Houtboschoek Mpumalanga, 1209 Alkmaar, South Africa
#2 of 3 hotels in Alkmaar
Guests' ChoiceBased on 84 hotel reviews
8.9Cleanliness
9.0
Comfort
9.0
Location
9.4
Facilities
9.0
Staff
9.8
Value for money
9.1
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: 2 September 2025
Norman
South AfricaCraig was brilliant and helpful!
Stayed in August 2025
Reviewed: 9 May 2025
Marcel
South AfricaNothing.
Everything. The view of giraffes being fed every afternoon was very special. Also, Moose (the dog) provided much entertainment.
Stayed in May 2025
Reviewed: 6 May 2025
Slungile
South AfricaBugs - but I guess it's nature. Come prepared :)
Country getaway, very peaceful surrounded by nature, you see Giraffe everyday and other bucks and farm animals- it was awesome.
Stayed in May 2025
Reviewed: 28 April 2025
Alexander
NetherlandsDeep dive in nature
Stayed in April 2025
Reviewed: 24 April 2025
Ricky
South AfricaSelf catering, feeling of independence and really home away from home.
Stayed in April 2025
Reviewed: 5 March 2025
Kobus
South AfricaSecluded, private and in nature. With the necessary amenities to make the stay comfortable.
Stayed in March 2025
Reviewed: 31 January 2025
Swart
South AfricaA lil warning about the gravel road would be nice, and the path way to the lodge could be cut so its easier to drive
Going off the grid, swimming in the waterfall exceeded expectations!
Stayed in January 2025
Reviewed: 21 January 2025
June
South AfricaI did not mind them at all but there will be a few insects as you are in the beautiful outdoors
The hospitality was out of this world as were the wild animals roaming freely, the beautiful pool and clubhouse and very cozy and unique cottage. The hiking and waterfall was very enjoyable. Lovely and close to Kaapsehoop which is a must to visit too.
Stayed in December 2024
Reviewed: 9 January 2025
Melissa
South AfricaThe property feels like a dream with beautiful trees and surrounds. The garden and pool area is a family time paradise with the games area having kept us all busy. A little piece of heaven. Staff came daily to clean the space, the host is awesome and was very helpful with any questions. The chalet is beautifully decorated and homely. Everything you need is here. We can’t wait to be back.
Stayed in December 2024
Reviewed: 8 January 2025
Jerome
South AfricaRelaxing, with breathtaking scenery and the sounds of the surrounding wildlife. The accommodation was spacious, immaculately clean, and thoughtfully designed to make you feel connected to nature while still enjoying modern comforts. Craig and Donald, the incredible hosts who made our stay truly special. Their attentiveness, warmth, and knowledge of the area added a personal touch that elevated the experience. From their recommendations for activities and their fascinating stories, Craig and Donald went above and beyond to make us feel at home. Highly recommend for nature lovers, families, or couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Stayed in January 2025
Reviewed: 4 January 2025
Thembalethu
South AfricaCraig was an exceptional host! Always willing to assist when needed. I enjoyed the waterfall and being able to just hike and enjoy what the lodge had to offer. The family was so lovely, and the NYE party was the icing on the cake! It's a lovely city break!
Stayed in January 2025
Reviewed: 2 January 2025
Belinda
South AfricaThis lodge is the perfect getaway from a busy life. It is relaxing and equiped with everything you need. We especially enjoyed the giraffes and got to see them everyday.
Stayed in January 2025
Reviewed: 25 December 2024
Belinda
South AfricaCaracal Lodge is so beautiful, surrounded by mountains, it’s a little heaven away from the world.
Stayed in December 2024
Reviewed: 4 November 2024
Kerry
South AfricaAmazing views - Craig is a gem! Such a friendly and amazing host. The giraffes and all the animals were definitely the highlight as well as the amazing little waterfall. Thoroughly enjoyed this place!
Stayed in November 2024
Reviewed: 28 October 2024
Vernon
South AfricaUnits need some TLC at this stage.
Friendly helpful host. Beautiful surrounds. Friendly staff. Nice facilities. Walks and wildlife.
Stayed in October 2024
Reviewed: 1 October 2024
Herman
South AfricaThe stuff and the place was top notch
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 24 September 2024
Joburgrickey
South AfricaNothing that we didn't like.
Photos don't do Caracal Lodge justice. The location, the chalet, everything was just incredible.
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 20 August 2024
Hendrik
South Africanone
We loved the tranquility and quietness on this farm/lodge. And I loved the outside shower at our cottage.
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 12 August 2024
Tarryn
South AfricaEverything was amazing.
This is really a little piece of paradise; with that it is also pet friendly, and our 2 Labradors had an amazing time too. The chalets are beautiful with everything you need and more and fenced off for the dogs. The dogs loved the swimming pool after doing incredible hikes on the farm. This place is quite and relaxing and we had an absolutely amazing time.
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 23 May 2024
Joshua
South AfricaWe absolutely loved our stay, the views and the animals were amazing. We cannot wait for our next visit.
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: 19 May 2024
Corne
South AfricaWe stayed in the magtree house and it was wonderful. I would recommend staying here to anyone who wants to get away from the city lights. The host is very helpful and kind, and the location is amazing.
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: 30 April 2024
Sanelisiwe
South AfricaThere was nothing not to like.
I liked that it was very private, clean and they take care of their guests and always available when you need them. I was travelling from far so they kept checking on my trip, that made me feel special/cared for. The staff is well trained and kept the house clean all throughout.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 13 March 2024
Sphiwe
South AfricaEverything! It’s clean and what you see on the images is what you get if not more
Loved everything about the property, the activities, view and not to forget Craig who is a great host. Thank you to Orbit who always goes the extra mile
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 17 January 2024
Christopher
South AfricaWalking Trails needed to be maintained and cleared a little better, probably would have been better if I had mentioned before we arrived that we planned on walking and they would have had time to cut them.
Beautiful location. The room was quiet and private. Very nice walks with pretty waterfalls to sit at.
Stayed in December 2023
Eger, Hungary
Udon Thani, Thailand
Rome, Italy
Cocoa Beach, USA
Warsaw, Poland
Verona, Italy
Kyoto, Japan
Brasilito, Costa Rica
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