...If you prefer B&B's more than Mega Hotels then this is your place! My new wife and I just returned from Melanie and Neil's Kwa Mbili in early June after spending our honeymoon in South Africa. Although, the other more popular lodges (Sabi, etc.) were not a budgetary option for us, I don't think we would prefer those places over Kwa Mbili. Wherever we travel, we find that the smaller, more personal places are where we have the best experiences. Kwa Mbili is no exception. Neil is a South African who "found his dream job..." as a guide and owner of a game lodge. He is a self -described "student of the lowveld" who truly loves what he is doing. Enthusiasm is so important when visiting "touristy" places and Neil is overflowing with pride for his country and the flora / fauna he has studied for years.

Within our first 5 minutes at Kwa Mbili, his wife Melanie immediately pointed out the giraffe drinking at the spring on the lodge property and then showed us to our cozy, climate controlled cabin - the bed sprinkled with rose petals in the shape of a heart. She is a super hostess and coordinated 5 wonderful days of activities for us.

This lodge caters to people who want to know the staff who will, in turn, treat them like royalty. They are beautiful people who enhanced our stay in Africa by sharing a little about themselves.

My wife and I didn't go to Africa to see the "big five" but we can show photos of them all now. I think it's best to not expect to see them and just go for the views and sunsets. Advice: spend some time in the large but enclosed Thornybush Reserve, where Kwa Mbili resides, and see a high concetration of animals and plants. Then let Neil guide you through Kruger National Park and see the open expanses studded with elephants, zebras and giraffes. I have only been to the country once so I cannot compare but I have to believe that May / June is the best time to visit. It's cold at night which keeps the mosquitos away (no pills needed) and the animals were ubiquitous even at Kruger! It also was the low season for tourists and we had the whole lodge / safari vehicle to ourselves.

Amazing food, two leopard sitings, a cozy bed, and great activities (including the panorama drive with Clifford) are just a few exceptional things about our experience. If you want to sit in the bath tub all day or lounge by the pool for hours there may be better choices in accomodation. The only other negatives 1) we could have spent more time sitting with the Kwa Mbili "family" drinking great South African wines but we were too tired from the days activities and 2) we had to leave.

Thanks Neil and Mel - we'll be back!