The 2 lodges (Forrest and Vlei) are only 10min away from each other. Thus we summarize the 2 lodges as only the lodges do differ but not the
area.
Lodge: Forrest Lodge & Vlei (&Beyond)
Manager: Nicky
Guide: Devon
Assessment Criteria
Satisfaction in %
Comments
Pool
90
Luxury and nicely located
Tent/ Room
90
A bit over-styled – not really safari-atmosphere
Restaurant atmosphere
90
Refurbished the main dining hall, but the tent was perfectly
done
Food
90
Management & Staff
90
Missed a bit the heart, but the rest perfect
Camp/ Lodge
90
Top condition
Originality of reserve
80
It appeared to be a managed park with fences not to far away
Diversity of reserve
100
All kind of areas in there
Vehicle
90
Guide - communication
95
very skilled, attentive and knowlegable + gd fun
Guide - information
100
Guide - cust. orientation
100
Wildlife - quantity
70
Small park
Wildlife - diversity
95
I think they didn’t missed out on any animal
Wildlife - extraordinary occurrences
90
Kingfished very close and great number of rhinos
k
Lodge: Phinda Vlei Lodge
Manager: Chantal
Guide: Devon
Assessment Criteria
Satisfaction in %
Comments
Pool
90
Own pools
Tent/ Room
100
superb
Restaurant atmosphere
100
Very charming
Food
90
Nicely prepared but at times missed a bit on the spirit
Management & Staff
90
Attentive and friendly and charming
Camp/ Lodge
100
Top condition
Originality of reserve
80
It appeared to be a managed park with fences not to far
away
Diversity of reserve
100
All kind of areas in there
Vehicle
90
Guide - communication
95
very skilled, attentive and knowlegable + gd fun
Guide - information
100
Guide - cust. orientation
100
Wildlife - quantity
70
Small park
Wildlife - diversity
95
I think they didn’t missed out on any animal
Wildlife - extraordinary occurrences
90
Kingfished very close and great number of rhinos
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As with all parks in South Africa, the park is fenced. It used to be farm land and in parts hunting areas. Now its being given back to the community and
re-cultivated into nature. The area is pretty diverse which means they have hills, open plains and deep (sand!) forest. As such, one have Leopards,
Cheetahs and Lions around there. They run a project called rhino-project or so which is very successful. They have more than 100 white rhinos (you
will see them by 100%) and quite a few of the smaller black-rhinos. Most likely you will see them as well.
It is a fantastic project the park is under (I think the Gattey-Family has some stakes in it and as such its well funded). The population of rare species –
mammals or birds or reptiles – is great. Its almost balanced out and there is only little things to do to keep it apart from protecting and to look after their
health (esp. black rhinos). But they don’t feed, they don’t interfere and they don’t have mercy with animals which are ruled by the brutality of the
nature. I think this is very nice and thought through.
The park itself is diverse, it may happen however that one is seeing very little on one even though the guide and the tracker may push hard (i.e. get off
the vehicle and go through the thicket to see if anything is hiding there). But then on other occasions one see amazing things like kinigfishers, hunting
cheetahs and even hunting lions. The guys are allowed to go off-road if there are rare things to see…
The area of the 2 lodges is the same, as both are just 1km away of each other.
Forrest Lodge is – at one may expect – located in a forest and well protected from the sun and as such the sunlight – so it’s a bit dull. The rooms are
high spec. : very nice lounge-ish style with a fantastic bathroom. I wld expect this kind of spec rather in Aspen/ Ski-Resort and as such not exactly
matching a safari atmosphere but still cool.
Nicky, the manger is 100% focused to get everything going right. She is watching the service at all meals and helps if there is a shortfall immediately. A
good way to describe about her professionalism: I broke the hot-shoe of my flash-light. We had still a week in front of us and I thought that it would be
great to have a new camera flash. However being in the bush the next shop is not nearby (most obvious). So I told Nicky about my problem and the
flash I would love to have. 24hrs later I had it. They did charge me for their effort which is just fair I think. Clearly a fantastic job.
Vlei Lodge is even more impressive – the huts are more spacious and very warm in colours. All huts are having their own little swimming pool and the
terrace is towards the “vlei” – an open plain where one can sit and see the animals grazing (in fact they come very close and are used to humans).
The reception (the forest one was under refurbishment while we were there) is very charming and like a living room. The manager Chantal is a lovely
person. Not as much focused as Nicky but then with an open ear for all concerns. She is getting a bit more involved with the guest e.g. sharing a glass
of champagne which takes away the natural distance between (paying) guests and staff. May be this is because the Vlei is smaller than the Forrest
Lodge.
Fantastic in all aspects.
Food wise both were upscale – not always superb but with a strong dedication and by heart.
As with all parks in South Africa, the park is fenced. It used to be farm land and in parts hunting areas. Now its being given back to the community and
re-cultivated into nature. The area is pretty diverse which means they have hills, open plains and deep (sand!) forest. As such, one have Leopards,
Cheetahs and Lions around there. They run a project called rhino-project or so which is very successful. They have more than 100 white rhinos (you
will see them by 100%) and quite a few of the smaller black-rhinos. Most likely you will see them as well.
It is a fantastic project the park is under (I think the Gattey-Family has some stakes in it and as such its well funded). The population of rare species –
mammals or birds or reptiles – is great. Its almost balanced out and there is only little things to do to keep it apart from protecting and to look after their
health (esp. black rhinos). But they don’t feed, they don’t interfere and they don’t have mercy with animals which are ruled by the brutality of the
nature. I think this is very nice and thought through.
The park itself is diverse, it may happen however that one is seeing very little on one even though the guide and the tracker may push hard (i.e. get off
the vehicle and go through the thicket to see if anything is hiding there). But then on other occasions one see amazing things like kinigfishers, hunting
cheetahs and even hunting lions. The guys are allowed to go off-road if there are rare things to see…
The area of the 2 lodges is the same, as both are just 1km away of each other.
Forrest Lodge is – at one may expect – located in a forest and well protected from the sun and as such the sunlight – so it’s a bit dull. The rooms are
high spec. : very nice lounge-ish style with a fantastic bathroom. I wld expect this kind of spec rather in Aspen/ Ski-Resort and as such not exactly
matching a safari atmosphere but still cool.
Nicky, the manger is 100% focused to get everything going right. She is watching the service at all meals and helps if there is a shortfall immediately. A
good way to describe about her professionalism: I broke the hot-shoe of my flash-light. We had still a week in front of us and I thought that it would be
great to have a new camera flash. However being in the bush the next shop is not nearby (most obvious). So I told Nicky about my problem and the
flash I would love to have. 24hrs later I had it. They did charge me for their effort which is just fair I think. Clearly a fantastic job.
Vlei Lodge is even more impressive – the huts are more spacious and very warm in colours. All huts are having their own little swimming pool and the
terrace is towards the “vlei” – an open plain where one can sit and see the animals grazing (in fact they come very close and are used to humans).
The reception (the forest one was under refurbishment while we were there) is very charming and like a living room. The manager Chantal is a lovely
person. Not as much focused as Nicky but then with an open ear for all concerns. She is getting a bit more involved with the guest e.g. sharing a glass
of champagne which takes away the natural distance between (paying) guests and staff. May be this is because the Vlei is smaller than the Forrest
Lodge.
Fantastic in all aspects.
Food wise both were upscale – not always superb but with a strong dedication and by heart.
