Tala Private Game Reserve

"Tala Game Reserve was amazing. We ended up staying in the most amazing room. They did not however have any reference of me booking through Safari Now. That is the second time that I have arrived at a holiday destination and they not have my booking on their system. Very poor in my opinion and I will not be recommending that anyone uses the site."

"From the time we arrived everything was amazing, staff was supper helpful, they was their at our beck and call for every request we had, my wife and I really had a wonderful time, the game drive we went on the ranger was so friendly and knowledgeable about every animal in the park, really beautiful experience and wewill definitely be going back soon. :-)"

"When I first arrived at Tala, in my Polo rental car, driving through the mud to get to reception was a nightmare. I was not prepared for the journey through the weather and sliding around on the dirt roads. After checking in, I struggled to find my room (Paperbark No.9)It was raining, it was wet and muddy and I struggled with my luggage and had a melt down searching for the room, putting my key into unmarked doors keyholes. I swore blind never to return, as the experience of relaxation I had wanted, travelling bright and early from Cape Town to Durban for my friends wedding the following day, proved to be more stressful than anything else. Eventually I walked through a lounge area and towards another unmarked door and stuck my key into the keyhole. It unlocked! Upon entering the room, I was blown away. In an instant all my troubles melted away and I was transported into a place of calm and as I took a deep breath inhaling the beauty I would be staying in for the next three days, I felt a sense of happiness. The view from my four post bed was incredible. Having a bath looking out into the wild was an amazing experience. The oxtail supper and creme brulee dessert, I had by the fireplace at the Tala Restaurant was delicious and the breakfast in the morning was very tasty. Staff was friendly, service was good and I thoroughly enjoyed myself immensely. Yes, I had the honeymoon suite all to myself and I loved every minute of it. As a single lady who works hard, travelling to attend a life long friends wedding, I felt like spoiling myself too, and choosing to stay at Tala was just the experience I wanted. It was gorgeous. Thank you very much to everyone at Tala. I will most definitely be recommending you to others and would not hesitate to return again."

"Thoroughly enjoyed our time away at Tala. Attended a beautiful wedding at one of the wedding venues and then overnighted at Fishermans cottage.Saw plenty of game on the drives as well."

"A BIG thank you to GEORGE for keeping us informed and up to date with our reservations, he is an asset to TALA.OUR STAY WAS AWESOME, we will be back."

"The management and staff of Tala are outstanding and need to be recognized and commended. The food in the restaurant was delicious and presented well and the staff friendly and courteous."

"My husband and I spent a night at Paperbark Lodge in Tala, not Leadwood. The way in which the different lodges are marketed is very confusing, as they all state "upmarket" on the website (for Figtree, Paperbark, Leadwood etc) - when the only one that really is "upmarket" is Leadwood, and perhaps no 9 at Paperbark. The room we stayed in at Paperbark was at best basic. Two single beds moved together to make up a double, a bath with faulty plumbing, which leaked every time it was filled to over halfway. The lodge generally had an air of decay and lacking attention, like the staff at Tala could not really be bothered with anything beyond Leadwood. Breakfast was . unpleasant, overcooked with a very basic selection, and toast you have to make yourself, requiring at least 4 or 5 attempts to get it resembling toast! We're not rushing back. The only redeeming feature are the animals, always a beautiful sight. a few rhino wandered past very close to our room, amazing experiance. Probably fine for a day trip with overseas visitors, but not to stay over again."

"Thanks for a lovely experience. Restaurant staff extremely helpful. Will recommend to friends."