Nyala View

We had a great time in spite of some challenges.

We were a large family group gathering to celebrate an elderly member's birthday, and everyone enjoyed themselves despite some of the challenges posed by Nyala View. There are several loose planks on the stairs leading to the property as well as on the upper decking. As someone else mentioned too, there are screws protruding from some planks as well - not great if you walk around barefoot to and from the swimming pool. The quality of material and state of repair and cleanliness of the lodge is not of the highest standard. The bathrooms could do with a deep cleanse. There is a rotting smell coming from a drain somewhere, especially irritating after everyone washed and showered in the morning. The in-built BBQ was a bit of a challenge; small, cooking for 15 people, and we had to place some bricks to ensure the coals did not fall onto the deck or into people's flipflops. The gas BBQ is missing some screws from its legs and we could not use it because it is extremely wobbly. The downstairs/garage/Boma area is a bit of a dump site, not at all pleasant to walk through - it also becomes a mini lake during rain. Some doors are missing locks. In spite of all the above, we managed to have a good time, and the agent and on-site handyman did their best to assist with any small issues such as load shedding affecting the water supply, WiFi needing a replacement cable, so no fault there. For the rate we paid, it was good value for money but we think Nyala View can do with a decent makeover to allow it to be really great.

Do not recommend.

Unfortunately, our experience was not a good one, we arrived at 13:30, slightly early for the 14:00 check-in. We stood outside until 14:00 so as to not disrupt the cleaner etc. On arrival we were very shocked to find the house still terribly dirty from the previous guest and that they only had one lady in the house trying to get it clean for us. later on, another one luckily arrived to assist her, they only finished up cleaning, ironing bedding etc at 16:00. On our arrival we were also met with a whole group of maintenance staff in the house, trying to fix the glass stack doors, and unblocking drains. They finally packed up and left at 17:00. We had contacted the host to ask about the dirty house and all the staff still inside, but were unfortunately not assisted in any courteous manner, in fact, we were blamed for arriving early, even though we stayed outside till check-in time, and was just told that they cant predict how dirty previous guests will leave the property. So we all sat uncomfortably on the patio till 17:00 till the last staff left before we could start our meeting and unwind. We were also informed that we do not have access to all 7 bedrooms. This was a workgroup of colleagues ─ and we had specifically chosen this house for the number of rooms available, we ended up having to have another guest sleep on the couches. Furthermore, as guests started arriving at Mabalingwe we had difficulty entering 2 vehicles and were told they were not registered onto the system, all 6 car details were sent through on the same documentation. One car was stuck there for 45 min, as the host then also decided to not answer any of our calls for the balance of our stay. That evening as we started washing the dishes the drain they had spent the whole day fixing pushed back up again and we spent a good part of our evening trying to clear the enormous amount of water from the kitchen floor. We also didn't have a working refrigerator, even the maintenance guy spent a good time trying to get it fixed before he left us earlier in the day. All in all, this could have been a much more pleasant experience if we just got some support from the Host of the property but instead, we ended up on the other side of the line in a hostile conversation. The solution we were given was that we could check out a little later the following day, but due to the eventful previous day not one member of our group wanted to stay and in fact, we all left even before checkout time.

Fantastic family getaway.

We were a large group of brothers and sisters from my and hubby's side of the family that went away to Nyala View in February 2023. What an amazing place and the service - just everything. We had basic power during load shedding - TV, lights, Wi-Fi etc. Absolutely fabulous - we will be back!

We had a very disappointing weekend.

Since the day we arrived, until we left we didn't have any water! Pool net was not on, not even bothered to do that, after it was mentioned, months ago as a major issue for us. Safari vehicle didn't work. Inverter didn't cover some lights, including room lights, no wi-fi as stated!

Lekker ontspan in die natuur maar die huis is nie op standaard nie.

Die bosveldnatuur in Mabalingwe is pragtig, veral na al die reën. Die huis is ongelukkig baie vervalle en kort baie onderhoud aandag. Die dek om die swembad is omtrent 50% los en is gevaarlik. Heelwat goed om die huis wat nie aan huidige bouregulasies voldoen nie - gevaarlik vir klein en groot mense. Moes self die swembad skoonmaak (geen swembadskepnet nie), en die borrelbad se beheerstelsel werk nie. Is redelik teleurgesteld met die kondisie van die huis. Daar is ook vlermuise in die huis se dak wat oral klein landmyne los.

Weekend stay with family at the lodge.

There seems to be no pride in welcoming guests at the security gate. No one knew the number of the Nyala Lodge either, some guests indicating they are staying at Mabalingwe Game Lodge were pointed back to Main Reception. The dirt road is also very bad for any small to medium type cars. WiFi at the lodge did not function and as cellphone signals are very bad, this was making comms with other arriving guests extremely difficult. The kettle needs an upgrade as it burns you when trying to pick it up after boiling water. The Jacuzzi kept tripping the power when running the heater pump. The outside deck area also needs TLC as screws were coming out and made it feel unsafe to walk over. The playroom needs some urgent TLC as well, pool/tennis tables are very unstable and only one pool stick available at the time. Table tennis bat handle also broken. Not enough cutlery and suitable glasses for all people. Specially for children. Braai boma is very nice but the smell around here is rather bad. Seem the french drain breather pipe is located too close for comfort to this. Inverter did function when loadshedding kicked in which was a big plus. No DSTV channels active either.

Vriende en familie het gesorg vir 'n heerlike kuier.

Die inverter was stukkend, dus geen water tydens beurtkrag. Dek het verskeie los en stukkende planke. Van die badkamers het nooit warm water gehad nie. Die swembad het groen geword en niks is daaromtrent gedoen nie, al het ons dit vele kere versoek. Die Jacuzzi was baie vuil vanaf dag 1. Ons het vooraf hout gekoop, maar dis eers op dag 2 afgelewer.

Disappointed.

Booking this place I was under the impression it is in the Mabalingwe main area, only to find out we need to travel 7 km on a gravel road in order to get through the main gate. This was not my expectation at all as I have previously stayed in the main reserve and travelling to the restaurant and doing a self game drive was much easier. There was no heads up about loadshedding and that the inverter was not working. We struggled with tall glasses as all this place had was short and whisky type glasses. The bedroom floors were dusty and the upstairs bedroom had not been mopped or swept. The fire pit area was not inviting. Seems like there was work being done but no care to clean up before we arrive. Bricks laying all over and the hose pipe laid out all the way and laying over the stairs. There seemed to be no pride in welcoming guests. The Jacuzzi kept tripping. The outside deck area also needs TLC as screws were coming out and made it feel unsafe to walk over.

Ek wil teruggaan.

Ongelooflike plek met ongelooflike uitsigte. Ons het baie lekker gekuier en sal baie graag weer wil gaan.

Ons as familie het die huis en die Bosveld geniet.

Ongeag die slegte reën en koue weer wat die hele naweek geduur het, het ons as 'n groep die beste daarvan gemaak, ons kon darem ook op 'n wildrit gaan al moes ons wag vir die voertuig tot 10:00 die oggend en dit nadat ek moes bel. Alles wat mens nodig gehad het was daar. Daar is 'n paar gebreke wat ek met epos na jul deurgestuur het met foto's, soos bv. die Rhino-kamer was onder water a.g.v. die reën wat vanaf die stoepie onder die deur geloop het, die stort was ook geblok en het ook oor die vloer gestroom. Die een badkamer waaruit 'n buitestort loop se deur kon nie toemaak en die wind het dit heeltyd oopgewaai. Die ketel kon ons nie gebruik aangesien dit gekraak was en die water onder uitgeloop het. In die speletjiekamer kon ons nie die sokkertafel gebruik nie aangesien daar nie 'n bal was nie. Die pooltafel se twee stokke het ook nie punte ingehad nie. Een van die 2 tafeltennisrakette se handvatsel was lendelam en een helfte afgebreek. Die grootste kopseer was die pindrop aanwysings wat jou omtrent 3 km verby die Cyferfontein-ingang vat. Verder is die plek pragtig.

Die eenheid is baie mooi, maar die pad soontoe is baie sleg.

Die slaapkamers is baie mooi en ruim met baie gemaklike beddeens! Pragtige uitsig! Die eenheid is nie aan te beveel vir mense met gestremdhede of mense wat moeilik loop nie, omdat jy trappe moet klim om by die eenheid in te gaan, maar vir ons was dit gerieflik. Die lugreëling was 'n wenner in die warm hitte.

Awesomeness and perfection.

We had the time of our lives everything about the place was awesome except for the misunderstandings with our booking but everything about the place and location is good.