Reviews of Mazambala Island Lodge
(79%) From 23 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Mazambala Island Lodge review
Very friendly and welcoming
We got a few small electric shocks from the light switch in the room
Mazambala Island Lodge review
What an entrance! We arrived by boat after a lovely twisting journey down various river channels.
Most imaginative layout and excellent atmosphere at the lodge.
We had prepaid for the Horseshoe Lagoon trip only to be told when we arrived that it had left 30 minutes earlier. We got a boat trip instead but we did see literally hundreds of elephants by the side of the river eating the cane leaves, etc. And we got very close too.
Mazambala Island Lodge review
We were greated by the owner (polite as only an elder generation can be) and someone should write a book about is life
Read more about the whole safariMazambala Island Lodge
Unfortunately, we stayed over at the Mazambala lodge for the night, and had to continue early next morning. Had a relaxing evening and a good nights rest.
Read more about the whole safariMazambala Island Lodge review
The way to get there by boat is already worth it. The staff is very attentive and eager to help: for example, when I forgot my credit card in the other lodge, they managed to send someone to pick it up at a given place.
The bungalows are simple but comfortable. The lodge has an open fire place which is nice to use before or after dinner. We enjoyed the food very much, as it was a bit different from what we got served so far and it was really tasty.
We booked an afternoon game drive in the park across the river, which we found pleasant, although not very informative.
As the lodge is alone on a tiny island, there is not much to do except relaxing, which we did plentifully on the tower above the restaurant.
The minus point for this lodge is the fact that you can't pay by credit card.
A nice friendly place to stay
Nice accomodation in pretty wooded gardens.
Friendly reception and knowledgeable guide on our river trip.
Mazambala Island Lodge review
very few visitors and we were the only guests on the 2nd night. great river safaris. the staff and owner were very friendly. it feels a very isolated spot and also very beautiful, it will be a memory for a long time'
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Mazambala Island Lodge review
This was probably our least favourite place that we stayed during our four week trip. In fairness I had predicted this from the reviews on this website but it suited our budget. We stayed two nights but one would have been enough.
The rooms are not great and as so many people have pointed out are very noisy. There was a big tour group there when we visited and we felt everything was geared towards them - we couldn't book on a safari trip because they were using all the vehicles. We went on a sunset boat trip and the driver had to get back early to go and pick up some of the group. I wouldn't recommend the sunset boat trip - it's expensive and nowhere near as good as one we did a few days later on the Chobe River.
Overall I wouldn't recommend Mazambala.
Mazambala Island Lodge review
A lovely site, & we really enjoyed opur river trip. Our game drive was taken by a guide new to the lodge, who didn't appear to know the park (or how to drive the vehicle in difficult terrain) very well yet.
Although another guide sat at the back to watch & assist/prompt him, it meant the trip was overlong & not as informative as elsewhere.
You are in for a surprise !
We parked our car and looked around as to where the lodge was. We were asked to unpack our car and a boat would be along shortly .. we waited in anticipation ! The boat arrived and 'Gift' , the skipper loaded us all on for a 2km ride through the rushes and behold - Mazambala Island Lodge loomed ahead of us and there stood Andre with open arms to welcome us - it was magic !!!
We were the only people at the lodge and we were treated like royalty - nothing was too difficult or impossible. Andre. Stefano & Johann were friendly yet not 'in our face'. Our dinner was delicious - Andre's borsch soup was yummy and the choice in mains and light but delicious dessert was superb ! All the staff were always there in the background should we have needed them.
Our room was clean and an adequate size for 3 people. The only 'downside' was that we were next to the outdoor 'brai' / fireplace which was cleaned at 5.30-6am in the morning .. we had not quite adjusted to the early mornings yet !
We went on the safari and had our first experience with a Bull elephant mock charging us - certainly got the heart beat going but we never felt unsafe. The ride to and from the drive along the river was so relaxing and enchanting !
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and Andre, Johan and Stefano certainly made it pleasurable - thank you !
We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
