About Pondoro Safari Lodge

Pondoro is situated on the cool riverine banks of the Olifants river, inside the 50 000ha Balule Private Game Reserve inside the Greater Kruger National Park.

The award winning Pondoro Game Lodge offers its visitors comfort, sophistication, elegance and a canvas on which to create a an unforgettable African Wildlife Safari.

Robbie and Lize Prehn are the founders and your hosts here at Pondoro Game Lodge. They are the definition of warm African hospitality. Robbie has been a professional guide for 20 years. His passion for the bush and photography coupled with his intimate knowledge of the area and its inhabitants makes him a wonderful guide for photographic safaris. Lize manages the lodge and it’s her mission to ensure you have the best, most luxurious experience possible. They are passionate about nature and their work and it shows in every aspect of the Pondoro experience.  This level of love and commitment has resulted in numerous awards and a five star rating. Most recently we were crowned the Best Luxury Safari Retreat(Global Winner) at the 2023 World Luxury Hotel Awards.

An African Wildlife Safari at Pondoro is about intimacy, tranquility and the romance of a bygone era. This small, exclusive 16-bed lodge fits the mould perfectly with 8 chalets spread out along the largest perennial river in the Kruger National Park.

Open top Game Drives are conducted, morning and evening, by expert rangers and trackers meaning you’ll have an excellent opportunity to see the African Big 5 and other plains game up close. We also limit the number of vehicles on our concession allowing for quiet, natural viewing of these majestic animals.

Our five star kitchen offers an extraordinary culinary experience fusing traditional African cuisine with modern European trends, paired with a selection of fine wines from our award winning wine cellar. Meals are served on a wooden deck high up in the tree canopy overlooking the majestic Olifants River below.

Pondoro Game Lodge is situated in the eastern lowveld that has a subtropical climate with hot, wet summers and cool, dry winters.

Many animals give birth at this time of year and summer-visiting migrant bird species can also be seen.

Average temperatures
Spring (September – November)

• Minimum: 20 Degrees Celsius
• Maximum: 30 Degrees Celsius

Summer (December – February)

• Minimum: 20 Degrees Celsius
• Maximum: 35+ Degrees Celsius

The bush is less dense and animals congregate more around waterholes.

Average temperatures
Autumn (March – May)

• Minimum: 20 Degrees Celsius
• Maximum: 30 Degrees Celsius

Winter (June – August)

• Minimum: 10 Degrees Celsius
• Maximum: 25 Degrees Celsius