What can I say - I came looking for an authentic African experience, and I ended up with a new extended family!
I set out to do the impossible - find a semi-luxurious lodge at an affordable rate - including, lodging, meals and activities - and I found it at the Mvuradona Lodge (http://www.mvuradona.co.za)<BR><BR>I travel a lot, and I cannot ever remember feeling more at home and more welcome and taken care of than at Mvuradona.
I was traveling with a friend - our first time in South Africa, and we had no idea what to expect. From the pre-reservation phase, Jay, the owner, could not have been more helpful and accomodating! We had a fantastic itinerary put together before we got there!
The care into the details of everything from the activites, to the food to the Cadbury chocolate on my pillow every night was incredible.
Jay is one awesome lady, Sandra and Jessie are the perfect hostesses, and can they ever cook!!!!!
The place is gorgeous, perfect location - nice being outside Kruger because it allowed for flexibility in activities. And we had visitors - zebras, warthogs, birds and even a few animals I heard at night but didn't see!
t's always a bit scary choosing a place for a vacation and not knowing what to expect - I really got lucky this time - and rest asssured you will too!! I can't recommend this place highly enough!
I don't think putting chocolate on pillows is "authentic African" but whatever...
Sorry but I am always wary of posters that have only posted once and either have something over top nice to post or have something very bad to post.
I am more likely to trust a poster that has made at least a few posts.
Makes you think!!!!
Sean, I'm probably as much a cynic as you are, and there have been such cases in the past. But in this case I think not. The same post has appeared on the Fodor's board. But the OP currently has posts in 29 threads there. Including advice for travellers to Israel, and posts in forums other than Africa.
So welcome to the AB of the TT! The "friendly branch"! (Except when some of us, myself included, get suspicious of motives.) I'm happy you enjoyed your trip.
Wow, What has this world come to when you can't pay a compliment without being suspected!
I've never posted here before because I didn't klnow about the existence of this forum until I was planning this trip - I always thought that lonely planet was more for backpackers, and I"m usually more of a business traveller.
And sean - one thing I was very aware of in SA was the amazing hospitality of people, thus I thin that chocolates fit that bill.
The African experience I was looking for was more in the activities, I was pleasantly surprised how wonderful the people at the lodge were. I have absolutely no vested interest in promoting them except to spread the good word.
I also posted my review on Trip Advisor - feel free to visit there and see some pics - I'm a 30 yo sf traveller, never had been to Africa before.
And I hope the queries Sean has raised will not harm the opinion of others considering Mvuradona, cause it was amazing. I just go with the approach of giving credit where credit is due.
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<hr>Wow, What has this world come to when you can't pay a compliment without being suspected!<hr></blockquote>
Because we get a lot of "tout and run" here, that's why...
One thing is for sure that all the answering to and fro has kept this post at the top of the Thorn Tree and I am sure that many people have visited the site on your recommendation. Everyone is looking for something special and maybe you have found it and it can be shared.
At least you came back and replied.
I have encountered some business queries on this site and some backpacker queries on tripadvisor.
A tip for next time is to use the "http button" and you can provide a link in your post.http://www.mvuradona.co.za</a>.<BR><BR>Hopefully you are not a tout and will contribute to this site in the near future.
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