Serondella

Meaning “Place of the Elephants” in Xitsonga, Serondella Lodge is an ultra-boutique safari lodge located on a tributary of the seasonally flowing Monwana River in Greater Kruger. At its heart, you’ll find one of the most active waterholes in Thornybush Game Reserve, which provides the kind of wildlife viewing that makes you feel instantly connected to the ecosystem.  

There are just three accommodations at Serondella, making it an intimate and reclusive escape. With so few guests at any one time, the service is highly personalized, and the staff demonstrate an incredible attention to detail. There are no set schedules; days unfold based on your interests and ambitions—ideal for families on safari.  

There are two gorgeous Luxury Suites (sleeping two) positioned under the trees along the edge of the waterhole. (Keep an eye out for visiting elephants.) Each suite features a covered deck, plunge pool, a fabulous outdoor “star bath,” and air conditioning.  Lofty ceilings, timber accents, an organic palette and textures give Serondella a home-in-the-bush feeling.  

The Botsotso Family Suite has two interleading bedrooms, a shared living area, a private kitchenette, a deck, and a plunge pool. Beds can be configured as a king or as twins.  

The self-contained Willem’s Den Suite offers larger families a generous amount of privacy and lounge space. Well suited to multi-generational groups, it boasts three bedrooms and bathrooms, a kitchenette, a lounge, a private garden, veranda, boma with a fireplace, and a plunge pool.  

Each glorious day at Serondella offers some 30,000 acres of Greater Kruger wilderness to explore on soul-stirring game drives, or guided walking safaris/bush walks. There are also opportunities to join conservation activities alongside field guides. And, as families lie at the very heart of the Serondella experience, kid-centric programming has been specially designed to engage the little ones with the natural world. Guides, armed with patience and flexibility, interpret the animal kingdom in an educational and inspiring way. For an entirely fresh perspective, enjoy the whimsy of a sunrise hot air balloon safari or the thrill of a helicopter ride to Blyde Canyon.  

Back at camp, make the very most of the lodge’s facilities, which you’ll find along the edge of the waterhole. A fever-tree garden, a viewing deck with rim-flow pool, a gym, and a bush spa located with a riverine thicket all occupy this peaceful area. When it comes to dining, there’s a cozy indoor dining area with a glowing fireplace to eat at, before you make a beeline to the boma and fire pit. Bush picnics in scenic spots are available upon request.  

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