10 hotels in Pongola: Best hotel deals for 2023

August 16, 2022 Fernanda Pittenger

Discover the best hotels in Pongola, Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal including Shayamoya Tiger Fishing & Game Lodge, Elegant Lodge, Pongola Country Lodge, Kwalala Lodge, AfriCamps at White Elephant Safaris, Aber Jetz Guesthouse, Kastelien Guesthouse, The Guest House Pongola, Tamboti Ridge Bed & Breakfast, Somkhanda Game Reserve.
Things to do in Pongola

1. Shayamoya Tiger Fishing & Game Lodge

Golela Road, Pongola, Pongola 3170 South Africa
Excellent
62%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 238 reviews

Shayamoya Tiger Fishing & Game Lodge

Experience how the breeze cools you as it blows gently off the great lake up the ridge or join us for one of our speciality Tiger Fishing excursions where the thrill of fighting one of these rare ferocious game fish is simply invigorating. A truly unique bush lodge in Northern KwaZulu Natal where the view from the spectacular setting is particularly breath-taking as you gaze out onto Lake Jozini, the Lebombo Mountains and the Pongola Game Reserves. Privately managed by the Blevin family who have lived in the area for many years, Shayamoya exudes a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Great Stay

Reviewed By tnyawo286899

Shayamoya exceeded our expectations, great staff, great food, great location, great environment, a lot of privacy. We enjoyed the indigenous gardens, the Boma was very peaceful and fun couldn't of asked for better

2. Elegant Lodge

68 Hans Strydom Street, Pongola 3170 South Africa
Excellent
68%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

Elegant Lodge

Elegant Lodge is a luxury double story Guesthouse opposite the golf course, just off the N2 between Pretoria and Durban. Guests can enjoy the lovely landscaped garden and lounge/bar area. There are 2 luxury rooms, 5 double rooms & 5 single rooms each with an en-suite bathroom, flat screen TV with DSTV, WiFi, air-conditioner, safe, hair dryer, bar fridge & tea/coffee station.

Great Stay

Reviewed By Peter L

Excellent breakfast. Comfy rooms but be warned the single rooms ARE single - with a small single bed! The fridge is MINUTE!! I've never seen such a small fridge - but it did keep a couple of cans cold though. Not too much else would fit in! Secure parking and relatively good wi-fi - except when there is load shedding.

3. Pongola Country Lodge

14 Jan Mielie Street P.O. Box 307, Pongola 3170 South Africa
Excellent
24%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
22%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 55 reviews

Pongola Country Lodge

Not Pleasent at all!

Reviewed By HLALISHB

Firsly the breakfast was not nice they say its a buffet but they have very selected options The juice was not 100% The sausages were salty Cornflakes were dry and hard No decaf coffee Omelet was terrible Bacon was hard and dry I think Pongola chefs needs to go to Tsogo sun group hotels and learn what buffet breakfast is The room were clean but the bathroom had a terrible smell They dont change the linen daily The only thing i would say i enjoyed was dinner i ordered fish and chips but the mushroom sauce was terrible Please change your Chefs i dont even want to comment on strawberry milkshake oh my God it was sooooooo sweet Dont go there for a holiday rather go if you just wasnt to pass and you want to rest please For me i did not enjoy my stay this time at all

4. Kwalala Lodge

15 Jan Mielie Street Kwazulu Natal, Pongola 3170 South Africa
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 93 reviews

Kwalala Lodge

The only Four Star Rated Bed and Breakfast in Pongola. Bookings necessary as the establishment is popular and regularly fully booked. Restaurant open from Mondays to Fridays, for breakfast lunch and dinner on reservation. Dial 0027825583840 to book your table. Closed on public holidays. The restaurant can be used on weekends for special occasions or dinner if booked in advance. Service at its best and Staff and Management are hands on to make sure your stay is exactly what you expected.

Not what I expected.

Reviewed By tommyjav

The room was much smaller than one expects for the cost. Ceiling fan not working and A/C also not. We called reception at 7 pm for assistance but no-one answered. The bed was very nice and the breakfast the next morning was very good.

5. AfriCamps at White Elephant Safaris

Farm Leeuwspoor Pongola Game Reserve South, Pongola 3170 South Africa
Excellent
69%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

AfriCamps at White Elephant Safaris

AfriCamps is all about glamping at the most beautiful working farms and estates in South Africa. At each of our locations, you can get closer to nature without compromising on the creature comforts of home. AfriCamps at White Elephant is located in the thriving Pongola Game Reserve, at the foot of the majestic Lebombo Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal, just south of Eswatini. Pongola is the world's second-oldest private reserve and home to the popular White Elephant Safaris and the shimmering waters of Lake Jozini. Twelve self-catering boutique glamping tents dot the unhindered Savannah-like bushveld on Lake Jozini's shore. View game and birdlife from your deck and take in the unique surroundings and views over the Lebombo Mountains. Each AfriCamps tent consists of an outdoor wood-fired hot tub or splash pool, a spacious open plan lounge area with a comfortable couch, a dining area with a solid wooden table and seating for five guests, a fully-equipped kitchen, two bedrooms that comfortably sleeps five guests, and a bathroom complete with a hot shower, flushing toilet and washbasin. Both bedrooms are furnished with an extra length queen size bed and have their own private entrance which allows maximum privacy. One of the bedrooms also contains a single bunk bed. Our tents are equipped with air-conditioning and an indoor fireplace. Enjoy a braai on our spacious wooden decks and take in the views from the comfortable deck loungers. Pull up the front covers and transform the tent into a large outdoor living area. Unwind and appreciate a festive family breakfast while taking in the serene natural beauty of the South African Bush. Our tents are equipped with Wi-Fi.

Outstanding concept

Reviewed By 709aneta

We had pretty high expectations and were definitely nót disappointed. Outstanding concept at amazing location. So much thought has been given to detail, outfittings, smoothness of arranging extra services, we found it almost too good to be true until we found out this concept originated in some Dutch minds.... Haha not chauvinistic at all :-) But honestly, breakfast and braaibaskets do the trick. Hassle free to order, reasonably priced and above all of excellent quality!! Drinks and snacks can be bought at reception or bring your own. Everything else in the tent has been thought of: blitz, mat he's and first batch of braaiwood, microwave, kettle etc etc never found a self catering accommodation to be so complete. We had the best of times and will most definitely try out some of the other camps.Thank you AfriCamps!

6. Aber Jetz Guesthouse

5 Jan Kemp Street, Pongola 3170 South Africa
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 62 reviews

Aber Jetz Guesthouse

Featuring an outdoor pool with sun loungers, Aber Jetz Guesthouse has a tropical garden. Offering free Wi-Fi, it is set in the small town of Pongola, 15 minutes’ drive from the Swaziland border.Individually decorated, the spacious, air-conditioned rooms include tea/coffee facilities, shared satellite TV and a private bathroom with free toiletries. Some rooms overlook the garden or have a corner bath.Breakfast is served daily and packed lunches can be arranged. A communal kitchen and braai barbecue are available for self catering, and there are a few shops and restaurants within a 5-minute walk.A golf course can be found within 2 km and the lake by Jozini Dam, famed for its tiger fish, is around 40 minutes’ drive away. Set just off the N2, Aber Jetz Guest House is within an hour’s drive of 4 nature reserves. On-site parking is free.

Aber Jetz sleepover

Reviewed By anelsteenkamp

Very neat venue. The room has everything you need. Coffee station, microwave, fridge, TV with various channels. We were greeted in friendly and professional manner and felt welcome from start. Safe parking behind lock up gate. Can recommend for sure!!

7. Kastelien Guesthouse

176 Dr Jansen Street, Pongola 3170 South Africa
Excellent
81%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Kastelien Guesthouse

KASTELEIN is a charming little guesthouse for the more discerning traveller. It is situated in a quiet side street in Pongola, directly off the N2 Highway between the Northern Provinces and the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal or Mozambique. Our guests find it a perfect midway stopover. The distinguished and brand new colonial style building is set in a unique landmark garden, a sought-after venue for photo shoots of special occasions. There are five bedrooms, sleeping twelve guests at maximum capacity, which means it is never crowded, with personal attention to every guest by hosts Rene, Danie and Chris. Four rooms are in the new building and the de-lux room is adjacent to the main house, with its own private entrance and court yard. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxed, the rooms are elegantly furnished, the garden is picture perfect and the cuisine is unpretentious but hearty and plentiful. There is a small pool and safe off street parking. The premises are completely protected by an effective security system. Much care was taken to clad the rooms luxuriously, yet with no unnecessary fuss or frills. We take pride in our immaculate white linen and soft sterilised towels. There is a queen size bed in every room with an extra single bed in one of the rooms and an extra double bed in another. Each room has a full bathroom, kitchenette for basic self-catering, air conditioning, TV, sitting area and a garden view. All amenities are provided, as well as a pretty basket containing a continental breakfast to enjoy in the privacy of the guests' own room or patio. The breakfast room is inside the main house, should a guest prefer a traditional cooked breakfast or dinner by prior arrangement. Free Wi-Fi is available in the de-lux room adjacent to the main house, as well as in the public areas. Kastelein offers value for money. We are one of a kind.

Very neat & comfortable place

Reviewed By Y9843BGrubenm

This guesthouse is tastefully furnished and very neat. The room has a small kitchen with a fridge, sink and microwave including dishes. I loved the full white decor and the well manicured garden. Has safe parking within the property. I will be using them again and recommend this place to all passing thro the small town of Pongola

8. The Guest House Pongola

123 Dr Jansen Street, Pongola 3170 South Africa
Excellent
55%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 53 reviews

The Guest House Pongola

Our comfortable guest house is well postitioned in a beautiful tropical garen, opposite the Rugby Club in Pongola and easily accessible from the N2.Our rooms are clean, spacious and inviting with access to 24-hour air conditioning, DSTV, flat screen TV's and complimentary tea and coffee. All rooms have their own bathrooms and various options of showers or baths are available. We have additional beds and cots that convert any standard room in to a family room for your peace of mind. There is also ample secure gated parking, a children's play area and swimming pool. We have five self-catering suits.A full English breakfast is included and we provide hearty home-cooked meals on request. You can choose either a plated dinner in the dining room or a more relaxed braai on the patio. We cater for working reps, consultants and families en route to Mozambique, Swaziland and Kosi and Sodwana Bays or for travellers who wish to explore the fertile Pongola Valley. There is a well-equipped, modern hospital close by and an airport on the outskirts of town that can cater for most light aircraft.Come and enjoy the Pongola area from the peace and comfort of The Guest House Pongola.

Poor experience

Reviewed By plouw969799

It was one of the nosiest places I have ever slept in. Total night mare. The staff was amazing but experience horrible. Drunken noisy guests late at night and around 3am I could hear their entire conversation from my room I literally had to wake up and go knock on their door to quiten down

9. Tamboti Ridge Bed & Breakfast

N 2 Highway Golela, Pongola 3170 South Africa
Excellent
33%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
3%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 67 reviews

Tamboti Ridge Bed & Breakfast

Situated in a lovely sub-tropical garden with a breathtaking view up the Pongola River, ideally located to break the long journey between Johannesburg or Kruger Park to the Zululand Resorts. An established sugar and game farm situated in the peaceful beauty of the bushveld. The spacious rooms lead out onto a wooden deck where you can relax and enjoy the spectacular sunsets and listen to the variety of bird calls. Wholesome farm-style breakfasts are served in the family homestead. Dinner can be arranged by prior booking at our 4 star game lodge, Shayamoya.

Rev

Reviewed By elijahsibande

the place was clean but towels were not changed. There used to be a generator in case of power outages but that is not in operative now. I shudder to think what would be the case when the outage happens in summer

10. Somkhanda Game Reserve

Candover - Magudu Road, Pongola 3170 South Africa
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 4 reviews

Somkhanda Game Reserve

A true wilderness escape

Reviewed By bushwacker101

Somkhanda is wild, untamed and incredibly scenic. I would highly recommend a stay here for those wanting a true escape into nature. We stayed in the zebra camp for 5 nights. The tent was clean and had no holes or broken zippers and was a great base to explore the reserve from. Ablution facilities were rustic but appropriate for the wild experience. We fell asleep to the roars of lions, two nights in a row and heard the beautiful call of the African scops Owl almost every night. We were greeted by Gareth, one of the rangers. He was super friendly, helpful and made us feel very welcome. You will need a 4x4 to fully explore and enjoy the network of many trails. Sedans would be limited to the 7km main road. We only saw two of the big 5 but that's how game viewing goes, however we enjoyed every second of our stay and will definitely return!

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