Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge  Verified Listing

Firstly, I would like to apolgise on the length of this review BUT

Had the pleasure to stay at this 4 star game lodge at the end of September with very close friends of mine for two nights.

Driving up on the dirt road up to the main lodge we were greeted by giraffes!
This was just the start of my Leopard Mountain journey!

Leopard Mountain is a 3 hour drive from Durban Airport.
It is perched among the hill side, overlooking the game reserve.
The views are absolutely breath taking.
You can't help but wonder what 'creatures' are down there and what land is yet to be explored with your own eyes!

You are welcomed by extremely friendly faces and taken to the main lodge for a welcome drink, registration and a brief rundown.
There, you get the option to choose what you would like for lunch and dinner that day.

Then you are shown to your 'home away from home'.
The chalets are very neat and tidy with 5 star amenities.
It truly feels like a 5 star establishment.
You even have your own plunge pool and a hammock to lay in on your deck.
Having a chalet to myself was an absolute experience.

Lunch comes in a picnic hamper filled with cheeses, cured meats or smoked salmon, fresh bread and crackers.
You can choose take it to your room, or by the pond or even have it on their back deck at the lodge.
We were lucky enough to order one of each and shared it among ourselves.

You are left for a few hours to relax or have 'free time' if you will.
You are then asked to go up to the main lodge for afternoon tea with a lovely selection of fruit, sweets and a savory item to eat before the afternoon game drive.
The Rooibos tea and the rusks are definitely worth a try.
After being introduced to your game driver you will find yourself climbing into an open vehicle where your adventure begins; you are about to be taken out on an experience of a life time.
While you are out on the afternoon game drive for a couple of hours; an opportunity to be served with sunset drinks, where you can get to know other people who are staying at the lodge and just admire the African sunset.

With your windblown hair, you are welcomed back to the lodge with a warm cup of hot chocolate with Amarula (similar to Bailey's Irish Cream. I loved it so much I brought 2L back home with me!).
It's just an other special touch they offer.
You can either choose to have dinner then and there or have a choice to be escorted back to your room to freshen up before dinner.
(You are advised not to walk back to your chalet without an escort early morning or after dark, this is for your safety)
But after experiencing the warmth of the lodge and a slight rumble in our bellies, we decided to have dinner first.
After a decedent four course dinner and the lovely service from Nonie, it is almost time for bed.
Be prepared for an early morning wake up call, you do not want to miss your sunrise game drive!

Guides (particular mention to Henry and Ivor) are very knowledgeable and really know a lot about everything.
Many many photo's of animals to be taken and the vast scenery is exceptional.
Though the elusive leopard was no where to be seen; seeing any other moving creatures out there was enough to pull more than a few gasps of excitement.
You are joined by your guide for breakfast (another special touch).
This was a spread of continental options plus the option of a hot a la carte menu as well.
And then you do it all over again!

Truly 2 nights here was not enough. Alas my bridesmaids duties were being called upon, and sadly; it was time to leave this beautiful place.
However, I will definitely be back to find that elusive leopard!

After a week, a 'welcome home' email was sent to me.
It's just these little touches that Leopard Mountain do that makes the experience so much more memorable.
I cannot commend the staff anymore. Nothing is too much to ask and they are all so accommodating to everything you ask for.
A special mention to Kate, Henry, Ivor and the ever so lovely Nonie.

Prices are very very reasonable considering the inclusions.
Rates are inclusive of:
§ Delicious plated 4 course Dinner with a choice of Main
§ Full buffet Breakfast with a wide choice of cold and hot dishes, with pastries and fresh fruit
§ Picnic Basket Lunch with a selection of salads, cold meat and pates
§ Afternoon High Tea with cake, scones and fresh fruit
§ Luxurious & comfortable Accommodation
§ Sunset Game Drive
§ Sunrise Game Drive
§ Mid-Morning Waterhole Experience (Walking guides were on another adventure, we unfortunately we didn’t get to experience this)
Not Included:
§ Bar
§ Mini bar Accounts
§ Game Drive/Waterhole Activities Drinks
§ Conservation Levy (R50 per car and R40 per adult)

My husband and I spent 4 glorious nights at Leopard Mountain Lodge. As far as we were concerned we had faultless service from the entire team, they worked together with professionalism and care.
The attention to detail was incredible, right down to on our last night when we had a completely different menu from the newcomers as we had already sampled their menu previously.The food was amazing and we certainly didn't go hungry.
The accommodation was superb, very private and relaxing with fantastic views.
The game drives were fun, informative and we saw so much. Thanks Alden you were an absolute star. We were so lucky to have you as our guide.
The walking safari was absolutely incredible just to experience the African bush and it's beauty it is a Must Do!!
Every staff member was 5 star, we were surrounded by helpful smiling people where nothing was to much trouble, you guys and girls were AWESOME.
We will definitely return one day and anyone trying to decide which game park to visit, this is the one!!!

First off I have to apologize to the Leopard Mountain team for the rather long delay in posting this review!

Ours was an unusual trip to South Africa, my wife and I were visiting our son who is studying out there on an Advanced Nature Guiding and Wildlife Conservation course but to further add to the complication we were bringing my parents, our daughter and her partner.

This was our first stay at this lodge and it will not be the last. This is a very well run lodge in a stunning setting with well trained and dedicated staff. It is a family run business the has carved itself a very enviable reputations in the lodge tourism market. This has been achieved and is sustained through hard work and attention to detail.

The accommodation chalets are perched on a ridge affording each with a spectacular view over the valley, the river bed within and the bush beyond. The rooms are very well appointed with massive beds with high quality linens (and electric blankets for the colder seasons), a seating area with desk, a glass walled shower room with his and hers basins which has been well designed to provide privacy should it be required via sliding doors and there is a separate WC. To further emphasise the luxury and well thought out appointments, for the warmer months there is a plunge pool and a covered balcony with seating to allow enjoyment of the stunning views. I consider myself to be a perfectionist yet the only niggle that I can bring up here is the shades on the bedside lights are too dark making reading in bed difficult, but that was it!

On arrival we were introduced to the guides that we were to have for the duration of our stay and the opportunity to get to know and chat your personal guides continues during pre-morning drive drinks and the post drive breakfast which we enjoyed. Breakfast is outstanding with cereals, fruits, fresh baked muffins, croissant, toast and preserves and the option for a choice of cooked ingredients for a "full English". The food and service throughout is first class and while your guides are on hand during the pre diner drinks, they leave you alone during the excellent diner allowing you some time to yourself which is a nice touch. The diner (weather permitting) is served outside round an open fire within a boma which is very pleasant in addition, should you wish, you can choose from the Platinum grade wine cellar.

Our guides were Ryan Vivier and Robyn, they were both pleasant, articulate, informative, and while able to give expanded and more detailed and technical answers to our sons questions; they provided clear and concise explanations for those of us with significantly less knowledge and we were all very impressed by the level of attention to detail, level of information and quality of service provided.

Having read the history of the lodge and made enquiries about the park; it is evident that the managements attitude towards the running of the lodge and management of the animals and the land is professional, ethical, proactive and with the best interests of the animals being in the for. It was great to see a conservation centred approach rather than just making money while still ensuring customer satisfaction. In my view an enlightened approach that should be taken by far more similar high end operations.

As for the viewing, it has to be said that while we were extremely lucky, the viewings were first rate, a family of 6 cheetah on a kill, total lion sightings 19 including 5 cubs, white and black Rhino (with calfs), buffalo, elephant, genet and even an aardvark which is extremely rare. In addition there were a great many bird sightings which were of huge interest to our son.

As stated, this will not be our last visit here and the view from the restaurant/coffee area upon arrival is something that is going to be very hard to beat!
In summary, as the title of this review says...if you come to this area of South Africa, you have to stay here!