Reviews of Amalinda Lodge

"We went here after Sable Valley, at Maruska's suggestion, and an excellent suggestion it was!

It is totally different - you go for the landscape, the history and rock art, rather than the animals (though walking with the white rhinos was a thrill. Amalinda is unique (as for the room with the rock art IN it) with superb food, and a gorgeous infinity pool (the grazing zonkey was an added extra). Howard was a fabulous guide - very knowledgeable about history, and interesting on politics.

The visit to Rhodes' grave was a highlight, as was the trip to the Ethandweni Childrens' Home - don't miss either." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe

"Amalinda Lodge must be unique; where else would you have huge boulders in your bedroom? It’s amazing! Very spacious rooms with comfortable beds, well-equipped bathrooms and private patios.

The large pool, a walk through the woods from the main building, is in a lovely spot and has its own bar and a variety of seating.

Meals are excellent, though portions are on the small side for some and no snacks are offered - you have to ask. Although there is a good choice of alcoholic drinks, children and teetotallers had very few options during our stay.

Our granddaughters (aged 8 &10) loved the freedom to climb rocks, run around and explore the camp on their own.

This is not a place for anyone with limited mobility or very young children, as some rooms are hard to access and the lounge/restaurant areas are on different levels.
A torch is needed to move around safely after dark

Kevin, our guide, was brilliant. He was relentlessly cheerful and positive, somehow fitting in all the activities we wanted, in spite of limited time and wet weather." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe; 8n in South Africa; 3n in Botswana

"I really enjoyed my stay here. Staff very attentive, nothing too much trouble for them. The food was spectacularly good! Even simple things like scrambled eggs were done to perfection. Guide was extremely knowledgeable, and did his best to make sure I had seen and done everything I wanted. I also had a massage whilst I was there, which was very good. Cleanliness in the room could have been improved - lizard droppings had not been cleaned, and there were holes in the mosquito net. All in all, a very memorable stay!" See all these reviews: 4n in Zimbabwe

"I am so pleased our agent recommended this lodge to us as something different form the other places we stayed at. It really is unique, we've never stayed anywhere like it before. The whole lodge is built around the boulders that naturally occur in the Matopos hills. I would have loved to have seen the architectural plans for this place as it blends seamlessly into the landscape, as if it isn't there. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the accomodation is palatial in the sense that the room you get is so big and so beautifully 'decorated'. Our room looked like something the Flintstones might have had built if they had won the lottery! Pictures online do not do it justice at all. All forms of home comfort were provided in our room; fridge, coffee/tea making facilities (including a nespresso machine), bathrobe, shower products etc. If there was anything you thought was missing I'm sure the staff would have done their utmost to provide it.
Within the grounds is a resident Zonky (cross between zebra and donkey - rare) and some zebras, who are fed daily. The infinity pool is amazing, one of the highlights for my husband who used it, in addition to the outside shower in our 'back yard'.
The food and staff were second to none. Our guide David was wonderful, not only was he extremely knowledgeable about flora and fauna but it turned out he was also a very keen historian. We found out so much about the history of country and the role of Cecil Rhodes in what was then known as Rhodesia.
Having stayed in the other two safari camps and then Amalinda I would urge anybody visiting Zimbabwe for the purpose of safari to also end with a stay at this lodge. It is stunning and the landscape is like nothing else we saw at the other two places. it is also here that you will see white rhinos but even if you didn't (you definitely will) it's still worth going. You also get a more relaxed schedule here; leave the camp by 8.00am rather than 6.00am. A perfect place to end a perfect safari!" See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe

"Expectations were the highest for Amalinda Lodge as so much has been written. Hence, we put this lodge as our final stop as we wanted to end the trip on a high, and rest and relax before flying home. We were not disappointed at all. The rooms (or better suites) are gorgeous. Very spacious, beautifully designed and built into the rocky area Motobo Hills is so famous for. Meals were very good, and a great variety was offered. The biggest highlight is the natural infinity pool. Though the water was pretty cold as it was winter, with a few gin and tonics from the pool bar, it was very manageable. Lodge offered different activities so that we never had to do the same activity twice: rhino tracking (must-do humbling experience), bush paintings (fairly good condition so highly recommendable) and World's View providing a stunning 360-degree lookout point. Also just staying an afternoon at the lodge is highly recommended as there are easy to walk tracks (~2km) around the lodge, clearly sign-posted and on flat terrain. You can see Zebra, Bushbuck, Kudo, Warthog, Lizards, Bushpig and the very special Zonkey, our favorite. Not a big issue for us, but be aware that the activities on offer usually require a 45-60 min drive as the entrances to the National Park (both north and south) are approx. 20km away. A fact we also had to get used to, there is more cattle than wildlife visible in the National Park. So come with a mindset for the beautiful scenery and a good chance to see Rhino, but don't expect spectacular game drives." See all these reviews: 13n in Zimbabwe

"This is a fabulous lodge and the highlight of our trip.

The design of the property is jaw-dropping, literally built around the World Heritage rocks of Matobo. Sadly it was too cold to use the rock swimming pool but the pool bar was perfect for sundowners.

The views across the savannah are wonderful in every direction, the food was excellent and the friendly, helpful staff are first class. We walked to see a mother and baby Rhino, climbed up to see Sir Cecil Rhodes grave with its astonishing 360 degree views and also visited some amazing San rock paintings.

Our guide, Kevin, was excellent with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the animals, plants, birds and history of Zimbabwe which was fascinating." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe

"Once again, still no predators, but we came here for two reasons: to see rhinos and enjoy the unique scenery, made up of beautiful granite kopjes or boulders, and in both departments, the park delivered.

On the first morning, we saw rock paintings that are 13,000 years old, and in the afternoon, we saw white rhinos, tracking them on foot with the help of local rangers who know where they are at any time. This first encounter wasn’t so great, because the two rhinos were not really cooperating with my photographic ambitions, and the harsh sun didn’t really help.

But the next morning, we were in luck: A rhino mom and her baby daughter allowed us to approach them quite closely, I would estimate 3 m.

The lodge was extraordinarily beautiful, and so was our room. The food and service were impeccable." See all these reviews: 12n in Zimbabwe; 11n in Botswana

"Upset stomach due to insufficiently cooked eggs at breakfast.
Stunning view from bathroom.
Loved the room set in the rocks and the sunlight into the shower" See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Zambia

"A beautiful location. Comfortable rooms and lovely staff who were very attentive.

The team at Amalinda are a credit to themselves.

Lovely stay." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe

"Great experience to stay here, just an extraordinary place. I loved the first approach when you end up driving up a rock face, we couldn’t believe there was a lodge up there!
We had a massive beautifully appointed room, food and catering was brilliant.
Really enjoyed drinks by the pool and exploring the grounds. We even saw the legendary zonkey…
It isn’t really a game lodge in the traditional sense, the Matopos felt to us to be more about history, culture and a good break between 2 game heavy areas with one caveat. We tracked white rhino on foot with the help of our guide Paul and the local game rangers and that was wonderful. They found an adult female with a male calf and adolescent daughter, such a privilege to get so close." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe