Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge, Albasini Dam, Limpopo Province: Accommodation Review
Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge
Albasini Dam
off the R578 from Makhado (Louis Trichardt)
Limpopo Province | Map
Accommodation type: Bed & Breakfast
Number of stars: N/A
Rooms starting from (per person sharing): R300
SA Blog recommends? Definitely
Snippet
The Lodge is deeply supportive of local Craft Routes, which guests can follow to discover a plethora of multi-talented Shangaan and Venda traditional artists. There’s also the community-linked Venda Legends Trail, which visits the mystical Phidiphidi Falls, and the Baobab Meander, which takes guests to the largest baobab tree in the country (girth: 43 meters!).
(See full review below.)
Low season specials? No
Breakfast included? Yes
Dedicated non-smoking rooms? Yes
Staff friendliness (out of 10): 8
Staff competence (out of 10): Not reviewed
Room options: Single, Double, Suite
Room comfort level (out of 10): Not reviewed
Noisy? No
Does the TV remote work? N/A
Fan or A/C? Fan
Pool? Yes
Concierge? N/A
Restaurant? Yes
Conference facilities? Yes
Three ink blot adjectives: Peaceful, fair trade
Value for money? Yes
Booking information
Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge
Box 560
Makhado (Louis Trichardt) 0920
Tel: +27 (0) 15 556 3403, Fax: +27 (0) 15 556 3413
clare@shiluvari.com
www.shiluvari.com
Review
Twitchers take note! There’s a splendid and very affordable country lodge right in the heart of one of South Africa’s premier birdwatching areas, the Soutpansberg region of Limpopo Province.
Shiluvari (the Shangaan term for the wild pear tree) sits practically on the shore of the Albisini Dam, the largest body of water in the area, and home to (among others) the African finfoot and white-crowned night heron.
Shiluvari is dedicated to the pursuit of your happiness – even if it means depriving you of TV, which it duly does. (The only TV on the premises is in the main Lodge lounge, a fact which SA Blog applauds.) For accommodation, choose between the main Lodge’s quiet rooms, or the pretty chalets right on the water.
Shiluvari is Fair Trade-certified, meaning the money you spend on your good night’s rest will have a positive impact on the local community.
The Lodge is deeply supportive of local Craft Routes, which guests can follow to discover a plethora of multi-talented Shangaan and Venda traditional artists. There’s also the community-linked Venda Legends Route, which visits the mystical Phidiphidi Falls, and the Baobab Meander, which takes guests to the largest baobab tree in the country (girth: 43 meters!).