Wonderful Safari Experience - This was an absolutely wonderful introduction to a safari. We got picked up at our Johannesburg hotel and driven to Kholiwe lodge. We spent 2 nights there, going on 4 safaris into Kruger National Park. Transportation: the drivers to and from the airport were on time, very polite, and accommodating. They answered our questions and stopped when breaks were needed. Lodging: the accommodations were great. AC in the bedrooms made it comfortable. Meals were provided and were excellent. The rooms were clean and we felt safe when in the lodge. One day we fed a family of warthogs right at the front door. Another day a couple of silver monkeys came and we fed them. One of us even got the feed a kudu that came up to the lodge. Safaris: the guide we had was Aubrey. He was amazing. He was in constant touch over the radio with other drivers to find the places to go in the park. Aubrey often would spot animals hidden in the bushes. We saw lions on each trip into the park. Elephants, including a herd with very young ones. Buffalo, zebras, giraffes, monkeys, baboons, hyenas, wild dogs, impalas, crocodiles, and many species of birds. It was incredible. Management: Balanta Tours was in constant touch via WhatsApp. They answered questions we had from before we got picked up through the final day we were there. They offered to help with whatever we needed. Very good customer service.

Great experience at Kholiwe - We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Kholiwe! Aubrey was our safari driver and he was incredible - he made sure to help us see rhinos and lions. Elephants, zebras, and giraffes galore. He was extremely knowledgeable and was plugged into the happenings inside the park, often using WhatsApp to localize sightings. The staff at Kholiwe were very nice and accommodating. Sbu took us on a walk, helped us feed a kudu, and see zebras and wildebeests very close by. The lodging was good with AC and a fridge. They were clean. The food was okay and they accommodated our dietary restrictions. Overall would highly recommend Kholiwe and would visit again!

Amazing Time at Kholiwe Lodge on Kruger. - The staff at Kholiwe Lodge were super nice and friendly. The rooms were clean and full of love. We definitely will return

Great place to vacation with family and visit Kruger! - The Kholiwe location and staff is amazing! We had a twin room for my mom and I and it was really enjoyable to have our family and friends in the same lodge area, around 10 people. The common area is really nice for nights to play Phase 10, complete with a warthog family showing up everyday for lunch to be fed and kudus or impalas too! If you’re an animal lover, this is it! Kruger is just 15 minutes away, to see the Big Five and it’s all a smooth process setting it up with them! A huge thank you to Leigh, Sbu, Aubry!

Amazing experience - This trip was totally amazing the staff at Balanta tours and Kholiwe lodge was spectacular everyone was so polite, attentive, and very professional. We planned this trip for my wife 50th birthday and she couldn’t have been more excited about the outcome. My 75 year old mom stated it was her favorite vacation and I have taking her to many places. The tour of Joberg was awesome and educational very enriching. Once we arrived in Kruger the fun really began and the experience was elevated. Got to see big game animals 4 of the big 5 all in there natural habitat amazing thanks to the wonderful and extremely knowledgeable tour guides Aubrey and Mbali top notch. Also the bird watching was breathtaking. Once at the lodge we was prepared some delicious meal by the staff hats off to the cooks and staff for creating a wonderful atmosphere for me and my family definitely will be returning and recommending to all my friends and colleagues. Finally I want to acknowledge the total team Lee, Bruce, Sbusiso, Danielle. Sifiso, Roger, Cece, Zinhle, Aubrey, and Mbali for everything first class staff.

Came as guest, left as family! - An experience of a lifetime! We came to Kholiwe as guests and left as family! From the welcome drinks to the amazing dinners to the game drives to the gorgeous rooms, we were welcomed with open arms! Thank you so much Kholiwe team for giving us an experience of a lifetime! Big shoutout to Bruce, Leigh, Sbou, Roger, Sofiso, Sinclair, Aubry, Mbali and the entire Kholiwe team!!!!!!

Great experience - Our guide, Obrey, was great. He made sure we saw as many animals as possible. The staff at the facility was so kind, friendly and accommodating. They all made sure we had a good time. The facilities are nice with everything you need. The park is fantastic.

Wonderful Kruger safari experience at Kholiwe - We had a wonderful safari and lodge experience at Kholiwe - our hosts were very welcoming. The bush braai dinner was especially appreciated. The only improvement suggestions to the tour company would be to be transparent about the itinerary prior to going in order that you would know ahead of time that the drive from Joburg is over 7 hours. Also in the description of what isn’t covered you should make sure that the entrance conservative fee is 486R per person/per day and can only be paid with a credit card.

A great experience! - This was a great experience. Leigh and her team, Roger, Sbu and the ladies made our stay so warm, romantic and inviting. It was eleven of us. We were up early in the morning on a beautiful safari each day. You want Aubrey as your driver!! He was phenomenal!!! Very detailed, personable and knowledgeable. We saw different animals and birds each day. Four of the Big 5. The ladies cooked breakfast or prepared a breakfast for the morning safari. The dinner on the second night was amazing. We ate by candlelight and the fire pit. The rooms were clean. If you choose the Elephant suite, please know your shower is outside. The tub/shower extension is within the bedroom without a door so if it’s 2 in that room make sure you’re comfortable with one another. The wharthogs and the kudu come right up to you and there is food to feed them. The only reason I didn’t give it a 5 is because although the food was good, we had to eat what was cooked. Vegetarian option and a meat option that they chose. We didn’t preorder and options weren’t available. An overall great experience.

Disappointing in several respects - Viator passed me on to Balanta -- an organization lacking in organizational skills and creating misleading impressions. They said they would pick me up at JNB airport bus terminals at 6.30 a.m. There was nobody there at that time. Nor was their business phone number up and running. Later their driver appeared in an unmarked car end we eventually had to help him extricate himself from his disallowed parking with a car where only busses were allowed. Balanta does not provide accommodation inside Kruger park, as I hoped and assumed. There was no indication that their lodge was located about 30 minutes drive outside the park, so one hour each day had to be spent just driving to and from the park. The meals offered were substandard e.g. meat far too salty to be healthy; last breakfast included processed meat, cold pancakes with only frozen butter to put on them. What saved Balanta from being a total disaster was the excellent driver and guide they had on visits in the park. He was courteous, efficient and knowledgeable. A Balanta official did talk to me courteously about my problems and I was glad to detect a constructive spirit and a wish to improve performance. Perhaps performance will improve through appointment of a more competent chef, but it remains to be seen if they will be more open about their logistics of meeting and returning clients in Johannesburg and not providing lodging within the Kruger Park. Meanwhile for my next trip, I will give Viator a wide berth -- it should have acted as a reliable agent to put me in touch with an efficient agency and it failed miserably to do that.