Exeter River Lodge Inside Scoop

We used CC Africa (make an enquiry) because we had such a great time with them the first time, we decided to go with them again.

The Exeter River Lodge service was top notch. We couldn't complain about anything in terms of service, it was fantastic.

The animal sightings were very different [from Kenya] just because I think the terrain is very different. I think since the land at Amboseli and the Masai Mara is wide open, it's easier to spot the animals where in the Sabi Sands it was harder in terms of a lot of foliage and trees. So that made it an adventure to try and spot the animals.

But we saw a lot of leopards which was wonderful to see. We didn't get to see any kills…

I will say in this Exeter River Lodge safari experience in their game drives they were definitely more regimented and more set to return to camp at certain times… which was different to our previous game reserve lodge experience.

Guidelines to making the right safari company choice...

Would you say a safari is a relaxing kind of holiday?

Most definitely, more so than the usual holidays that we end up taking. Usually when you go on a trip it ends up being more hectic than you would have planned because you want to fit so many things in one day and see so many things. But when you go on safari, it's just a wonderful experience and a relaxing time.

We actually had a great experience with a group of male lions, I guess they were brothers. There were five that roam around the area together and they were actually in our section of Sabi Sands where I guess Exeter River Lodge have the terrain rights for that section.

They were roaming around and it was incredible how close they got to our vehicle. And not only that - some of the lions were separated so when we were next to them, one of the lions started calling to the others in another area very far away and just to hear that roar, that sound coming out of their mouth, right in front of us just sent chills down our spine. It was incredible!

I think it's rare to see so many male lions together at once and just see how they interact with each other and calling each other was just incredible. I mean, the ferocity and guttural sound it's just incredible. Watch and listen to the lion roar video...

Were you satisfied with the Exeter River Lodge guide and tracker?

Definitely. The tracker was very good and you could tell he was very experienced. The guide too, was very knowledgeable about all the animals. The Exeter River Lodge definitely do a great job training their staff.

We woke up and get ready very quickly. Then we'd have some coffee and some biscuits waiting for us. Then we'd go on the game drive which lasted typically maybe 3 to 3.5 hours and we'd look for the animals. A lot of times the different rangers would radio each other letting them know about the different sightings.

Oh, one thing that was very different from Kenya in South Africa: in SA, there were "x" amount of vehicles allowed at once per animal sighting whereas in Kenya it was pretty much unlimited. That was good and bad in a way just because if you have too many vehicles that starts crowding around the animal you feel bad for the animal but at the same time in South Africa you sort of have to wait your turn in line, so it doesn't feel as authentic, that you actually tracked and spotted the animal.

It's almost like "we're due to visit the cheetah in 15 minutes" you know, it's not the same experience. But they both have their pros and cons and it was interesting to see the ways that that's handled in the different parks.

Then we'd come back for breakfast at the Exeter River Lodge which was always delicious and filling. Then afterwards we'd usually go back, take a quick nap, maybe read… that portion of the day was very relaxing: just waiting for the afternoon game drive.

Then we'd to on the afternoon game drive and afterwards we'd have a delicious dinner, go to sleep and wait for the next day for it all to happen again!

More South Africa safari trip reviews by past visitors.

I would give it a 9 or 9.5. It was still wonderful but since we had that incredible experience in Kenya, I mean it's hard to live up to that. If that was our prior experience on safari… we knew though going in, that there was no way that we were going to be able to duplicate that experience.

I would definitely say 9 or 9.5 for South Africa. Plus it's a wonderful country… the people were so friendly, just gorgeous all throughout.