fitness amenities
Some misinformation online

Categories

Cleanliness
9.33
The cleanliness is consistently praised, with guests noting impeccable conditions and organized accommodations.
Service
9.8
Staff are highlighted as extremely attentive, welcoming, and personal, going above and beyond to create memorable experiences.
Location
9.34
The location directly in the reserve is described as breathtaking and perfect for safari experiences.
Room Quality
9.29
Rooms are described as fab and well-maintained, contributing to a comfortable stay.
Amenities
9.32
Amenities like game drives and unique outdoor showers are enjoyed, but some guests mentioned the lack of a fitness center.
Value for Money
9.28
Guests appreciate the all-inclusive nature of their stay, feeling it provided good value with meals and activities.
Food and Beverage
9.83
Guests rave about the food quality, noting that meals were deliciously prepared and enjoyable.
Overall Experience
9.8
The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with guests describing their stays as memorable and filled with special moments.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-16 07:28

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodation
Vuyani River Lodge, a 5-star hotel in Hoedspruit, offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and private bathrooms. Each room boasts modern amenities such as a fridge, minibar, and a kettle for your comfort.

Exceptional Facilities
Enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, and garden during your stay at Vuyani River Lodge. The hotel also provides free shuttle service, room service, and currency exchange for your convenience.

Culinary Delights
Indulge in international cuisine at the hotel's restaurant, with options for dairy-free, halal, and vegan guests. Don't miss the chance to request your preferred dietary choices during your stay.

Book your stay at Vuyani River Lodge now for an unforgettable experience in Hoedspruit!

Important information:

A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

9.5
Based on 92 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.33
Service: 9.8
Location: 9.34
Room Quality: 9.29
Amenities: 9.32
Value for Money: 9.28
Food and Beverage: 9.83
Overall Experience: 9.8
F
fabien • couple • fr
10
Plus concentré en animaux que le Kruger !
Pros:

Les safaris dans la réserve qui entoure l'hôtel ! Matin et soirs ! Vraiment l'assurance de voir des animaux, j'ai vraiment eu peur quand j'ai failli me perdre en voiture seul en essayant d'aller chercher un peu d'alcool dans la ville toute proche. Bravo David et les guides. La douche dehors, l'aspect à la fois confortable dans le très naturel des bungalows sur pilotis.

Cons:

Le repas du côté du Boma autour du feu le soir n'est pas à la hauteur du cadre, dommage. Pensez à ramener votre alcool sinon ! (ils vous remboursent 200ZAR par personne pour compenser cette absence de fourniture en alcool. Je les ai laissés en pourboire.

2026-10-24 • via Nuitee
H
Heitor • couple • br
10
Imersão na Savana
Pros:

Para nós, o ponto alto foi a mesa de refeições compartilhada! Isso gerou uma experiência completamente diferente do que já vivemos. Pudemos fazer amizades com pessoas ao redor do mundo, foi incrível.
Outra coisa demais foi a hospitalidade e a receptividade dos funcionários! Tudo impecável, nos sentimos muito especiais.

Cons:

-O fato do chuveiro ser *apenas* do lado de fora do quarto. Eu entendo e gosto da imersão do banho na selva, mas, por ser muito muito frio de manhã e a noite, alguns dias não foram agradáveis!
-O All Inclusive é muito completo mas, a bebida alcoólica, é um esquema diferente do tradicional. Ao chegar no hotel você é levado até um tipo de mercado, compra suas bebidas para a hospedagem toda com o seu dinheiro e após levar as notinhas você recebe um reembolso em especie no checkout, para nós, isso atrapalhou um pouco, pois pagamos no cartão e ao pegar dinheiro no último dia de viagem não tinhamos mais no que usar. Além disso, não acharia que seria uma problema se isso tivesse sido avisado anteriormente. Foi uma surpresa.

2026-10-23 • via Nuitee
M
Maik • couple • de
10
2026-10-21 • via Nuitee
G
Gabrielle • solo_traveller • gb
10
Excellent 10/10
Pros:

EVERYTHING. The guided game drives in the private reserve of Greater Kruger were so exciting, very intimate and immersive with nature, educational and timed well. Personally, I found the drives better than actual Kruger Park full day excursion, but this is nature some days are better than others. The accommodation (River chalet) was cosy, air con worked well, fridge and lockable safe for personal use, mosquito nets that actually worked and excellent private outdoor shower. The balcony let's you appreciate any visitors too, including monkeys, impala, water buck, bush babies, and elephants! Three course meals with an authentic South African braai. The hosts are knowledgeable, extremely helpful and attentive and very genuine. Can't wait to return!

2026-10-21 • via Nuitee
ひろみ • solo_traveller • jp
9
Pros:

早朝と夕方のゲームドライブが3時間ずつついていてとても有意義てした。おかげでかなりの動物に出会えました。スタッフはみんな爽やかだったのでとても気持ちよく過ごせました。お部屋はいつもきれいにベッドメーキングされていて、帰りにはメッセージもいただきました。ありがとうございました。

Cons:

食事はいつもみんなと一緒のテーブルだったので、ゆったりと食べたり、早目に帰りたいときも帰れなかったりと少し気を使いました。

2026-10-09 • via Nuitee
M
Mara • couple • at
8
2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
D
Derina Govender • solo_traveller • za
9
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
E
Elda • couple • ca
9
Overall was a great experience and staff is what makes this place special.
Pros:

Staff

Cons:

Nothing

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
B
Bernardo • couple • br
1
2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
M
mary • couple • us
10
An Unforgettable Safari Experience!
Pros:

We had an amazing stay at Vuyani! The entire staff was incredibly warm, welcoming, and attentive, and our villa was beautiful.

A special shoutout to David and Direct, who led our game drives. Both were friendly, knowledgeable, and truly went above and beyond to find the animals and make every drive memorable. And a big thank you to Benji for those cheerful 5:30 AM wake-up calls to get us ready for our morning drives! 😊

The food was also exceptional—Willie and the entire kitchen team did a fantastic job throughout our stay.

From the hospitality to the game drives, food, and beautiful accommodation, Vuyani gave us such a memorable safari experience. Highly recommend!

2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
J
Julia • couple • br
8
Estadia agradável
Pros:

As instalações físicas são muito boas; o nosso motorista David e o tracker eram excelentes e muito engajados em localizar os animais; o Mo era muito atencioso; as refeições servidas eram muito boas. O espaço da piscina também era um delícia e vez ou outra surgiam animais bem perto.

Cons:

Megan era um doce com os turistas, mas extremamente grosseira com o staff. Era constrangedor.
Além disso, é importante ter em mente que é uma reserva privada, então, por exemplo, quando hospedamos os búfalos estavam indisponíveis de serem vistos por alguma razão veterinária. Estas questões acabam prejudicando um pouco a experiência.
Por fim, poucos dias antes da nossa chegada, fomos informados que a licença de bebidas alcoólicas estava com algum problema e que por isso não havia esse tipo de serviço disponível. O valor foi ressarcido, mas não deixou de ser um inconveniente.

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
M
Mauricio • couple • br
10
Lugar e atendimento superaram as expectativas. Recomendo.
Pros:

Lugar muito bom, atendimento perfeito, comida boa, muita comida. Muito bom, recomendo.

Cons:

Não tenho do que reclamar.

2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
N
Naiara • couple • br
10
Pros:

Hotel localizado no Blue Canion Reserve, uma reserva privada próxima ao aeroporto de Hoedspruit. Equipe super atenciosa, comidas deliciosas, e cuidado com tudo.

Cons:

Nada a me queixar.

2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
M
Matilda • couple • se
10
2026-08-17 • via Nuitee
F
Felipe • couple • br
10
Excelente!
Pros:

O lodge é muito bom, todos funcionários são muito atenciosos. Os guias David e Direct foram excepcionais! Comida muito boa e acomodação incrível.

Cons:

Uma coisa que nos surpreendeu é que não havia bebidas alcoólicas no hotel, que está na reserva como “All inclusive”. A equipe do lodge nos leva para um mercado próximo onde temos um limite de 150 rands/dia por pessoa. Querendo ou não, não configura como All inclusive. Não foi um problema para mim, mas acredito que deveria estar especificado na reserva. Pelo que vi dos outros hóspedes, ninguém sabia dessa informação até chegar ao lodge.

2026-08-16 • via Nuitee
H
Hogies • solo_traveller • za
7
2026-08-13 • via Nuitee
V
Victoria • couple • gb
9
Incredible - a must visit
Pros:

Everything about this hotel was exceptional. Every member of staff was incredibly attentive and made every single guest feel valued and welcomed. It really did feel like a personal experience with the porter taking you to and from your room during the dark, the chefs presenting their food and asking for your thoughts and your room was prepared for your return for each morning and evening safari and the reception staff organising your trips. Each meal was freshly prepared be the chefs and there was a great variety of food on offer. Our game driver Philip was very knowledgeable of the animals and tried his best to ensure we saw a range of animals during our stay. I will be recommending Vuyani to everyone.

Cons:

Only minor - you can only shower in the afternoon during the winter months due to the cold. However, the outdoor showers feel very authentic!

2026-08-12 • via Nuitee
B
Basitsana • couple • za
9
Beautiful
Pros:

The staff was great and it was such a peaceful experience surrounded by nature

Cons:

None

2026-08-10 • via Nuitee
J
Júlia • couple • br
10
Pros:

Eu simplesmente amei. Educados, fizeram surpresa no meu aniversário, organização impecável. Estádia perfeita!

2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
J
JOY • couple • za
8
Value for money
Pros:

The rooms were lovely and clean as well the property was close to the entrance making a a great stay over on the way to Mozambique

Cons:

There was some sort of air freshener that was used in the air con that caused my daughter to have a bad allergy asthma reaction.
I know it’s a great welcome to walk into a room with a fresh smell but there are many people with these kind of allergies.
It would be a good idea to have curtains added to the windows with blinds as the blinds do not block out the light.

2026-07-09 • via Nuitee