Greenfire Game Lodge
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Greenfire Game Lodge

Traveller (322)
room
Room & Suite (44)
Breakfast & Dinner with awesome view
Dining (26)

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Avg. AU$1,026 /night, 2/18 - 2/19
AU$1,026
per night
AU$1,017
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AU$1,007
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About

#7 of 13 lodges in Balule Nature Reserve
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Greenfire Game Lodge is situated in the Greater Kruger National Park and is the ideal venue for anyone wanting an intimate and exclusive experience in this world-famous African wildlife paradise.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Pool
Free breakfast
Airport transportation
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Special diet menus
Sun terrace
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
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 Giata.
3.5 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Trendy
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, German

Location

Kruger National Park South Africa
Getting there
Hoedspruit Airport
17.8 km
See all flights
Phalaborwa Airport
35.3 km
See all flights

Reviews
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Detailed Reviews
Mauidivers wrote a review Aug 2024
Washington
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We were given a few options a when booking our safari adventure and this was one of them. I researched all options on multiple websites and the reviews for Greenfire were the highest. Now we know why! It is an amazing lodge where people are genuine, the food is amazing and the game drives are done by those who have so much knowledge of wildlife. Nigel the owner was there checking on everyone and every single person there were excellent and made us feel so welcomed!
I need to break it down into sections.

Lodge: I think it only holds 18 people max so the level of attention and service is high! All the rooms overlook a riverbed and we were there in the winter so it was dry but still so many animals mostly elephants walking up and down. Rooms have air conditioning 2 sitting chairs and a table inside and we had 3 chairs and a small table outside on the balcony. Floor to ceiling glass so that you have unobstructed views of the river bed and you can take a shower and look out at the river bed and see wildlife walking by. The main building has good WiFi (rooms do not) and the pool water is on the colder side (winter time) however I packed a float and it was perfect!.

Food: Fantastic! They have set items for breakfast like fresh fruit, granola, fresh baked muffins or biscuits and then you can order full English or other breakfast items. Lunch always has a salad, dessert and then the main entree is different daily, for dinner you have what they have sourced locally and a dessert. Once a week they’ll do a boma dinner ❤️❤️ We absolutely loved every meal and all the desserts!! Drinks and Alcohol are extra and they run a tab and you pay at the end.

Game drives: I believe you’re assigned to the same driver the entire time and we got Ishmael. We were lucky enough to see everything we wanted in the first 3 drives so the remaining 5 drives were bonus. One evening the wildlife were difficult to find so Ishmael taught us all about the animal poop which my husband and I just found so enjoyable and entertaining!! This game reserve does not have wide open fields like the Masai Mara but we were able to get so incredibly close to Elephants, giraffes, rhinos (black and white), loin, hyenas and my favorite the painted dogs!

Small Details: We were welcomed upon arrival and after each game drive, they got excited for our excitement. Warm washcloths given out after game drives. Rooms tidied in the morning and a turn down every night. Coffee and tea station in the main lobby available all day and night. Morning coffee and tea on safari and evening drinks on safari.

My only negative and I’m reaching to find one is that the cocktails were a bit of a let down.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip 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.
Tamera G wrote a review Aug 2024
Oahu, Hawaii
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
My family absolutely loved Greenfire. Everything about it was amazing. 1st on my list was the hospitality - Carol, one of the owner greets you upon arrival and after every game drive along with cold hand towels. The owners also visit with you at meals and have a wealth of knowledge and they host a BBQ - bonfire outdoors which is super special - see photo. The lodge is located along a river bed and the rooms feel like an extension of the outdoors. Everything is super clean and new and I love the heated blankets, which are a must for the cold evenings and mornings. We saw a big herd of elephants walk down the river right outside our room which was amazing. The food was also very delicious. Everything was very fresh and gourmet. Our guide, Given, was also wonderful - great personality, extremely knowledgeable about all animals and the bush. He helped us track down lions which were on our list by following the lion tracks. He is a gem and really enhanced our time. We saw all the big 5 here and will hold dear memories of our time at Greenfire. We even got surrounded by a herd of buffalo so that we were literally in the middle of the herd, granted we were safe in the vehicle. We went to another game lodge within the Kruger National Park, which was great as well, but lacked the personal touches of Greenfire; so, even though I thoroughly enjoyed both, when looking back, Greenfire was my favorite of the two. Everything had such a personal touch. You will not regret staying at Greenfire and I hope that you will make amazing memories as our family did.
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Date of stay: July 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
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: We went in their winter....pack beanies, gloves, a warm jacket and hand warmers for the game...
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.
Claudia D wrote a review Nov 2024
Koenigstein, Germany
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We had a great time at Greenfire Game Lodge and definitely recommend to stay there! The chalets are very modern and stylish (even better than the pics); all having a terrace facing the river where often animals walk by. The food was excellent and the staff very nice. One evening we had an African barbecue which was great (the other evenings is was too cold to sit outside). We made the game drives and a bush walk with Given who is a very engaged and experienced guide. He is very mindful about the animals and the nature, e.g. we appreciated that there is no off-road driving to protect the animals. We saw the big 5 and also wild dogs and - for sure - a lot of other animals. On most of our drives we were only the four of us, i.e. they do not "fill-up" the cars up to the last place. Very nice! Carol and Nigel, the owners of the lodge, stay there and we had a lot of nice and interesting conversations.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
AlexandraMini1980 wrote a review Apr 2024
3.0 of 5 bubbles
so, it s an overpriced place in Balule reserve driving the same roads up and down on a game drive, food is okay, they charge for everything extra even water, which is a humans right, and usually included in the price at all other places. on evening game drives, they serve alcohol. the guide kept the noise level in car down by telling the people before, which was so nice, cause usually tourists yell all over which was not the case here gladly. on on game drive, someone found wild dogs and informed us. so, we were rushing there. there are not many of this amazing species left on the african continent, so, this sighting is special and rare. very rare. after 2 min with these dogs, which made me nearly crying for happiness we found them, 2 of the other guests where pushing the guide to stop for their alcohol drinks. so, we had to leave the wild dogs. if you come for the alcohol and not for the animals, go to a bar. a club. stay in a city. do not destroy the game drive for other guests just cause you need your drugs. that kind of made whole game drive and the whole stay a sad thing. people go into the bush for the animals. not for the beer or the wine. gladly, we did not see any lions or stuff, cause they did not deserve it, if you want to see lots of animals, stay on the other side of olifants west or timbavati anyways. also when you are in your room, you have lots of noise from other guests, so, its not a relaxing place sadly, but its a nice design in the rooms. it looks cute. voctor the guide i had was also kind of nice.
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Date of stay: April 2024
2.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
2.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
3.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip 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.
Ida-Maria S wrote a review Jan 2023
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed at Greenfire Game Lodge for 3 nights until January 1st, 2023. The most amazing experience all the way. Rooms were unique in their location with view upon nature and animals, giving the impression of living "in" the bush. Luxurious and well equipped.
Our hosts: Nigel and Carol were doing their utmost to ensure that all needs were met all the time. They were genuienly interested in making our stay as pleasant as possible.
Food and wine was a 5-star experience and special dietary requests were met above expectations.
Finally our two gamedrives per day, with the first starting at 5.30 am, gave us memories for life! A big thanks and recognition to our driver Victor whom possessed a knowledge of nature and animals beyound anything we ever experienced before. Victor went the extra mile to fulfill our experience of nature and animals.
Many thanks to ALL the staff at Grenfire Game Lodge for giving us a lifetime experience. Hopefully not the last visit at this unique 5-star game lodge.
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Date of stay: December 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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.
Maggie M wrote a review Aug 2023
5.0 of 5 bubbles
What an amazing experience! I would highly recommend booking your holiday at Greenfire Game Lodge. We enjoyed our initially booked 4 night stay so much that we extended it for two more night (we were lucky they could accommodate us). I cannot say enough good things about our stay here.

Carol, Nigel, and everyone who works there are friendly, accommodating, and want you stay to be as lovely and memorable as possible. During our stay, we had the pleasure of having spent time with both Chefs (Elsa and Charlotte), Cresent, Glorify, Veronica, and two of their drivers (Given and Victor).

If you have food allergies or sensitivities, this is the lodge for you. I am a gluten free vegetarian. It is not an easy dietary combination when eating out, but at Greenfire Game Lodge, the Chefs (Esla (sp?) and Charlotte (who are also sisters) made every meal special for me. My meals were well though out out and curated. They never repeated a dish and the variety and creativity of the dishes was incredible. The food was delicious, not only for myself, but for my partner. They loved they food as well. So, if you are a foodie, this is the place to stay!

The rooms are nice, clean, and have the most amazing views. We had many animal sightings from our balcony. Our most memorable visit was having an elephant spend over an hour by our room. Nothings beats watching nature's tv. It was so peaceful to sitting on the balcony or in the room with 180 degrees of windows facing the river between game drives.

The game drives were always fun. We never knew what we were going to see and we did see the Big 5 and some of the other 5s as well (small 5, stupid 5, secret 5, etc.). We saw so many animals, even the Black Rhino (we saw the white rhinos too), which is rare to spot. We also saw a big tusker elephant with tusks almost to the ground. There are times the animals are not where you are driving at that time because they move fast and far in a short amount of time, our drivers, Given and Victor, would teach us about the plants, birds, and culture. It made every drive fun and interesting. Given and Victor are amazing at tracking the animals, which led to lion and leopard sightings. Just being out in nature looking at the landscape was beautiful, see the animals and birds were a bonus.
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Date of stay: July 2023
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip 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.
François M wrote a review May 2024
Longueuil, Canada
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Very nice and comfortable lodge with excellent service. The game drives were always interesting and the guide was excellent and knowledgeable. The location and the rooms are beautiful and we sere immersed in nature 24 hours a day. Every nigth I could listen to the hyenas that sometimes came very close (absolutly safe) . The food was also excellent. A perfect safari stay.
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Date of stay: May 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
Trip 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.
Cesar M wrote a review Oct 2022
Paris, France
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We have been in Greenfire for 3 nights during our trip in South Africa. And it was just absolutely amazing and probably the best experience we've ever had ! What to say ?

Everything is perfect. The lodge is absolutely beautiful and the rooms are just a marvel, in front of the animals (we ve seen a group of elephant walking in front of our room on our last day, what a goodbye present !).

The food is refined and all plates are totally different and tasty. Our last dinner, a braai (South African barbecue) which was made outside in a warm, friendly and authentic environment was even more incredible.

But the biggest force of this place, and the reason why it was amazing, is that the staff and all the people there are absolutely adorable. They pay attention to every detail, they are always here for you and they are really, really sweet. They were always asking us about the animals we had seen when we were coming back to the lodge after the safaris, talking with us and many other small actions that were so kind.

Special mention to Given, who was our amazing guide during the safaris. He was incredibly nice and funny, and helped us to spot lots of animals. He also told us many amazing things about them (if you meet him, ask him about the stupid 5 and you'll laugh a lot !). Thanks to him, we have seen a bunch of animals, including a large group of lions (females and their cubs), different groups of elephants, but also buffaloes, white rhinos, impalas, jackal and many other animals (antilopes like kudu or waterbuck, african civet). We've also been lucky seeing 2 black rhinos, that are really really rare animals !

To conclude we thank all the greenfire team for their welcome and all they have done for us. We really hope that we'll come back one day. For these 3 days we were totally disconected, juste enjoying this and realizing the luck we had to do such an incredible experience. If you hesitate, don't and go, it is really amazing !
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Date of stay: August 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: All the rooms are amazing
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.
Dana G wrote a review Nov 2023
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Greenfire Lodge in Balule Game Reserve provides an extraordinary experience to observe wildlife. The Lodge is located next to Kruger and there are no fences between the two preserves. The Lodge staff are exceedingly personable, attentive, and professional. This Lodge provides an opportunity to observe wildlife with an authentic safari experience. There are no paved roads (that I saw) in this preserve. The Greenfire Lodge Jeep greets you at the entrance of the Balule Reserve where you proceed to travel on dirt roads to your Lodging. If you are worried about traveling on paved roads and being in a traffic jam on a safari, then look no further…. this is the place for you. The density of wild life is not exceedingly high but that was part of the fun experience. With our guide (Victor) who was an outstanding tracker and very personable, we saw on our three night/four day safari: elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, white rhinoceroses, hippos, hyenas, wild dogs and numerous kinds of antelope like animals and numerous birds including "zazu" from lion king. There was a mama baboon and her baby hanging out on the roof of the lodge. The night drives were sensational. I can only rave about our experience. If you need transport to the lodge there are companies that will take you from Johannesburg to the preserve entry. If you have the opportunity and are looking for a less touristy-people crowded safari experience, then Greenfire is your place.
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Date of stay: October 2023
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
Joseph K wrote a review Nov 2022
5.0 of 5 bubbles
WOW! From the moment our guide greeted us at the gate and had introductions he proceeded to ask if we had any dietary restrictions. We had a 45 minute drive to the lodge and 20 minutes in we had already encountered lions! When we arrived the full staff and host treated us with hot towels and a welcome cocktail. As our bags were taken to our rooms they gave us a tour of the absolutely beautiful grounds and beautiful guest bungalows. Lunch was served and there was already a gluten- free entrée prepared for a person in our party. Had a sunset game drive with our skilled and funny guide. Dinner was served when we returned and every single meal was incredible! The following day we celebrated a birthday and they did a very special birthday celebration that brought the birthday guest to tears. All of her birthday sweets were gluten- free but extremely tasty for everyone with no restrictions. Every drive, every conversation, every personal touch, and every meal was truly incredible! It’s a long journey from USA, but I will be returning!
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Date of stay: November 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: Alcohol is billed separately, but very reasonably priced.
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.
Flyer777522 asked a question Oct 2023
2 contributions
Was kostet der Wäsche Service?
Waterchen asked a question July 2019
Singapore, Singapore42 contributions32 helpful votes
Does it provide free airport pick up from Hoedspruit to airport?
Waterchen asked a question July 2019
Singapore, Singapore42 contributions32 helpful votes
Does rooms have aircon ? I saw in agoda they indicate fan , Also room have wireless ?
Answer from MarcoTreviso_12
Montebelluna, Italy33 contributions12 helpful votes
JNB and then easily by car-hire.
Tamera G wrote a tip Aug 2024
Oahu, Hawaii1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"We went in their winter....pack beanies, gloves, a warm jacket and hand warmers for the game drives. It gets really cold. "
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maiwennvs wrote a tip May 2024
Paris, France74 contributions41 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Stay there several days to take all your time to savior the experience "
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ngck2006 wrote a tip Apr 2023
Singapore, Singapore179 contributions93 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Try to book unit 5… arguably the best"
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Melanie50670 wrote a tip Jan 2023
Cologne, Germany4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Don´t worry about anything! You will just love it!!!"
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Joseph K wrote a tip Nov 2022
3 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Alcohol is billed separately, but very reasonably priced. "
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Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Balule Nature Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$1,006 - AU$1,023 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
drifters game hotel balule private game reserve
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Drifters Game Lodge
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkBalule Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, 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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GREENFIRE GAME LODGE - 2025 Prices & Reviews (South Africa/Kruger National Park) - Photos of Lodge - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Greenfire Game Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Greenfire Game Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Greenfire Game Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Greenfire Game Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Greenfire Game Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Greenfire Game Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Greenfire Game Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Greenfire Game Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, German, and Afrikaans.
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