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Mountain Sanctuary Park
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Mountain Sanctuary Park

See all things to do
See all things to do
Mountain Sanctuary Park
4
118 reviews
#1 of 10 things to do in Magaliesburg
Biking Trails • Nature & Wildlife Areas
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
118 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
41
Average
10
Poor
5
Terrible
16
Igmar P
88 contributions
Stuck between 2 minds
Dec 2021 • Friends
Four of us visited MSP for a couple of nights mid-December 2021. 100% of accommodation had to be paid when booking was made, without any refund undertaking if Covid prohibited our stay.
Not impressed with 4-sleeper log cabin. The double bed is barely large enough for 2 teenage sizes. Only one 2-seater couch. No soap in bathroom or hand towel. Worst quality toilet paper. Although we stayed for 6 nights, bedding and towels were never changed. Cleaning service is charged extra for. No proper warning signs that monkeys and baboons will raid the chalet if window is left open. The rates are expensive in comparison to what they offer and other similar places in the area.
The nature and streams with rock pools, are absolutely beautiful. No marked hiking trails, although did not find it a necessity.
We did kloofing/pool hopping which was amazing.
Way too expensive for day visitors due to rule that a guide must be paid to accompany any hikes. Will not visit again
Written January 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Traveler
3 contributions
Beautiful scenery, poor accommodation
Feb 2021
Spent a weekend at Mountain Sanctuary Park. The scenery was lovely. Good mountain views, pleasant hiking trail and a superb pool and deck area. However the cabin in which my group stayed was very disappointing. The cabin was unclean. Floors were dirty, found rodent feces in the bedroom, dead insects under the duvet covers. There was a squirrel living in the cabin that ruined some food and urinated on the fridge, the squirrel was able to enter even though all the windows were firmly closed because of the poor construction of the cabin that left gaps between the walls and roof. These gaps were also present between the upper loft area and the rooms and toilet downstairs. All the door handles were either broken or so stiff you had to struggle to open and close them, every hinge was rusted and made a loud noise whenever opened. The fridge was far too small for the amount of people that can be accommodated in the cabin. There were no scissors provided. The towels provided were too small for adults. The duvets on the single beds were also too small, couldn't cover an average size person underneath it. No anti-slip mat in the tub shower. Lastly the unit was very expensive considering the quality, the fact that no cleaning service was provided, and the basic amenities. I would suggest renting out the unit as a whole not per person.
Written March 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rogerlayton
Johannesburg, South Africa126 contributions
Perfect private getaway from the city
Jan 2021
This a large park, completely untouched except for the camp area and the trails. A perfect place to enjoy the mountains and nature. The camp has a central area for campers and caravans, with the outside area comprising units of different sizes and facilities.

We stayed in Chalet 3, ideal for a couple with many amenities available including a good fridge, gas cooker, cutlery and crockery. Due to COVID-19 we took our own sheets, blankets, and pillows, since they are not providing these during these times.

The staff were all friendly and all were strictly wearing masks.

The swimming pool, a little way away from the units, is large although the seats are quite uncomfortable, and some cushions would be welcome.

We took two of the walks while there. The West Pools, for which we could not find the route down to the pools themselves, and also to the Slide Pools, which is an easier walk and the pools are incredible. Take good walking shoes since there are places where you will need these. The walks are in the open and suggest that you take hats and suntan lotion as well.

We ate at the restaurant on two nights and really enjoyed the food and also the exceptional view into the distance.

We found that the pricing is reasonable for what is provided, and we found that the roads to the camp are also good, although not perfect.

There is a small shop there, but it does not offer much, and suggest that you bring everything you need before you here to the camp. There are no shops close to the camp.

We will be back, and perhaps a few times per year. A perfect place to get away from the city, from TV, from the noises (no noise allowed after 9pm).
Written January 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
G T
Hong Kong, China70 contributions
Quiet Place
Nov 2021
Cosy Hut
Basic, fairly comfortable. Have to take your own bedding etc.
Midweek stay - no one in the park. Quiet and peaceful.
Water was scarce, so the "falls" etc were not flowing more than a trickle.
Not much to do other than a few walks. Probably limit stay to two or three nights max.
Shared bathrooms are clean, but could do with some maintenance.
Per-person rates are steep for the type of accomodation.
NB Be sure to close up windows and doors securely, otherwise the baboons will ransack your place.
Don't believe the "1 hour from JNB" story. It's a good 2 - 2.5 hours.
Written November 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Candicedj85
Johannesburg, South Africa107 contributions
Simply Serene
Oct 2019
Enjoyed the stay here very much. The hikes take you on beautiful routes and there are many awesome view points. We were lucky enough to spot some animals such as monkeys and hares. We didn't try the restaurant on site as there were no vegan/vegetarian options. The log cabins do get uncomfortably and ridiculously hot in the summer months though, one finds little relief from the fans provided. Maybe screens on the windows could be installed so one can open windows without having insects coming in at night... Apart from that, the cabins have the necessities and are clean.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HenriCloete
Trondheim, Norway188 contributions
Perfect for peace and quiet in nature
Dec 2022
We had a wonderful time visiting Mountain Sanctuary Park for the first time. Our cabin had a wonderful view down to the valley and in general the camp was very peaceful and quiet, although we visited just before the peak summer holiday season. There is a number of options for short hikes around the camp, most with a lovely natural mountain pool to swim in. Highlights were hiking through the veld, without marked trails, from Perdewater Grotto to the West Pools and exploring up the ravine from West Pools. The Stacombs restaurant was also a treat to visit, with nice food and friendly service. We will definitely be back.
Written January 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kirsty
3 contributions
A beautiful Gem of a place.
Apr 2021 • Family
I’ve been going to Mountain Sanctuary Park for 40 years on and off. The camping facilities are clean and well laid out. Each designated campsite has shade and is mostly grassed. The scenery is spectacular and the hikes well worth the time. Swimming in the west pools are a must as the river is crisp and clean. The welcoming rangers are really friendly and accommodating. Thank you for another great weekend!
Written April 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fatima0311
Johannesburg1 contribution
Unsafe park. Ambushed by three armed men during hike
Jan 2015 • Family
On returning from the slide pools ( a mere 2 km away from the reception area) we were ambushed by three men, armed with knives. We were a vulnerable group consisting of four toddlers, three women and my husband, thus we opted for the shortest trek to and from the pools. On arriving back at the reception we were given no aid or comfort after the ordeal. The staff simply laughed and asked what was taken, as if they were part of this sindicate. There was no security to be seen. We telephoncally contacted the owner of the park to let him know, and he was very arrogant and unhelpful saying that the park is too big for him to secure and personal security was not his problem. I do think that a security officer should be housed at random heights within your trails or at least patrolling your short trails that are often used by families with children. We lost some money and a few cell phones, but most of all, we lost our love for the outdoors due to this incident. The kids are still very traumatised. I noticed two other similar incidents have been published since December 2014. So, clearly, security is an issue with this park and it needs to be taken seriously by the owner!

heights within your trails or at least patrolling your short trails that are often used by famillies with children. We lost some cash and cell phones, but most of all we lost our love for the outdoors. Traumatised kids. I noticed two other similar reports published since december 2014. Obviously, its time to start taking this seriously, as you most definitely have a safety issue at your park!
Written January 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pamela-Ann B
Pretoria, South Africa1 contribution
Made to feel like a criminal!
Nov 2013 • Friends
Me and a few friends were there on Friday, to catch up as two of them were visiting from London. We were 10 people all together, just enjoying each others company, we were doing nothing more than just talking to one another. In fairness, we had not read the rules and regulations of the park and were unaware of the 'strictly no noise' policy they have there. That said, were not screaming, shouting or being disorderly in any manner and when one of the park guests asked us to put our music off, we did. After that, reception and security came to ask us to keep it down..which we thought we were doing, and thus continued to do, when another guest came over to us, started calling us names and saying we were rude and inconsiderate. We were quite shocked that people were reacting to us in this way, because as we saw it we were just talking to each other and when a complaint or request reached us we tried to comply. After that the owner came over, he never identified himself and had no desire to hear our side of the story or investigate the matter further, he was very rude to us and totally unreasonable and made us feel like criminals and the scum of the earth. He threatened to call the cops on us, if we didn't pack up our stuff and leave (it was 2am)...and even though we were, he still called the cops and had us escorted off the property. He didn't care that we had been drinking and were over the legal limit to drive. I believe the situation could have been avoided if he just talked to us with respect and at least tried to hear our side of the story. I will never go back there, it is not the sort of place to go if you want to have fun and the owners don't know how to treat their guests or handle such situations...I would know, I am a manager at a 5 star property and we don't even treat problem guests in such a disgusting manner. I will never recommend this place to anyone except to tell them how me and my friends were treated.
Written November 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stanley S
Midrand, South Africa11 contributions
What a terrible New Years
Dec 2018 • Friends
A few friends and i went camping for 2 nights with the intention of celebrating New Years Eve together however on the eve before a young couple and their daughter were assualted in their tent by two perpetrators. This scum of the earth cut a opening in the side of the tent and bashed a rock into the skull of the male whilst sleeping, the female occupant started screaming and this is what ran the perpetrators off. The entire campsite awoke from her screams and hardly slept after that. In the morning we decided to cancel the remainder of our trip and return to our own homes.

The management of the facility advised that the incident was classed a petty crime, when someones head got bashed in, and we should of heeded the notice posted at reception, i came in late and missed sign in at reception thus they'll probably claim i wasn't registered as a visitor.

When our group requested a refund for the 2nd night this was refused, forget about the inconvenience caused to us to now return home with all the food etc that had been bought for the group and having to make last minute plans for new years.

So if you're planning to stay overnight, be aware it is not safe. They definately will never see me again.
Written January 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
owen s
What a terrible new years indeed. Crime in this country affects everyone deeply and we take every incident seriously. We too are deeply concerned by what happened and are working closely with the police and community to bring as you said scum of the earth to justice. We are sorry you felt unsafe even though we doubled our security to the point where a guests who was directly affected, as you were Not by the incident chose to stay and had a great time. Mountain Sanctuary Park is very special to over four generations of people and we are fighting to keep it safe and secure for future generations, so anyone reading this please bear that in mind.
Written January 7, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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