Kurhula Wildlife Lodge |
Parsons Nature Reserve, plot no. 25, in the neighbourhood of
Hoedspruit Closed and moved to: |
There are 4 rooms, attached per 2;
the two buildings are situated one after
another with a height difference.
Beautiful and above all practical with
good beds, but rather small. There is a
mini fridge available. The beautiful
bathroom has 2 sinks. 2 rooms share a
balcony. The disadvantage we experienced
is that we smelled cigarette smoke from
the neighbor occasionally in our
direction. The rooms and the restaurant
overlook the Olifants River. There are
seats at the river. There is no fence
around it, so all the wild can walk
past! We saw an elephant walking through
the garden both days (and much more) and
heard lions at night.
The breakfast
and dinner are good, but not lavish or
luxurious. Pre and dessert is more
special, main course is simple
potato-vegetable-meat(or supermarket
meat substitute) and perhaps too little
for a big eater. The service is good but
not the kind that staff comes to you
when they think you need something. This
is more usual with Dutch owners and
management. No buffet. Excursions can be
booked.
There is a small infinity pool, but
it is probably too cold for most
swimmers in September.
The journey
from the entrance of the nature reserve
to the 'lot' on which this lodge is
located takes about 45 minutes and parts
are as good as unsuitable for non 'high
clearance' vehicles. It is possible, but
it did not seem sensible to us. In terms
of price, you think of a relatively
low-priced luxury lodge, which we have
visited elsewhere. But there the cottage
was bigger, not attached, the meals more
extensive and refined and safaris
included. Compared to this we found this
lodge actually about 50% too expensive.
We do not discourage it, because the
area is really special and there is not
much to complain, but you have to go
with the right expectation.