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Dungbeetle River Lodge
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Dungbeetle River Lodge

76 Aqua Vista Crescent Cannonville, Colchester 6175 South Africa
Traveller (290)
Room & Suite (68)
Dining (16)
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

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Avg. AU$165 /night, 12/4 - 12/5
AU$247
per night
AU$203
per night
AU$159
per night

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Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
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About

4.5
#1 of 3 B&Bs in Colchester
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Four Star Safari Style accommodations at Dungbeetle River Lodge near the entry point to the world famous Addo National Elephant Park and some of the finest game reserves in the Eastern Cape.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Lazy river
Free breakfast
Bicycle rental
Canoeing
BBQ facilities
Newspaper
Secured parking
Wifi
Breakfast buffet
Wine / champagne
Hiking
Fishing
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Sun terrace
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Safe
Bottled water
Minibar
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
4.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans

Location

76 Aqua Vista Crescent Cannonville, Colchester 6175 South Africa
480Reviews0Q+A74Room tips

Reviews
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Traveller rating
  • 373
  • 81
  • 15
  • 5
  • 6
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Detailed Reviews
Kat wrote a review Dec 2020
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This is an amazing lodge!! The freshly cooked breakfast every morning was delicious, with home made bread. Etta, Derek and the rest of the team here are so welcoming and helpful. I was a lone traveller and took one of their guided tours around the park, with Derek. He was very knowledgable, I had the best day and I didn’t want to leave!! They really make a special effort to make sure you have the best time and make the most of your stay. Mike (another guide at dungbeetle) saw me in the park the next day alone and guided me to some excellent elephant viewings.
The rooms are lovely with very comfortable beds and they provide swimming towels if you fancy a dip in the river!
Thank you all so much and I will be back for sure (hopefully with the family next time).
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
manster50 wrote a review Sept 2022
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Lots of positives and yet quite a few negatives as well. First, we were not given proper recommendations during our stay. Someone told us to go to a restaurant nearby, yet it was the worst food we had in a month in South Africa. After telling them, they admittedly had not tried the place themselves in a long time… but kept sending guests there to keep people employed. Second, the rooms are a bit dated, to the point where the desk chair broke during our stay. Third, they advertised strong wifi - which is one of the reasons we booked there - but it was not the case at all. Now on the positive side, it’s a great location and you cannot beat the patio with the views, and that alone was worth it.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Poor wifi, and do not trust the staff’s recommendations.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
leonard2021 wrote a review Jan 2021
Cape Town, South Africa
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Stayed for 5 nights wit h my wife in Elephant room. The host is very amazing. The location of the lodge makes it an ideal if one is interested in a few days of seclusion in a serene environment. Lot's of activities to do in the area, including Addo Elephant park game drives.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2020
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bodyguard Tourism Services wrote a review Feb 2021
Gauteng, South Africa
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Rather go the extra mile and stay in Jeffreys Bay. No hot water in 2 of the 4 rooms. An opportunity was given to rectify the situation and an ‘extra’ room was offered for the ‘bathroom’ to be shared between 2 rooms. Wifi did not work either. You would think with the ‘loss of income’ during the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa that had such a negative affect on Tourism; that establishments would go the extra mile in ensuring that everything at the very least, is in working order. The ‘packed breakfast’ rolls were terrible and all 8 rolls were thrown away. In the Lodge’s defence - the rooms were very clean and communication from the lady at reception was on par. The views are beautiful but, the noisy party boats on the river going up and down somewhat spoils the tranquility that this Lodge has to offer. Would I stay here again ... probably not.
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Date of stay: February 2021Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TLaz2023 wrote a review Dec 2023
Frankfurt, Germany
1.0 of 5 bubbles
I strongly recommend avoiding this accommodation. This was the only bad accommodation on our South Africa roundtrip. The room was musty, full of dust and dead insects. When we went to sleep and uncovered the comforter, we both had a severe allergic reaction due to the dust. The pillows are cheap junk. We did not get what we paid for on an excursion we booked: We got up at 5am to join a boat trip where snacks and drinks were supposed to be provided. So we didn't take anything with us and remained hungry and thirsty until our return at 9:30 am. The breakfast was incredibly bad - shredded pieces of bread, sweet packet juice, no cheese or cold cuts, slow and unfriendly staff. The owner was not interested in constructive feedback. We have had far better accommodation in South Africa for half the price.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2023
1.0 of 5 bubblesValue
1.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
2.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
1.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
2.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mkarle537475 wrote a review Aug 2021
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Our stay at the lodge was simply fantastic. It started with a tasty, plentiful breakfast with so many options. The hosts were attentive, friendly and have a wealth of knowledge about the area. It felt like being among friends. Then the location of this lodge is simply excellent. Not more than a few minutes from Addo park, you can go there early and leave as the park closes, knowing you'll be at your accommodation in just a few moments. Definitely a 5 star place in the area.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirsten E wrote a review Nov 2022
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Our second stay here and it didn't disappoint!! We has 3 rooms and although the family suite downstairs was fairly plain, the 2 rooms we had upstairs (Elephant and Big 5) were absolutely beautiful!! We loved the decor and the space; as well as the lovely bathrooms and huge beds!! Slept extremely well, comfy beds and very peaceful. The breakfast was great, really loved the fresh orange juice.. even if it was hard work to make! Eating a cooked breakfast overlooking the river is stunning. The hosts couldn't do enough to help. We booked on a guided drive round Addo Elephant Park and despite the weather being against us, the guide did his upmost to provide us a great experience. We ate at grunters down the road and the food was delicious and the owner even stayed open to accommodate our family on a Sunday evening. Would 100% recommend Dungbeetle as a wonderful place to stay, very reasonably priced too. Hopefully we will return one day!
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Date of stay: October 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: Don't email them if you want a quick reply..
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank F wrote a review Feb 2024
Hannover, Germany
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We had a wonderful short stay (2 nights) at the dungbeetle river lodge. We booked the cottage with another couple. The cottage provides 3 bedrooms and 3 bathes (one bath was closed at our stay). From the terasse you have a wonderful view over the Sundayriver. The cottage was clean and cosy, breakfast was very good (some cold cuts would have been nice) with fresh baked bread and a choice of fresh made marmelades and eggdishes. The owners are very friendly and helpful and our guide at the Addo elephant park Chris made our full day trip unforgetable. The boattrip on the river at the next day was also very nice. And the skipper showed us a fresh water source in the Alexandra dunes, that you would never expect there. Also very interesting trip. All in all two perfect days, worth each Rand.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Non wrote a review Mar 2023
Cardiff, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Very friendly and helpful staff who made us immediately welcome. Although we arrived early they made sure that our room was cleaned first so we could relax. Breakfast was very good and plentiful. The surroundings are stunning and within half an hour of our arrival the 2 activities (river cruise and a half day safari) we were planning to do were booked while we had a drink on the terrace overlooking the river. The safari with Derek is a must! We had a perfect outing with a very knowledgable, polite and charming man. We totally enjoyed our stay and highly recommend it.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wynand007 wrote a review Oct 2021
East London, South Africa
5.0 of 5 bubbles
On arrival we where greeted with a welcome drink, staff are extremely friendly. Rooms are private, spacious, neat and well planned. The breakfast was to die for and we had on the deck overlooking the river with birdlife visiting the garden each morning. Best freshest vetkoek in South Africa hand down. Great value for our money. We can definitely recommend Dungbeetle River Lodge for a family stay.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Carlos Freitas wrote a tip Dec 2023
76 contributions5 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"There is no restaurant service for dinner"
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Mandi Bezuidenhout wrote a tip Jan 2023
Hong Kong, China85 contributions4 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"I would suggest spending a few days, there is so much to do. "
Read full review
Kirsten E wrote a tip Nov 2022
18 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Don't email them if you want a quick reply.. "
Read full review
kiteman532018 wrote a tip Oct 2022
Edinburgh, United Kingdom9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Pick your favourite animal for your room"
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Gary G wrote a tip Oct 2022
Devon, United Kingdom25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Africa room - overlooking the river"
Read full review
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Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Colchester area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$164 - AU$224 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaEastern CapeGreater AddoColchester
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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DUNGBEETLE RIVER LODGE (AU$164) - 2024 Prices & Reviews (Colchester, South Africa) - Photos of B&B - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Dungbeetle River Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Dungbeetle River Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Sundays River Mouth and Beach (2.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Dungbeetle River Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Dungbeetle River Lodge?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Dungbeetle River Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, a lounge, and barbeque facilities during their stay.
Is parking available at Dungbeetle River Lodge?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Dungbeetle River Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include A Taste of Africa Restaurant & Coffee Shop, Grunters Pub and Grub, and Park View Lodge.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Dungbeetle River Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans.
Does Dungbeetle River Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.
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