Vuyani Safari Lodge offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of South Africa's wildlife region. Situated in the Moditlo Private Game Reserve, bordering the renowned Kruger National Park, this lodge provides a unique blend of luxury and adventure. Guests can immerse themselves in the African bush while enjoying top-notch amenities and personalized service.
Map of Kruger National Park and surrounding areas.
Location and Accessibility
Vuyani is located very close to Kruger National Park in the Valley of the Elephants and at the beginning of the African Ivory Trail. The easiest way to reach Vuyani is to fly into Hoedspruit Airport (a 35 minute flight from Johannesburg (JNB)). Vuyani offers free transportation to and from Hoedspruit Airport. The alternative to flying is to drive, or hire a driver from JNB to Vuyani (Vuyani can set this up, but it is not cheap!). That drive takes about five hours and it only runs before 1:00 PM.
The lodge is located inside the Blue-Canyon Private Game Reserve. Guests enter through a large, secure gate, with the Vuyani lodge located another few minutes from the gate. The entrance honestly feels a bit like entering Jurassic Park - amazing and a bit uneasy at the same time.
Accommodation
There are a few types of rooms available at Vuyani: luxury suites located in the main lodge, free standing honeymoon and presidential suites with personal hot tubs or plunge pools, and an Owners’ Apartment that can sleep more than two guests. The Honeymoon Suites, of which there are a couple, are free standing safari bungalows, each with a private plunge pool or hot tub.
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The bungalows are circular and have a large, very comfortable bed, a desk area, a private outdoor deck with multiple chairs and a plunge pool or hot tub, a large bath with a deep bathtub, and the MOST AMAZING outdoor shower complete with Africology bath products. Each room also comes with an included mini bar that is refilled everyday. Included in that mini bar are bottles of red and white wines, beer, cider, still and sparkling water, regular and diet soda, potato chips, and coffee. Everything is replaced daily. I would also note that rooms lack TVs and phones, but there is a radio to radio the staff if you have a problem. Someone from the staff is awake 24 hours/day so no worries reaching someone in an emergency.
Each room at Vuyani Safari Lodge offers a mini bar and all the necessities for a comfortable stay.
Dining Experience
Vuyani Safari Lodge operates on an all-inclusive model, with the room price including food, drinks, including standard alcohol. The restaurant at Vuyani offers a mixture of European and South African cuisine. Vuyani provides loads of food and its all delicious, made in house by a Vuyani’s chef!
I will start with breakfast, which is served almost immediately post morning safari (no real time to change or shower unless you go late). Each morning of our stay Vuyani sat out a small breakfast buffet, consisting of freshly baked breads, fruit, and a few other breakfast-y type things, like yogurt and cereals. The banana bread that was served warm a few days was particularly fantastic. In addition to the small buffet, staff came around and took egg and meat orders and coffee orders.
Lunch is served not too long after breakfast LOL, around 1:00 PM. Everyday we were there, lunch was served buffet style with a variety of options, including sandwiches and skewers, salads, fruit, a veggie option, and a pie or cake for dessert. The staff was great at accommodating allergies/intolerances and made extra for anyone with issues (as long as you tell them in advance so they can and prepare buy the goods!). Dinner during our stay was served in 3 courses most nights, with a menu presented at lunch and guests selecting their entree. Every night a soup, one of three mains, and a dessert was offered. The food was great and this is a fun experience.
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As mentioned , most drinks are included in the room rate at Vuyani: red and white wine, beer, Savana cider, hard liquor, Amarula (!), soft drinks, coffee, tea, still and sparkling water, and juices. The drinks are unlimited and quite good. There is a wine list, including sparkling Cap Classique, for extra cost. While we were there, the red wines were a South African cab sauv and a Pinotage.
Safari Adventures
Vuyani Safari Lodge - 2016 Game-drive Sightings 01
The best thing about Vuyani are its two included safari drives per day! They are great and you do not want to miss them! Game drives depart twice daily from the lodge, in open 4x4-safari vehicle.
The first safari drive of the day starts around sunrise or just before it, and it can be cold at this time. Wear layers (this is true for all safaris). Depending on the weather, blankets or rain ponchos may be provided. Each safari lasts between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the sightings. All safaris take place in a 9-seater jeep, and the lodge owns a couple.
For the morning safari safari, guests are awaken by a heavy knock on the door paired with a yell/song by staff thirty minutes prior to departure. Guests are then walked to the main lodge where a spread of tea, coffee, water, and cookies are set out for guests. The jeep stops after about two hours for a coffee/tea/cookie break. The evening safari departs around 4 PM, and you’ll stay until the sun goes down. The set up is similar to the morning safari, but instead of coffee, you stop for a Sun Downer, or an “adult beverage,” overlooking a gorgeous sunset.
In terms of animals, Vuyani is hole to the Big Five: lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, rhino, and leopards. Vuyani is also home to loads of other animals, including cheetah, black back jackals (my favorites!), zebra, giraffes, kudu, wildebeest, hippos, tons of birds, the list goes on… Every safari has a driver and a spotter, and they do their absolute best to see as many animals as possible.
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Diverse wildlife at Kruger National Park.
Amenities and Services
Guests can relax on the sun loungers, around the pool. The heart of Vuyani is the main lodge, a grand building consisting of a few guest rooms, a common area, a small kitchen, and a two floor deck opening into an infinity pool overlooking the reserve. It’s pretty fantastic, and one of my favorite parts of the lodge.
General Amenities:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Outdoor pool
- Hot tub
- Outdoor fireplace
- Terrace/Patio
- Air-conditioned
- Laundry facilities
- Restaurant and Bar/Lounge
- Spa and Massage services
- Concierge service
- Tour desk
Health and Safety:
- Daily housekeeping
- Contactless check-in/check-out
- Face masks for guests available
- Physical distancing in dining areas
- Access to health care professionals
- Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas
- Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays
- First-aid kit
Additional Activities
Aside from safari-ing, sleeping, and eating and drinking, there is not too much to do at Vuyani, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Going on safari is exhausting! Plan on lots of naps and definitely bring a good book. To occupy your time, there is the gorgeous infinity pool at the main lodge open to all guests during the day. Vuyani offers numerous excursions off-site, from a day in Kruger National Park to an elephant interaction to hot air ballooning.
Pricing and Value
If you’re after a cheap room at Vuyani Safari Lodge, then you should consider staying during the low season. The cheapest deals can generally be found in November and June. Prices can also vary depending on which day of the week you stay. For the best room deals at Vuyani Safari Lodge, plan to stay on a Thursday or Wednesday. The most expensive day is usually Friday.
The cheapest price a room at Vuyani Safari Lodge was booked for on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $524, while the most expensive was $524. KAYAK users usually book their rooms here for 3 days.
Important Information
Check-in time is 2:00 PM and check-out time is 12:00 PM at Vuyani Safari Lodge.
Cancellation/prepayment: Cancellation/prepayment policies vary by room type and provider. Please check the room conditions when selecting your room above.
Payment: Credit cards are accepted. Don’t forget to tip the staff in cash (no ATM on site, one nearby in Hoedspruit).
| Month | Average Price (Weeknight) | Average Price (Weekend Night) |
|---|---|---|
| November | $712 | - |
| December | - | $899 |
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