Dear Derrick
Well what can we say , our holiday even exceeded our expectations and your house really felt like home, we had to drag ourselves off the terrace to leave.Thank you so much for such a fantastic time, the design of the terrace balconies is brilliant and we spent hours watching and making notes of the antics of the animals coming to the river.My favourite was the elephant family sliding down the sandy bank on their knees, even laing on their sides and skidding down it was magic.We also had a family of 40+mongoose moving nest at 7ish one evening right beneath us it sounds like chanting that got louder and louder as they passed.The zebra and wart hogs were regulars and all the animals at Marloth was unexpected.
Mike as you said was amazing we all became good friends together with Colin and Susan was very helpful too.
We had an incredible day on 1st March we saw 7 lions take down a cape buffalo ,we were the only people there and saw it from start to finish,so exhilerating and exciting,after watching them for nearly 3 hours we turned the car back to head home and 500yds along the S28 we saw 7 cheetahs sitting in the shade of a small bush right by the road.I had the long lens on my camera and couldn't fit them all in the lens! A day we will remember for ever.Then as a goodbye Kruger came up with a leopard with his kill(baby impala) up a tree and we watched him for nearly 2 hours which is remarkable ( the only problem was the battery on the camera had run out... a lesson to be learnt there!).All in all definately the best of our 4 trips to the amazing South Africa.
We never sat at the dining table or in the lounge as all meals we had on the terrace and not a single mosq.to worry us.Rod was thrilled to find even a coffee filter so with the very cheap huge mangoes breakfast was bliss.
I could ramble all day but had better not,so thanks again and I've attached a couple of pics if you would like to see any more just let me know.I'll send a couple of the house too.
Take care Chris and Rod Knight (UK) March 2010
Guestbook
Hi Derek, Well our two weeks at your place were nothing less than fabulous. We had 3 misconceptions about South Africa before coming to Majuli Lodge. Our misconceptions were: 1) We thought a Safari trip would be very expensive (1000's $ for a few days) 2) Visiting in the Summer (January 2009) would mean we were not likely to see very many animals. 3) South Africa is dangerous and unsafe. Let us tell you, and more importantly potential customers, that all of these perceptions were comletely false. As you know, we loved our time in your cozy and comfortable little cottage that we called and asked you if we could stay another week. We went to Kruger twice (one early morning self drive and one evening drive) and we saw just about every animal one could want to see including a Leopard and Wild Dogs. We had Hippos, Crocs, Elephants and Rhinos viewable from your deck in addition to all of the Impala, Kudu, Zebra, Wort Hogs, Giraffe and other animals that were in and around the garden an across the river. Although your place was wonderful, I am certain that our family really decided to lengthen our stay based on Mike, the friendly and caring gentleman, who takes care of your place for you. We were all very sad when we left 15 days later (remember we originally thought 4 days). We enjoyed the access to the private game reserve in Marloth, feeding the Zebras, BBQ steaks, reading on the deck, tennis games followed by cooling off in your splash pool. We plan to be back again to see what it's like during the Winter time. All the best to you and the family for 2009! Thanks for sharing your "little piece of paradise" in Kruger/South Africa.
Kevin, Elaine, Jeffrey and Samantha, Canada
January 2009
This lodge is perfect - or was for us! It is in the a perfect location in Marloth park and an easy drive to Kruger should you feel like it. We had an amazing time and will be back - sooner that later I hope!! The wildlife all around was fantastic and the veranda was what made the lodge perfect - sitting there for the sunrise and fall what a way to start and end the day!! Thanks very much Bev and Steve
— Beverley Bell, United Kingdom
October 2008
Our stay at Majuli Lodge was really a memorable experience. The Lodge was cosy and the location is wonderful. Sitting on the deck over-looking the Crocodile River we saw so much wildlife (Elephant, Hippo, Buffalo and so much more) and in Marloth Park itself, were Majuli Lodge is located we had Zebra, Giraffe, Bush Pigs and Buck visiting us. I really recommend staying at Majuli Lodge if you are a bush lover and just want to get away from the busy city life and relax.
— Kim Hodge, South Africa
September 2008
This place was incredible. Really great atmosphere, great views over the river and good wildlife viewing opportunities if you drive around the perimeter. Were visited by some zebras while sitting around the fire. Great place to sit back and relax. Very friendly hosts. - 3 travelers from Finland
April 2008
- a memorable experience that we hope to repeat again in the not too distant future.
— Duncan Blom, United Kingdom
November 2007
Despite the tremendously hot weather at the beginning of our stay and rain at the end we enjoyed our stay at Majuli lodge. We were unlucky not to view any game from the deck, but the views are fabulous. The house is comfortable but I would not recommend it for those with children.
— Joshua McDonald, South Africa
August 2007
We have enjoyed every minute of our 3 day stay at the Majuli Lodge. The animals came very close to the lodge. A special thanks goes to Dirk who was in charge of admin. things, he helped us to find our way in the park.
— Rob Pijnappel, Netherlands
June 2007
We had a wonderful time, the lodge is beautiful and the views from the deck were amazing. We will definitely consider coming back!
— Amanda Curtin, United States of America
May 2007
The house is perfectly situated. Had a great view of the Crocodile River. The sounds of the hippos and fish eagles early in the morning was amazing. It is a very peaceful and restful environment. We enjoyed spending hours on the deck watching all the beautiful bird life. The evening was great, we lit a big bonfire and watched the stars. Thank you.
— Nisha Sami, South Africa
September 2006
We enjoy it very much, the deck was a very nice place to sit on in the afternoons and just staring out over the river.
— Charmaine Erasmus, South Africa
September 2006
As promised, we saw a wide range of animals on our doorstep at Majuli Lodge. This started with a herd of buffalo on our arrival, and a herd of elephants bathing in the river when we left! Majuli Lodge really is a great place to relax and watch some beautiful sunsets, with the silhouettes of elephants in the foreground! Just wish we could have stayed longer .....
— Patsy Scherman, South Africa
June 07
Hi Derrick,
A good time would be the understatement of the century,we saw every thing in huge numbers, a herd of 54 Elephant,26 Buffalo,Pride of 9 lions and a Leopard and that was all from Marloth looking into Kruger IT WAS UNREAL !!
We had plenty of visitors in the garden Zebra,Warthog,Baboon,Kudu and other stuff. It really was unreal,I thought last year was great so I don't know how to describe this Years trip. The highlight was the lion hunt that was thwarted by the herd of elephants -- absolutely awesome. If I hadn't been there I just wouldn't believe what we saw.
Thank-You for making our holiday possible with the use of your lovely house, the only draw back will be the inevitable comparison of other future holidays to this one, how can they possibly compete ?
We had a fantastic time, Thank-you once again.
Roger and Nichola Chant.
May 06
Dear Derrick,
I thought I'd email and let you know that we are absolutely thrilled to be here at your house. Everything is just as you described it, and I am sitting on the balcony looking out over a very sunny Crocodile River. Incidentally, a crocodile is basking on the sandbank in the middle! How did you manage to find such a perfect spot?
We saw a lone elephant within 5 mins of arriving, and there were hippos in the pool in front of the house that day. they were back again this morning, but have wandered off again. We have seen the lone elephant again, and a rhino yesterday evening, together with Impala, Waterbuck and warthogs (around the garden). The birds are also great around here, and we have often seen the 2 fish eagles in the tree across the river.
Everything went fine with the arrival arrangements, and we are really enjoying the quiet and the opportunity to switch off completely.
Regards from us both
Lu and Ian (UK)
June 06
Hi Derrick, I will have to talk to you about the holiday,there is too much for an email. we had an absolutely fab time, and enjoyed every minute of our time in South Africa. The house has the best view ever, just stunning, if anything it was much better than we had immagined. We saw all the wildlife we could hope for including the wild dog and leopard. Other visitors to the Kruger who had been going there for many years were not as lucky. We had most animals come on the opposite bank of the river inluding rhino, 10 elephants, impala, water buck and may more, couldnt take our eyes off the view from the veranda to read a book!!!! Please give me a call as I have loads to tell you, but just would like to say thanks for letting us your wonderful house, it was the best of holidays and we have many fond memories and hope to return again. The warthog sends his love and the zebra. Best wishes look forward to hearing from you Marjxx (UK)
July 2006
Derrick
Thank you so much for letting us your South African house. As we turned into your drive way our dreams came true- What a beautiful setting! I think we were spoilt in our first 24 hours and could not believe the array of animals we could see. (18 elephants, 12 hippos, 4 buffalo, 2 crocs, 1 rhino and we believe we saw a lion but it was a long way off) added to the giraffes, zebras, warthogs, baboons and a massive array of gorgeous birds. Why would we need to go into Kruger?
We had a wonderful time and crammed in a lot (Victoria Falls and Cape Town) but we all agreed that your house was the best bit, had we not prebooked the other trips I think we would have stayed on the balcony for the duration and let the world of animals come to us.
Hopefully we will be in a position to go back someday and if possible your house is where we would like to stay. I would like to keep in touch with yourself. Many thanks once again for a surreal experience.
Roger Chant (UK)
June 06
Hi Derrick, The house has the best view ever, just stunning, if anything it was much better than we had immagined. We had most animals come on the opposite bank of the river inluding rhino, 10 elephants, impala, water buck and may more, couldnt take our eyes off the view from the veranda to read a book!!!! Marjxx |
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