Guest Book

If you have comments for us about your stay at Jock Safari Lodge then please email us. We would love to hear from you.

Sylvia & Alan Glackin, Knysna, SA (July 2010) Just returned froma 6 night stay in Kruger - unfortunately only one of which was at Jock!! We are ex pats from Coventry, England - now fortunate enough to be retired, and living in this beautiful country. We can nowindulge our passion for the bush, and going on safari- a few times a year. This is our first stay at Jock - but certainly won't be the last, it was outstanding, absolutely first class. We can only echo - what compliments other people have paid, the experience is truly one of luxury. The staff couldn't have been more friendly, welcoming, and attentive - nothing was too much trouble, and we were made to feel very special. The food is excellent, and our room was a delight - with lots of lovely touches. Although we didn't see much on our game drives, (which wasn't for the lack of trying)- our ranger Edgar, was a lot of fun, very knowledgeable and informative. We enjoyed his company, and our drives with him very much. A stay at this wonderful location - is highly recommended. Our only regret - is we didn't have a second night!! We look forward to going back again - one day soon

Ian Malcolm SafariVacations (July 2010). Feedback on Jock of the Bushveld lodge – we were very pleased with what we got. The thing that struck us most was the quality of the staff who were in the top bracket when it came to friendliness and service. Our ranger (Lazarus) was excellent and far better than some of those we have come across in recent years at Phinda and Sabi Sabi. We had great viewings of wild dog and black rhino, which were a far greater treat than any of the so-called Big 5. The lion spotters (overseas tourists) were in other vehicles and were taken off to see the lions etc – our vehicle was given over to S Africans who are more interested in birds and other mammals. The accommodation was very good (the day beds under a lapa looking onto the river was a great feature) and the bird life in the camp some of the most varied we have experienced. Food was good (8 out of 10) but as a value for money package it couldn’t have been bettered. One plus was that their “house” wines were of a particularly high standard. Some much more expensive lodges give you appalling house wines – I suspect in the hope that you will be driven to buying their grossly overpriced alternatives!

Marinus & Lonnie Wandscheer, SA (June 2010) Firstly we had a wonderful time at Jock Safari Lodge. The reception, the game drives, the accommodation, the food were first class, comparable with the Sabie Sands game lodges. We were pleasantly surprised and can recommend this lodge. My wife’s comment “We will go again soon” Thank you, Louis Strauss and his team at Jock Safari Lodge and Bushbreaks for the short time booking (Refiloe Rangaka) it could not have been beter.

L Bruwer, SA (April 2010) I would like to thank you for the exceptional gift. We had the pleasure of visiting Jock Safari Lodge over the weekend. From the initial contact made with Nina Griffiths at Accor to arrange the booking, to the last minute spent at the lodge, we had exceptional good, friendly, helpful service. This is definitely an experience to recommend, Jock’s staff know how to create an environment where one could relax, and leave the rest to them. Vanessa was the perfect host, ensuring we had drinks and entertainment. James, our Ranger provided fantastic game viewing, and much needed refreshments on those sometimes cold and wet game drives. Naas managed to keep a watchful eye over all happenings, without disturbing the smooth running, well oiled machine. Not even the unexpected cold and wet weather phased the perfect harmony of the lodge. We showed interest in taking a short hike, within minutes, this was arranged and executed. The food and accommodation was of high standard and quality. This experience left us wanting for more, so we’ll definitely be back, and we’ll not hesitate to recommend the experience to all who would listen.

Lynn and James Carver (April 2010) Just a quick email to say thank you very much for a fabulous stay at Jocks recently, we had a amazing time on our first safari, and first time in Africa, would definatly recommend to any one, Also thank you for your help with checking on our flights home to UK due to that volcano in Iceland, it resulted in an extra 5 nights in J Burg, not quiet the same as staying at Jocks but ha we were well looked after by Virgin Holidays, and got to go to Soweto, and Nelson Mandela's house. Just going through the photos to remember what we saw.

Cassie, USA (March 2010). I don't know if you remember me, but I had to email you and tell you what a great time I had at you lodge. I have the pictures framed and hung on my wall you gave me from your portfolio and feel so lucky to have them! It was the best vacation I have ever been on and I tell everyone about your lodge!!!!! I hope everything is good there and you see more of the black rhinos with their babies :)

Mark & Cecilia Fearn, Herts, UK, (March 2010) This is just a brief note to say what a wonderful time we had at Jock a couple of weeks ago (11-14 March). The staff could not have been more friendly and accommodating, the drives out were stupendous and the atmosphere and location were just wonderful. If you want to see a large variety of game close up in a bush environment it doesn't get much better. Building on an earlier piece of feedback, we saw the pack of wild dogs three times in three days, the first encounter right outside the gates of the lodge. Special thanks to Ray, Janni and Vanessa for us making us feel so welcome.

Kathy and Trevor Hodgson, UK (Feb 2010) We're back in the UK and would liketo thank you and all the staff for making our stay with you so memorable. We particularly want to thank Janni [not sure how to spell his name!!] who made the game drives so enjoyable; he excelled himself with his final piece of advice, which was not to pack my camera just before we left!! This was very good advice as Kathy spotted a leopard as we drove to the airfield and this time I got several photographs. Please convey our gratitude to him!! We hope to return some day

Chris Russell, UK.  (Sep 09) I just wanted to write and thank you for our wonderful stay at Jock Safari Lodge. Both Catherine and I could not have been happier there and were somewhat sad to leave! All the staff you have in place there are an absolute credit to Mantis and really do add to the atmosphere in a big way. The setting, as you know, is breathtaking. The food was perfection. Lazarus made the game drives truly special and very enjoyable - even in the slightly chilly mornings (and I'm not normally a morning person!) and we were delighted that his desire to find a Leopard for us to complete the "Big 5" proved fruitfull in the end! I would be very grateful if you could make a point of passing on our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Jock, especially Janet and Laz. Thank you for giving us the perfect ending to the perfect holiday. See you soon!

Peter Kes, US.  (Sep 09) Can you believe it. Been going to the bush for over 16 years and I have never seen Wild Dogs in the wild, other than in breeding farms and zoos. Granted, they are very rare and endangered, so seeing them is very special indeed. I bought a wild-dog T-shirt years ago, to favor the gods, but it didn't help. I did pack the T-shirt for this trip, just in case. We got word of a wild-dog pack having moved into the concession area of Jock, a private concession within the boundaries of Kruger Park. Rangers confirmed their move the night before, so we made it out to their supposed new den. As we arrived we saw just one dog, hidden under thick bushes, near the entrance of the den. We decided to wait and see if we could meet the pack, when they would prepare for the evening hunt. For sure, I was not prepared what happened next. The one sentry, lying in the bush woke up and went inside to wake the rest of the pack. The following minutes were a cacophony of 14 yelping puppies, and 4 adults.  Apparently, last night's hunt was unsuccessful and the puppies were hungry, begging the adults for food, as is visible in this image. The puppies were so hungry, that when the adults finally went out to hunt, all 14 puppies followed the parents, being reprimanded by the parents to stay. It took some 30 minutes, before the adults could finally get out and hunt to feed these hungry mouths.  PS. I proudly wore my T-shirt the next day. Visit Peter's Blog on his trip to Jock.

Thamin, Johannesburg S.A. Just a little note to say a big thank u to Dstv and Jock safari lodge for having my wife and my self on a safari that I would never have went in my life time. Every-thing I dreamt a safari would be and even more, this weekend was. The different people from all around the world we met, was absolute fun and we will always keep in touch, thanks 4 email. The resort was stunning and the service was nothing I can compare to other 5 star resorts. Our ranger Raymond was 1 in a million, he was fantastic company, always jovial and he had a eye and an explanation for everything in the bush. Jock safari, u guy's have a jewel in Raymond, DONT EVER LET HIM GO. The best thing about the weekend was when Raymond spotted a leopard in the dark, he called the leopardan he came about a meter away from the 4x4, that was very special to all of us. Once again THANK U team JOCK, for and amazing time away in the bush.

Ros & Di Tuddenham. (Coventry, UK). Just wanted to write (which I wouldn’t normally do) but I was so impressed with Jock Safari lodge that I couldn’t not! We just wanted to thank you all for exceeding our expectations and excellence service levels throughout our stay. I don’t think we could honestly fault a single aspect from collection to sadly being dropped off. I can honestly say I have never stayed at a place that not only thinks of everything to the finest details but does it so well. The team were superbly helpful and knowledgeable and dedicated to the guests. The food was excellence including even thinking of biscuit snacks and tea on the morning and evening game drives. The accommodation was just perfect and the lodge although luxurious had the ideal relaxed feel. Knowing that nothing was too much trouble, we are still convinced you even rounded up the rhino every morning especially.  Thank you again for an excellence few days on safaris I can’t believe how amazing the animals are and being able to spot them in the natural habitat was just perfect..

Victor Swanepoel (Cape Town, SA) Iam back at work in the world of reality. We had an absolutely awesome time at Jock. The accommodation, food, staff, rangers just everything was excellent. The food was of highest quality & the staff extremely friendly and helpful. What we really enjoyed was that we were all split on to our groups of 6 peoplewith a ranger who all had breakfast & dinner together and chat about the day, etc. Our ranger, Ray even managed to track a leopard with its kill which is according to most people a very rare site to spot. We can highly recommend Jock to any friends, family & other people looking at a Kruger getaway and are planning to return in 2009 for a longer stay.

Nigel & Kathryn Lester (UK) We have arrived back in the UK and been forced to settle back down to work after leaving Jocks for Mauritius on the last leg of our trip. Mauritius did not come close. This is a letter of thanks to the team at Jocks. Youdelivered a standard of care and service thatwe have notexperienced before - even at so called 5 Star hotels -which has got to be an achievement given the location. We enjoyed every aspect of thevisit - meals, drinks, entertainment and conversation. We were fortunate enough to be guided by yourRanger Edgar who is a very great asset. Do not let him go. He was funny, mischievous, informative, dedicated and a spotter par excellence. We felt that each trip was special - which is hard to do in a cold bumpy jeep over 25+ hours! He made sure that we saw everything big and small even though it meant driving the final mile (or actually 15 miles) when I am sure he could have cheerfully headed home for breakfast.

The rooms were comfortable and cleverly set to look Edwardian and I was amazed to discover that the camp was opened only a few years ago. Great attention to detail! The free mini bar is a special touch. The previous Cape Town hotel (5 Star) had to send room service to unlockthe mini barif you wanted a cool drink. Jock's hospitality meant that I enjoyed a little nip of Brandy on the morning runs when the air was very cold. That was a real treat and a clever inexpensive luxury. And very sincerethanks for making Gill's Heaton's last drive so special with the cake and sparkling wine to celebrate her 50th on a sunset rock in the river bed watched by baboons and elephants.

I will be recommending Jocks everywhere we travel and we will never forget our visit to you. Thanks again for all your efforts.