Sondéla Nature Reserve Review

Great for families!! Lots do to for the kids! They have activities at the farmyard to keep the kids busy over weekends and holidays! Lots of swimming pools! I would recommend hiring the Makhato houses rather than the chalets, they are more luxurious and bigger and most have a boma to get the real bushveld experience! And remember to buy Njala food because they stop by the houses and you can feed them!

Forgot my food twice. All in all my disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined

Good camping experience. Neat facilities and helpful staff. I personally feel there are some shortcomings for a resort that is rated 4star (for example quality of bathroom fittings at sites with own bathroom)

I don t know how they secured a 5 star rating for the Tourism Grading Council. Don t misunderstand me, it s not bad but it s not 5x stars. You re staying inside someone s house, your room will be next to the kitchen and dinning room so you ll hear other guest having dinner and you can t sleep late. Friendly staff, but all learners.

Great breakaway for peace and quite. Lacks on the entertainment side.

Nice and tidy retreat that is close to Pretoria. There is a wedding venue that can get noisy on weekends

Tourism board needs to regrade from 4 star to much less! They do not have many of the minimums required for 4 star. No shampoo or hairdryers supplied .. not even on request. Reception staff not sure about star rating although there is a certificate right behind them .. staff do not really know how to answer any questions or requests. Lighting in chalets and in store shocking .. store not very well stocked. restaurant looks horrid .. something like a school canteen so we won't even bother trying the food. Common area gardens are not very pretty. Informational pamphlets not quite so informational. 6 sleeper chalet with only one small couch in lounge, and 2 small armchairs. Would definitely not recommend Sondela .. Mabula a much better pick.
The wildlife reabilitaion centre was nice .. at least the staff that did the tour knew what they were talking about and was very pleasant.

Plenty activities both recreational and educational for the children.Conservation a priority.
Accommodation first class.

The week I spent with my friend whose son has a chalet there was really great. The only suggestion I have is that all the pools have banisters for the elderly as it is very difficult for us to get in and out of the pool without the assistance of of something to hold on to. Thank you

A stunning establishment just outside Pretoria, a must visit for any bush lover, mountain bike enthusiast or trail runner.

Very relaxing and a commitment to customer service. Reception just needs to understand that new customers dont know how things work, bit o erall a great experience

Had a great stay here. Good accommodation and houses are spaced far apart enough that you can have a private bushveld experience. Close enough to the city for a weekend, and far enough for a holiday.

Probably the best getaway under 90 minutes from Pretoria. Friendly, genuine, caring and helpful staff. Great value for money. Will definitely come again!

Not sure how this establishment can have a 4 & 5 star rating but I suppose money can buy anything in South Africa today. Beds that squeeck when you turn, braai grid falling appart, bad attitude staff members, people racing on the dirt roads as if they think they are in Dakar! Dirty swimming pools, the list goes on and on...do don't waste your time and money going to Sondela.

Great place to stay in terms of chalets etc and kids love it but activites such as the game drive is absolute rubbish, guides don't know anything about the wildlife or habitat of the reserve and it's a bit of a rip off. 0,000% COVID -19 protocols. They really need to get it together.

I'm booked in the Iketla country house, it's my first night here and I can't sleep because of the rats in the ceiling. This is disgusting considering the amount of money I paid. I don't see myself spending another night not sleeping. I'm so disappointed

Peaceful amongst nature and the animals coming to your front porch is just something you don't get to experience much elsewhere. Lovely restaurant, swimming pool area and a kiosk thats got all the basics you'll need.

I enjoyed the tranquility offered by the environment. Wild animals come to within a few meters away, a unique experience. There are no big five, so it's safe to cycle, jog, walk the many tracks in the park. Entertainment is sufficient. The nearest town is Belabela only about eight kilometer away.

Lovely place to go, during the holiday periods plenty of things for the kids to do.

Good place for a weekend get away. Nice peaceful , clean air beautiful sky at night. Fantastic accommodation, self catering and most importantly do not forget your mountain bike or even your road bike lots of good roads to get some km in.

+ Comfortable and spacious chalets while animals grazes between chalets. Variety of activity options. Friendly staff and excellent guest orientated communication. Farm yard offers the necessary food and activity options. Excellent family getaway.

- TV room furniture not enough for 6 people. No Wi Fi.

Sondela Nature reserve is the perfect place to go if you are looking to escape the city life and feel like you're deep in the bush. The chllets are all very private from eachother and the you will see and interact with a lot of wildlife. Staff are super friendly and helpful and there's lots for the kids to do with an animal farm, heated pools! Entertainment, restaurants, kiosks, put put and more. It's a great place to go on holiday

It was good, not the same as the first time, less busy, less activity, but fun none the less, the family enjoyed the cycling

Fantastic place. Bathrooms a
re very clean. Service is very friendly and helpful.

The place to get away from noise and totally relax. A quiet and peaceful atmosphere where one can hear every different chirp of the birds. Animals walk around ones chalet . Magical

Stayed in a private house, fabulous, relaxing, your own boma, and not far away from one of the heated pools, comes highly recommended

Very nice place! Staff are all extremely friendly. Detailed items like dubble ply toilet paper and towel paper in the kitchen. Free car wash as you leave the resort. Will definitly come again. Well done guys!

A nice relaxing place.
Your own unit of 3 beds and two baths, one shower though and a bath.
The units could do with a upgrade.
We checked in on a Tuesday, so quiet. The milking of the cows didn't happen as advertised.
We had to ask two days in a row to turn on the solar heating for the baby pool.
Once it was on, it was great.
Also guys, please put a sign up at reception stating that there isn't free wi-fi, like Google says.
By Friday there were more activities throughout the weekend which is nice.
Would be nice if you could make more of an effort in the week too.
Restaurant staff could do with more training.
The farmyard animals are fabulous.

We visit Sondela at least once a year. This December we stayed in Makhato 80. One of the worst units, and certainly not worth the price. No aircons, no dstv with an old box TV, fans we not working properly, no Tupperware, dirty linen in the main bedroom, bed are old and very uncomfortable, blocked drains. Only after a few phone calls were we assisted with the fans and dstv. Sondela itself was great, but pick your unit carefully.

The adult staff is very bed and they made my weakend very unpleasant

A bit expensive, but the chalets are cosy and far enough from neighbors with easy viewing of game.

Children love it. Lots of activities. Ablutions are always kept clean and tidy.

Sondela nature reserve is one of the best tranquil places to find yourself. From just a littlbit of time away to a conference, go and enjoy

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!! The view, wild animals and vibe is amazing. There can be some improvements, but not crucial.

We absolutely love camping at Sondela, they have very energetic staff always happy to assist.
Birdlife around the campsite is a treat
Gorgeous sunrise and sunsets

Thanks for the Kyknet Expo. Was great. The Solar Energy Life team.

Wine selection very limited and disappointing. Pool wasn't heated during our stay.Food, room and service excellent though. Beautiful setting.

Amazing, the wild, the facilities, the staff, will love to go for break away

We has an amazing family get away. Staff are very friendly and helpful. The activities are well priced and there is something for everyone to do. Will definitely visiting again!

Beautiful atmosphere
Good service
Kid friendly
Animals come to your Charlet's regularly
Lovely heated pools
Delicious milkshakes at their restaurant

Good place for family with kids but too close to the N1 highway. A lot of vehicle noise during the night can't sleep in the caravan park.

Love the service. So close to Joburg. Great cycle trails for any age

I see there was another review about your shop not having any stock. For the week no milk at all, no meat, no veges. The unfriendly guy and lady were not really interested. The guy said they will buy stock at the end of the month. Then you need to clear all your fancy ads off the board outside the shop and change your wording to "sometimes having stuff in the shop." Also the toilet behind your restaurant I had to complain 3 times before they put hand towels in.
The only saving grace was your entertainment guy doing the bingo. He is brilliant

The place is absolutely amazing! The staff - ALL of them - are so friendly and helpful! The chalets are well designed and one has peace of mind. Great service and great attractions: horse riding, quads, morning and night drives... much more. Just not catering for diabetics and lactose intolerants... but perhaps soon to be introduced!

Beautiful nature reserve with a wide variety of options in lodging, activities, wildlife and services. Definitely need to go back for another visit

Fantastic place if you want quality time with the whole family.

Great getaway closely situated from Pretoria. Excellent family holiday with a variety of activities for everyone. A lot of wildlife and great bush drive. Restaurant food is freshly made and service from all the staff is friendly, effecient and always willing to assist.

Great service, clean and awesome getaway for the weekend or holidays! Really enjoyed it.

Unique architecture. Loved the design of the chalet we stayed. If you want to wake up to animals at your door. Sondela it is.

Real bushveld experience. As a food vendor ... Pannekoek Bakkers ... we loved the Sondela Kyknet Outdoor Expo.

Amazing place!
Sondela is one of my favourite places.
The facilities are spotless.
The staff is amazing and so friendly.
The Karee chalets are clean and well located.
Overall, I highly recommend this place.

Service excellent as always but lost the ambiance when they had to rebuild the chalets after the fire. Less privacy bit should get better when vegetation grows back.

Friendly staff, very helpful even with our difficult crow. Nice facilities, activities for the whole family

Pristine accommodation, great service from the coffee shop ntabi the waiter, all in all a very good place to visit with affordable prices

Beautiful setting and amazing staff... the wildlife Centre does wonders to rescue endangered and injured animals
Kids friendly with piece of mind when children go for walks in the bush. Also an amazing place for bike riding...

Incredible place to get out of the city without losing your creature comforts, that bushveld feel, or driving far out of the city to get it.

Wonderful game farm, with great off-road experience to the accommodation area. Quiet and peaceful, for a great break away from the city..