Askari Game Lodge & Spa

Askari Game Lodge & Spa descritpion

Askari Game Lodge is a transformed farmhouse, set within the Magaliesberg Nature Reserve and its magnificent wildlife. It features an outdoor pool, a terrace, and offers free WiFi.
All guest rooms feature traditional South African décor pieces dating back to the 1800’s. Rooms include a minibar and a private bathroom with amenities.
The lodge’s spa boasts a hydrotherapy bath, a steam room and individual rooms for massage treatments. The spa complex opens onto outdoor relaxation areas and private gardens. Askari Lodge organizes daily tours and activities, which include bush walks and 'touch and feed' experiences with elephants.
Askari is situated less than 31.1 miles away from Johannesburg Lanseria Airport and just over an hour from Johannesburg or Pretoria. An airport shuttle can be arranged upon advance request and free on-site parking is available.

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Facilities of Askari Game Lodge & Spa

Outdoors ：Outdoor Pool | Grounds | Terrace

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Activities ：Hiking | Massage

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in the business center and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Reviews for Askari Game Lodge & Spa

Review 1：There is no big 5 as advertised so there is over-marketing which is disappointing. The game drive vehicles seemed to be poorly maintained. Ours got stuck several times. This matter was raised with management. Food was avarage for a 4 star Accomodation.

Review 2：Location and good facilities in the room.

Review 3：We stayed over New Years, and found it incredibly hot, air-conditioning in the rooms and dining area would have been a plus

Review 4：The staff were superb, very friendly & willing to do whatever they could to make our stay a good one. Location is great, it feels like you're in the middle of nowhere in the bush, just an hour's drive from Centurion. The animals wandering between the bungalows & near the pool area at night were fantastic.

Review 5：Unfortunately our friends bedding hadn't been changed since the previous guests as there was still an old boarding pass in their bed. The service and staff were average at the restaurant and for the price I was expecting better service. It was also disappointing not to get any spa treatments as there was nothing on the website stating that bookings needed to be made in advance.

Review 6：We were travelling with friends who had a young child, so we enjoyed the child friendly game drives and the close proximity to our home in the Free State. Some staff were very friendly and helpful, especially Johannes who carried our bags to and from our vehicle. The game Rangers were also extremely friendly and knowledgeable.

Review 7：The meals bar one were mediocre, luke warm water for your tea / coffee. For a 4 star rating I wasn't impressed. No real friendly staff, everyone seemed to be dissgruntled or bored. I left something in our room and realised after checking out, I sent an email to request help with the item and and received a reply asking me what I'd left?! On explaining what I'd left again it has been radio silence. Nice!

Review 8：Pretty good game drive and game walk. Great accommodation.

Review 9：The room we occupied was a little crumped, could have done with a bigger room seeing that we had our 5 year old child with us

Review 10：Loved the service from staff, they are exceptional. The facilities were out of this world, loved the variety of options available

Review 11：We paid in full for 3 days and we were originally booked into room 1. Very small and very little privacy. On our request we were moved to room 8. Rather book people staying for 1 night in the smaller rooms and weekend guests in the more private rooms (8-10)

Review 12：Game drive and elephant experience.

Review 13：Facility was very busy with dayvisitors which limited the guests access to enjoy the lodge. Rooms can be improved with Airconditioning.

Review 14：Staff was friendly and helpfull. The food at the restaurants were good, with a wide variety to choose from.

Review 15：1.The bathroom was a little untidy and our bed sheets were not changed.

Review 16：1.The staff were very friendly and so much helpful. 2.The environment and the view was beautiful.

Review 17：Unorganized. No info in room on what time breakfast, game drives were etc. carpet in bathroom was grim.

Review 18：No clear instructions. Air-conditioning would have been good.. Spa was lovely.

Review 19：Booked into wrong room, room 15 , was given option of room 1 or 11. We chose 11 not realizing that the room had not been cleaned in a while . Nice large room liked it but only realized on second day that the TV did not work and Bat Guano ( this we only realized the next day ) was dropping on the one side of the bed. Understand we live in Africa but BAT DROPPINGS on bed !

Review 20：Setting, close to JHB Chalets 12,13 and 14 looks fabulous.

Review 21：The fireplace wasn't too effective and as a result the room was fairly cold. The bathroom could rather have tiles or something to that effect instead of industrial carpets. The buffet was not great on the Saturday evening dinner. there was no menu to order food from during the day, it was buffet or nothing. There were no gluten free items (even though I did request this)

Review 22：The Spa Was Fantastic. The Setting was Very Good and well laid out. The concept was good. The Friday evening dinner was excellent. Your Game guide was absolutely brilliant! Your game animals are great, a place to see almost everything and its very close to Johannesburg

Review 23：We wanted to go for a mountain hike on Sunday morning, upon our arrival on Saturday we went into the rangers office and requested it. We were told the hiking ranger would phone us to finalise the time to leave etc for the following morning and it did not happen. We were very dissapointed.

Review 24：This was the 3rd time we went and we are generally happy with the service except for the "hikig" rangers.

Review 25：The executive suite was dark and looked a bit run down.

Review 26：The central facilities, the meals and the staff were wonderful. Some of the more modern accommodation looked really good as well.

Review 27：The room was appalling with black droppings on the head board and in the bed. The thatch had gaping patches and was loose. Dust fell from it. The room was actually not clean at all.

Review 28：Didn't tell us that all excursions were not open to children other than family game drive. Should explain that when you book. Different price to what was advertised.

Review 29：Rooms were nice.

Review 30：No negative comments.

Review 31：Food accomodation friendly and helpful staff. The setting was peaceful and accomodation so well maintained bed very comfortable.Impressed with the collection of wagons and museum and that restaurant was kept like a family home.

Review 32：No WiFi at rooms Lack of sun loungers at poolside & no umbrelas/shade. Little interaction from the game ranger on the game drive. Selection and quality of food not that good.

Review 33：Close proximity to Johannesburg.

Review 34：Check out process took close to an hour!!! Couldn't understand why it had to take so long.

Review 35：Friendly staff. We were charged double erroneously; the issue was resolved promptly. The food was nice. It was a buffet dinner and breakfast. Additional snacks, fruit and wine was a nice gesture.

Review 36：no service at patio for drinks on saterday afternoon Only able to see elephants at the resort if you stay for sunday lunch Not value for money

Review 37：rooms were great distance from JHB great

Review 38：The Excuses for everything. The WIFI that's only available in 1 back room and not really working, the lack of available Wine from the Wine List. The replacement of Food on the plate without consulting you...Cappuccino machine that's not working...etc...etc..

Review 39：Location, wild Animals and the Rustic-ness...

Review 40：Animals in very short supply -1 rhino left, 2 tame elephants, 2 lions in small enclosure. leopard will never be seeen -certainly not teeming with wildlife in their natural environment!!! game drive is therefore expensive compared with reserves with prolific wildlife variety

Review 41：Peaceful setting Rooms and bathroom very well appointed Food

Review 42：Was there during winter. Fire place was not enough so very cold in rooms during night.

Review 43：Prime location, very professional and friendly staff, nice food (game) at evening buffet. Perfect place to relax and enjoy nature surrounding

Review 44：Lunch at the Restaurant worst food we ever had (frozen burger patty) Restaurant wasn't that clean (hundreds of ants on the floor and so they also make their way upon our table in we stay there in WINTER) All activities and spa have been booked out for the whole weekend ... so we don't had a chance to test it. Staff at the restaurant was unfriendly and clumsy.

Review 45：The location is very nice, a huge water hole in front for the lodge. You see various types of antelopes very close and with a bit luck the elefants. Rooms are nice too, maybe a bit cold during winter but they have to heaters so it gets warmer after some time. Dinner was quite good for a lodge buffet.

Review 46：Did not feel loved by the staff. When I wanted to check in, was told the lady who did this was not available and that I should have lunch so long - she would come to me with key. After asking a few times about it, was told that I had to go back to reception, which I refused to do and a kind gentleman at the restaurant ended up doing this for me - still have not met the lady who seemed to be unavailable.? Never received my extra blankets which I asked for when I made the reservation, followed up on etc - no blankets, brrr :( not ayoba!! Waited a long time for my omelet to be made (aprox 20 mins) and received it in a oil drenched plate - I did not finish my breakfast. It seemed there was no one helping the guy make the omelets/ eggs and he was seemingly responsible for all guests? That being said, there were many staff members standing around, who did not look busy at all - I thought others could jump in and help out? I also don't think the setup for breakfast worked well - would suggest that food is prepared on a seperate counter, rather than where we dish up (suggestion) Game drive was not so nice - we saw very few animals. I understand this is not always in control of the ranger though, but I have seen in other reserves that there would be a bit of a knowledge base as to where aprox certain animals were last spotted, etc. so this would be my suggestion.

Review 47：Loved the place, except for one or two small things e.g. phones out of order in the rooms. The gentleman who collected our luggage was really friendly and so was our waiter in the restaurant who remembered my daughter's name and made her stay :) We loved the spa experience!

Review 48：No Aircons in the room and restaurant .... not acceptablevfor a so calked 4 star hotel and venue

Review 49：Chalets no a/c. The Monday there was a school that took over the swimming pool, so we left.

Review 50：The scenery

Review 51：The staff is really friendly and they always try to help

Review 52：Relaxing, friendly atmosphere with options of various things to do, if you desired - ie Game drive, Spa facities, Hiking etc

Review 53：Staff in Restauramt. Very inadequate service.

Review 54：The game drive and ranger. Absolutely awesome.

Review 55：Would like printed material in rooms re spa and schedules for drives, meals etc

Review 56：Friendliness, spa, and game drive

Review 57：The friendliness of the staff, our family game drive and food excellent! Always a pleasure visiting Askari! Love the place!

Review 58：Everything was just awesome. Wonderful overall experience.

Review 59：Everything and the staff was very friendly and welcoming

Review 60：The room was very cold inside. Water pressure very poor, could not shower

Review 61：- Gamedrive - was not Big5 - Lion in a Cage - Elephants in a Cage

Review 62：+ Food + Room + Service

Review 63：Wifi didn't work

Review 64：Location, rooms, staff, nature

Review 65：No Airconditioning!!!!

Review 66：Rooms were nicely furnished

Review 67：With confirmation (changed dates) in hand the lodge didn't have room for us. After a unwilling fight a room had been organised.

Review 68：The only downside was the state of the roads when out in the jeep. The elderly and disabled would not be able to manage the shaking about. Please can you do something to improve the roads then the whole visit would be second to none.

Review 69：The view from our room overlooking a watering hole was spectacular. We sat in the darkness in the early hours of the morning just watching the wonderful animals that came to visit. The food in the restaurant both choice and quality was excellent.

Review 70：This place is rated 4 star and charges 4 to 5 star prices yet it feels and looks like a 3 star. Sunday lunch and Sunday dinner were buffet. With at least 3 stews from lunch!!! That was disappointing. The service was so poor that we had to go looking for a waiter to give us spoons to serve ourselves their desert, the ice cream was so frozen that they ended up warming it up in the microwave (this is not a joke!). The wine list was poor. Breakfast was of course buffet with most of the items very hard and dry from being out all morning. We had booked the Delux chalet (which was promised to be the most luxurious room) it was average. There was no fireplace, which was advertised. No shampoo!! The spar was empty, not a soul in sight, the mani and paid stations stood empty but we couldn't get a booking because they were fully booked, perhaps it should be staffed! They promise Wifi but it is only available if you are on 1 couch at the front of the Restuarant. The only thing that stopped us from driving back home the same night was that the roads are dark and it would have been dangerous. We will not be back!

Review 71：The animals, the place is clean.

Review 72：The idea of a fire place was a bit disturbing as one smells of smoke from preparing fire. First night was freezing cold. Pls consider airconditioners.

Review 73：Quality of service rendered as well as staff friendliness. Very delicious food. Knowledgeable tour guide on a game drive.

Review 74：Even though there was under floor heating and a fire place, we were freezing. It felt like there was a constant breeze blowing through the room. Even the restaurant was cold. The buffet dinner was very average, would have preferred ordering off a menu. Would not recommend going in winter, sure summer would be better!

Review 75：Staff very friendly and helpful. Great views of buck at the waterhole.

Review 76：The rooms we had 21&22 were lovely only problem the lighting whenreturning to our accommodation was inadequate. My gran is 83yrs old andcould not see where she was going when we returned from the dining area.Just a recommendation to have some night lights installed not acomplaint I had a fabulous few days away.

Review 77：It was all very lovely - the area is amazing and the accommodationoutstanding value. We had lovely meals in the restaurant and all staffwere very friendly and helpful. Thank you to everyone for making myvisit back home so memorable.

Review 78：The dirty carpets in the rooms and leaking plumbing in the bathroom andthe confusion over whether the accomodation had been payed bybooking.com or not.

Review 79：The setting and the animals.

Review 80：Some of the meals were not up to standard.

Review 81：It was great, will certainly go

Review 82：Excellent location....game reserve is fantastic...staff are friendly.. rooms are great...and the food is good..

Review 83：Leaking thatch roof -rain came through onto my suitcase and soaked my clothes -thatch in need of repair

Review 84：Friendly staff -great game drive with Jadon

Review 85：No fireplace ! Promised but not delivered. No shampoo No plug near mirror and drier. Slow check out, waiting endlessly for invoice.

Review 86：Comfortable bed

Review 87：Food not advertised gourmet standard

Review 88：Beautiful setting.

Review 89：Inadequately trained waiters. Shocking breakfast experience.Freezing room.

Review 90：Very helpful management staff.

Review 91：My time was too short

Review 92：Everything from food, staff and the environment.

Review 93：The peaceful atmosphere. Just loved being away from the ratrace in Jhb. Not too far to travel. Just what we needed

Review 94：Isolation for getting food

Review 95：Nice setting

Review 96：Not much we didnt like.

Review 97：The museum and spa.