Maliba Lodge Maliba River Lodge

The staff at Maliba Lodge were helpful from when we booked chalets for an extra night, throughout our stay and up to our departure. We were a group of eight, four adults and four children between the ages of six and 13. The staff were incredibly accommodating and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. This was our second stay but this time we had a friend from the U.K. with us. She loved the place just as much as we had hoped! We will most certainly be back with other family members who haven’t yet made the trip, especially as we want to see and occupy the two new chalets that are currently under construction. We are also now familiar with two of the trails/walks, so we intend to come back much better prepared. Many thanks to all the staff of this beautiful place, both on site in Lesotho and in Durban.

It’s Lesotho, I know, but the facility is just not five star by any definition (we stayed in the three star lodges but the main facility is what I’m talking about here, and there were issues in the three star lodge that make that rating a stretch too). Check in staff tell us two restaurants are open at weekends, only one is. Can’t get a drink even from the main site, only the less appealing bistro. The views and location are great but that doesn’t make it 5 star. We asked for some board games - poor selection. Ordered food - cheese wasn’t melted in a toasted sandwich. The info pack on the lodge has a photocopy about Lesotho politics since full independence in 1962 but it ends in 2002 suggesting the whole pack hasn’t been updated since. Kitchen could be better equipped (eg tiny hotel room kettle for a lodge that sleeps 8). The river lodge is this reasonable value but don’t splash out on the chalets expecting luxury.