Shepherds Tree, Pilanesberg Game Reserve, 0300 Pilanesberg, South Africa
#3 of 10 hotels in Pilanesberg
Guests' ChoiceBased on 1141 hotel reviews
9.5Cleanliness
9.7
Comfort
9.7
Location
9.6
Facilities
9.6
Staff
9.8
Value for money
9.2
Free WiFi
8.9
Each review score is between 1-10. To get the overall score that you see, we add up all the review scores we’ve received and divide that total by the number of review scores we’ve received. We use a weighted review system which means that the more recent the review, the bigger the impact on the total review score calculation. In addition, guests can give separate ‘subscores’ in crucial areas, such as location, cleanliness, staff, comfort, facilities, value for money and free Wi-Fi. Note that guests submit their subscores and their overall scores independently, so there’s no direct link between them.
You can review an Accommodation that you booked through our Platform if you stayed there or if you arrived at the property but didn’t actually stay there. To edit a review you’ve already submitted, please contact our Customer Service team.
We have people and automated systems that specialise in detecting fake reviews submitted to our Platform. If we find any, we delete them and, if necessary, take action against whoever is responsible.
Anyone else who spots something suspicious can always report it to our Customer Service team, so our Fraud team can investigate.
Ideally, we would publish every review we receive, whether positive or negative. However, we won’t display any review that includes or refers to (among other things):
To make sure reviews are relevant, we may only accept reviews that are submitted within 3 months of checking out, and we may stop showing reviews once they’re 36 months old – or if the Accommodation has a change of ownership.
An Accommodation may choose to reply to a review.
When you see multiple reviews, the most recent ones will be at the top, subject to a few other factors (what language a review is in, whether it’s just a rating or contains comments as well, etc.). If you like, you can sort and/or filter them (by time of year, review score, etc.).
We sometimes show external review scores from other well-known travel websites. We make it clear when we’ve done this.
These guidelines and standards aim to keep the content on Booking.com relevant and family-friendly without limiting expression of strong opinions. They are also applicable regardless of the sentiment of the comment.
Contributions should be travel related. The most helpful contributions are detailed and help others make better decisions. Please don’t include personal, political, ethical, or religious commentary. Promotional content will be removed and issues concerning Booking.com’s services should be routed to our Customer Service or Accommodation Service teams.
Contributions should be appropriate for a global audience. Please avoid using profanity or attempts to approximate profanity with creative spelling, in any language. Comments and media that include 'hate speech', discriminatory remarks, threats, sexually explicit remarks, violence, and the promotion of illegal activity are not permitted.
All content should be genuine and unique to the guest. Reviews are most valuable when they are original and unbiased. Your contribution should be yours. Booking.com property partners should not post on behalf of guests or offer incentives in exchange for reviews. Attempts to bring down the rating of a competitor by submitting a negative review will not be tolerated.
Respect the privacy of others. Booking.com will make an effort to obscure email addresses, telephone numbers, website addresses, social media accounts, and similar details.
The opinions expressed in contributions are those of Booking.com customers and properties and not of Booking.com. Booking.com does not accept responsibility or liability for any reviews or responses. Booking.com is a distributor (without any obligation to verify) and not a publisher of these comments and responses.
By default, reviews are sorted based on the date of the review and on additional criteria to display the most relevant reviews, including but not limited to: your language, reviews with text, and non-anonymous reviews. Additional sorting options may be available (by type of traveller, by score, etc.).
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
End of dialog contentReviewed: 22 October 2022
Ndhuma
South Africanothing
Beautiful experience of the property. We were fortunate to experience the bush braai. Excellent staff and services with everything one could need on a weekend away.
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 22 October 2022
Gigi
SwitzerlandToo many people per game vehicle A suitcase rack in the room would be appreciated especially for international travelers
The outside shower
Stayed in October 2022
Reviewed: 17 October 2022
Diane
South AfricaVegetarian options were very average when compared with the other food options.
Breakfasts were delicious. The setting was beautiful. Our ranger was great and very knowledgeable.
Stayed in October 2022
Reviewed: 12 October 2022
Gavrilov
RussiaNothing
Nature. Staff. Room.
Stayed in October 2022
Reviewed: 12 October 2022
Bob
Netherlandsgreat room with great outdoor shower, wonderful staff and the game drives were amazing. we saw the big five in two days.
Stayed in October 2022
Reviewed: 11 October 2022
Baruch
IsraelWow, An outstanding experience. Everything was perfect. The best service we have ever received.!!!! Sean the guide is so professional, and very very nice and just made the whole experience for us. All the service providers - the waiters, the counter workers, and everyone are simply very, very professional and service at the highest level. !!!Best experience ever!!!!! really really recommend
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 10 October 2022
Nicky
South AfricaI didn’t love the idea of the group dinner after the game drive, was just my husband and I looking to spend some time together - in future would ask for a private table.
Very relaxing setting and lovely facilities. Rooms spacious and luxurious - nice big bathroom! Turndown after dinner was an unexpected treat. Overall a great stay.
Stayed in July 2022
Reviewed: 9 October 2022
Howard
United KingdomThat we had to leave... seriously, I travel long haul a lot for work and stay at decent hotels, I am a fair customer so I do not find small things to complain about.. but here there was honestly nothing that spoiled our visit... we loved the game drives, only around 4-10 people on the vehicle. ALL the staff were friendly and engaging...special comment for our tour guide called ‘Answer’ ... just such a lovely and knowledgable guy.
We had an executive suite with a small pool, it was all excellent. Loved the outdoor showers ( hot and cold water, not just ambient like some I have had so too cold to use early morning) pool was cleaned every day which was nice, cleaning and service throughout was excellent. We will be back...
Stayed in October 2022
Reviewed: 8 October 2022
Karusha1412
South AfricaAmazing place with friendly staff and ample amounts of food. Definitely exceeded our expectations.
Stayed in October 2022
Reviewed: 5 October 2022
Miriam
United KingdomWhy on earth can you not purchase a Conservation Permit for a day in Pilansberg and turn right at the bottom of the drive!!????
Amazing facilities, secluded rooms with stunning views, good food, beautiful setting and the friendliest bunch of staff I’ve ever met! Well-spoken, knowledgeable and agreeable guides.
Stayed in October 2022
Reviewed: 26 September 2022
Angelique
South AfricaThe experience was absolutely incredible with attention to detail in ensuring that all our needs were met. The staff were all friendly, approachable and always around to cater for our requests. Staff that made the stay memorable were both Kabelo’s and our game rancher Thabo. The authentic bush dinner experience as well as the 2 daily game drives were a highlight for us. We will definitely be coming back soon.
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 26 September 2022
Nellie
South AfricaPerfect!
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 25 September 2022
Hesham
KuwaitThe lady at reception refused to check us in the rooms at 12:30 pm although the rooms were ready because it wasn't 2 pm yet!!. Only an outdoor shower which is not convenient at all. A/C wasn't working well in one of the rooms (we booked 3). The golf car transfers to and from the room was always late and overwhelming, it was the reason I lost a game drive.
Friendly welcoming staff (except the lady at reception who claimed she was the manager). Spacious room, the private swimming pool was an awesome surprise, food was delicious and the chef accommodated our special request of Halal food. The game drive was a wonderful experience.
Stayed in August 2022
Reviewed: 24 September 2022
Steven
South AfricaDue to the effects of load shedding there were extended periods of no WiFi at the lodge (2-3 hours at a time). They did however have a generator which kicked in so there was still electricity, just no WiFi for some reason.
Absolutely amazing, enjoyed the personal touch, welcome drinks and face clothes after each game drive. Staff very welcoming and went out of their way to make our time enjoyable. Food was absolutely fantastic!
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 23 September 2022
Berdene
South AfricaThe drinks were quite pricey. The lovely patio on the room couldn't be used as it was in full sun most of the day. An umbrella or something for shade would be nice.
The staff were friendly and welcoming. The game drives were fantastic and the guides very knowledgeable. The food was top quality.
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 21 September 2022
Nicholas
United KingdomIt's not made clear that lunch on arrival is inclusive. We've experienced this on two seperate trips. We'll be aware the ask directly about this on our next trip
Everything!
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 21 September 2022
Karen
United StatesThe game drives are good, but due to the size of the property and the location in the park, they can be crowded. You see lots of other game vehicles and cannot veer off the "road/path" to see animals. You stop at a touristy type of lodge for your snack and there are a lot of people. We have done several safaris and if you are looking for more of an exclusive feel I would recommend other lodges. This feels more like the Disneyland of safaris. If you don't mind seeing more people than animals Shepherds Tree Lodge is a great place to stay.
Our stay at Shepherds Tree was wonderful. The rooms are beautiful - clean, spacious, and very comfortable. The food was very good and the staff very attentive.
Stayed in July 2022
Reviewed: 18 September 2022
Le
South AfricaThere were absolutely nothing that I didn’t liked!!
The food was excellent! The rooms was very clean and the staff very helpfull and friendly! But most of all the game drives was the most fun specially with Thabo! He went the extra mile to find that Cheetah and leaperd and I learned so much from him about the animals, but also from the bush and birds! He really know what he’s talking about!!
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 17 September 2022
Caroline
South AfricaI wouldn't book full board next time. Too much food.
The friendliness and service of all the staff
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 15 September 2022
Stefanie
Austriabig and clean rooms, good food but most of all amazing staff
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 14 September 2022
Sharon
South AfricaNothing comes to mind
Everything was on point, especially the game drives
Stayed in June 2022
Reviewed: 13 September 2022
Matsileng
South AfricaThe water from the pool, got our skin re acting
Looks good and most importantly very clean
Stayed in September 2022
Reviewed: 11 September 2022
Thomas
United KingdomNothing I can think of needs improving.
The Lodge was perfect. All staff went above and beyond to help us during our stay. The food tasted great and was well varied. The game drives were amazing and our ranger Kelvin showed a genuine passion for his job which was great to see. We have recommended the Lodge to all of our family and friends and would definitely stay again.
Stayed in August 2022
Reviewed: 11 September 2022
Carolin
GermanyNothing
The shepherds tree lodge is a beautiful place! The restaurant serves a fresh and delicious variety of dishes - even the vegetarian options are great! The service is kind and attentive. We were upgraded to a suit with pool. The rooms are huge and clean and fulfil all wishes to a honeymoon! We were even surprised by some honeymoon gifts! Every room has a certain ranger who shows you around the park. We had so much fun there! Thank you so much for a perfect stay! We will come back!
Stayed in July 2022
Reviewed: 10 September 2022
Yoni
Israelnothing
outstanding facility service is excellent the safari tours twice a day were very good the food was very good the rooms were excellent we loved everything
Stayed in September 2022
Hodenhagen, Germany
Oranjestad, Caribbean Netherlands
Vodice, Croatia
Veľký Meder, Slovakia
Port Douglas, Australia
Tivat, Montenegro
Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria
Dmitrov, Russia
Booking.com is part of Booking Holdings Inc., the world leader in online travel and related services.
We have more than 70 million property reviews, and they're all from real, verified guests.
1
The only way to leave a review is to first make a booking. That's how we know our reviews come from real guests who have stayed at the property.
2
When guests stay at the property they check out how quiet the room is, how friendly the staff are and more.
3
After their trip, guests tell us about their stay. We check for naughty words and verify the authenticity of all guest reviews before adding them to our site.
If you booked through us and want to leave a review, please sign in first.
End of dialog content