"A really lovely and relaxing place to spend a few days whilst visiting the game reserves.
Very attentive staff, a large and comfy bedroom
A lookout deck, pool, hammock and outdoor seating area are all lovely, and would be fabulous in warmer weather.
Three course dinner (set menu) was delicious and all home-prepared on site. The dining room is also very nice, and we were seated right by the fire - very welcome in August.
The shower did go cold on us twice, but I think in winter it's harder...
"A really lovely and relaxing place to spend a few days whilst visiting the game reserves.
Very attentive staff, a large and comfy bedroom
A lookout deck, pool, hammock and outdoor seating area are all lovely, and would be fabulous in warmer weather.
Three course dinner (set menu) was delicious and all home-prepared on site. The dining room is also very nice, and we were seated right by the fire - very welcome in August.
The shower did go cold on us twice, but I think in winter it's harder...
"Bukela is a beautiful stay, facilities are great, friendly staff and our ranger (Sim) was very knowledgeable. Foodwise is really below average, just not good especially for a 5* resort. It felt like diner was prepared during the day and heated up in the evening, just not fresh. Breakfast was really poor. Only meal that was good was the lunch. No snacks during the day. Due to this matter i will not likely to visit Bukela again nor reconmend to anyone which is regretful as the staff and facilities...
"Bukela is a beautiful stay, facilities are great, friendly staff and our ranger (Sim) was very knowledgeable. Foodwise is really below average, just not good especially for a 5* resort. It felt like diner was prepared during the day and heated up in the evening, just not fresh. Breakfast was really poor. Only meal that was good was the lunch. No snacks during the day. Due to this matter i will not likely to visit Bukela again nor reconmend to anyone which is regretful as the staff and facilities...
"No livestock or manger to be seen, but we came less than an hour after a last minute booking and were welcomed graciously, despite arriving near midnight on Christmas Eve. Beautiful little flat, well maintained and clean, gated parking and a lovely hostess. Stocked well with a continental breakfast, which we enjoyed at midnight and again in the morning... we’d not found any shops or restaurants for dinner due to the holiday. "
"No livestock or manger to be seen, but we came less than an hour after a last minute booking and were welcomed graciously, despite arriving near midnight on Christmas Eve. Beautiful little flat, well maintained and clean, gated parking and a lovely hostess. Stocked well with a continental breakfast, which we enjoyed at midnight and again in the morning... we’d not found any shops or restaurants for dinner due to the holiday. "
"Hopewell is potentially a stupendous destination. Accommodation was excellent and luxurious. I feel they tried too hard to provide very fancy food that did not quite come off and this could be improved. They do not have the Big 5 but there is plenty of game to see and the Ranger is excellent. This is a fantastic location for a honeymoon or just a peaceful getaway in the Eastern Cape Bush."
"Hopewell is potentially a stupendous destination. Accommodation was excellent and luxurious. I feel they tried too hard to provide very fancy food that did not quite come off and this could be improved. They do not have the Big 5 but there is plenty of game to see and the Ranger is excellent. This is a fantastic location for a honeymoon or just a peaceful getaway in the Eastern Cape Bush."
"We had a wonderful stay at the guesthouse. As we have had some business to do with Rhodes University it was very convenient for us. Rhodes University is just across the road. Highly recommendable. "
"We had a wonderful stay at the guesthouse. As we have had some business to do with Rhodes University it was very convenient for us. Rhodes University is just across the road. Highly recommendable. "
"Amazing weekend, staff go out of their way to ensure you are happy and they will try their upmost best to ensure you get game sightings during the stay.
food is amazing, benefit if you are Muslim it is 100% halal
accommodation is very luxurious and comfortable.
Definitely a 5 star experience.
"
"Amazing weekend, staff go out of their way to ensure you are happy and they will try their upmost best to ensure you get game sightings during the stay.
food is amazing, benefit if you are Muslim it is 100% halal
accommodation is very luxurious and comfortable.
Definitely a 5 star experience.
"
"This was a fabulous safari park, with superb rangers and game drives!!!
Fodd and service was top class!
Saw the big 5 and many more each day
Would recommend this with top points"
"This was a fabulous safari park, with superb rangers and game drives!!!
Fodd and service was top class!
Saw the big 5 and many more each day
Would recommend this with top points"
"From arrival to departure, the stay at Founders Lodge was superb. The Pod room has an amazing view over the Game Reserve (even from the shower!).
Food is exceptional, and serving lunches and dinners from different locations within the Lodge/grounds was a nice touch.
All staff are friendly, polite and good at what they do!
The grounds are well maintained. The uninterrupted view of the waterhole allowed for lots of animal spotting.
If you're thinking of going to an Eastern Cape Game Reserve,...
"From arrival to departure, the stay at Founders Lodge was superb. The Pod room has an amazing view over the Game Reserve (even from the shower!).
Food is exceptional, and serving lunches and dinners from different locations within the Lodge/grounds was a nice touch.
All staff are friendly, polite and good at what they do!
The grounds are well maintained. The uninterrupted view of the waterhole allowed for lots of animal spotting.
If you're thinking of going to an Eastern Cape Game Reserve,...
"Thank you for a great weekend at the Kowie Chalets. It was nice to see that the chalets looks like it does on the website photos. We can recommend this place to any of our friends and family."
"Thank you for a great weekend at the Kowie Chalets. It was nice to see that the chalets looks like it does on the website photos. We can recommend this place to any of our friends and family."
"Unique impressive camp with only three tents and very personal service. Long exciting game drives and yummy food. Craig was by far our favorite safari guide, but they’re all great. We were very well taken care of and are so grateful for the experience. "
"Unique impressive camp with only three tents and very personal service. Long exciting game drives and yummy food. Craig was by far our favorite safari guide, but they’re all great. We were very well taken care of and are so grateful for the experience. "
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
"This was a fabulous safari park, with superb rangers and game drives!!!
Fodd and service was top class!
Saw the big 5 and many more each day
Would recommend this with top points"
"A really lovely and relaxing place to spend a few days whilst visiting the game reserves.
Very attentive staff, a large and comfy bedroom
A lookout deck, pool, hammock and outdoor seating area are all lovely, and would be fabulous in warmer weather.
Three course dinner (set menu) was delicious and all home-prepared on site. The dining room is also very nice, and we were seated right by the fire - very welcome in August.
The shower did go cold on us twice, but I think in winter it's harder to keep it running hot all the time. Breakfast was perfectly fine (cereal, yoghurt and honey, and then toast, tomato, bacon and egg) but the same every day.
However, overall, I would be back in a flash because a lovely, friendly place with great gardens/grounds at a very affordable price is a god-send amongst all the same reserves!"
"Beautiful bedrooms, friendly and helpful staff, fantastic hot and cold buffet for breakfast, great chef in the Highlander Pub too, and conveniently located. I enjoyed waking to the Bygones Bookstore and Handmade Coffee (Ciabatta loaves were delicious). Also walke down to Kelly's Beach and then along the beach to Guido's Restaurant. Rosehill Mall is also a short drive away.
We went in winter and the days were around 20 degrees. The hotel is in a lovely setting, close to the golf club, which includes pickleball courts. Beds are very comfortable and bedrooms spacious. "
"The highlight of our holiday to South Africa!
A beautiful lodge with comfortable air con and tranquility (and yes a few necessary spiders) but providing the most incredible authentic experience of the wildlife, animals, birds, flora and fauna of this game reserve. Food and wine were excellent and plentiful, the service was superb, including gin and tonics during our afternoon game drive!
We had an excellent guide, Greg, with such a knowledge and passion for his work as a guide, and he led us to observe over 60 species over the course of 2 days and 4 game drives, starting with a wake up call at 5.30am for the pre-dawn game drive til 9.30am, then a second at 4pm lasting til nearly 8pm. He drove us through a fantastic storm, thunder and lightning and an impressive downpour which had us soaked but we saw so much! Listening to him explaining the habits of turtles, giraffes, buffalo and rhinos was an education, and will stay with us for life.The memories of elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, lions, ostriches fighting a jackal, a spotted eagle owl capturing a frog at night, secretary birds stalking their prey, a brown hyena and a family of bat-eared foxes… and the white rhinos and hippo, it was all simply wonderful!
Many many thanks for the best experience ever. We hope very much to return one day."
When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in Salem?
Good weather's definitely a plus when you're experiencing new places, so here's some information about the seasons: The hottest months are usually January and February, with an average temperature of 22°C, while the coldest months are July and August, with an average of 16°C. Average annual precipitation for Salem is 483 mm.
What is there to see and do in Salem?
Depending on your interests, you might like to explore the area around Salem. Get out into nature with places such as African Pride Pumba Private Game Reserve, Lalibela Game Reserve and Kenton on Sea Beach. Cultural attractions include Albany History Museum Complex, Amazwi South African Museum of Literature and Albany Natural Science Museum. Additional attractions include Settlers Garden 1820, 1820 Settlers National Monument and Rhodes University.