4.87
215 reviews
verified
Elizabeth and Andrew
January 2023
Wonderful experience. Loved the mix of relaxing and exciting activities. Thank you!
Ray
January 2023
Really a fabulous experience. Staff couldn't be more hospitable.
Stan
September 2022
Would recommend to everyone. Hope to be back soon! All staff were great.
Mike and Debbie
September 2022
Awesome! The most beautiful tent safari we've ever stayed at.
Valerie and Nicolas
September 2022
This was our first time to South Africa, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. We will be back. Thank you for everything!
Andrea and Philip
September 2022
We had an amazing time! Originally, I had a hard time convincing my hubby to come and now we already planning our next trip back!! Shaun and Andre are the best. We will miss out time here, but we will be coming again soon.
Jeanette and Joe
September 2022
Such a wonderful experience! Would love to come back. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience.
Connie
June 2022
The trip was for my son's graduation gift and we both had an amazing experience. The connection with the staff, guests and my son made it so enjoyable and special. Thank you to all for making his first trip to South Africa memorable!
Kelly
June 2022
The room was gorgeous! It exceeded our expectations! It was exceeding clean and beautiful decorated. The food was delicious! All the food was so good and plated in such a lovely and appetizing way. This was an incredible experience that we will never forget! Hippo Lakes is truly a special place! I can't say enough about the staff and rangers. We learned so much from all the game drives, but also from the meals. The wealth of information that the rangers have and share with the guests makes the experience unique. The commitment of Hippo Lakes to conservation is also admirable. We hope we will be able to come back some day!
Jan
June 2022
The tent was so comfortable, clean with great views, the food and accommodations were exceptional and the staff friendly, knowledgeable, and fun. The rangers were so knowledgeable and filled with facts and made it a great experience. The We felt so pampered and learned so much! Thanks for a great into to safari in South Africa.
Kimberlie and Mollie
May 2022
Amazing experience! The food was 5 star, and the staff was the best we've ever had! Shaun and Andre are the best!
Juli and Melissa
May 2022
Incredible! We will definitely recommend Hippo Lakes to all our friends. Thank you so much for an amazing week!!
Hallett
May 2022
Fabulous! Hospitality was over the top and food was excellent. The drives were exciting!
Priscilla and Walter
May 2022
Our tent was over the top. We had excellent variety of food. The staff was very attentive and polite and the rangers so delightful and informative. The game drives were awesome, could not ask for more exciting! The trip exceeded our expectations. A wonderful experience. Will recommend to family and friends. Thank you so much for an unforgettable adventure!
Fulmer
January 2022
100/10 Experience! Great location and staff. Will recommend this place to anyone. Rating 10/10
Jenna and Eric
October 2021
Our overall experience at Hippo Lakes was “Great!” Couldn’t ask for a more perfect week!
Kelsey and Brendan
September 2021
We arrived as guests and are leaving feeling like family. This was an incredible experience, unlike anything else. We already can’t wait to come back!
David and Meredith
August 2021
This was a trip of a lifetime and to be able to experience it with the people and staff that was amazing made it wonderful!!
Jeff
August 2021
Really enjoyed it - everything was perfect!
Amanda and Kevin
August 2021
Thank you so much for everything!!! This truly is a special place- the staff, rangers, Shinade, everyone makes the experience unforgettable. We cannot express how greatful we are to have had this opportunity. Thank you!
Judy and Chelsea
August 2021
Excellent, loved every minute.
Janelle and Chris
August 2021
We had a wonderful experience and are so thankful for our time and to the staff and rangers who made this experience so special.
Jaime and Eric
August 2021
The tent was beautiful and very comfortable and the food amazing and the taste extraordinary. The staff make this resort amazing and would be the reason we would return. The rangers let you fall in love with Africa, couldn’t be better. The excursions made the experience complete! Highly recommend having all of them!!! We would want to come back as the staff at Hippo Lakes feels like family – we will miss them greatly! The are what makes this beautiful location so special!
Fran and Gary
August 2021
Fantastic! Loved it all.
Paige and Gary
August 2021
6 out of 5 stars! Exceeded our expectations! Lovely rooms, a very personal - lovely experience that we will be talking about the rest of our lives.
Michelle and David
August 2021
Great experience!!
Ramona and Matthew
August 2021
Awesome -> Shaun and Andre are fantastic! Very engaging. Amazing food.
Clive and Miki
July 2021
Our accommodation was clean, comfortable and 5 Star! Food and staff the best and top notch! The rangers at Hippo Lakes are excellent, knowledgeable, and entertaining and the game drives wonderful and very entertaining! The excursions are all good and it is highly recommended to do them all! The best trip we have ever been on!!! Thank you!!!
Morgan and Jessica
July 2021
The tent accommodation was comfortable and the food delicious, authentic and a good variety with the staff very friendly and accommodating. The rangers knowledgeable and fun! We enjoyed the Hippo Lakes game drive the best. The helicopter drive and braai were magical! Very thoughtful. We had the best time of our lives. Thank you for making our South Africa experience so wonderful!
Monica and Kalley
July 2021
Amazing! You have a great resort and an even better Team. The team makes the experience!
Dawn
June 2021
All was wonderful - amazing experience, the staff super friendly, delicious food and comfortable accommodations.
Luca
June 2021
The accommodation was luxurious and comfortable, the food was abundant, staff kind and always smiling and the rangers funny and informative. We were not sure what to expect, especially concerning Covid, but we were so pleasantly surprised to enjoy a special week that felt normal. Thank you for giving us an exceptional holiday!
Lori and Jessica
June 2021
Everything from the accommodation, food, staff, rangers, game drives and excursions were truly lovely. This was truly a wonderful vacation!
Joni
June 2021
Fabulous Experience!
Andy and Megan
June 2021
The tent accommodation was more than we expected! The food was amazing with very nice and attentive staff. The rangers were friendly, knowledgeable and had great stories. Really enjoyed the game drives and saw all the game. It was a positive experience which exceeded expectations.
Chris and Melissa
June 2021
Awesome experience, loved it!
Elizabeth and Charles
June 2021
Excellent!
Dixon
May 2021
More and way beyond my expectations. Wonderful food. Shaun made the safari that much better!!
Britney
May 2021
We loved every second. Was wonderful. Wouldn't change a thing.
Emily
May 2021
We can't wait to come back! This trip completely perfect and has truly opened our hearts to South Africa. We will be back!
Amanda
May 2021
Exceeded my expectations! Everything was over the top. Bitter sweet to leave- excited to get back to my family but hate to leave. Thank you for such an amazing experience.
Melissa
May 2021
A TRIP of a Lifetime. Thank you for the special time with my family and friends. We will spread the word on this wonderful trip!
Christy
April 2021
Everything was perfect!!!
Kevin & Payton
April 2021
Phenomenal experience. Plan to return.
Sue & Rick
April 2021
A wonderful time here. All of staff were exceptional, friendly & knowledgable.
Jillian
April 2021
10/10! Cannot believe how beautiful the property and what a life changing experience this was.
Elise
March 2021
To my fellow Hippo Lakes travelers – I just wanted to let anyone thinking about going to Hippo Lakes, especially with the pandemic still going on, that now is a wonderful time to travel. I have traveled my whole life, and have been on safari before, but not like this. We were lucky to be the first travelers Hippos Lakes had in over a year, and it was just myself and my two nieces. We were treated like royalty, but even better than that, we felt like we were treated like family. The hospitality was amazing, the attention was unprecedented, and we felt safe and not restricted. Being on safari without groups of other travelers was incredible. We were able to ask for anything, and didn’t have to worry about stepping on other travelers’ toes with our requests. We left healthy, happy, and awe inspired.
Kelly
March 2021
Unforgetable, would not have changed a thing about this trip, this place and the people.
Lauren
March 2021
Perfect, beautiful, magical!
Shari & Mike
February 2020
Absolutely wonderful.
Beena
February 2020
Unreal. Words can not describe the amazing experience!
Paul & Elen
February 2020
Thank you for the amazing experience, we loved every second, the delicious food, one amazing staff and some incredible experiences.
Louisa & Dan
February 2020
Excellent, can’t wait to come back!
Lemy
January 2020
Cozy and excellent environment. People here are nice and make us feel like home. Food and the arrangement is excellent and we would like to come back again.
Lawrence
January 2020
Awesome first safari experience. Will return.
Kyle & Fred
January 2020
Everything this week has exceeded our expectations. We are already wanting to plan our return!
Patrick & Pip
January 2020
My favorite trip. Love South Africa and this region in particular. The animals are stunning. The people here make this a magical place. I would highly, highly recommend this for a couple or family. We are already planning a return trip in 2021. Thank you very much for making us feel at home in South Africa and here at Hippo Lakes.
Brandon & Rebekah
January 2020
Great experience. Loved everything.
Andrew
January 2020
Outstanding experience. Excellent company, so so enjoyable.
Arti
January 2020
Staff were friendly, food was amazing, Franco is so good! The Rangers we met were brilliant, gave us so much information. Had a great time.
Maryann
January 2020
Staff were friendly, food was amazing, Franco is so good! The Rangers we met were brilliant, gave us so much information. Had a great time.
David
January 2020
Perfect - enjoyed every minute. All staff were excellent.