Founders Lodge by Mantis 5 stars

from the moment we arrived, the friendliness of the staff, the attention to detail and the quirkiness of the decor and memorabilia created an intriguing and very memorable stay. Our guide Scumbisa, Kaitlin and our waitress (who's name escapes me) were all so welcoming and great fun to be with

Spent 2 nights in February 2026. The setting is absolutely peaceful and the concept of a relaxing safari retreat is genuinely appealing. The food and drinks provided throughout the stay were memorable and enjoyable. The lodge is intentionally designed to deliver a historic, nostalgic atmosphere that may appeal to guests who appreciate classic styling and nostalgic Victorian home experience such as double faucets with several minutes to get hot water. I would like to share several observations for guest experience improvement. During the stay, I felt uncomfortable with several comments and the general tone of my interaction with the ranger. For instance, when I chose a different seat in the safari vehicle for personal comfort, it was remarked that I was “being difficult,” which felt unnecessary as a paying guest. There were also moments during the trip that I personally found awkward and not aligned with the professional, relaxed atmosphere I expected from a guided safari. As a solo female traveller, I did not feel fully at ease during parts of the guided experience. From an operations standpoint, there were also some service gaps relative to the property’s premium positioning: - The bathroom was not serviced during my 2-night stay (the bed was made, but the washroom was untouched aside from bin emptying) - The shower barely produced hot water, so I had to rely on the bathtub for post-safari washing at all times. While bathing is nice there was no choice for a quick shower. - At the lodge shop, a hoodie purchase was handed directly from the display hanger without folding or any offer of a bag, - just the hoodie piece with one hand saying ‘ok, you can take it’ - which felt very unusual and lack the basics in a retail shopping situation. It would also be helpful to have a small mirror near the wearable goods section. There were also some inconsistencies in dining arrangements. Upon arrival, guests were asked to choose their own tables without space tour/orientation, while at other times staff would indicate when meals were ready. On one evening I was told, “I thought you were not going to have dinner,” when I had been expecting to be informed given the previous settings. The differing approaches created big confusions during the stay. I also noted that numeric tipping guidelines were provided in the welcome letter. While I understand tipping is customary on safari, the inclusion of specific numeric guidance at check-in felt more explicit than what I have experienced at comparable properties. Overall, the F&B quality and the natural safari environment were strong highlights. However, the service execution and guest experience consistency did not fully align with my expectations for a premium hideaway retreat. I hope this feedback is helpful for future improvements.

James Frost was a terrific guide who went above and beyond for us!!

I was only there for 2 days and found a wonder in nature. Too many animals to tell all, so you must come and see for yourself. Rangers are more than drivers; they will teach you the intricacies of nature, not just a few animals. The Lodge is a great place to be after a day of safari. The staff are great and will meet your every request and quickly. Like I said, the Founders Lodge is a must.

A unique experience from the start. This was a combination of warmth and friendliness and attention to detail. The standards never dropped.