Babohi at Qwabi Private Game Reserve by Newmark

Super new room! Amazing rangers. A lot of animals. Best service! The best safari I went to literally

I chose Babohi Qwabi Private Game Reserve for a 4-night stay to celebrate my partner's birthday and our anniversary, sharing these special plans well in advance. Sadly, the experience didn’t reflect the high standards advertised. Unprepared Check-in: We arrived expecting a seamless process, but had to chase down basic information. Despite receiving a voucher, no one provided clarity about how our stay would proceed. Room Upgrade Complications: We requested an upgrade upon arrival and were promised a move to a premium room for two nights starting the 3rd night. However, on the anniversary night, we were told the policy allowed only one night. The room we moved to was disappointing: Lacked basic amenities. Was dirty and poorly prepared. The air conditioning rattled, disrupting our rest. The pool was unclean, adding to the frustration. Poorly Managed Birthday Celebration: The birthday surprise was underwhelming. The cake was stale, and housekeeping revealed they were informed of the occasion too late to prepare adequately. This was especially disheartening, given Babohi’s reputation for attention to detail. Final Thoughts: While the location holds great promise, these management failures significantly affected what should have been a memorable occasion. It’s disappointing to feel that the value of this stay did not match the investment, and I hope Babohi can learn from this experience to better honor guest expectations for such special occasions.

Arrival welcome After a 3.5hr drive from Jberg with mostly highway but around 30km of dirt track we arrived at Letamo initially, the sister lodge. Make sure to book with a reputable transfer company as the dirt track is a challenging drive. After a beer in the bar at Letamo our dedicated ranger Sam picked us up in the land cruiser and took us over to Babohi, it was quite a nice touch to get a transfer over to Babohi with our guide and become acquainted. We knew straight away we were in great hands with Sam from the outset! Once we arrived at Babohi, a ceremonial hand wash and welcome drink during a relaxed check in. Room We stayed in a 'premium room' which was immaculately furnished, a lovely plunge pool, bath tub, and two showers; inside and outside. A welcome drink of African rum and ginger ale in the room was a nice touch. The room enjoyed lovely views in which we could see baboons and an array of bird life. Golf buggies would escort you from your lodge to the main reception. Another lovely and convenient touch was that laundry was included! Wish we knew beforehand as we over packed. Food An exceptional pastry chef who makes the best blueberry muffins I've ever tried! Favourite meals were lamb chops and the springbok shank. Standard drinks were also included with the full board package. 4 meals a day, pre game drive breakfast, brunch, high tea and dinner. Overall Fantastic game drives with plenty to see! A remarkable high end Safari Lodge!

It is an amazing luxury experience. All the staff are great. They will do their absolute best to make sure you have a memorable experience. The reserve is huge, full of animals, including all the big five. The game drives are a joy, with guides that will become your friend. One of the best features of this place is the location at a hill facing a valley surround by hills, the views are breathtaking.

Great experience, staff were amazing