Abelana River Lodge

We went back to the bush after nearly 15 years of being away from that part of the world to spoil ourselves and celebrate our older daughter's 40th, Father's Day and a 44th wedding anniversary. This is a special. warm. welcoming and down-to-earth place indeed. Great food. Beautifully served. Just the right size of helping. Nothing is too much trouble for anyone on the staff, We had really good sightings. Small stuff. Big stuff. Walks with cheetah and rhino, birds, antelope, lion, fresh kills. The list could go on. And it does. We cannot recommend our guide, Wernich (Verne) , enough. He went far above and beyond to find us game large, small and tiny -- and to take us to the baobabs, which is off-the-scale special as a sighting. I don't think he had to do that as part of his job description/ KPAs, but he did. His energy and passion to know more and more about bush-lore and to make the deep knowledge he's already imbibed was inspiring. Thanks Verne. And also a huge thanks to Rob, Isaac, Judy for their calm, cheerful engagements on every occasion. This is a seriously, seriously special place. Go there.

Accommodation -Beds, pillows, shower (indoor and out) and room were superior. Food was beyond our expectation. My husband stated “this is the best meal” then we’d have the next meal and that was his favourite meal!! The service was inviting and the people friendly and welcoming (right from the women that provided hot washcloths on arrival and after every safari trip) The lodge was immaculate, well kept. Rob our host was very knowledgeable and friendly. Now both Duncan and Vern were exceptional. So knowledgeable and provided an amazing experience. Duncan, our guide was so proud of his heritage and his enthusiasm we couldn’t wait to hear his stories. We would recommend this accommodation!!

Absolutely wonderful experience celebrating our second wedding anniversary at this game lodge! The ambiance was magical, the staff attentive, and the wildlife encounters unforgettable. Can't wait to return for another special occasion!

Our experience at Abelana Game Reserve was nothing short of extraordinary, and the remarkable stateliness of its resident lions played a pivotal role in shaping this unforgettable journey. For anyone seeking a true wilderness adventure coupled with the chance to witness nature's most iconic creatures in their element, Abelana Game Reserve is a destination not to be missed.

We had an absolutely incredible time at Abelana. The staff and property were equally world-class. The rooms and lodge were impeccably decorated and maintained. Don't even get me started on the food - well worth the trip (The only inconvenience is getting there...) Highly recommend!

Pretty much a flawless experience from beginning to end. We spent three blissful nights at Abelana River Lodge and fell in love with the place and the people who work there. Great food, fabulous rooms, beautiful view. It's a no-brainer, really. Shout out to game ranger Duncan!

A 5 star experience in every way with great attention to detail. The pics/vids don’t do the beauty of Abelana justice. A big thanks to Natalie and the team for their above and beyond service (e.g. they organised an ridiculously fun mini amazing race safari for my team) and the game rangers are not just handsome but made the experience that much more personable and fun. 10/10

This was our third visit because we love it so much and it just keeps getting better. We arrived to two male elephants grazing happily right by the pool. The lodge is absolutely stunning, located right on the bank of the Selati River. We would sit for hours with our drinks watching wart hogs, bush buck, nyalas and baboons going about their business on the opposite riverbank. The best was waking up to the sound of hippos grunting right outside our suite. The suites are extremely luxurious, comfortable and beautifully decorated. I loved the outdoor shower! The staff at Abelana are incredible. Natalie goes out of her way to make your stay such a wonderful experience. She adds that personal touch that you just don't get at other places. Wern, our field guide, was fantastic. He has an indepth knowledge of the bush and we loved learning so much from him. Some of our best memories are from our game drives. We were lucky to sight lion, cheetah, buffalo, elephants and many other plains game, as well as learn so much about all the birds, small creatures and plant species in the bush. The actual reserve is breathtakingly beautiful and is huge, with such diverse topography. They only have the River Lodge and tented camp on the reserve so it's likely not to bump into any other game vehicles which makes it truly special. No queueing to see game here! Thank you Abelana, particularly Natalie and Wern, for making our stay so wonderful. We will definitely be back!

The staff at Abelana went above and beyond for the days I spent there as part of a wedding party. No ask was too big and it was always done with a smile on their face. The rangers did a great job of finding great sightings, sharing knowledge about the bush and making sure everyone had a good time. The lodge itself is set against a picturesque river where elephants, hippos, monkeys and king fishers can be seen throughout the day. The bungalows are beautifully designed and decorated.