Our stay at Shepherds Tree Game Lodge was one of the most extraordinary experiences of our lives and a truly unforgettable part of our honeymoon in South Africa.
From the moment we arrived, the lodge itself exceeded every expectation. The setting within Pilanesberg National Park is breathtaking and the entire experience feels luxurious while still being completely immersed in nature.
The lodge is genuinely five-star in every sense. Our suite was stunning, with a private pool overlooking the bush, and every detail felt thoughtful and beautifully designed. The spa and massage treatments were fantastic, and the food was honestly some of the best we have ever had anywhere in the world — truly Michelin-star worthy.
What stood out just as much as the lodge itself was the people. Every single member of staff was warm, welcoming and clearly passionate about making guests feel special. From the buggy drivers to the waiters, bar staff, housekeeping team, singers, pool staff and reception — everyone was faultless and couldn’t do enough for us. Even the small touches like the sweet treats waiting in reception made the experience feel thoughtful and personal.
For our first four game drives we had the privilege of being guided by Senzo, whose experience and knowledge of the bush were immediately clear. His understanding of the animals, their behaviour and the landscape was incredible, and every drive with him felt fascinating and immersive.
One of the most surreal moments of our entire trip was witnessing an incredible breeding herd of elephants, which was an unforgettable sight. With Senzo we were also fortunate enough to see a leopard, which was an absolutely breathtaking experience. Seeing such an elusive animal in the wild is something we will treasure forever.
He also did his utmost to find us lions. After travelling far and wide across the park he eventually managed to locate a pride in the distance — the lions were clearly hiding from us that day — but his determination and effort to track them down was hugely appreciated. Senzo’s passion, patience and deep knowledge of the bush made those first drives incredibly special.
For our remaining six game drives we were guided by Doreen, who was equally phenomenal and an absolutely fantastic spotter. She has such a warm, enthusiastic presence and every drive with her felt exciting and full of anticipation.
During our drives with Doreen we were lucky enough to see lions every single day, including an unforgettable sighting of three magnificent male lions, which was an experience in itself. We also saw a large crash of rhinos, a huge pod of hippos, elephants, and at one point we had twelve giraffes surrounding us all at once, which felt surreal and incredibly special.
We were also fortunate enough to see brown hyenas, which was such a rare and memorable sighting. Doreen tirelessly tried to help us find cheetahs during our drives, but it simply wasn’t our luck or our time this trip — which just gives us another reason to return.
The only animal we didn’t see was the buffalo, but honestly we didn’t mind at all because the experiences we had were already beyond anything we could have hoped for.
Both Senzo and Doreen were phenomenal guides and absolute credits to Shepherds Tree Game Lodge. Their knowledge, passion and dedication made the safari experience unforgettable.
The lodge itself, the wildlife, the staff and the atmosphere created memories we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.
If you are lucky enough to stay at Shepherds Tree Game Lodge, you are in for something truly special.
We cannot wait to return.
