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Located in Grietjie Nature Reserve, 16 mi from the Phalaborwa Gate to Kruger National Park, Ngalali Retreat features accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a bar and a shared lounge. Boasting room service, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The air-conditioned rooms provide a garden view and come with a desk and free WiFi. The rooms at the guest house are fitted with a seating area. Rooms come with a private bathroom with a shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries. All rooms have a wardrobe. Ngalali Retreat offers a continental or à la carte breakfast. The nearest airport is Phalaborwa, 18 mi from Ngalali Retreat, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.8 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

Property highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.8)

Breakfast Info

Continental, Full English/Irish, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free

Free Private Parking Available On Site


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Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

Room Type
Number of guests
 
2 twin beds
1 twin bed
and
1 queen bed
1 king bed
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Property practices

This property told us they've implemented certain practices across some or all of these categories: waste, water, energy and greenhouse gases, destination and community, and nature.
Guest reviews

Categories:

Staff
9.9
Facilities
9.6
Cleanliness
9.8
Comfort
9.8
Value for money
9.7
Location
9.8
Free Wifi
8.8
High score for Grietjie Nature Reserve
Select topics to read reviews:

See what guests loved the most:

  • Graham
    Canada Canada
    We arrived at the Ngalali Retreat after a long drive and Xander and staff helped us feel at home immediately. After a hearty lunch Xander introduced us to our first safari experience of the African bush. Xander is a true naturalist who, over the...
  • Mitchell
    United States of America United States of America
    Everything was extremely amazing and wonderful. Thank you to Xander and lore. As well as the cuisine for dinner & breakfast. A true Oasis. The lounge was loaded with things to do, or just relax, and do nothing. We had the whole place to...
  • A
    Anonymous
    United States of America United States of America
    The Ngalali staff was great and made us feel right at home, even better than home with its Uber cool surroundings. we saw giraffe, warthogs, and lions on the private reserve. Helen is an amazing chef who cooked up a storm everyday for breakfast,...

Hosted by Lorenza & Xander Hill

9.9
9.9
Host Review Score
Host Review Score

Lorenza & Xander Hill
Ngalali Retreat is a small lodge immersed in the African bush inside the Big 5 Grietjie Private Nature Reserve within the Greater Kruger Conservation area. It is conveniently located 26 km away from the Kruger National Park Phalaborwa gate. There are three en-suite bedrooms, an indoor dining/ lounge area, a communal patio with sitting and dining area overlooking the waterhole. The lodge was refurbished in May 2019 enhancing the African theme decor. It is surrounded by a natural bush garden with a large swimming pool accessible all year around where guests can relax and enjoy the view of the bush and the wild animals passing by. The property is fenced off for safety reasons. Its rustic and natural setting is suitable for those ones who want to experience the bush life, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of city life and relaxing in an informal and peaceful place without renouncing to comforts, delicious meals and free WiFi. There are no TV’s here. The meals, inspired by Italian cuisine, are prepared in our kitchen with fine and fresh locally sourced ingredients. Guided Game drives and bush activities are available from the lodge with private open game viewer vehicle.
Dear Guest, Welcome to Ngalali Retreat! My husband and I are living on site, I'm Italian and he's South African and we will be pleased to welcome and assist you upon arrival and during your stay at Ngalali Retreat. Our friendly hospitality will enhance your stay at the lodge, providing you delicious homemade Italian inspired meals along with South African wines tasting. We are certified nature/safari guides so you will have the opportunity to book with us guided game drives in our reserve, tours and activities around the surrounding areas of interest like the well renowned Kruger National Park or the Blyde River Canyon. Whatever we do, we do it with passion and love! Looking forward to hearing from you soon, Cheers!
In this area, the main highlights are the Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon with the Panorama Route, easily accessible from our lodge with day tours. Ngalali Retreat is conveniently located near Phalaborwa Hendrik Van Eck Airport about 30 km away and Hoedspruit Eastgate airport around 60 km away, which are connected daily with flights Johannesburg O.R.Tambo International Airport. As alternative guests can book shuttles connecting Johannesburg Airport to Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa or renting a car and self-driving to here. We do arrange private transfers from/to each airport. No public transport is available.
Languages spoken: Afrikaans,English,Italian

Area info

Restaurants
1 Restaurant On Site

  • Restaurant #1
    • Cuisine
      Italian • Grill/BBQ • South African
    • Open for
      Breakfast • Brunch • Lunch • Dinner • Cocktail hour
    • Dietary options
      Vegetarian • Vegan • Gluten-free • Dairy-free

Amenities of Ngalali Retreat
Great facilities! Review score, 9.6

Most popular amenities
  • Outdoor swimming pool
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Airport shuttle
  • Restaurant
  • Room service
  • Free Wifi
  • Free parking
  • Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
  • Bar
Bathroom
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Private Bathroom
  • Toilet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Shower
Bedroom
  • Linens
  • Wardrobe or closet
View
  • Garden view
  • View
Outdoors
  • Outdoor fireplace
  • Picnic area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Sun deck
  • Patio
  • Terrace
  • Garden
Kitchen
  • Electric kettle
Room Amenities
  • Socket near the bed
  • Clothes rack
Activities
  • Cooking class
    Additional charge
  • Tour or class about local culture
    Additional charge
  • Themed dinners
    Additional charge
  • Walking tours
    Additional charge
  • Game drives
    Additional charge
Living Area
  • Sofa
  • Sitting area
  • Desk
Food & Drink
  • Wine/Champagne
    Additional charge
  • Kids' meals
    Additional charge
  • Special diet meals (on request)
  • Bar
  • Minibar
  • Restaurant
  • Tea/Coffee maker
Internet
Wifi is available in public areas and is free of charge.
Parking
Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
  • Accessible parking
Front Desk Services
  • Invoice provided
  • Private check-in/out
  • Tour desk
Entertainment & Family Services
  • Board games/Puzzles
  • Books, DVDs or music for children
  • Board games/puzzles
Cleaning Services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ironing service
    Additional charge
  • Laundry
    Additional charge
Safety & security
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key access
  • 24-hour security
General
  • Shuttle service
    Additional charge
  • Shared lounge/TV area
  • Designated smoking area
  • Air conditioning
  • Smoke-free property
  • Wake-up service
  • Tile/Marble floor
  • Private entrance
  • Packed lunches
  • Heating
  • Fan
  • Family rooms
  • Ironing facilities
  • Airport shuttle
    Additional charge
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Room service
Accessibility
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
Outdoor swimming pool
Free!
  • Open all year
  • All ages welcome
  • Pool with view
  • Pool/Beach towels
  • Beach chairs/Loungers
  • Beach umbrellas
Spa
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Beach chairs/Loungers
Languages Spoken
  • Afrikaans
  • English
  • Italian

House rules

Ngalali Retreat takes special requests – add in the next step!

Check-in

From 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Check-out

From 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM

 

Cancellation/
prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

Curfew

The entrance to the property is closed between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM

Children & Beds

Child policies

Children of all ages are welcome.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

Crib and extra bed policies

Cribs and extra beds aren't available at this property.

No age restriction

There's no age requirement for check-in

Mastercard Visa Diners Club American Express Cash Ngalali Retreat accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.


Smoking

Smoking is not allowed.

Parties

Parties/events are not allowed

Quiet hours

Guests need be quiet between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

The fine print
Must-know information for guests at this property

Please inform Ngalali Retreat of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

Payment before arrival by bank transfer is required. The property will contact you after you book to provide instructions.

This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.

Quiet hours are between 21:00:00 and 06:00:00.

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), additional safety and sanitation measures are in effect at this property.

In accordance with government guidelines to minimize transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19), this property may request additional documentation from guests to validate identity, travel itinerary, and other relevant info on dates where such guidelines exist.

FAQs about Ngalali Retreat

  • Ngalali Retreat offers the following activities/services (charges may apply):

    • Walking tours
    • Swimming pool
    • Tour or class about local culture
    • Game drives
    • Themed dinners
    • Cooking class

  • Ngalali Retreat is 1.1 miles from the center of Grietjie Nature Reserve. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

  • The prices at Ngalali Retreat may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.

  • Room options at Ngalali Retreat include:

    • Twin
    • Double

  • Check-in at Ngalali Retreat is from 2:00 PM, and check-out is until 11:00 AM.

  • Yes, this hotel has a pool. See details about the pool and other facilities on this page.

  • Guests staying at Ngalali Retreat can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 9.0).

    Breakfast option(s) include:

    • Continental
    • Full English/Irish
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
    • Gluten-free

  • Ngalali Retreat has 1 restaurant:

    • Restaurant #1