Gorah Elephant Camp

Absolutely amazing experience -we were super close to all kinds of animals like elephant zebra rhino monkeys lots of birds spiders, Kudus antelope - do you have an old guy it’s cool explains you the whole surrounding like traces plants tracks. It is just unbelievable the tents are very big and spacious. They put little heaters under your blankets is everything you want you just feel like digging into a movie of the 20s the food is good the staff is very attentive and friendly, and the fuse from the lodge and or the drives are just one of a kind a must to.

This was one of the best places we have ever stayed in. From the moment we arrived until we left we had the most fantastic and amazing time. The people who work here are very friendly and efficient, they could not have been any more helpful. Our guide Werner was first class, he really made our stay. He is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic and we learnt so much and saw so many animals and birds. The watering hole in front of the main residence is a highlight and you can sit here for hours watching the ever changing animal scenery. Every meal we had was delicious, thanks to the chef. The “tents” are very spacious and comfortable with a lovely outdoor seating area for more animal spotting. Nothing is too much trouble for those who work here and we are already thinking about a return visit. Diolch yn fawr iawn. Thank you very much to everyone at Gorah.

Simone Coetzee was a fantastic host at Gorah and Werner LeRoux was a fabulous guide. This was our 2nd visit to Gorah and the facility, accommodation and overall Safari experience was incredible. All inclusive with meals with great food, a morning and late afternoon drive and the opportunity to see animals up close as they come to the watering hole located behind the main lodge. Sleeping in the luxury tents and hearing the sounds of the night were also a highlight. Thanks so much to Simone, Werner and the lodge staff in making our 2nd visit as incredible as the first. This is a great safari experience.

We stayed here for three days and nights while doing the garden tour in South Africa. This was an amazing place to stay and has given us life-long memories. The facilities are outstanding - and created in a traditional way - you think you have stepped into a 1920s world, but with everything you need available for your use. The team is always on hand to assist and we were assigned out safari guide for our stay. Riaan was outstanding and very flexible, He took us all over the park and we managed to see everything we wanted to. He was extremely knowledgeable and had a great manner and really adapted his plans to suit us. The team back at the lodge were great as-well. Very friendly and always making sure you were enjoying yourself and had everything you need. I would hugely recommend this for anyone who wants a bit of luxury while doing a safari, You will not regret it!

Our expectations were truly exceeded at Gorrah. We had an amazing three night stay and the staff were absolutely fantastic - shout out to Justin, Elizabeth, Donald, Siya and Cheryl (and everyone else). Nothing was too much for them and they accommodated our every request. The food was absolutely delicious and the team kindly worked around all our dietary requirements. The lodge is situated around a watering hole in the middle of the bush and you truly experience the beauty of nature - stumbling across zebras walking to the tent to watching elephants whilst eating breakfast. Justin, our ranger was a fountain of knowledge, patiently explaining everything we were seeing and ensuring that we got the best from the experience. A huge thank you to the whole team for giving us memories of a lifetime. The Dwek family.

We stayed at the camp for 2 days. The staff is exceptional and goes out of their way to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. Thank you Cheryl and Ashley for making our stay incredible! We will cherish this experience and wonderful memories for the rest of our lives. The food was amazing and on par with fine dining. As a guest, you are offered options at the mini bar in your tent or the main guest house. The tents are a bit rustic but very comfortable with all the necessary amenities. You are in the middle of nowhere. If you are planning to drive to the camp yourself, we recommend renting an SUV. One has to drive about 10 miles on a dirt road from the main entrance which can get rough. While the accommodations are not cheap, as other stated this is one in a lifetime experience worth every penny.

Our second stay at Gorah and it was just as memorable as the first. What sets Gorah apart from the majority of safari lodges we've been lucky enough to visit is the quality of sightings between game drives !! The proximity of the water hole directly in front of the lodge pretty much guarantees sightings of elephant, zebra, warthog, red hartebeest, black rhino, buffalo, vervet monkeys etc throughout the day & night. The game drives are terrific too. Gorah enjoys a strong team of guides, all with excellent knowledge of the Addo mammals, birds & plants which they share with enthusiasm and humour. The two drives per day explore both the Gorah concession and the broader Addo National Park in search of the best sightings. The modern vehicles are equipped with blankets, ponchos, hot water bottles etc as well as the obligatory camp table & portable bar for sundowners. The tented suites are fantastic, equipped with everything you would expect in a 5 star luxury hotel (including a free mini bar). Each suite has a deck overlooking the beautiful savannah which is a helpful reminder that there are no fences between you & the animals you encounter on your game drives !! The Manor House is an elegant throwback to the filmset of Out of Africa. Breakfast, lunch, dinner & afternoon tea are all served in the Manor House and were excellent quality. It's worth noting that all drinks (other than a few premium brands) are included at Gorah which is not always the case, so it's good value compared to other safari options, Gorah is lucky to have a fantastic team who go out of their way to make your stay a special experience. All of them were brilliant but for us Sia, Travis, Mavis, & Simoné were the absolute stars. Finally, if you self-drive from Port Elizabeth, make sure you follow the directions along the N2 to the Mathyolweni Entrance of Addo Elephant National Park and DO NOT take the shorter R335 through Motherwell, it's not safe...... We look forward to our third stay.....

Just like the other reviewers we found this an incredible place to stay, I wish I could give it 6 stars! The tents are glamping on steroids, large with four poster bed, drinks cabinet, shower, heaters and electricity. The food at the lodge, with complementary wines or beers, was to a very high standard, changed every day and absolutely delicious. Our guide, Andre, was excellent. He knew about the animals and where to find them but also about the flowers, the trees, the land and the insects. He really made the three days we stayed there special. We saw lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, monkeys, hyena, giraffe, warthogs, dung beetle and lots lots more. On the first afternoon drive seeing a table with a white table cloth being set for drinks while in the background two elephants jostled for the drinking rights at the water hole, truly magical. Having the water hole by the hotel meant you could be having your evening drink while watching the rhino or elephants having theirs. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff, they always greet you with a smile. I liked the way they never made you feel rushed always saying take your time we’ll go when you are ready. It is an expensive choice but you will not find a better place to stay.

This is a luxury hotel in a unique location, and - while expensive - is really worth the price. Care is taken over all aspects of your stay by the incredibly friendly and welcoming staff, from the personalised notes in your tent, to a personal safari bag, and personalised menus. Plentiful food and drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) throughout the day. The two game drives per day (7am and 4pm) were led by an enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable guide, for whom no question was too simple and who shared his knowledge of the landscape and animals with great attention to detail. The hotel has a watering hole at which animals come to drink throughout the day and night. The guides will walk you to and from your tent during darkness hours to ensure your safety as this is an open reserve and animals come and go around the whole area. Food was good - desserts and cake are a particular strong point. There was choice for vegetarians although the vegan choice at breakfast was limited. One feature which would have helped to know about in advance is the length of the journey from the Matyholweni Gate to Gorah and the hotel. Even though you are sent a permit in advance, you will have to complete additional paperwork at the Addo entrance, and then the roads are generally quite rough to drive and it will take longer thank you think, especially during or after bad weather and in a standard town car (e.g. not an off-vehicle). Suggest allowing up to 90 minutes to get the paperwork at the Gate and then make the drive, so you don't end up being late for tea and the first game drive. Highly recommended; an unforgettable experience.