Monwana Game Lodge

The accolades Monwana has scooped are impressive. No.1 safari lodge in Africa. Ranked 21st in a worldwide list of the finest hotels on the planet.

Often, such awards are more millstones around the neck. Weighing down the team. A burden to bear as guests’ sky high expectations need to be met, for fear of losing that hard won status.

And while it’s fair to say that most destinations can claim to have won an award of some sort, those that grace the shelves at Monwana are pretty impressive. But can the team live up to the hype that goes with the gongs?

The location

Sharing a fenceless border with Kruger National Park makes for a promising start. There’s Big 5 to be found in the 14,000 hectare Thornybush Game Reserve, and plenty of bird species too. A big tick for visitors who want to take big stories and photos with the wow factor back to friends and family back home.

The accommodation

The Monwana Villa is popular with families who want an ultra luxurious experience, complete with a private butler, chef, plus your own guide and safari jeep.

Elsewhere, there are suites to stay in, pictures of perfection each of them, of course, with a private heated plunge pool, plus a viewing deck from where you can watch nature put on its daily show.

The Savannah Residences each have large outdoor areas with a pool, and the lounge area can double as a second bedroom if required.

Woodland Residences are huge and in remote locations that will give you a real sense that it’s just you and the wildlife. They house 2 guests each, and the private space you get measures 118m2 inside and 35m2 outside.

You’ll be well taken care of

An on-site spa and pool will help you relax, while the fresh and healthy menu of food features in-season ingredients, ethically sourced of course, with the opportunity to eat in the outdoor boma or in the bush. And you can take care of yourself in the fitness centre on-site.

Activities aplenty

Away from the hotel, morning, afternoon and night game drives will take you into Kruger, or you can explore on foot if you prefer, all under the expert eye of guides who are FGASA accredited, which likely means they know the surrounds like the proverbial back of their hands.

Eco everywhere

Hotels are unlikely to win awards these days unless they can provide hard and fast evidence of a commitment to sustainability. And so it is with Monwana. They’re big on that ‘s’ word, with solar power and water based heating and cooling reducing the camp’s reliance on non-renewable power sources. Even the rainwater is put to good use, filtered through a special machine to ensure all taps on site flow with water you can drink. Refreshing.