Bona Intaba Game Lodge - Canyon Game Reserve

Bona Intaba Game Lodge - Canyon Game Reserve

Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Self-catering from R 520 (family units from R 1,100)
R 520

Bona Intaba Private Game Lodge offers luxurious self catering thatched accommodation and is synonymous with privacy, seclusion, peace and tranquillity and is captivatingly situated in the Private Canyon Game Reserve set against the breathtaking backdrop of the majestic Blyde River Canyon Mountain Range.Bona Intaba Game lodge's emphasis is on exclusivity and uncompromised standards of excellence, fine devotion to detail and unrestrained luxury.Accommodation is limited to only 4 en-suite bedrooms, each one exuding refinement with chic African décor and supreme comforts such as air conditioning, hairdryers, fine linen and comfortable beds.Guests shall have the exclusive use of the entire Game Lodge ( no sharing with other guests ) on a self catering basis. The Lodge is fully equipped and serviced daily. The 4 masterfully appointed en-suite bedrooms are complimented by the stylishly decorated African theme, air conditioned lounge with a flat screen satellite television.A safari styled lapa, a crystal clear pool and a comfortable outdoor entertainment area is ideal for relaxation and game spotting.Enjoy the views of the surrounding unfenced bush while sipping on cool sundowners.Enjoy a roaring fire in the boma, an ideal venue to gaze at the amazing stars of a clear African sky.Bona Intaba Game Lodge is the perfect choice for those who want to indulge in a little bit of romance or to escape from the hectic city life.We offer full and half day guided Kruger Park Safaris in an open safari vehicle.Cost and booking enquiries in advance essential.We also offer guided walking safaris at a cost of R100 per couple.We have an honesty bar on site and we accept credit cards.

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BONA INTABA GAME LODGE - CANYON GAME RESERVE PHOTO GALLERY
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BONA INTABA GAME LODGE - CANYON GAME RESERVE RATES
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The rates table below is a guide and is subject to change. Please confirm rates and availability by requesting a quote.
RATES: SingleSharingPer Unit
MinimumR 520R 520R 1,100
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BONA INTABA GAME LODGE - CANYON GAME RESERVE FACILITIES
Braai/Barbecue Cosy Credit Card Facilities Hiking Parking on Premises Satellite TV Swimming Pool Wi-Fi Safari
BONA INTABA GAME LODGE - CANYON GAME RESERVE REVIEWS (82%)
Butler by

James was extraordinary and went out of his way to makes our stay as pleasant as possible. Thank you

Stunning location! by

We loved the location, it was totally private, the facility was of a high standard, it was clean and comfortable.

Surrounding areas are amazing by

I am aiming to do a very honest review. I had high hopes when making this booking for our honeymoon. Starting off with the good points:
The lodge is very clean and very private.
The sand road leading up to it is well maintained and accessible with a small vehicle.
James, the caretaker, is attentive but not intrusive.
Jessica the hippo was an amazing attraction which is close by.
Suggestions for a better experience:
Maybe heat up the pool as it is incredibly cold and cannot be used on hot days.
Let your guest choose which bedroom they want. They paid for the whole lodge, they can at least get a choice especially if it is just one couple.
Also, remove misleading photos of the view of the mountain as there are no views. It is just trees.
The bad and the ugly:
Upon arrival we saw an information leaflet in the room which we normally don't read. Luckily we did, as it then came to our attention that we needed to bring our own drinking water. The lodge has a mini bar stocked with sparkling water and unlike all other 4 star establishments we have stayed at, the water was not complimentary. Also, when we brushed our teeth using tap water in the bathroom, the water turned out muddy... mmmm. Awesome. Your guests kinda need to know to bring their own water WHEN THE BOOKING IS MADE as they are not allowed out after 18.00 as per the reserve's rules.
Also, the 6pm rule is just so restrictive. We knew we had to check in by 17.30 but at least thought we would get a pass to let us in and out as we pleased. If being tucked away by 6pm is not your thing, do not bother.
You are not allowed to lay on the couches in the lounge area. Fair enough. But I paid to relax. So if I want to lay on a couch, I want to lay on a couch. We are very considerate people and do not go out of our way to damage property. It felt like a slap in the face.
The single chair in the lounge area is broken. The 2 front legs' wheels are broken and bent backwards and the back rest has a crack through it.
The chairs by the dining table at the swimming pool are all rickety and is sure to collapse any day now. That is also the only place where you can eat around a table - outside. On the inside is a bar counter which is not exactly a table to enjoy a dinner with your partner.
No scissors in the kitchen. Self catering right? Am I the only one that needs to cut open packets?
No matching cutlery or kitchenware (this is supposed to be 4 star after all)
Then the bedding. Never in my life have I experienced this at a 4 star establishment. The sheets on the bed are not even 100% cotton nor do they have that fresh, crispy feel. The sheets are probably as old as the lodge is. If I should have started a pillow fight with my husband, I am sure he would have gotten a concussion as they are about 2cm high and rock hard. Very old and just really, really not acceptable for 4 supposed stars. I just cannot get over this.
And then folks, should you want to walk around in the game reserve you need to arrange with the care taker to babysit you AND you need to pay for the care taker to walk with you around the reserve as he needs to make sure we do not litter. It is definitely not a "guided tour" as he was way more interested in talking with whomever on the radio than he was in keeping quiet to look for animals. We asked what the best time would be for a walk and he suggested 14.30. Now, it is really hot and growing up in Phalaborwa, I know from experience that the animals are not really active in the afternoon when it is that hot. So we asked James if he was sure as we can do a morning walk or rather a bit later in the afternoon. He stuck to the time and when we got back to the lodge, he literally ran off saying "Bye, I am going to have some fun at the gate". Now we know why the impractical time was given.
This might have been a 4 star lodge back in the days when it opened but after downloading the Star rating guidelines I am quite sure it would rate between 2 and 3 stars. Which I would have been fine with if that is what I wanted. It was our honeymoon after all.

**************************************************
Thank you for your dishonest and unjust review.

Your review contradicts the review you gave in our guest book in which you raved about the Lodge as well as James.

The Game Lodge is a legitimately graded, 4 star self catering establishment offering affordable accommodation and exclusive use.

The pool is a normal pool and is advertised as such.

Im sure James would have allowed you to choose any room if you had asked.

Their are background views of the mountains.

At the low rate we offer one can hardly expect complimentary mineral water, yet we do provide a water filter.

It would be nice to receive a thank you for the complimentary filter coffee we provide in the mornings.

The 6H00 pm rule is only applicable when guests check in as per the info on the website.

James informed us that you were lying on the expensive leather couches with dirty feet.

The chair is not broken but merely the wheels that are loose.

Funny, all other guests are happy to eat at either the kitchen nook or the outside tables as they enjoy the bush.

Note that the kitchen is fully equipped including scissors.

The sheets are new and no other guests have complained about them or the pillows.

All other guests have welcomed James taking them on walks and at a time that suits them and keep in mind that it is a private game reserve and therefore no unguided walks are permitted.

Sorry that our establishment did not meet your excessively demanding expectations.


Kind Regards
Francois
Bona Intaba Game Lodge
no 3, Canyon Game Reserve
Blyde River Canyon
e-mail: [email protected]
mobile: +27 0837517486
www.bonaintaba.co.za


Exclusiveness, tranquility and view by

Lovely views, beautiful setting. It was so amazing to have the place to ourselves. Caretaker was under the wrong impression that we were coming two days later, so the place was not as organised as what would ordinarily be expected. Better the second day though.

BONA INTABA GAME LODGE - CANYON GAME RESERVE LOCATION

Location of Bona Intaba Game Lodge - Canyon Game Reserve

Latitude: -24.43842   Longitude: 30.78389


Map of Bona Intaba Game Lodge - Canyon Game Reserve in Blyde River Canyon





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