Affordable Luxury Near Kruger is Possible! I did it!
 

Just got back from my first and UNBELEIVABLE trip to SA> I'm in love!!! What a beautiful country!

I promise a trip report - and it's a good one for all of those if you who have never been, and have no idea how to go about planning a trip to Kruger. It was so muhc more than a safari!

But for now, I have to sing the praises of the Lodge I stayed at - Mvuradona (www.mvuradona.co.za) in Marloth Park Reservation, a 10 minute jaunt from the Croc Bridge entrance to Kruger.

What can I say - I came looking for an authentic African experience, and I ended up with a new extended family!

I set out to do the impossible - find a semi-luxurious lodge at an affordable rate - including, lodging, meals and activities - and I found it at the Mvuradona.

I travel a lot, and I cannot ever remember feeling more at home and more welcome and taken care of than at Mvuradona.

I was traveling with a friend - our first time in South Africa, and we had no idea what to expect. From the pre-reservation phase, Jay, the owner, could not have been more helpful and accomodating! We had a fantastic itinerary put together before we even got there!

The care into the details of everything from the activites, to the food to the Cadbury chocolate on my pillow every night was incredible.

Jay is one awesome lady, Sandra and Jessie are the perfect hostesses, and can they ever cook!!!!!

The place is gorgeous, perfect location - nice being outside Kruger because it allowed for flexibility in activities. And we had visitors - zebras, warthogs, birds and even a few animals I heard at night but didn't see!

t's always a bit scary choosing a place for a vacation and not knowing what to expect - I really got lucky this time - and rest asssured you will too!! I can't recommend this place highly enough!

Please feel free to contact me with questions...

"Affordable", then, what is the cost?

regards - tom

It worked out to 1600 Rand a night including 3 meals, snacks, lodging, and either 2 half day activities or a full day trip. This is about $245.

hi, ohdonnah,

this looks great. I've bookmarked it for future reference.

looking forward to the trip-report proper,

regards, ann

Are the game drives done IN Kruger? How many people on a game drive per vehicle? What kind of vehicle used?
Thanks.

Is that $245 per person? EP just quoted me something cheaper.

Mohammed-What is EP?
Thanks

Yes, the game drives were done inside Kruger.

The num,ber of people depended on how many people had booked. We got lucky - several of the game drives it was just us. The drives and wals that we went on with the park rangers there were other people in the vehicles.

As for the price quote - don't know what EP is, but the rate fluctuates depending on season, on how many activities you want to do, if you are self driving, etc. Jay was extremely generous and threw in some extras, which I thought was lovely.

The thing is, when I was planning this trip and asked people where I could stay for around $200 a night pp with everything included, people said it couldn't be done unless I went to a backpacker style lodge. I just want people to know that affordable luxury does exist in the Kruger area.

Gosh, I posted a review on lonely planet and got slammed - I guess they thought I was from the lodge and self promoting. What does a person have to do to credibly spread the good word and give a compliment these days without being "suspected." Though if I recall, my first post on a Fodors board was met with skepticism. ;)

EP - maybe Elephant Plains? Mohammed can correct me, if it is something else ......

"where I could stay for around $200 a night pp with everything included, people said it couldn't be done unless I went to a backpacker style lodge. "

I know you're talking about luxury, but, what are these people talking about? A simple comfortable bungalow in Kruger is $70 per night for 2 (or 3) people. That's like $35 pppn. Eat all meals at the camp's cafeteria and that will add another $20-$50 pppn.

regards - tom