 HOW SAY YOU? The average visitor rating is: |
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Review by: Bernice Himmler, Switzerland (stayed: October 2012)
We spent the most wonderful week in Leolapa at the beginning of October. What a beautiful, spacious and luxurious lodge it is. It is really "over the top" quality and living at its very best. Everything was there that you could wish for. We made good use of the bar and the braai and of course enjoyed watching the rugby. The only regret was of course that the Springboks did not make it. We loved it on the patio, relaxing and chilling out, enjoying the fantastic views and we saw quite a lot of game come down to the River - elephants, buffalo, all sorts of buck and of course the hippos were there to stay. One night elephants came up to feed on the bushes by the fence just a few feet away from the patio. Awesome! We really have unforgettable memories of our time at Leolapa and we all intend to return again one day and enjoy the South African bush, staying in one of the most stylish and upmarket lodges on the Crocodile River. Thanks Sascha, Yanka, Heinz and Este for everything. |
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Review by: Kirsty, Sandton (stayed: December 2011)
I have just spent an amazing christmas at LeoLapa! My trip was made by a herd of over 200 elephants walking down in front of the house to the river to drink. I have been to the bush many times and have never witnessed such an amazing site. We all sat in the pool with our drinks in hand and watched as the elephants came in thier hundreds. The house itself is stunning and I couldnt have asked for a better place to spend my chrismas! |
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Review by: Wendy and Mike Sidwell, Bryanston (stayed: October 2011)
Mike and I spent the first three days of our trip on our own and I must say the house really lends itself to either two people or a full house and we were very happy on our own. The fact that the majority of the rooms are behind you (if you choose a room close to the lounge) means that you don’t feel that you are rattling around. We loved just lazing on the patio, reading our books with binoc’s and bird books close at hand. Our first day we chose to stay at home. On waking, from my bedroom window, I saw a Cardinal Woodpecker that stayed around all day. Going onto the patio to identify it, I also saw a Goliath Heron fishing at the Hippo Pool. The tree in front of the house is a constant ‘bird party’ and kept me entertained all day. A gazillion lbj’s (little brown jobs) led to much discussion and the bird book got lots of use. We settled under our umbrella’s and had a constant stream of game coming down to drink. Every time I looked up from my book another ‘rock’ got my attention and up went the binoc’s. The hippos kept us entertained when the bush had gone quiet. A bush buck is living in the bushes directly across from the swimming pool. Two enormous crocs visited the sand bank in the middle of the river. We had lots and lots of Ellies come down all along the river throughout the day and the buffalos came down to the river bend away to the right. On the opposite river bank, we saw impala, warthogs, kudu, monkeys, giraffe. Two Rhino came down to the river to the left. The second morning as I came through to the lounge to make a cup of tea, there were two big male waterbuck directly outside the kitchen window (on the empty plot). After making eye contact with me through the window, they moved down to the fence and from a standing start, simply jumped the electric fence. I was amazed. What a lovely way to start the day. We went into the Kruger for the better part of the day and apart from some lions didn’t see much more than we had seen from the patio. So on the third day, the patio won and we were forced to spend the whole day on our loungers again – it was hell being in Africa! We were joined by a house full of people that evening and we took them on a game drive to show them the reserve. We drove down to the dam and had sun-downers being entertained by Ellies swimming and irritating the hippos. The reserve didn’t disappoint and aside from the normal suspects, we saw a huge herd of buffalo, at least 200 strong, probably more. We ID’d from the patio - Chinspot Batis, Paradise Flycatchers, Goliath Heron, Saddlebill Stork, African Spoonbill, Egyptian Goose, Grey Heron, Fish Eagle, Red Wing Starling, Cape Glossy Starling, White Bellied Sunbird, Crested Barbet, Southern Yellow Billed Hornbill, Green Wood Hoopoe, Pied Kingfisher, Grey Lourie, Fork Tailed Dronga, Arrow Marked Babbler, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Great (White) Egret, Hadeda ibis. Over and above these we saw a beautiful Marshall Eagle in the reserve itself. We seemed to go from one magical moment to another, and all in all, another wonderful couple of days. |
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Review by: Julia, England (stayed: August 2011)
Our stay at Leolapa was incredible. A first time for us in South Africa and what an experience. What wasn't there to like? You are in the Kruger park surrounded by all of these amazing animals - most of which I'd never seen before - in a stunning house overlooking the river that frequently attracted elephants and hippos to bathe and drink. Leolapa was five star all the way, so spacious and beautifully finished and furnished with a feeling of being at home as soon as you arrived. Let's not forget the Leolapa bar which catered for our every need, and a magnificant outdoor bbq area that is just perfect for socailising in large groups. Add to this the swimming pool that looks onto the river and I think you have the picture. Should you got to South Africa? Definitely! Should you go to the Kruger Park? Without a shadow of a doubt (apart from my friend's wedding the Kruger was by far the highlight of my trip) Should you stay at Leolapa???????? GOD YEAH!!!!! I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else. Enjoy your stay - I am already jealous. |
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Review by: Brian Meacher, Johannesburg (stayed: July 2011)
Leo Lapa is such a wonderful place and great to see Bianka has the staff totally committed, makes a huge difference. My daughter and her friend had a wonderful time, especially the Lion's, Wild Dog and Hyena visit arranged by Bianka. I would suggest the mattresses are turned on a more frequent basis to avoid sagging. |
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Review by: Moira and George Adelaine, Joburg (stayed: July 2011)
We had a wonderful visit last month, with excellent facilities, wonderful company and good sightings. We can only wish you all the best in running the lodge in the future |
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Review by: Wendy Sidwell, Bryanston (stayed: July 2011)
We had a wonderful stay and our guests loved every minute of it. What a treat to be able to spoil friends and family in such a beautiful setting. The house and the service is 7-star.
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Review by: David Bailey, Johannesburg (stayed: July 2011)
After a fantastic game drive around `our` farm where we had close up views with two lots of lions, excellent sightings of Rhino, Elephant and Giraffe mixed with a nice selection of bird life which included Purple Crested Rollers, Lilac Rollers and Eagle Owls we returned to the house only to arrive as about 300 Buffalo were about to cross over to `our` side further up the river. It was fascinating to watch the herd make its way across in one long line but when about 80 had crossed many started to turn around and go back. Sporadic groups would then attempt to cross only to turn around and retreat to the other side. In one of these attempts we saw a mother with a fairly small calf start to cross in the middle of group of 30, something spooked them and some raced across whilst the others turned back. The mother and her calf were separated from the others only by about 10 meters and were now in the middle, we saw why they began to panic, a very large croc was swimming towards them. The calf desperately tried to hide behind its mother to no avail as the croc lunged in and grabbed the calf. The calf was bellowing loudly as the mother frantically thrashed at the croc with its hooves to try and get the croc to release her calf. There was not a chance that the croc would release its prized meal and with lots more thrashing by both animals the croc slowly retreated into deeper water with the calf held firmly by it back leg until it eventually disappeared under the water. The mother spent a few more minutes bellowing and walking around in circles until it decided to leave the water and join all the remaining buffaloes on the two banks. Not one buffalo made any further attempt to cross and eventually all disappeared into the bush leaving us saddened but excited we had been so lucky to witness such an event. We did not take any pictures as we were not carrying our cameras so this event is etched only in our memories of a wonderful weekend spent at Leo Lapa.
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Review by: Carol Rundle, Johannesburg (stayed: June 2011)
I had the most fabulous stay at Leolapa. Even though the animals were in hiding and it was cold nothing could take away from this wonderful experience. The accomodation is beautiful, the staff were so friendly and helpful but most of all the view from the veranda is awesome. Who needs more!!! |
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Review by: Rogan Morrison, Joburg (stayed: January 2011)
I can safely say from the entire Morrison Family a big Thank you. We had a wonderful time at Leolapa the experience will be one very fondly remembered. There are very many positives from our stay which included the spacious open plan living room, dining room and bar. The great outdoor area with a fantastic pool, in which the kids swam and swam and swam. The cleaning service by the two ladies was exceptional and it was a pleasure to have them around, even when we all went out for a days drive into the Kruger we missed nothing. My wife Natalie I know summed up the week, it was like staying in a top billing house - unbelievable!!!! |
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