Xanatseni Private Camp

Very good. Food is first class, dessert at both lunch and dinner! excellent game drives led by Dean and Sydney, they were very motivated to find the animals in our drives. During the game drives, we would always be able to see something new. Service is excellent and it’s very cosy. Teneil was very hospitable, and the rest of the kitchen and service staff are very friendly and accommodating. The beds are very comfortable and there’s a nice bathroom/ bath tub. Very family-friendly environment, cosy and nice. We would go back again if we had a chance.

A game park safari is on the bucket list of so many, as it was ours. This was our first visit to South Africa and it certainly wont be our last (we hope). We placed our trust in our travel agent who booked the Xanatseni Private Camp for us for a 4 night stay and he chose a winner as far as we are concerned. We were met at the little Hoedspruit airport by a staff member and taken to the lodge (extra cost but reasonable). Although not top of the price range we found the lodge and our villa to be absolutely delightful. All facilities mentioned on the website were great and since the lodge is small and intimate we felt very much at home right from the start. Our villa was so beautifully presented, spotlessly clean and, in a modest way, quite luxurious. Very comfortable, modern and bright with an outdoor patio overlooking the grounds and plain. The shower was wonderful, hot and strong and a bath was there for those who want to soak and relax. All this was very much appreciated however the highlight was our Safari, guide and tracker. ALL the staff were wonderful but, of course, we spent more time with Dean and Sydney than the others therefore getting to know and appreciate their passion for their work. Whether or not we had spotted animals, the drives themselves would have been spectacular in their own right. The ‘boys’ prepared morning coffees and afternoon drinks during the drives and we saw the most stunning sunrise and sunsets and we FELT Africa. Amazing. But we did see animals and plenty of them. Sydney and Dean found the Big Five within our first 36 hours. Some of that was luck but much of it was incredible knowledge. They not only found a plethora of animals but Dean’s knowledge was endless and he explained about the flora and fauna in detail with an enthusiastic passion. An incredible man, an incredible country all enjoyed from a wonderful lodge. Highly, highly recommended.

We absolutely loved our stay at Xanatseni. We felt like home in this very typical and cosy Private Camp. Lina was a perfect manager, taking very good care of us all the time and making sure we had everything we needed. The room was perfectly clean and nice with a lot of space. The food was very good too. We had the best ranger, Dean, and tracker, Sydney. Thanks a million time for the amazing safaris. Everyday was unbelievable, thank you for your passion and dedication. Thank you Dean for your amazing stories and for everything we learnt from you in a few days. We will never forget those days with you all. I would definitely recommend Xanatseni for a unique experience. Thank you Lina, Dean and Sydney !

We had an exceptional stay at Xanatseni. We were a family of 5 and stayed in the Tseni suite which was modern, perfectly clean and very spacious. The staff are what make Xanatseni special though. We had Ash as our guide and he was fantastic. So knowledgable about the wild and the animals we were seeing, so dedicated to ensuring we saw all of the game, and just a fun guy to hang out with too. We had two small ish kids in our party and Ash made sure that he tailored our drives to them as much as the adults. Teneil was a fabulous host. Super efficient and thoughtful. There was a leopard seen close to camp during our stay and Teneil was diligent about our safety - walking us to and from the lodge for dinner just in case. Of course nothing scary happened but it was reassuring to know that Teneil and team were taking no chances. The rest of the staff - chefs, waiting staff, chamber maids - were all so lovely when we saw them. We were made to feel so at home. All in all, I cannot recommend Xanatseni enough. The game drives in the Klaserie are exceptional and as the reserve is private you can venture off road to find the animals when necessary. We saw all of the big 5 within our first two drives and left having seen literally everything we could think of (and lots we hadn’t). If you want a A+ safari experience with great hosts then Xanatseni is the place.

The place of the Mopane was my Fav of 3 lodgings all booked nearby. Genuine and understated, with excellent guide Ashe. Front of House Tenile is Fantastic and warm person. Highly recommended!

Compared to other lodges, Xanatseni is very cheap for what you get: you get to see the big five and more, skilled rangers, a friendly and helpful staff and great food! We would’ve stayed there for months if we could. Every gamedrive was a new experience and the staff takes great care of you. The beds are comfortable, the rooms specious and the whole property spotless clean. We loved it and we will definitely come back to Xanatseni!

We have just enjoyed 3 glorious days at Xanatseni Private Camp. It was fabulous. Nothing was too much trouble. warm friendly vibe, loved the eating arrangements. Reassured at all times with regards to our safety. The guides were very passionate about the welfare of the animals and very knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm. We would return in a heartbeat.

As the ranking of stars is limited to 5 I must write: Lodging - superb and far above 5***** google ! Service - this is outstanding. ?????? Location - it’s a must be place! I do hope to come back onetime again ? And a very special thank to Ashley - we saw more of the species that we were looking for ??