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Each of the 4.5 star luxury tented and air-conditioned suites at Fathala Wildlife Reserve is decorated in a romantic African colonial theme with mosquito nets. The en-suite facilities are equipped with twin basins, deep free-standing baths and open-air showers. The suites are equipped with electronic safe, hairdryer, coffee/tea facilities and guest amenities.
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The resort is great for families and couples. The efforts of staff were friendly and welcoming with chilled beverages upon arrival. There are hotels and campements nearby and perhaps more affordable, however, the glam camping experience at Fathala was appreciated by my family. However, elevating the experiences of return guests should be a priority of management, especially when renovations are taking place and dust and guests are inconvenienced. As a return visitor (third time) I believe the proper gesture is to provide a complimentary meal or "It is with great pride you have returned to Fathala, Walking with Pride or NARNIA BUSINESS,..." t-shirt as a gesture of goodwill. I look forward to witnessing culinary and facility improvements in the future.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jolene Cooper, Agency / Consultant at Fathala Wildlife Reserve & Lodge
Responded 17 Sept 2023
Dearest Mark, We want to thank you for all your visits to Fathala and the valuable feedback you just gave us. It is much appreciated. We will definitely look into your suggestions. We hope that with your next visit you will enjoy the "New Improved Fathala". Kindest Regards Jolene Cooper
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was my first time staying in a forest hotel and even though the hotel room was a tent, the facilities were very good with air conditioning and washroom. The Safari experience was very good and I took a lot of pictures of birds and wild animals. The staff of the hotel are very warm and polite and provide professional English service. It was a very memorable experience.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jolene Cooper, Agency / Consultant at Fathala Wildlife Reserve & Lodge
Responded 13 Sept 2023
Dearest Qi, We want to thank you for this great review! We are so happy that you had such a lovely stay with us and we surely do hope that you will come visit us again. It is always wonderful to have special guests like you visiting our Lodge. Kindest Regards Jolene Cooper
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Unforgettable!!! It was an amazing experience and the walk with lions is something you should do!! It’s a once in a life time experience! Sleep in the reserve is the another thing you can’t miss!!! So gratefull Thank you to all the staff for being kind and helpful!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jolene Cooper, Agency / Consultant at Fathala Wildlife Reserve & Lodge
Responded 30 Aug 2023
Good Day Dearest Patricia, Thank you so much for this wonderful review. We are so happy that you had a wonderful time at the lodge and that you had that amazing experience with the Lions. That is very special. It was a pleasure to have you here with us and we hope to see you again soon. Kindest Regards Jolene Cooper
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
It was nice, but there us room for improvment. The Game Drives feel much more like a Safari Park Drive than a real Safari. The Lion walk is horrible, it is very hurried and the focus is on taking pics, not marvelling at the close encounter with the King of beasts.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jolene Cooper, Agency / Consultant at Fathala Wildlife Reserve & Lodge
Responded 30 Aug 2023
Good Day Dearest Sascha, Thank you for your review. It is much appreciated. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay. Kindest Regards Jolene Cooper
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The tent was very comfortable. The hotel staff were helpful and very pleasant. Thanks to Victor for the safari and his willingness to make sure we had a great time, and to all the staff for their hospitality. We had a great stay.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jolene Cooper, Agency / Consultant at Fathala Wildlife Reserve & Lodge
Responded 15 Jun 2023
Dearest Kalyn, Thank you for taking the time to give us a review. We are so happy that you had such a wonderful time at Fathala. We hope to welcome you again in the near future. Kindest Regards Jolene Cooper
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Very VIP Week-End Extremely quite. Staff very professionnel and friendly. Rooms and beds are good, A/C good, water, foods, everything was perfect. We just want to go back at Fathala as soon as possible
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jolene Cooper, Agency / Consultant at Fathala Wildlife Reserve & Lodge
Responded 9 Jun 2023
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for taking the time to write us such a wonderful review! It is always a pleasure reading reviews such as yours. We hope to see you again soon. May you have a wonderful day!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Overall it was an amazing experience and get away. I went with my wife and we stayed at the lodge in one of the tents. It was ridiculously hot and stuffy inside so prepare yourself. There is an AC but it's effects are really only felt later in the evening. The food was delicious and being able to view the animals in the open was amazing. We also did the lion walk which was as terrifying as it was exciting. It's not a long adventure but a memorable one. Only down side to the whole trip were the bugs (and they warn you). I was covered with bites up and down my arms after waking up in the lodge. So sleep with as much bug repellent as you can stand.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jolene Cooper, Agency / Consultant at Fathala Wildlife Reserve & Lodge
Responded 9 Jun 2023
Dearest Valued Guest, This is just an awesome review! Thank you so much! We are so happy that you had such a wonderful time and that you enjoyed your Lion Encounter so much. We sure do hope to have you back here again. Kindest Regards Jolene Cooper
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I loved the game drive, but probably the best part was just watching the watering hole late at night and early in the morning. I also loved seeing the colobus monkeys around. What a peaceful and beautiful experience.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jolene Cooper, Agency / Consultant at Fathala Wildlife Reserve & Lodge
Responded 10 May 2023
Dear Martha, It is always wonderful to have such a beautiful review, thank you so much. The water hole is definitely one of the highlights of visiting Fathala and we are happy that you could also feel the serenity of being here. Hope to see you again soon. Kindest Regards Jolene Cooper
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Staff and management did everything to make us feel ok, lodge is well equipped. They organised transfer from Dakar. Lion walk is literally once in a lifetime experiance ... :P Would go and do stuff again. Thank you!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jolene Cooper, Agency / Consultant at Fathala Wildlife Reserve & Lodge
Responded 10 May 2023
Dearest Valued Guest, This is just an awesome review! Thank you so much! We are so happy that you had such a wonderful time and that you enjoyed your Lion Encounter so much. We sure do hope to have you back here again. Kindest Regards Jolene Cooper
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amazing experience. Lovely rooms in an amazing location, all you could hear was birds and monkeys. Food was good and having a drink while watching the animals roam around was very special. Pool was perfect for cooling off! Game drive was great and the guide was very knowledgeable.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Jolene Cooper, Agency / Consultant at Fathala Wildlife Reserve & Lodge
Responded 20 Apr 2023
Dearest Katherine, Thank you for your review. We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you had such an amazing experience. We sure wish to welcome you back in the near future. Kindest Regards Jolene Cooper
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.