Sani Lodge & Cottages
Review Summary
Steve D - Jan 2025
Overall rating
Friendly hosts, ideal location.
Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Glad you enjoyed your stay. Regarding Vodacom, it comes and it goes! Same with MYTN. That is why we are on a satellite internet system so you can always find connection via WiFi at the restaurant.
Gideon B - Jan 2025
Overall rating
Baie goed.
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Very good.
Very nice surroundings. There is a common room with games for children and lots of books. Excellent relaxation.
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Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Gideon,
Thank you for your rating and feedback from your stay in Mountain View Aloe Cottage 4 sleeper. We are so happy that the facilities and amenities were to your satisfaction.
Kind regards,
Simone and the Lodge team
Robin V - Dec 2024
Overall rating
Clean, safe and lovely.
Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Robin,
Thank you for your feedback. It is most important to us. We are delighted that you found the important aspects of your stay to your satisfaction.
Kind regards,
Sani Lodge team
Cn S - Nov 2024
Overall rating
Gerieflike verblyf vir 'n vinnige wegbreek na die pragtige omgewing.
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Comfortable accommodation for a quick getaway to the beautiful surroundings.
Neat unit, well equipped with the necessary cutlery, cleaning and washing agents. Towels, toiletries and wood are provided and the complimentary mug of milk is a bonus. Unit is serviced daily.
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Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Davis,
Thank you for your review and feedback.
Kind regards,
Sani Lodge
Ranelda A - Aug 2024
Overall rating
Fantastiese plek, dankie!
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Great place, thanks!
Good service, neat and clean!
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Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Ranelda,
Thank you for your feedback and review. Thank you also for supporting a Fair Trade Tourism establishment.
Kind regards,
Sani Lodge team
Riaan L - Jun 2024
Overall rating
Sal volgende keer baie langer wil bly.
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Will want to stay much longer next time.
Private, quiet with the adventure of the pass. Magic.
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Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Riaan,
Thank you for your review and rating. It is most appreciated. We look forward to hosting you again.
Kind regards,
Sani Lodge
Davis M - Nov 2024
Overall rating
My stay at this lodge was fabulous.
Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Davis,
Thank you for your feedback on your stay. We are delighted that you visited our place in the Drakensberg mountains. Our land borders directly on to the Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, affording guests the privilege of direct access to several hikes to waterfalls, mountain peaks, rivers and pools.
Kind regards from Simone and our team of staff.
Marietjie F - May 2024
Overall rating
Very pleasant.
Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Marietjie,
Thank you for your rating and feedback of your stay here. We appreciate it.
Kind regards,
Sani Lodge
Karin S - Apr 2024
Overall rating
Very pleasant.
Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Karin,
Thank you for your review and rating of your stay at our Fair Trade Tourism accredited establishment. Fair Trade is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Waste separation is one of many of our Responsible Tourism practices. Here are the others:
- Solar electricity generation: 60 solar photovoltaic panels generate up to 30KW of electricity and we have 6 batteries for storage. This ensures a steady supply of electricity despite the difficulties ESKOM may be experiencing.
- Energy saving measures via gas stoves for cooking, gas hot water systems in high use areas, low wattage light bulbs everywhere, appeals for guests and staff to switch off lights and heaters when not in use, laundry washed in cold water and dried in the sun when possible.
- Water usage minimisation by installation of smaller shower heads, tour vehicle cleaning with buckets of water instead of hosepipes, education of staff and guests on measures they can take to reduce water; Indigenous gardens that never need to be watered.
- Waste minimisation by avoiding single use plastics in purchasing inputs – you will notice we do not supply individually wrapped toiletries to minimise packaging, purchasing in bulk, purchasing unwrapped vegetables and fruit, reusing glass jars for jams and plastic for plants, using boxes and bags for shopping to avoid plastic bags.
- Waste management. Our local municipality has a transfer station in Himeville where the Bazamile Waste Co-operative separates and sends waste for recycling. We assist by separating our waste stream at source before delivering to the Co-op to maximise what can be recycled. Asking guests to assist with separation at source is an important part of our strategy, both in terms of effectiveness and education.
- Membership of WESSA (The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) and the Southern Drakensberg Honorary Officers of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, where we assist with environmental education, alien plant eradication, litter prevention and picking up waste on the Sani Pass.
- Fair and equitable employment policies. Most of our staff have been with us for an average of 10 to 20 plus years, and risen through the ranks to positions of authority. We are very proud of this process and those who have followed this path!
- Community involvement and support. In addition to our local Kwa Pitela community and the primary school there, our tours into Lesotho have pioneered ground-breaking community tourism methods recognised by the African Responsible Tourism Awards, Lesotho Tourism and South Africa Tourism. Using a model of growing small scale tourism businesses run by service providers to our tours, and the fair and negotiated payment for services rendered, has led to tourism bringing real benefits to a remote part of Lesotho.
Kind regards,
Sani Lodge
Luke M - Mar 2024
Overall rating
I would stay there again.
Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Luke,
Thank you for your feedback.
The WiFi we had installed for the common room was not strong enough and it turned out to be too erratic sadly, so it remains only available at the restaurant and bar.
Kind regards,
Sani Lodge team
Christo V - Dec 2024
Overall rating
Sal beslis nie aanbeveel.
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Would definitely not recommend.
The restaurant service was a total disappointment, the quality of the food was only acceptable, but the sour faces of the staff made the whole experience bad. I asked at breakfast if we could order two grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches (on the menu) for takeaway, which was refused. They serve nothing but breakfast, only available after 11am?
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Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Hello Christo,
Thank you for your review. As we take feedback seriously, we conduct research prior to submitting a reply.
The restaurant – which is separate to the Lodge – offers breakfast from 7.30 am to 10 am (at peak times) and from 7.30 am to 9 am (off-peak times). Dates during school holidays, public holidays, and weekends in summer and December are considered peak times. Your date of stay ticked all those categories, meaning that it was a peak time. Guest demand during peak time is for breakfast to finish later to allow them to sleep in. The restaurant caters for this need by laying out a buffet table and taking orders from Sani Lodge guests, as well as from people from Underberg and Himeville, for breakfast that lasts up to 10 am. Guests are advised to put their order in for a takeaway packed lunch the night before so that staff can prepare these before breakfast begins the following day. After 10 am, the menu is open for orders. If breakfast is still going on due to the peak time guest demand, this may be extended to 10.30 am. It is perfectly reasonable and common practice for restaurants to have set times for serving breakfast, during which it is not possible to order something else off a menu.
Our research revealed from the restaurant staff that you requested items off the menu to take away with you between 7.30 and 10 am whilst you were eating breakfast. As this was not possible owing to the kitchen being busy with cooking breakfasts, they did offer you a packed lunch alternative, which you did not accept. We apologise if you felt offended by the lunch menu not being available until after 10 am. We ask that you be considerate of the policy, understand its reasons, and realise that if menu orders were taken during breakfast, it would delay all the other customers' breakfast orders. The staff are renowned for their good food, friendliness, and for going the extra mile to assist patrons.
The restaurant does serve all meals including dinner (advance booking required) to correct your statement of only serving breakfast.
Kind regards,
Sani Lodge team
Mene M - Dec 2024
Overall rating
Teleurstellend.
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Disappointing.
Campsite needs work. It was unpleasant and not what you expect when driving through the beautiful scenery.
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Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Mene,
We are sorry that you did not like the camping area. Please send us your details so that we can refund you.
Kind regards,
Sani Lodge
Hazil P - Dec 2023
Overall rating
Loved our stay.
Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Hi Ray,
Thank you for your review and feedback from your stay in Aloe and Ntshitshi self-catering cottages in December. We are delighted that your group of ten were comfortable and happy with the accommodation, the service from our staff, the cleanliness of the two cottages, the location of Sani Lodge in the Drakensberg and the security.
Your feedback is invaluable to us.
Kind regards
Simone (Sani Lodge owner) and our team.
Jesse N - Jan 2023
Overall rating
Lekker in die natuur.
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Nice in nature.
Very nice hiking trail, swimming pool and kitchen facilities. Very friendly people who work there.
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Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Jesse,
Thank you for your feedback and rating of your stay with us at Sani Lodge.
We are delighted that you enjoyed the pool with a view of the escarpment and guest kitchens. Our staff have been with us for more than 20 years and are so grateful for the support from local South Africans as tourism was really hard hit during covid.
It is a privilege for guests staying at Sani Lodge to be able to walk straight into the World Heritage Site Drakensberg Park from their room or campsite as our land borders directly on to the Park. There are several hikes from here from a few hours to a week, either sleeping in caves, your own tent or huts along the famous 5 day Giant's Cup Trail. Our prime location on the Sani Pass road, just 16 kmks from the SA border post and our tours into Lesotho up the Sani Pass in sturdy landrovers enable guests to explore Lesotho.
We hope that you will return to stay with us in the not too distant future.
Kind regards from Simone, Russell and our Sani Lodge team!
Cora M - Oct 2022
Overall rating
Baie naby aan Sani-pass. Ete in die restaurant was heerlike bord gekookte kos.
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Very close to Sani pass. Meal in the restaurant was delicious plate cooked food.
There is no ice and I would advise that you bring everything you need with you. Rooms basic, but nice clean and in a beautiful setting. A mug of milk is put in your fridge every day if your unit has a fridge. Thank you very much.
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Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Dear Cora, thank you for your review and feedback on your stay with us. Kind regards, Simone
Jos D - May 2022
Overall rating
Dit was baie gesellig met alles wat nodig is.
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It was very cozy with everything needed.
If the owners can just make sure that the sinks in the bathroom have stoppers and hot water, it will make the Lodge even more desirable.
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Sani Lodge & Cottages 's response
Hi Jos,
Thank you for your feedback and rating.
Kind regards,
Sani Lodge
- Capacity: 27 people
- All ages welcome
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Check-in: 14:00 to 19:00
Check-out: 10:00 - Address: 10.5 km along the Sani Pass Road, Mkhomazi Wilderness Area, Underberg, 3257, KwaZulu-Natal
