Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge

South Africa , Sun City- Madikwe
PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK, Pilanesberg National Park Pilanesberg National Par
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50 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2026

WILSON

Os 25 quartos e as 7 suítes muito bem equipadas , arrumados 2 vezes por dia . Os games ( 2 por dia ) belíssimos e muito seguros ! Refeições elaboradas com muito cuidado e qualidade . Quanto aos funcionários, extremamentes educados e preocupados com cada detalhe para a hospedagem ser inesquecível. Destaco aqui nossa guia Hellen, fez cada game ser inesquecível!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jan 2025

Wendy

We loved every minute. Staff are so friendly and cant do enough for you. Lodge is beautiful. Best lodge we have ever been to. We will be back

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Nov 2024

Kelly-Ann

Lovely stay!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Oct 2024

nicola

We cried when we left (in a good way). The game drives provided as part of the stay were out of this world. So amazing. The perfect way to celebrate my daughter’s 21st.
The management were super helpful and bent over backwards for my two kids who both have special needs.
Would definitely go again but I don’t think my bank balance would cope! Once in a lifetime trip.
October was the perfect month to visit. Rangers highly knowledgeable and you get allocated the same one each game drive so you can build a relationship with them.
You won’t regret it if you book with Shepherds Tree x

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2023

Jennifer

Contact with the property prior to our arrival was easy and quick. And from the moment we arrived to warm towels and wonderful welcome drinks on the patio, everything was lovely, every detail considered, and every staff member was amazing. The food was some of the best I've ever had. Rebecca, the chef, created the dishes that were magical. TRY the soup - every meal! We felt welcomed everywhere we went. There were snacks and drinks before game drives - excellent. There were chocolates on our pillows at night - excellent. Our game drives were led by Answer who was knowledgeable about animals, plants, and traditions. I could listen to him teach me about southern Africa all day. People say that you should buy experiences, not things. I'm telling you, this was the best money I've ever spent. Thank you.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

04 May 2023

Excellent and friendly staff

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2023

Ehud

Very good

Very good hotel. The food is excellent. Transfer to and from the room could be slowly from time to time

Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Feb 2022

Shaun

Very nice lodge. The lodge is close to the entrance and the roads from the lodge to the main animal viewing sites is not in good condition. Therefore each game drive has a 20min drive out of the lodge and back before you can experience frat sighting. The lod

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jan 2022

PIETER

Private and secluded

Beutifull private rooms, had an amazing stay!! Only thing I will recommend is a light on the outside patio it is very dark in the evenings.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2020

mark

Amazing South African adventure

Our stay at this beautiful lodge was everything we had hoped for. Our accommodation in villas 31 was absolutely amazing, the service and food were incredible and our safari guide Sean was awesome! We had some great sightings of the animals in the park on every drive he took us on!
I would 100% recommend this lodge to anyone wanting an amazing South African adventure!!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Feb 2020

Verified traveler

Staff were wonderful and the experience was great.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2020

KatherineHume

Fantastic elevated aspect, great guides.
Fabulous staff

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

27 Dec 2019

Verified traveler

Very good without blowing us away

This is a lovely hotel but with a few imperfections.

It is all about the safari and the safari was brilliant. In our three night stay we saw all the big five which was fantastic.

The lodge itself is very good but looking a little tired in places. Our shower in particular was falling apart, although the room itself was of a high standard.

Service was a little hit and miss. Very good most of the time but lacking when it really mattered.

I would recommend Shepherd's Tree. Very good by South African standards and decent by European standards.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Dec 2019

Verified traveler

The Restaurant and Food was superb, the Bar and outside space was great.
The Staff were excellent.
The Bedroom was great with amazing views but a little tatty round the edges, some things in the room were broken or damaged, it didn't affect the stay but for the price you expect perfection.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

A beautiful place.. food was excellent, staff was excellent, game drives amazing. We all loved everything about this place. Two of us had been there 5 years earlier and we were not disappointed on our return

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

Great stay. Very polite staff and game drives were fun

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

Beautiful and high end comforts. Excellent vacation.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jul 2019

Elma

Absolutely Amazing

Best experience! From the moment we arrived right until our departure. Would definalety return to Shepherds Tree Lodge.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

One of the best hotels I have ever stayed. Staff are all super helpful and courteous. Game drives were very good, local guide was excellent. The food was also a highlight, all meals were amazing, the restaurant had a wide variety of options to chose from the menu. Facilities were in great condition, can't recommend enough this place.
One thing to improve would be the outdoor showers, we had a hard time (because of the cold) bathing during the evening, since it was winter.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Apr 2019

Tamar

Amazing!!!!

The place it’s a huge surprise. It start with a good we’ll come and continue with a excellent service. The food are very delicious. The food presentation are great. The staff take care of everything. The room very clean and nice the bad very comfortable. Ian so happy that I ordered this place. The cherry off this place is the guide that makes the safari tour his name is Answer. He made our stay. Thank you very much for amazing hospitality.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

The service & staff were so warm, friendly and helpful. The food was delicious, and plentiful. The game drives were well organised and exciting. Our guide, Sam, was excellent, as were other guides, including Andrew. This was the perfect holiday to combine excitement with relaxation. I highly recommend it.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

Great game drives. Pierre and Susan were fantastic. Friendly and knowledgeable. The rooms are beautiful and the outside shower a great way to rinse off the dust post game drive. Saw loads of rhinos. Amazing animals.
The food was incredible. To look at as well as eat. Don’t hesitate, just book it. It won’t disappoint.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2019

Julia

Shepherd’s Tree is the most fantastic resort experience. The staff is kind and accommodating. The location is next to none. The amenities, down to the last detail, are sublime. HIGHLY recommend this wonderful place.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jan 2019

Verified traveler

Amazing experience overall. Your stay includes all meals (two of which are 3 courses) and 2 game drives per day. Our guide Marnus was beyond amazing and provided us with a great experience in the park where we saw almost all of the animals. The suites are also modern and secluded.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jan 2019

Petrus

Amazing stay

Absolutely amazing. The facilities and staff really great too.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jan 2019

Ashleigh

Best Lodge by Far

We have Safaried in various resorts in the Pilansberg for many years and this was by far the best resort hands down. Starting with check in, friendly and efficient. Rooms were amazing, spacious , clean and comfortable with great views. We have two teenage kids age 17 and 15 so WiFi was important in the rooms, it did not disappoint. The safaris were great, our Game driver Leshay was amazing. This really made the biggest impact on our time there as the game is why you are there. She was friendly and went out of her way to find the game we and the other guests were wanting to see.
The food was good. Thank you Shepherds Tree Lodge we will definitely be back when we return to South Africa

Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

Amazing hotel, authentically African. Not just a number. Personslized. Perfect choice for Pilanesburg

10/10

Exceptional

05 Dec 2018

Nabil

Absolutely brilliant!
Our one night stay at the lodge was nothing short of brilliant. Great location, great service and an absolutely wonderful room.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2018

Verified traveler

Amazing place to stay, great food, rooms and staff. The field guides were fantastic, had great knowledge and did their utmost to ensure each game-drive was great. Would 100% recommend this hotel.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Nov 2018

Donna

Fabulous wildlife escape

Absolutely wonderful, Solly our guide was great, we saw the big 5 and had never seen leopard and cheetah previously. The staff are great attentive and kind, the setting amazing and the water hole means elephants whilst lunching. Just what we needed.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Apr 2018

Teghan

Great hotel with attentive and knowledgeable staff

Surrounded by an amazing landscape with well appointed rooms we would definitely recommend this hotel. The staff go above and beyond to make your stay enjoyable. We loved the fact that you are appointed a ranger on arrival (Sam our guide was great!!) and are with the same group for your daily game drives and dinners - it’s a great way to make friends. The rooms are stunning with all the luxuries you would expect in a high end hotel. There is plenty of game in the park and with knowledgeable rangers you won’t have any issues seeing them.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Mar 2018

Chien Huang

everything meet expectation

food is perfect, staff are friendly and nice, ranger and game drive are amazing. if there can be one more activity between two game drives will be perfect.

8/10

Excellent

05 Mar 2018

erez

The location is great the property has its own privet area that had lots of animals. The food is excellent but would excpect for the price to include drinks at least water....

Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2018

Vinne

Amazing stay

This is one of the best places I have stayed with an amazing experience. The small game tours are amazing and the food is five star.

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

very good experience.

excellent all good service food rooms and game drives nothing too much trouble.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jul 2017

Yvonne

Fabulous Stay!

I highly recommend this lodge for anyone considering a stay in the game reserve. The staff were beyond fantastic as was the food. The facility was gorgeous, there was not one thing I would have changed. I have recommended this lodge to anyone considering a trip, and if I am fortunate to return one day, I will definitely return.

8/10

Excellent

07 May 2017

Simone

Games, room for improvement

The problem was our Game Guide (Adolph). Average driver, unable to allow us time for photos, poor (unexisting) tracker. We saw interesting animals thanks to other Guides calling him. Apparently no commitment...
Wrong day or wrong job?

10/10

Exceptional

05 Feb 2017

Elaine

Amazing luxury. Stunning location

Wonder full peaceful place. Staff and service excellent and friendly. Classy room. Beautiful outside shower

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jan 2017

Harold

Superb in every respect.

Wonderfull.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jan 2017

Chris

Beautiful hotel in Pilansberg

We had an awesome time at Shepherds Tree, the staff were so friendly and our guide for the game drives was very knowledgeable. The meals and facilities were every thing we needed and wanted.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2017

Chris

Spectacular Game Lodge

Staff excellent and cuisine truly wonderful.... As good as any 5 star hotel in the world which is staggering considering location

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Dec 2016

Verified traveler

Amazing Game Lodge

We stayed here based previous reviews, Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge is more expensive than many other lodges, but for us this was a once in a lifetime trip, so we decided to go the extra mile. We didn't regret that decision at all. From arrival to departure, all the staff were totally committed to ensuring we had a perfect stay. The all-inclusive food was of superb quality, although three wonderful courses for breakfast, dinner and supper can lead to a little overeating!.

The bedroom was of very high quality, with a massive, very comfortable bed. We had room 1 which is nearest the lodge itself, but still feels totally isolated. Some of the lodges are further away, but a buggy is always available if you don't want to walk.

The game drives were great, we were fortunate there were only 4 of us in our vehicle, so we were able to take full advantage of the ranger's knowledge. We only went on two drives (evening and morning), but still saw a wide variety of wildlife.

As 'newbies' to game drives, we didn't know what to expect. We went at the end of November, when the temperature was in the low 30s (Celcius) during the day. The advice was to bring warm clothing, which seemed a little strange, but we hadn't appreciated the cooling effect of being driven at 30 to 40 kph in a totally open vehicle. Early morning, and late evening, some additional layers were required. We didn't bring any 'special' clothes or repellent, neither were needed.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jul 2016

Joanna

Exceeded our expectation!

Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge exceeded all our expectations! We truly loved the experience and my children (10 & 9) have asked when we are next going back.

The lodge itself is beautifully appointed, the décor refined and very appealing. The staff are attentive and friendly and the standout for us was the excellent cuisine. Chef Hennie, a true master of his craft, impressed us daily with the delights coming from the kitchen. The children menu was spot on encompassing all the things that kids love.

The game drives were excellent - although mornings are very cold in winter - but it was exciting and we had excellent viewing, most notably a wonderful leopard sighting.

We look forward to planning our next trip to Shepherd's Tree.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2016

Nick

First time safari

First time safari and chose Sheoherds Tree based on size and location.
We're more than pleased as staff was very accommodating and game viewing
Was amazing..

Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Apr 2016

Kevin

Great experience

Great for couples wanting to relax and connect with nature. There are two safari runs each day: early in morning around 5am and one in the afternoon around 4pm. Each run can be approx 3hrs. This is nature so each run is unpredictable in terms of what you'll see. We were lucky enough to have a lion pride walk across our path but that's not always going to be the case.

The accommodations were great but be prepared to deal with ants and other mini bugs in your room. Remember you're on a game reserve. The outdoor shower was amazing and the overall views were breathtaking. No TV's in the room and the wifi can be spotty but was told it was being upgraded so maybe it'll improved by time you read this review.

Finally, have cash handy to tip.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jan 2016

Marshall

Bush Luxury

Great Safari Lodge. No issues with our stay

Family

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2016

Verified traveler

Great location, close to Sun City.
All the Staff so friendly and helpful.

8/10

Excellent

13 Dec 2015

Verified traveler

Not cool enough.

It was 38C and the air conditioning did not cope. There is no air conditioning in the restaurant or bar - just fans. The only place to be cool was the pool.

Food great, staff great but they do need to upgrade all the heat pumps and have at least one place where you can eat in the cool.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Feb 2026

CANDIDA

Receptividade incrível, todos incrivelmente preparados para atender bem, com carinho, presteza, atenção. Destaque especial para a nossa Ranger “Hellen”, que nos acompanhou durante 5 safáris, mil estrelas para ela. Outras tantas mil estrelas para toda a equipe da recepção, para a atendente da lojinha, para os motoristas do carrinho de golfe que fazem o nosso deslocamento até o quarto, para os atendentes do restaurante. Enfim, toda a equipe merece milhões de estrelas.
Sobre os Safáris, são feitos em carros especiais, para até 10 pessoas. São dois por dia, um às 5 da manhã e outro às 5 da tarde. Duram em média 3 a 4h. Todos valem à pena, afinal existe a oportunidade de você ver uns animais pela manhã e outros pela tarde/noite.
Recomendo, façam todos e quantos puderem, não irão se arrepender.
Sobre os quartos, todos excelentes, bem estruturados, limpos e sempre arrumados.
Alimentação a “lá carte” é boa, está inclusa na estadia, as bebidas (alcoólicas e não-alcoólicas), são pagas.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Aug 2025

THAIS

Experiência Inesquecível em Meio à Natureza

Minha estadia no Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge foi simplesmente incrível. Desde a chegada, a equipe se mostrou extremamente carinhosa e dedicada, proporcionando uma recepção de boas-vindas calorosa que fez toda a diferença. Os safaris oferecidos pelo lodge são espetaculares, com guias experientes que tornam cada passeio emocionante e repleto de descobertas. A oportunidade de observar a vida selvagem de perto, em seu habitat natural, foi uma experiência mágica e única. Os quartos são espaçosos, muito confortáveis e decorados com um toque de elegância rústica, garantindo descanso absoluto após um dia cheio de aventuras. Além disso, é ótimo saber que há muitos brasileiros por lá. Recomendo fortemente para quem busca aventura, conforto e um atendimento excepcional em um cenário de tirar o fôlego.

Partner