Serenity Mountain and Forest Lodge

Location: Malelane Estates Road, Malelane, za

Star Rating: 9.3 Stars

Property Type: Lodges

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Health or beauty spa nearby
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Swimming pool
• Restaurant
• Terrace
• Safety deposit box
• Ironing service
• Massage services
• Packed lunches
• Non-smoking throughout
• Shuttle service (additional charge)
• Allergy-free room
• Adult only
• Outdoor furniture
• Shallow end
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Physical distancing rules followed
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• Sanitized tableware & silverware
• Invoice provided
• Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
• Guest room sealed after cleaning
• Physical distancing in dining areas
• Key access
• Food delivered to guest room
• Delivered food - securely covered
• Free wired internet
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
• Airport transportation - drop-off (surcharge)
• Pool sun loungers
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Game drive nearby
• Internet access
• Housekeeping on request
• Private picnics
• Wine release events
• Exercise/lap pool
• Japanese garden
• Health or beauty spa nearby
• Swimming nearby
• Charcoal grill
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Vegetarian menu options available
• Accessible shuttle
• No accessible shuttle
• Accessible train station shuttle
• No accessible train station shuttle

Rooms Available

• Upstairs Suite with Lake View

  Set on an upper floor, this suite has lake views. Please note this rom located 0.6 mi from the restaurant, pool and bar area.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toaster
  • Electric blankets
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Key access

• Suite with River View

  Boasting a private entrance, this suite comes with 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. The suite features a seating area, a wardrobe, a safe deposit box as well as a terrace with garden views. The unit has 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toaster
  • Electric blankets
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Key access

• Family Suite

  Boasting a private entrance, this suite comes with 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a bath and a shower. The suite has a seating area, a dining area, a wardrobe as well as a terrace with lake views. The unit has 3 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Electric blankets
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Key access

• Downstairs Suite with Lake View

  Ground-floor suite with lake views. This room is located 0.6 mi from the restaurant, pool and bar area.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toaster
  • Electric blankets
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Key access

Guest Reviews

• Aurélien (10/5): Très bien et unique - Le personnel et son accueil, cet esprit jungle , tout est très sauvage mais maîtrisé
• Lynnette (10/5): Excellent stay in the forest - Very friendly and helpful staff Beautiful nature and rooms Very nice food Nothing
• Sthembile (7/5): I have visited this place in 2021 and on my second visit this week it has since deteriorated. Employee retention seems t - The location. The staff except for the customer liaison manager. The customer liaison officer is horrible in handling and resolving complaints. In fact she doesn’t even handle them. The hygiene standards especially in the rooms. If one is very particular about hygiene, this may not be the place you want to visit. They must invest in new bedding and bathroom linen or simple go for other colours other than the white that has stood the test of time.
• Mkhari (9/5): wonderful, peaceful place more especially on the river view - location was the most beautiful thing i have seen in a while, however they can do some improvement on the hiking trail Hiking trail
• Carike (10/5): Amazing romantic getaway in the forest - This is our third time visiting Serenity and what an amazing experience every time. The staff treated us like family and the food always exceed our expectations. We enjoy every moment of peace far away from the city noise. What a wonderful getaway and cannot wait to return. Definitely our favorite spot to visit.
• Nonhlanhla (10/5): -
• Eloise (10/5): - This was absolutely magical.The staff,accommodation and food was exceptional.We had a wonderful stay and we were very sad to leave.I highly recommend this place if you want to re-connect with nature and see a truly beautiful piece of earth. We loved everything about it.
• Karabo (10/5): Will visit again - The quietness The road going into the main entrance
• Tebogo (10/5): I would definitely come back and recommend the place - I loved everything the staff was friendly the ambiance great Nothng
• Morne (9/5): -
• Frank (10/5): -
• Zanobuhle (10/5): -
• Lwande (10/5): This is a place to return to - The property is well thought, and layout is great. So quiet. And great trails. Food is great. The chef is wonderful lady. The staff kept us well. The strict times of late entry were only communicated after the booking was made. It would be great if it shows before booking so one can rethink if he knows he is going to struggle with the tome.
• Rebotile (10/5): -
• Francois-xavier (10/5): Très reposant - Le cadre et le restaurant L’accès
• Silvia (10/5): Diese Unterkunft ist ein absolutes Highlight. - Wunderschöne Lodge mitten im dichten Regenwald. Das offene Restaurant am Wasserfall hat uns sehr gefallen. Wir haben vorzüglich gegessen. Sehr freundliches und zuvorkommendes Personal, welches ständig bemüht war uns jeden Wunsch zu erfüllen. Vor dem Dinner wurde extra Feuer gemacht für den Aperitif. Da wir in den Kruger NP wollten, war die An,- und Abfahrt etwas mühsam.
• Clemence (10/5): Un endroit exceptionnel et un personnel aux petits soins - - le lieu est magnifique et paisible. - le restaurant est excellent avec un grand soin apporté à la présentation - l’accueil et le personnel sont chaleureux et attentionnés - le safari proposé est top avec un pickup directement au lodge - l’accès est un peu délicat et long
• Marta (10/5): - Przepiękny dom, luksusowy, nad rzeką, w dziczy, coś wspaniałego! Wszystko pięknie urządzone z dbałością o detale, świetna obsługa, środek dżungli, spokój, cisza. Niesamowite miejsce 💕
• Phasha (2/5): -
• Sophie (7/5): mal géré pour cette catégorie de logement qui devrait être à niveau. - L'endroit et les logements sont vraiment unique. Le personnel est très gentil. Parfait endroit pour se reposer. la seule chose qui justifie le prix: les logements et la qualité de la nourriture. La route qui mène au lodge est difficile par tout les temps (12km de route de terre non entretenues). Quand il a plut c'est l'enfer. Il y a une partie de route public et une autre privé qui celle-ci est moins entretenue. Quand on propose un logement avec ce chemin, on met en place soit un service gratuit pour chercher les clients ou on aménage la route. C'est une question de responsabilité. La manager est venue nous chercher sur la route qui était impraticable après les pluies, une fois que nous avons entamer leur service... elle n'était plus présente. Pour partir du lodge, nous avons du faire appel à un shuttle pour venir nous chercher sans ça nous étions bloqué sur place. Bref elle s'est assuré de prendre l'argent prévu pour les logements et repas et nous a laissé en plan par la suite. Elle nous a pas donné le logement prévu de 3 lits, car nous étions 3 et nous a proposé une chambre à 2 lits et à rajouter un lit de camp militaire pour la troisième personne. Mais je tiens à dire que le personnel quant à lui était charmant; Le rapport qualité/prix est exagéré
• Sindile (10/5): -
• Jennifer (9/5): - The food was amazing and it was such a tranquil place and the staff was amazing. So much so that we decided to stay an extra day. Y
• Theunis (8/5): - The environment and location are awesome. If you put in the effort to do the hikes, the scenery is beyond spectacular. The food was excellent. The stay was comfortable. The total stay felt slightly impersonal; we never met the owners. There was no option to include Dinner in the package when we booked. I like to have a small table next to the couch to put a coffee cup on, which I missed. Options for dinner were limited. The accommodation is not suited for business travel, but maybe that is intentional.
• Avo (10/5): -
• Bhekizizwe (9/5): -
• Diwan (10/5): My girlfriend and I love visiting Serenity. The staff are always extremely welcoming and helpful. Would definitely recom -
• Mbali (10/5): Beautiful and just the rest I needed - The serenity of the place, the food and the staff None. I think just for future the Management needs to plan to renovate the bathroom facilities
• Larissa (10/5): Real South African magic - The location is magical, I can’t believe a space like this exists in my own country - what a hidden gem. The food at the restaurant is great, but the dinner menu is understandably limited each night - it’s a small lodge. The staff are incredible and very willing to accommodate where they can. Give them a heads up if you have dietary requirements and you’ll be sorted. We were very comfortable in our gorgeous room, with everything we needed. There is no cellphone reception at the lodge but there is wifi in the room and at the restaurant. Bird life is excellent with lots of other critters and creatures for you to find on the forest floor. We also saw the giraffes and other wildlife on the property, and plenty of surprises on the road to the lodge itself. The drive to the lodge is rough, though. It takes about 40 mins. The staff do give you a heads up about it and try to make the drive as easy as possible. I personally wouldn’t do it in a sedan, but we met a couple who happily made the trek in a rental Toyota Corolla :). The drive is made worth it by the breathtaking scenery and views that made our weekend really memorable. The Kruger is on your doorstep, with plenty to do at the lodge for those looking for serenity. For a truly South African experience, I think this lodge is a must-stay for our international visitors.
• Nalan (9/5): Voor 2 dagen is het erg bijzonder - Een bijzonder buitengewoon accommodatie De weg er naar toe
• Nada (9/5): - Unique setting in a beautiful forest. The staff were great, and the food is excellent. Our room was very comfortable surrounded by nature and the calming sound of the river. Due to the recent rains and the forest setting, the room had a continuously damp smell.
• xolile (9/5): -
• Lonwabo (10/5): Most beautiful and relaxing stay. - The name says it all, serenity. The gents were so welcoming. We are here for Positive vibes only.
• Sinegugu (10/5): All in all, it was a great stay. Great for reconnecting, relaxing and unwinding.We are definitely going back again next - The food and the scenery, it’s so quiet and tranquil The stench in the room, more like mould or damp smell. I asked the staff about it and they did explained that since is a thatch roof that barely gets any sunlight with so much trees around it, it hardly drys up especially after the heavy rain we’ve been experiencing
• Pretty (1/5): Beautiful and peaceful place - Everything
• Ivan (9/5): -
• THANDAZILE (4/5): I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, yes the rooms are really nice and the food is great but I wouldn’t pay another cent t - Our rooms were beautiful and spacious, the food was also really nice We asked to be put in one suite so we can be together, and paid extra for that arrangement but my mother and I were put in 2 separate rooms not connected which was so disappointing. The staff were not transparent especially when it came to things like food. They offer you things as if it’s part of your stay and don’t mention that they go into a separate bill. Things that are not on the website but you get told by staff “ this is a forest so you might run into dangerous reptiles and they sometimes creep into your room, so be aware!!🤨🤨 and they get you to sign a disclaimer that if anything like that happens to you it’s none of their business🤔🤔..basically telling your guests to sleep with one eye open for the whole of their stay
• Lalah M. (10/5): -
• Simon (8/5): - The drive from the main gate to the lodge.
• Lebeya (10/5): The guys working at the restaurant are pleasant to deal with - Breakfast was nice and peace of mind Gravel road
• Patrick (10/5): Wonderful staff, wonderful place to sit back and feel the warm -
• Monique (10/5): -
• Osorio (9/5): -
• Josseline (10/5): - tout est super : serenité reelle,personnel au top , un lieu extraordinaire
• Henriqueta (10/5): -
• Carike (10/5): -
• Prudence (9/5): - it is breathtaking, peaceful and nature at its best. perfect for those who want to take a break from busy life to relax. honestly loved everything about this.
• Nonhlanhla (9/5): Awesome - Everything was awesome The road leading to the lodge🥴🥴that 12km on it feels like 50km. Great place otherwise.
• Ntiyiso (10/5): -
• Arno (10/5): - Serenity lives up to it's name. If you can go for more than one day because the first day will help you to unwind. I didn't even do the trails or hikes. To tell you the truth I just slept enjoying the sounds of nature around me. Everything was brilliant. Try their Spring water, it's made on-premises.
• Mich (10/5): Hidden gem - Absolutely a hidden gem. Everything was amazing from food to staff to location. The bird life amazing. Beautiful view of the dam,.
• Judit (10/5): Stay at Serenity - The place is completely amazing!! the staff is lovely, the food delicious, the rooms super clean and comfortable. I would repeat 1000 times, fully recomended it's a little bit difficult to arrive, but super worth it
• phaleni (10/5): What a pleasant time we had - Everything, the environment, the serenity as the name says. The peace is too great ❤️ Nothing!
• Tlhologelo (7/5): -
• Mooiman (10/5): - The serenity of the room, the restaurant and the location as a whole was exceptional. We are going back soon! The gravel road leading to the lodge
• Mosha (9/5): -
• Mathabo (10/5): Tranquility redefined. - Serenity is about nature redefined. The fact that we could live outside of technology and reconnect with nature was beautiful. Nothing specific.
• Kanyisa (8/5): Amazing serenity - Beautiful, serene and so tranquil. It’s a definitely a treasure in the mountain and forest. I enjoyed everything about it.
• marta (10/5): - Un angolo magico immerso nella tranquillità della foresta. Lo staff è gentile e disponibile, la cucina è ottima. Non vediamo l'ora di tornarci
• Jessie (10/5): A beautiful stay! - The location was like an enchanted forest. So beautiful. The staff was so friendly and entertaining. The food was just amazing. Getting there was tricky especially if you not driving a 4x4 bakkie.
• Diliana (10/5): WAUW wat PRACHTIG Een flinke rit erheen maar dat ben je meteen vergeten zodra je er bent. - Wauw wat een geweldig verrassende plek is dit midden in het regen woud. Wist niet dat hier zo'n mooie natuur was. Eerlijk.... de weg er naar toe was echt vreselijk. Een lange rit omhoog over een hele lange hobbelige weggetje dat niet op lijkt te houden. (voor mijn rug iets minder) Aan het einde werd het zo mooi. En zodra je de laatste gate door bent moet je nog een eindje . Maar deze weg ben je vergeten zodra je er uiteindelijk bent in je prachtige lodge aan een meertje. Het is zo rustig en mooi hier. Tember ("hope") ontving ons en was alleraardigst, zoals al het personeel. We hebben op ons terras (wij hadden een bovenkamer) aan het meertje gezeten met een drankje en daarna gaan eten in het restaurant. Hiervoor pakten wij de auto. De Wifi werkt prima. Helaas geen airco dus het raam in toilet open gezet maar daar kwamen toch insecten door naar binnen. Het zijn prachtige lodges. Tember heeft ons ook geholpen met de koffers. Het restaurant had Tonijn op de kaart staan. Dat leek ons lekker want we hadden al veel vlees op. Het was kennelijk klaargemaakt door stagiaire en erg doorbakken. We hebben dit aangegeven en toen heeft de kok het PERFECT recht gezet want het was heerlijk. Weer een leer momentje wat er bij hoort.
• Grossett (10/5): - Everything about this place is incredible. The staff were super friendly, the food was as good as a top city centre restaurant and the location is perfect.
• Michelle (10/5): A magical place! I always look forward to my next stay there (which is next week - lucky me!) -
• Richard (9/5): - All good. At the price that is being charged there should at least be an Nespesso coffee maker in the room. Aircon would be welcome.
• Yvette (10/5): - The best part was how the staff paid attention to detail. They were courteous, friendly, and extremely helpful. They were excellent and treated us like VIPs Everything water excellent
• Yurong (8/5): 值得入住的酒店，环境弥补了设施的不足。 - 非常安静的酒店，很适合度假，和家人围坐聊天，打牌，看书，爬山等等。早餐还算丰富，晚餐很美味，非常诧异这么好的厨艺。一切都是那么的刚刚好。 酒店内饰用品稍显简陋，尽管打扫的很干净，但是由于房屋所在位置比较潮湿，需要更好的防潮处理。热水器有点不太够用，最后一个洗澡的人可能会有点冷。屋子里有点取暖设施就更好了。
• Irina (10/5): Der perfekte Aufenthalt - Tolle, ausgefallene Lodge. Sehr gutes Essen
• Kelcey (10/5): -
• Idi (9/5): - Breakfast was great
• Tracey (10/5): Perfect place to unwind in nature! - The location in the forest was so lovely and peaceful. The birdlife was great. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. The staff were friendly and always eager to help. We really enjoyed how interested they were in the wildlife and what we had done and seen in the day. Just a suggestion for rainy days (in the river suites) to have a part of the balcony covered to sit outside under so as not to be confined to the room when it rains. But the room is so lovely and the bed is so comfortable this is a suggestion not a complaint.
• Samuel F. Muianga (10/5): Our stay was incredible, everything was perfect and we had no complaints. We really enjoyed ourselve - Mika Mikateeko and his team provided excellent service and hospitality. The location was convenient, and the road to the lodge wasn't as challenging as mentioned. The food was good, and our room smelled good and was very clean. Congratulations to the team. We'll be back soon. Nothing
• Marielle (10/5): La description de ce lieu est en dessous de la beauté du site. Une belle surprise - Un lieu magique au milieu de la forêt et des cascades. Des lodges en bois autour d’un lac Repas du soir décevant.
• Thokozani (10/5): -
• Letiwe (10/5): Excellent for couples who just want some quietness and peace and to connect with each other.. - The quietness, location in the forest and peace ✌️ The gravel road heading to the lodge..
• Andrea Silvio (9/5): -
• Rabelani Reuben (10/5): Birthday celebration - The stuff is Amazing Themba and the entire team, welcoming, patient, and on time with everything The cleanliness of the rooms and entire place is unmatched. The whole surroundings so soothing and relaxing to the soul, I had the best birthday ever from my room set up to our dinner table. We are coming here for the second time for their exceptional hospitality, and we are definitely coming back with our children in the future We loved everything about Serenity
• Clara (10/5): Very enjoyable, excellent service from all staff. Everyone from the reception to the cleaning stuff, waiters and everyon - We love the privacy, peace and quiet that came with the location 🤩. A person becomes one with nature and the amazing views 👌🏽🤞🏽 I love everything about property except the road leading to the lodge (gravel road), it’s very unforgiving and rough on the vehicle.
• Barbara (10/5): -
• Nomawethu (10/5): -
• Susy (10/5): -
• Shirley (10/5): - Everything The fact that there is no spa at the property
• Esperanca Judas (10/5): -
• Daniel (9/5): -
• Phumzile (9/5): Superb - The environment and the food exceptional 👌 We booked the bottom room yohhh we could hear everything the people upstairs were doing 🤦🏾‍♀️
• Manuel (10/5): Great! - Everything was amazing, the food, drinks, the quiet of the place. Staff super friendly, shotout to Bonga, the trainee, he made us feel like home. The hiking trails could have maps on the way o deliver one.
• Martin (9/5): Superb -
• G (10/5): Wonderful relaxing weekend away - The staff are welcoming, friendly, helpful and professional at all times. The setting is beautiful in the forest and we got to see the most amazing forest birds. The accommodation is clean, comfortable and has everything that you need.
• Happy (9/5): Superb -
• Claire (9/5): Magical and relaxing, perfect - for - couples experience - makes you feel like you're in a bubble! - Everything was really special - rooms were beautiful. The property is split into two parts - Lake Rooms & Forest Rooms. Lake Rooms are down at the bottom of a paved road, Lake is at the top near the restaurant. Different experiences in these two locations - and we were in the beautiful Lake Room 1/2 (cant remember which). Convenience and the beautiful stream/river between the the valley makes for a gorgeous setting. Restaurant is nice and close and the food and service are great. Accommodate vegans and halal as far as possible. Lake View rooms take you a bit away from the convenience of closeness to the restaurant but the vista is still lovely. Just all round - a lovely experience. Staff was helpful and friendly. Should stay at least 3 nights - we didn't leave the location because there was enough to do right there for 3 nights. Nothing! You MUST have a good vehicle to access the location - no low cars, bring a bakkie or SUV.
• A (10/5): Exceptional - Exceptional place. Good food, food beds, hot water. Absoluut amazing place. I will go again and again. Well run place. You lack nothing Nothing
• Aucamp (9/5): Superb -
• Constance (10/5): Absolutely loved the place , I’d come back for sure - The food was amazing , the scenery breathtaking and the most friendliest staff Although warned in advance about the gravel , it feels longer than it may actually be
• Bambo (9/5): Superb -
• Merenchia (9/5): It was amazing and the food was excellent. - The breakfast was delicious, and the location gorgeous. The unit was extremely cold, and an air conditioner would have been great.
• Kennedy (10/5): Exceptional -
• Lerato (8/5): Serenity truly lives up to it’s name ♥️ - I have never been to a place surrounded by so much nature,and not just the looks but the sound of it too,this place is breathtaking from the moment you drive in thru the gates to the reception,it’s amazingly beautiful,it’s a very romantic area ♥️ 1.There was no air conditioning & gowns in our room..been to places with a lesser price but with those as standard… 2.The dinner on both nights was too salty,nice staff but they could try to go easy on that salt 😬
• Lefuma (8/5): Pleasant - The lodge is a good place,nice and quiet. Ideal for a peace of mind. We enjoyed the picnic also since we went there on colder month we appreciated the electric blanket nice touch I must say so our nights were warm and we slept very nicely. They do warn you about the gravel road you have to travel through before you get to the lodge and some other reviews I had seen stated the same but I guess I wasn't ready for how horrible that road is. Probably the biggest reason I won't be visiting again. It's not kind to any hatchback or sedan, best you have an SUV or bakkie if you heading there. The gravel road is also so long hence I believe it's not worth it to book here if u have a hatchback or a sedan despite the lodge being a good place. But you decide as you read this.
• Khethiwe (10/5): Exceptional -
• Mariana (10/5): Exceptional -
• Sizwe (7/5): Good -
• Joshua (10/5): Exceptional -

Photos