Hideaways Amava River Lodge, Balule, Greater Kruger

Our 10-night stay at Amava Hideaways Lodge was nothing short of extraordinary and will forever hold a special place in our hearts. From the moment we arrived, we felt completely at home, cared for, and genuinely welcomed as more than just guests. A huge part of what made this experience so special were our incredible guides, Aaron and BT. Their knowledge, patience, passion, and determination were unmatched. Even during the rainy season, when the bush was lush and thick, they managed to track and deliver the most unbelievable sightings - including multiple leopard encounters, a full pride of lions with cubs, and even front-row seats to a live kill. It was beyond anything we could have hoped for. The entire team at Amava went so far above and beyond that it’s hard to put into words. Emmanuel, Eucan, the talented chef Geshom, Mikayla, Lily, and the wider Bundox team were exceptional - warm, attentive, and endlessly thoughtful. No request was ever too much, whether it was food, drinks, or personal touches that made each day feel special. What truly set Amava apart was how the team supported us during the flooding crisis following our stay. They worked tirelessly to help arrange alternative accommodation and ensure we were safe and looked after - a level of care and professionalism that speaks volumes about the people behind this lodge. The accommodation itself is stunning: private, luxurious, and intimate, with only five guest cabins. Our room had a front-row view of the river, where we regularly watched elephants, hippos, and crocodiles from the comfort of our lodge - an experience that never got old. Amava Hideaways is not just a lodge; it’s an experience built on heart, expertise, and genuine hospitality. We arrived as guests and left feeling like family. We cannot recommend it highly enough and already dream of the day we return. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and more if we could)

The comfort, the layout and decor, beautiful setting with lovely rooms.

Wildlife viewing was challenging, which may be attributed to the large size of the blocks, making animal location difficult. The routes followed often felt repetitive across days - like Ground Hog Day!. That said, the ranger and tracker made genuine efforts, working with the conditions and resources available to them.

Le calme En bord de rivière La gentillesse du personnel La qualité de la cuisine Literie de qualité Taille chambre Jamais deux véhicules au même endroit dans la réserve

Juste une remarque il faut savoir accepter que dans un busch aussi dense on ne voit pas les animaux aussi facilement qu'en Tanzanie, mais ou il y a 10 véhicules autour d un léopard

Es war von Anfang bis Ende alles perfekt, hier ein paar Details: Das Reservat: total interessante Gegebenheiten mit viel Wald, die Unterkunft direkt am Fluss und trotz wenig Freiflächen viele Tiere gesichtet: Leopard von 3 Meter, Rhino von 10 Meter und vieles Mehr. Das Personal: Man wird behandelt wie Familie. Tanja, die Leiterin des Camps, ist extrem professionell und strukturiert - ihre herzliche Art ist echt besonders. Amos unser Guide war absolute Spitzenklasse, wir waren in mehreren Camps, haben aber nirgends so viel geballtes Wissen gepaart mit Aufregung und Spaß erhalten. Michaela & Charlotte - die beiden Guides in Ausbildung haben die Game Drives (2x pro Tag) zu etwas ganz ganz Besonderem gemacht - selten so sympathische und kluge Menschen getroffen. Der Koch, dessen Namen ich leider vergessen habe, aber man sieht ihn ja am Foto, war nicht nur lustig, sondern auch wirklich talentiert - das Essen war vielfältig und von der Qualität absolut hervorragend. Ich würde gerne 11/10 Punkten vergeben - ich reise sehr viel - das war bislang die beste Unterkunft, die ich je erleben durfte. Danke für alles, Julia&Niki

Gostamos de tudo! Dos games drives, alimentação e cuidados de todos os funcionários com nosso bem-estar. Sentimos um ambiente aconchegante e familiar mesmo mantendo nossa privacidade.

Het is een heel bijzondere lokatie aan de rivier! Het personeel was erg vriendelijk en gastvrij en deed er alles aan om het ons naar onze zin te maken. Het slapen in de tent, tussen het wild, met alle bushgeluiden en de hippo’s, hyena’s, leeuwen, impala’s en al het andere in de buurt was geweldig maar ook spannend. Ook al konden de olifanten er niet in… Waar vind je een lokatie met uitzicht op de rivier waar bij aankomst 20 olifanten de rivier oversteken? Heeeel graag komen we een keer terug!

Wild animals noises were exciting. Just what I wanted. We wanted to be in the wild and we were

Hot water in shower was hard to adjust. Little too hot