Sekala Private Game Lodge

We stayed at Sekala just after Christmas booked for 2 nights and extended our day for another 2 nights during it stay… what a great way to spend it. The team at Sekela are all so friendly helpful and welcoming nothing is too much trouble for any of them. We arrived at the lodge after being collected from the main reserve gate to a warm and friendly welcome and a hot towel a delicious lunch and then out into a game drive…. we were so lucky to spot a Leopard first drive out saw all the big 5 during our stay. Weather wasn’t on our side unusually for the time of year (should be sunny) and we got to experience a game drive in torrential rain thunder and lightening a new experience for us …with our ponchos on we actually enjoyed it and we all had such fun laughing a lot ..it was warm not cold so it didn’t dampen our spirits. Our room was big, clean and the team did a wonderful job each day making it comfortable with chocolates on the pillow at night water topped up and making it a cosy atmosphere with torn down and lamps on to return to after dinner. The food is traditional good home tasty cooking .. you will not go hungry the food is continuous throughout the day cookies on the morning drive with our coffee, breakfast on return, home made snacks available all day sandwiches and snacks on the drive with our sundowners 3 course dinner and chocolates at bedtime … wonderful! Or game rangers and lodge manager Patrick is upbeat, fun a very attentive ranger full of interesting information good sightings and a great driver. His experience after so many years in Welgavonden shows and his knowledge of the animals meant we got some wonderful experiences up close to them without being intrusive to them. Gibson took over from Patrick when he went on leave who also had the same knowledge and qualities and made us laugh with his stories and descriptions of the animal. Thank you to all the team Mandla, Patrick, Gibson, Francinah, Evah, Grace, Joyce and all those we didn’t meet our I didn’t get their names A memorable experience

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Sekala Lodge. Our guide, Zulu, was so eager to share his knowledge with us, not just about the animals but about the plants and culture as well. The food was amazing and carefully presented, the accommodations were beautiful and comfortable, the staff was wonderful in every way, and the Welgevonden Reserve was spectacular! It was the perfect getaway and we will return at our first opportunity.

My wife and I had a pleasant stay at Sekala. The transfer from the main gate to the lodge was smooth, and the reception at the lodge was very warm and welcoming. The rooms and ablutions were very tidy and neat. There was no smell of dust or dampness in the rooms. All the meals, from breakfast to dinner were excellent. Our main highlight was the game drives. Every day we looked forward to the game drives. Our ranger/guide Mr Lazarus Zulu was top notch. He is very experienced, and his gut feel was always spot on. We can't wait to return with our kids. We got value for our money.

We stayed at Sekala from the 18th to the 21st of September 2024. We had an excellent experience, with wonderful wildlife sightings. All the staff were professional and friendly and caring. We were made to feel special and right at home. The food was excellent and the service exceptional. Thank you, Patrick, Mandla, Grace, Evah and Joyce.

We thank Patrick and his amazing team for making our stay at Sekala a very special memory. Patrick and team - I salute you !!!

My wife Sarah and I are frequent visitors to Africa for safaris, and we thought we would take a chance on Welgevonden Reserve and Sekala Private Game Lodge. We were met at the park gate by Patrick, our guide for out stay, and with a welcome drink in hand we started the drive to the lodge. Patrick was quick to answer questions and even quicker to spot animals. We had the privilege of getting to know Evah, Grace, and Francinah at the lodge, and over the course of 6 nights it felt like we were leaving friends when we had to depart. the meals were fantastic, if not a little over generous at times, and everything was catered for - including getting us water bottles for the cooler nights. We sat on the balcony of the main lodge that overlooks the small waterhole just outside the safety fence and saw elephants, rhinos, warthogs, plus a variety of antelope. The views from the lodge are spectacular. The reserve itself is beautiful. Rolling hills, plenty of natural water, and open spaces that cater to plenty of animals and provide great viewing opportunities. The ability to stop on morning drives for a coffee is great, as is a sundowner on the evening drive. When the sun goes down the spotlight comes out, and that creates a very memorable way to see the reserve. Patrick is a great guide. Informative but not pushy, loves to share a laugh, and a very good driver as well. We liked Sekala so much that we cut a 4 night stay at another lodge short so we could come back and stay a further 2 nights. You definitely won't be disappointed with Sekala.