Guests photographing elephants from an open safari vehicle. Photo: Pexels (free licence).
Is Etali Safari Lodge a good company to book a safari with?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 2 November 2026
Etali Safari Lodge is in the Uncompromised Travel table of safari camp owners. Everything below is from its own website and its review listings, each line with the page it was read from: no score, no rank.
What do guests say about Etali Safari Lodge?
Etali Safari Lodge has 4.7 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Etali Safari Lodge') from 134 reviews, each read on its own platform and never added together.
- 4.7 out of 5 from 134 reviews. On the Google listing 'Etali Safari Lodge' (lodge), Madikwe Game Reserve, Etali Safari Lodge Rd, Molatedi Village, South Africa. Camps with listings of their own are not added in.
- SafariBookings
- No SafariBookings listing in Etali Safari Lodge's name was found.
- Trustpilot
- No Trustpilot listing in Etali Safari Lodge's name was found.
Where are Etali Safari Lodge's camps?
South Africa (Etali Safari Lodge). One safari lodge (Etali Safari Lodge), plus Etali Beach Villa mentioned as a pairing.
- Countries
- South Africa (Etali Safari Lodge).
- Camps
- One safari lodge (Etali Safari Lodge), plus Etali Beach Villa mentioned as a pairing. Whether owned or managed is not stated.
- Where they are
- Etali Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve, North West Province, South Africa.
- Land and traversing
- Inside Madikwe Game Reserve (over 75 000 hectares); vehicles may drive off-road for Big 5 and unusual sightings and the number of vehicles at sightings is limited. Land tenure and exclusive traversing are not stated on their website.
- Camp sizes
- Eight luxury suites and one family suite (16-bed lodge).
How much does Etali Safari Lodge cost?
Etali Safari Lodge publishes its own rates: Single published rate for the lodge: R18 500 per adult per person per night sharing, 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2026 (lowest and highest are the same for adults).
- Lowest published
- Single published rate for the lodge: R18 500 per adult per person per night sharing, 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2026 (lowest and highest are the same for adults).
- What the rate includes
- Included: accommodation and meals, house wines, local beers, non-alcoholic beverages, two game drives per day, use of the gym and steam room, laundry, high-speed wifi. Excluded: curio purchases, spa treatments, babysitting (R750/day), gratuities, road or air transfers, conservation contribution (R450/adult/day, R225/child under 12/day), gate fees (R180/adult, R80/child under 12), airstrip fees (R240/adult, R150/child under 12). Kosher meals R750 per person per day extra.
- Minimum stay
- No minimum stay, although they recommend at least three nights; most common stays are 3 or 4 nights.
What are Etali Safari Lodge's booking terms?
Etali Safari Lodge's published terms: 30% non-refundable deposit to confirm a booking.
- Deposit
- 30% non-refundable deposit to confirm a booking.
- Balance due
- Full payment no later than 4 weeks before check-in.
- Cancellation charges
- Cancellation fees are 30% up to 4 weeks before check-in and 100% thereafter.
- Currencies and card fees
- Rates are given in South African rand. Other currencies and card fees are not stated on their website.
- How guest payments are protected
- Not stated on its own website.
Who is Etali Safari Lodge best for?
Best for: A small malaria-free Madikwe lodge, on Etali Safari Lodge's own published facts; its terms for children, couples, solo travellers and private guiding are below.
- Children
- Children of all ages welcome. Children 6 and over may join regular game drives; under 6 may not go on normal game drives unless a private vehicle is booked, otherwise 'bumble' drives. Child rates: R12 950 (6 to 15) and R5 550 (0 to 5) per night sharing.
- Teenagers and families
- Specific teenager activities are not stated beyond the kids' programme and walks for over 16s.
- Honeymoon
- No honeymoon offer named. Romantic dinners on a private deck can be arranged and a guest testimonial mentions a first wedding anniversary.
- Older travellers and limited mobility
- The main lodge and one chalet (Suite 5) are wheelchair-friendly. Suite 5 is reserved for elderly and disabled guests.
- Exclusive use
- A group has booked the entire lodge for exclusive use, but no sole-use rate or buy-out policy is published.
- Activities
- Twice-daily game drives in open Land Cruisers (morning and afternoon, about 3 hours each, with a night drive after sundowners), walking safaris, bumble drives for young children, a third mid-day drive on request, spa and wellness centre, gym and steam room, children's activities.
When is Etali Safari Lodge not the right choice?
Etali Safari Lodge is not the fit if its own published limits rule you out: they are below, in its own words.
- Children
- Children 6 and over may join regular game drives; under 6 may not go on normal game drives unless a private vehicle is booked, otherwise 'bumble' drives.
What are the best alternatives to Etali Safari Lodge?
Cheetah Plains, Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Garonga Safari Co., Jaci's Lodges, Jamala Madikwe and Morukuru Family also own and run their own camps in South Africa only, each with the fact that it is best for.
- Cheetah Plains: best for: Sole-use villas in the Sabi Sand. 4.9 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve') from 73 reviews.
- Elephant Plains Game Lodge: best for: Big Five game viewing in the northern Sabi Sand. 4.8 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Elephant Plains Game Lodge') from 242 reviews.
- Garonga Safari Co.: best for: Three camps in Greater Makalali. 4.9 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Garonga Safari Company') from 130 reviews.
- Jaci's Lodges: best for: A personal family lodge in Madikwe. 4.8 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Jaci') from 162 reviews.
- Jamala Madikwe: best for: A small villa lodge in Madikwe. 5 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Jamala Madikwe') from 81 reviews.
- Morukuru Family: best for: Private houses in Madikwe and De Hoop. 4.7 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Morukuru Family Madikwe') from 38 reviews.
Each is in the same table, read the same way. Alphabetical order; none paid to be listed.
Who owns Etali Safari Lodge?
Owned by its founder, Koos Potgieter, who is named as founder and owner.
- Owner or parent
- Owned by its founder, Koos Potgieter, who is named as founder and owner. No parent group or investors named.
- In its own words
- 'A true haven of luxury and adventure nestled in the heart of the remarkable Madikwe Game Reserve.' Also: an intimate, 16-bed boutique lodge, in a malaria-free reserve, with a Big 5 safari.
- Conservation model
- Conservation contribution of R450 per adult per day and R225 per child under 12 per day is charged (not set by Etali). Lodge staff come largely from communities around Madikwe.
How do you book Etali Safari Lodge?
Book Etali Safari Lodge through its own enquiry page or through a safari planner.
- Price against a planner
- Not stated on its own website: it says nothing about whether booking direct is cheaper.
Etali: the questions people ask
How much does Etali Safari Lodge cost per night?
Single published rate for the lodge: R18 500 per adult per person per night sharing, 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2026 (lowest and highest are the same for adults).
How many camps does Etali Safari Lodge have?
One safari lodge (Etali Safari Lodge), plus Etali Beach Villa mentioned as a pairing.
What activities does Etali Safari Lodge offer?
Twice-daily game drives in open Land Cruisers (morning and afternoon, about 3 hours each, with a night drive after sundowners), walking safaris, bumble drives for young children, a third mid-day drive on request, spa and wellness centre, gym and steam room, children's activities.
Does Etali Safari Lodge have honeymoon offers?
No honeymoon offer named. Romantic dinners on a private deck can be arranged and a guest testimonial mentions a first wedding anniversary.
How does Etali Safari Lodge fund conservation?
Conservation contribution of R450 per adult per day and R225 per child under 12 per day is charged (not set by Etali). Lodge staff come largely from communities around Madikwe.
What is included in Etali Safari Lodge's rates?
Included: accommodation and meals, house wines, local beers, non-alcoholic beverages, two game drives per day, use of the gym and steam room, laundry, high-speed wifi. Excluded: curio purchases, spa treatments, babysitting (R750/day), gratuities, road or air transfers, conservation contribution (R450/adult/day, R225/child under 12/day), gate fees (R180/adult, R80/child under 12), airstrip fees (R240/adult, R150/child under 12).
What deposit does Etali Safari Lodge ask for?
30% non-refundable deposit to confirm a booking.
What are Etali Safari Lodge's cancellation charges?
Cancellation fees are 30% up to 4 weeks before check-in and 100% thereafter.
Does Etali Safari Lodge accept children?
Children of all ages welcome. Children 6 and over may join regular game drives; under 6 may not go on normal game drives unless a private vehicle is booked, otherwise 'bumble' drives.
Where are Etali Safari Lodge's camps?
Etali Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve, North West Province, South Africa.
Who owns Etali Safari Lodge?
Owned by its founder, Koos Potgieter, who is named as founder and owner.
What are Etali Safari Lodge's reviews?
Etali Safari Lodge has 4.7 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Etali Safari Lodge') from 134 reviews, each read on its own platform and never added together.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts Etali Safari Lodge published on its own website and its review listings on Google, SafariBookings and Trustpilot, read on 2 November 2026, from the Uncompromised Travel safari camp owners table. No score and no rank. Etali Safari Lodge did not pay to be on this page and is not a partner of Uncompromised Travel. Photos are stock images from Pexels and do not show the company's camps. How this site earns · How we work.