Advertisement
Mpala Safari Lodge

Mpala Safari Lodge

Parsons Private, Hoedspruit, Kruger National Park 1390 South Africa
Traveler (145)
Our Chalet. Nice and clean
Room & Suite (12)
Nice Bush Camp dinner.
Dining (5)

View prices for your travel dates

Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View all
Did you already book this hotel?
Tell us so we can help you plan.

About

5.0
#31 of 70 lodges in Hoedspruit
Location
4.9
Rooms
5.0
Value
4.9
Cleanliness
5.0
Service
5.0
Sleep Quality
4.9
Nestled on the beautiful banks of the Olifants River, Mpala Safari Lodge is situated within the private reserves of the world famous Greater Kruger National Park in north-eastern South Africa. The beautiful and unspoiled nature with its fascinating wild life literally surrounds Mpala Safari Lodge. Whilst visiting the lodge you will experience the colorful richness of animals, birds, nature and South African traditional culture on the many excursions on offer by us. The lodge have a maximum of 6 double rooms which ensures the exclusive atmosphere. Mpala was created in close cooperation with skilled architects and is a unique combination of African architecture which incorporates the Danish owners demands for total comfort as well as exclusive and practical layout. The decor is stylish, simple and serene. The 3 cozy duplex chalets all have a view of the river. Each unit has an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning with a cooling as well as heating setting, telephone and panoramic windows. The beds are large and comfortable. There is a choice of light blankets or thick down comforters depending on the season. The special about Mpala Safari Lodge is the package of experiences which is included in price. Each day offers a brand new experience of nature, traditional culture and safari. Whether you choose a one week (5 or 7 days) or two week stay at Mpala Safari Lodge, you will never be bored. All of this is included: All meals. Transfer from/to Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa airport on a Monday (at 5 nights stay departure is on a Saturday). The weekly programme - please read more on our web page: • Guided Bush Walks • Game Drives • Night Drive • Traditional Bush Braai. A romantic dinner in the bush by the open fire. • Two-day's safari trip to the Kruger National Park with an overnight stay • Safari on Quad Bike • Sotho-tribal performance with traditional dance and song • Visit to Diphuti Village School in a town ship (Mpala's charity project) and lunch at a nice countryside restaurant in a fruit plantation area. Please observe that the visit to the school does not take place on the schools holidays. If you wish to add even more activities to the regular program, we offer a variety of options that will be remembered long after you return home. To name a few: Hot air ballooning, River Cruise, Drakensberg sightseeing, Golf, Horseback riding, a wildlife rehabilitation centre, a Cheetah project and much more. Please read more on our web page. Mpala Safari Lodge accepts children from age 6+. Children of all age pay full price. Please note that according to South African Law children of age less than 12 years are not allowed on a bush walk in a Big 5 area (Mpala Safari Lodge is situated Great Kruger Park which is a Big 5 area).
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Pool
Free breakfast
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Free airport transportation
Airport transportation
Laundry service
Shuttle bus service
Room features
Air conditioning
Safe
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Luxury
Languages Spoken
Afrikaans

Location

Parsons Private, Hoedspruit, Kruger National Park 1390 South Africa
Getting there
Hoedspruit Airport
16.1 mi•
See all flights
Phalaborwa Airport
20.2 mi•
See all flights
Traveler rating
  • 86
  • 3
  • 0
  • 0
  • 1
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
Selected filters
  • Filter
  • English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
René H wrote a review Jul 2023
Randers Municipality, Denmark
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We had an amazing family vacation at Mpala Safari Lodge. Everything about the stay was just perfect. Excellent trip program, nice food and very clean and luxurious surrroundings. You feel welcome right away and the maximum 12 guests capacity gives a personal atmosphere. We spend hours relaxing on the porch enjoying the wildlife by the Olifant River, when not on gamedrives. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and they make you feel like part of the Mpala family:) We are definately going to Mpala Safari Lodge again soon.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2023
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Bring binoculars and a good camera, comfortable casual clothing. Wifi is limited due to...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kandt43 wrote a review Dec 2022
Frederiksvaerk, Denmark
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mpala Lodge is a great place. The bungalows are well laid out and provide you with a lot of privacy. The main lodge gives you room engaging with the other travellers as well as serve as office, boutique and the main restaurant. The view from the balcony overlooking the Oliphant River and the surrounding savanna is just magnificent. The staff is great, the food is great and varied, what not to like?
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip: Always follow the instructions from the Rangers.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
Terje wrote a review Sep 2023
Molde, Norway
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Great experience to have a 14 day holiday at Mpala Safari Lodge. Fantastic staff who make sure everyone feels welcome. Lots of wildlife in and close to the lodge. Inspiring and committed rangers, who love to work. The food is also top class. What was the best? Everything😊
Read more
Google
Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dael Strange wrote a review Apr 2023
Jaipur, India
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Your safari guide/ driver (the older white man) is a poor ambassador for your establishment. We encountered him while on our own drive and he ignored park rules regarding stopping/parking, deliberately stopped alongside us to obscure our view of a wild dog pack and insulted us when we complained. Re-training is recommended.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Helle Grunert, Ejer at Mpala Safari Lodge
Responded Jul 3, 2023
Thanks for your review. Unfortunately, your description does not match any of our staff, and no one can recognize the episode you referred to. You are welcome to send us more information on info@mpala.dk, so we can investigate the episode.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Benny Pedersen wrote a review Jul 2023
Aalborg, Denmark
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
By fare my best holyday ever, and I will go again som day.
Very friendly hosts, almost became family.
The experience program is one of a kind, we saw the big 5 two times on our two tips to Kryger national park
The lodge is placed rigtig on the riverbank with a fantastic wiew
Read more
Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeterCopenhagen wrote a review Oct 2019
Klampenborg, Denmark
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
My wife and I spend 12 days at the Mpala lodge. We had lots of fabulous and genuine experiences s.a. leopards hunting right outside the lodge, beautiful elephants everywhere, and lions roaring right outside the house, to keep you awake at night. Mpala lodge is top quality luxury in every aspect, located right at the river bank. Both the staff and the rangers and you do not meet better.
We would especially highlight that Mpala has a two day trip with overnight stay inside Kruger which allows for a much better safari experience than just one day. Mpalas own land around the lodge also provided many exiting moments.
We can really recommend Mpala.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2018Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mona B wrote a review Dec 2018
Copenhagen, Denmark
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This Lodge can really be recommended: maximum number of guests are 12, professionel staff and Rangers, cosy atmosphere, beautiful view over the Oliphant river, nice and clean rooms and excellent food and service.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2018
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip: All rooms are good
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Henrik H wrote a review Mar 2016
Copenhagen, Denmark
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
3 Luxurious double roomed lodges make up for accomodating up to 12 guests and the main house serves as a library/TV-room (although we never even turned it on to see if it works), a souvenir shop, lounge area, breakfast and coffee bar as well as the common dining place when at the lodge. The terrace overlooks the Olifan'ts river where elephants, buffalos and Impalas fouraged, and crocodiles and hippo swam. Adjacent to the main house is a fenced-in boma with outdoor kitchen, drinks bar and the most cosy under-the-stars dining imaginable.
A stay with Mpala includes a fixed program for 5 days, leaving the weekends open for optinal extras. We particularly enjoyed the program included bushwalk, quad bike ride, bush camp dinner, gamedrives, visit to a sponsor school and, of course, the two-day trip to Kruger, staying in one of the park camps with our rangers serving a braii. Our optional extras included a visit to the Moholoholo wildlife sanctuary and a hot balloon sunrise flight. Both priceless experiences.
The management, the staff and the rangers are all experts at making you feel relaxed, well looked after and fed and loaded with knowledge of both animals, trails and the habitat they live in.
I can strongly recommend staying at Mpala Safari Lodge.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly M wrote a review Dec 2015
Summit, New Jersey
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mpala Safari Lodge was awesome. The staff are very caring and considerate. They go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and part of the family. I was very impressed with the extreme consideration for me as a vegetarian. They made sure to have soy sausages and burgers to supplement the dinners (not necessary but very much appreciated).

The lodges are very clean and very nice. No issues at all. It was great to wake up and see the baboons run across the lawn each morning. We also saw elephants, water buck, wart hogs, and a hippo on the lawn at the lodge.

The rangers were also amazing. They took their time to educate us on everything. From insects to animals. It was perfect. They also allowed us extra time to get pictures and never complained that we took too long or pushed us to move quicker.

We loved every part of it and it is not our first time in SA but it was our first time at this lodge. We almost cried leaving after a week. Stacey, Ireen and Pfarno were so accommodating and helpful. They know how to make people feel special and welcome.

Ryno and Theo were also the best. They took such good care of us. We always felt safe and were disappointed when we had to leavce.

We miss you all and thank you all so much for the best week.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2015
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morten R wrote a review Nov 2015
Copenhagen, Denmark
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This place made me feel so welcome and like home, that it will forever be in my hart!

The perfect balance between service and care, and letting us enjoy the amazing wildlife and beautiful and calm nature surroundings.

The safari experience was all around us. Velvet monkeys visiting at the pool, elephants crossing the river while having breakfast at the terrace, warthogs cutting the lawn, crocodiles in the river and lions roaring as we said goodnight safe and sound in our chalet.

The staff is exceptional!
Rangers with love and knowledge for the nature that blew me away. The service is never ending and everyone greeting you with a big smile.

The program is well put together. With ATV-safari and dinner under the stars in the beautiful bushcamp, and sleepover safaritrip to Krüger as my favorites.

Serving you game meat and SA great wine selection, even at the dinner table the bush experience got to me.

In this true paradise nothing is missing!
Read more
Date of stay: October 2015
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ulla3454 asked a question Dec 2015
Hvide Sande, Denmark14 contributions4 helpful votes
Jeg vil lige høre om der er køleskab i lejlighederne ?
Answer from SoerenT
aalborg9 contributions2 helpful votes
Som andre har oplyst, er der ikke køleskab i "lejlighederne", men vi har aldrig haft savnet det, på trods af vores efterhånden mange besøg på Lodgen. Jeg kan anbefale stedet på det varmeste, men vælg perioden i Deres forår, så er der heller ikke generende insekter og for guds skyld, undlad malariapiller, køb en spray på lodgen, der er mange der bliver syge af pillerne. forøvrigt har vi aldrig set myg i den periode vi plejer at tage til Sydafrika (september-oktober)
René H wrote a tip Jul 2023
Randers Municipality, Denmark9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Bring binoculars and a good camera, comfortable casual clothing. Wifi is limited due to powercuts, but no problem at all. "
Read full review
kandt43 wrote a tip Dec 2022
Frederiksvaerk, Denmark75 contributions57 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Always follow the instructions from the Rangers."
Read full review
Mona B wrote a tip Dec 2018
Copenhagen, Denmark15 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"All rooms are good"
Read full review
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Hoedspruit area.
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkHoedspruit
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Claim Your Listing

MPALA SAFARI LODGE

Frequently Asked Questions about Mpala Safari Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Mpala Safari Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Mpala Safari Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Mpala Safari Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Mpala Safari Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Mpala Safari Lodge have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Mpala Safari Lodge offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Mpala Safari Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Mpala Safari Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
All Hoedspruit HotelsHoedspruit Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in HoedspruitHotels near Mpala Safari Lodge
Things to DoRestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars