Bona Intaba Game Lodge - Canyon Game Reserve

Reviews

• "Exclusiveness, tranquility and view"

  09 July 2018

  "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."

• "Surrounding areas are amazing"

  22 June 2018

  "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:<br/>The lodge is very clean and very private.<br/>The sand road leading up to it is well maintained and accessible with a small vehicle. <br/>James, the caretaker, is attentive but not intrusive. <br/>Jessica the hippo was an amazing attraction which is close by.<br/>Suggestions for a better experience:<br/>Maybe heat up the pool as it is incredibly cold and cannot be used on hot days.<br/>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.<br/>Also, remove misleading photos of the view of the mountain as there are no views. It is just trees.<br/>The bad and the ugly:<br/>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.<br/> 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.<br/>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.<br/>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.<br/>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.<br/>No scissors in the kitchen. Self catering right? Am I the only one that needs to cut open packets?<br/>No matching cutlery or kitchenware (this is supposed to be 4 star after all)<br/>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.<br/>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.<br/>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. <br/><br/>**************************************************<br/>Thank you for your dishonest and unjust review. <br/><br/>Your review contradicts the review you gave in our guest book in which you raved about the Lodge as well as James. <br/><br/>The Game Lodge is a legitimately graded, 4 star self catering establishment offering affordable accommodation and exclusive use. <br/><br/>The pool is a normal pool and is advertised as such. <br/><br/>Im sure James would have allowed you to choose any room if you had asked. <br/><br/>Their are background views of the mountains. <br/><br/>At the low rate we offer one can hardly expect complimentary mineral water, yet we do provide a water filter. <br/><br/>It would be nice to receive a thank you for the complimentary filter coffee we provide in the mornings. <br/><br/>The 6H00 pm rule is only applicable when guests check in as per the info on the website. <br/><br/>James informed us that you were lying on the expensive leather couches with dirty feet. <br/><br/>The chair is not broken but merely the wheels that are loose. <br/><br/>Funny, all other guests are happy to eat at either the kitchen nook or the outside tables as they enjoy the bush. <br/><br/>Note that the kitchen is fully equipped including scissors. <br/><br/>The sheets are new and no other guests have complained about them or the pillows. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>Sorry that our establishment did not meet your excessively demanding expectations. <br/><br/><br/>Kind Regards<br/>Francois<br/>Bona Intaba Game Lodge <br/>no 3, Canyon Game Reserve<br/>Blyde River Canyon<br/>e-mail: [email protected]<br/>mobile: +27 0837517486<br/>www.bonaintaba.co.za <br/>"

• "Stunning location!"

  21 November 2017

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

• "Butler"

  12 November 2017

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

• "Fabulous"

  30 October 2017

  "We had a great time at the place. James gave us a 5 star service."

• "Unique Bush Experience"

  11 August 2017

  "Loved the spectacular setting behind the Blyde Canyon mountains with views into the Bush. Enjoyed the short walking safari with James. Saw a lot of birds and animals while relaxing on the patio.The boat cruise on Swadini dam was a plus -lovely views of 3 rondavels, waterfall and hippo.Met more than my expectations."

• "Peace and Quiet"

  16 June 2017

  "I enjoyed the tranquility and privacy /exclusive use and not having to share the lodge with other guests.James the staff member made me feel at home and did not intrude on my privacy . The lodge was very clean and cosy . I had the pleasure of watching Nyala drinking from the pond closeby. Thanks Bona Intaba for the lovely stay -wish I could have stayed for longer."

• "The Blyde River canyon"

  02 June 2017

  "Enjoyed the peace of the lodge."

• "Great venue with amazing accomidation and facilities in a natural enviroment."

  16 May 2017

  "James is a bit to personal with us and we did not enjoy our stay due to the peace and serenity we came to experience. He played music loud and stuck around to long. With also weird times for cleaning which made us unfomfortable"

• "Fantastic safari experience"

  06 October 2013

  "Fantastic safari experience!We had the exclusive use of the Game Lodge which ensured total privacy and tranquillity.Observed lots of wildlife whilst relaxing at the pool.The Lodge were fully equipped. Thank you Francois from Bona Intaba Private Game Lodge.Will be back soon!"

• "Thank you"

  24 September 2013

  "Thank you so much to all of you for a clean efficient lovely stay. Thank you Ismail, you did it all for us. Take care."

• "Ideal getaway"

  08 July 2013

  "Ideal getaway if you want some R&R."