Mongena Game Lodge

South Africa , Gauteng- Johannesburg
HAMMANSKRAAL, Rust De Winter Road Dinokeng Game Reserve
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20 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

26 Apr 2025

Kevin

We loved our stay at Mongena. Our 4 year old daughter loved having zebras and impalas walking around the lodge. The game drives were amazing, the guides were knowledgeable and very friendly.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

13 Apr 2024

Richard

Just wow!

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

08 Apr 2024

Linton

Mini Family Get away with a small baby !

Our overall experience was great. It was a family holiday with our 4 month old baby and it did not feel stressful at all. The family room was really nice and spacious and was able to accommodate our mobile cot and the there was a tub which was great bath our little one. The food at the restaurant blew our expectations and we were pleasantly surprised that lunch was also included in our package. The restaurant staff were extremely friendly and helpful. The game drives were really good and we saw quite a bit of Game, however it felt like some of the rangers weren’t very clued up on the park and just relied on radio comms to take guest to a sighting. Providing a bit more info on the park, bird life, fauna and flora etc of the area would have been nice to complete the overall experience

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

19 Mar 2024

Lizel

The staff, catering, and game drives were exceptional. The game drives, in particular, stood out; Erin was the best game ranger we've ever had the pleasure of accompanying, making our stay truly memorable. However, the accommodation does not meet the expectations of a 4-star rating. While the bed was comfortable, the bathroom urgently requires an upgrade. The shower was unclean, and the fittings were significantly rusted—an issue that does not necessitate a full renovation to address. Additionally, the lack of 2-point plugs for charging devices is a noticeable inconvenience, especially since this is a basic amenity. Unfortunately, the current state of the accommodations does not justify the high rates charged.

Business

8/10

Excellent

11 Mar 2024

Colin

Big 5 Game Lodge

A beautiful game lodge not too far from Pretoria where you can see all the big 5 game! Our ranger Andrew was excellent and being full board, we were very happy with the food.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2024

Jason

This is one of my favorite resorts Access to big 5 game lodge so close to JHB but the team at mongena go above and beyond to make your stay amazing You will leave refreshed and with full bowl of soul food Game sightings were amazing

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

20 Oct 2021

Mark

Mongena went the extra mile and beyond

I initially booked the Barnhouse, but didn't realize the Barnhouse is about a 15 minute drive from the main lodge area. We were planning to eat our meals at the lodge's Kingfisher restaurant, but we had to rely on the rangers to take us from the Barnhouse to the main lodge area, as there is no self-driving permitted. The Barnhouse is really nice and it's perfect if you're looking for a secluded place and plan to cook or barbecue for most of your meals, but I was expecting it to be within walking distance of the restaurant, so it wasn't what I was expecting. We hadn't brought much food, so we were really hungry that first day. Once we got to the restaurant and had a meal, we were in a much better mood, and it helped that we were served by a wonderful waiter named Isaac. The next day was a Monday, and the front desk was aware that the Barnhouse wasn't ideal for us, so fortunately they had a vacancy at the main lodge and put us in a two-story cottage that was perfect for us. During our three-night stay, we did two morning tours and one evening tour with ranger Matt who was very knowledgeable and kept the conversation lively. Matt also took our two sons along to feed animals near the reception area. After posting pictures of the animals we saw during our tours on my Facebook page, my friends from other parts of the world mentioned they loved seeing animals that they typically only see in a zoo, and some are now motivated to come to Africa!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Feb 2021

Petro

It was a great weekend with friends. The food was very good and the game drives amazing. The location - so close to the city - is the cherry on top.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2019

Yana

Amazing Mongena

We had an amazing 2nd stay at Mongena, the game drives are amazing so much to see, birds, wildlife, plants, trees, everything just great. The staff are so helpful and professional. it was a lovely stay and if we get the chance in the future we will definitely go back again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Sep 2017

Ane'mari

Just Amazing!

This was an amazing stay and cannot wait to visit again.

Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Aug 2017

Verified traveler

Clean and tidy

Helpful staff, room clean, delicious breakfast

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2017

Verified traveler

Great place to see Big 5 near Johannesburg

So near to Johannesburg that I took an uber there, as I didn't have a rental car. There are zebras grazing all over the property, at breakfast, by the pool. Dinner at the hotel restaurant as very nice, I was on my own and the staff took excellent care of me. Very good breakfast buffet too. The highlight was the game drive/safari the hotel operates. Maybe I was lucky, but an elephant came right up to us, and then took a bath in the lake just in front of us. Magical experience. Also saw a giraffe, lions and rhinos from a little further away. Nice wine tasting on the tour, very knowledgeable staff, stunning sunset. Highly recommended.

6/10

Pleasant

17 Jan 2017

Andrew

Great quick getaway from Pretoria

Hotel was nice but could be much better with little things. The Manager was wonderful. And the food in the restaurant was delicious -both dinner and breakfast. Order the ostrich steak for dinner! A few minor complaints -- nobody told us that we needed to book game drives in advance, but we learned when we arrived that anyone (not just hotel guests) can book game drives. The Manager worked it out for us. The next morning we got up early for a game drive and then proceeded to wait for non-hotel guests to arrive. Eventually we went out without the others and were tracking a lion when the non-hotel guests decided to arrive. We had to turn back to get them and we didn't get to see the lion. Even the tracker was disappointed. I get it that the hotel makes more money with a full vehicle, but come on!

The game drives were pleasant. Over two game drives, we say elephant, rhino (I spotted them, not the guide or tracker!), giraffe, hippos, and many other animals.

The honeymoon suite is large, but a bit dated. It's also right next to the restaurant so people are walking by constantly. I still liked it, though!

The standard rooms and family rooms are quite nice.

I would highly recommend this hotel, but it needs to pay slightly greater attention to customer service details (like offering to have someone assist with bags).

Partner

2/10

Poor

02 Jan 2017

JACOB

there was no booking

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2016

Marlene

Montana Game Lodge, the staff and Marina especially are awesome! Always!!

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

19 Dec 2016

Mergandran

Okay getaway from the city without the long drive

Mongena is only an hour away from Johannesburg so you're able to get the seclusion and peace of a game farm without spending too long getting there. The check-in process was efficient - we booked a family suite and a game drive ahead of time, both of which were confirmed on arrival. The family suite consists of a master bedroom downstairs, together with a separate bath/shower and toilet. Upstairs is another bedroom with twin beds. The rooms are air conditioned, which is an absolute must in the summer months.

The grounds are well kept - and there are zebras and deer roaming around the chalets, which is quite a treat for the kids. There is a pool on the property but, on a hot day, expect to have lots of other guests keeping you company.

We booked a game drive for the afternoon - in an open-side vehicle. The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly, the entire trip taking approximately 2.5 hours. We saw 2 of the Big 5 as well as a host of other animals - this is a well stocked area so expect to see plenty! There is also a stop for sun-downers at a picnic spot overlooking the dam - very picturesque and worth a few snaps.

We booked dinner at the Kingfisher restaurant - great location overlooking a smaller dam, complete with a crocodile in the water below. Food was uniformly average, not bad just not particularly good. Venison was over-cooked. Service was attentive.Breakfast the next morning was standard hotel fare, with a few too many flies for comfort.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 May 2016

Cynthia

Mongena must come again!

My stay was FANTABULOUS!!!! Service AND food was IMPECCABLE

8/10

Excellent

02 Jan 2016

Lee

Relaxing in South Africa

We arrived early but we're able to use the nice sized pool and enjoy the free roaming zebras. Mongena was very quiet, very relaxing. Our children, 6 & 9, enjoyed the pool, the safari, and near by monkey zoo(where we playing with baby lions and tigers). The food in the Kingfisher restaurant was wonderful and very well priced. The staff was kind and very helpful. The Rangers, Rainn and Gavin, were knowledgeable and informative. Ms. Mary at the front desk was very helpful. The only bad part of trip was that we were bitten in our sleep by many bugs even though we used tons of bug spray. The family cabin had an upstairs, where the children were to sleep, but it was so hot because the one compact A/C downstairs did nothing for the summer African heat. When we go back, it will be in fall or spring or maybe even winter. All in all, Mongena was a wonderful place to stay, learn, and relax!

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2015

Robert

Mongena stay Dec 2014

We had a wonderful stay. The staff were attentive,friendly and the game drives were amazing with very informative guides. We saw all except for lepard of the big 5 including a Cheetah kill being eaten. It was clean and comfortable and the animals around the camp were lovely to watch. We saw a crocodile in the dam at the camp restaurant and if available order the sole fish, on the menu was of the best we'd ever eaten.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2018

Nicole

Parfait

Sans probleme

Family