Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge

Pilanesberg, South Africa

Virgin rating

Standard Suite
2-Bedroom Villa
Family Suite
Executive Suite
Executive Suite
Boma
Two Bedroom Villa
Two Bedroom Villa
Standard Suite
2-Bedroom Villa
Family Suite
Executive Suite
Executive Suite
Boma
Two Bedroom Villa
Two Bedroom Villa

The hotel

Delivering a safari experience in a nutshell, this laid-back lodge is ideal for families, first-timers, and those wanting to add a 'Big Five' adventure to a stay in nearby Sun City. Set in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, just a few hours from Jo'burg, you'll get all the game viewing, boma dinners, and photogenic bushveld scenery you'd hope from a safari stay, with the reserve home to the 'Big Five' and two game-drives included each day of your stay. In a malaria-free spot, Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge is the ideal initiation into the great African safari.

Amenities

  • Safari
  • Restaurant
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool

Where is it

A 2 hour and 30 minute drive from Johannesburg, the lodge overlooks the south-western portion of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.

Hotel information

Choice of rooms and suites. All with air-conditoning, tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-bar and safe. Standard Suites have a main bedroom with 1 king-size bed, or twin beds, an outdoor shower and also features an en-suite bathroom with a patio overlooking the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Sleeping maximum 2 adults. 

Full Board includes: all buffet-style meals and twice daily game-drives.

Executive Suites have a main bedroom with 1 king-size bed, a double outdoor shower, and en-suite with indoor steam shower. Suites also enjoy a lounge area with sleeper sofa and a flat-screen TV that leads out onto a patio overlooking the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, with a private heated pool. Sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child. 

Family Suites consist or two connecting suites that open into a shared lounge with sleeper sofa and flat screen TV, sleeping maximum 6 people.

A private 2-bedroom villa is also available, each bedroom has 1 king-size bed, an en-suite bathroom, and outdoor shower. The villa offers a lounge area that leads out onto a patio with a private plunge pool. Sleeping maximum 4 adults. 

Restaurant and outdoor dining venue (boma). Casual lounge and bar area. Rim-flow swimming pool. Amani Spa*. 2 daily game-drives. Bush walks. Specialised talks about the Pilanesberg environment and the African bush. Curio shop.

* Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
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Traveller rating

  • Excellent (967)
  • Very good (112)
  • Average (47)
  • Poor (15)
  • Terrible (18)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Look no further, for the best stay in Pilanesberg!

Dec 12, 2024 mpeter7 Johannesburg, South Africa

5 Stars don't do this lodge justice. I could wax lyrical about the facilities, the food, the activities and the breathtaking views but honestly the reason we keep going back to Shepherd's Tree is because of the incredible people who treat you like royalty from the minute you arrive. Every lodge/hotel/resort around the world could learn something… Read more
5 Stars don't do this lodge justice. I could wax lyrical about the facilities, the food, the activities and the breathtaking views but honestly the reason we keep going back to Shepherd's Tree is because of the incredible people who treat you like royalty from the minute you arrive. Every lodge/hotel/resort around the world could learn something from this wonderful team. If you love the bush and you want to stay somewhere that not only has everything you could want but where the staff also truly care about their guests, your only choice should be Shepherd's Tree. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating service was top quality!

Nov 30, 2024 pieter938 Gauteng, South Africa

All aspects of the service was top quality, we really enjoyed our stay. The food was delicious and well portioned, and great selection right through. The receptionist was always helpful and friendly. We had the best game drive experience thanks to Thabo! but all staff are commended for their excellent service. Our nr 1 resort in South… Read more
All aspects of the service was top quality, we really enjoyed our stay. The food was delicious and well portioned, and great selection right through. The receptionist was always helpful and friendly. We had the best game drive experience thanks to Thabo! but all staff are commended for their excellent service. Our nr 1 resort in South Africa!!! Thank you Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Ladies Safari Trip

Nov 30, 2024 Morwadi K Rustenburg

This was one of the best trips we have ever been on with the ladies. Great place to relax and unwind friends.The experience was incredible from the moment we arrived up until we checked out. The customer service is excellent and restaurant staff is do amazing and we loved Koketso she was so warm. We will definitely come back in the near future..
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A Delightful Safari Holiday Experience

Nov 29, 2024 Mark S League City, Texas

We were thoroughly pleased with the Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge! The facility was beautiful and the entire staff were truly delightful. We were able to take 5 three-hour safaris during our stay and couldn't be more pleased with the memories (and photos) we brought home.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating 5* experience!

Nov 29, 2024 tianah997

I don’t even know how to start this review other than WOW! I came here with my best friend and our 2 dads as part of a once in a lifetime safari experience and shepherds tree game lodge more than exceeded my expectations! I had done plenty of research into this place before booking and after a few emails back and forth they said the had the 2… Read more
I don’t even know how to start this review other than WOW! I came here with my best friend and our 2 dads as part of a once in a lifetime safari experience and shepherds tree game lodge more than exceeded my expectations! I had done plenty of research into this place before booking and after a few emails back and forth they said the had the 2 bedroom private villa available for the days I was looking for, this consisted of 2 double/twin bedrooms, 2 private bathrooms, a living room, private pool, outside sunbathing/dining area and a private fire pit. We arrived there after a 3 hour transfer and were greeted by Nombulela with hot towels and a lovely personalised welcome and arrival drink. After checking in she showed us to the dining room for lunch before it ended, we were seated swiftly and given menus and wine recommendations which we gladly took note of. Whilst at lunch we were approached by our tour guide who introduced herself for our stay as Mingo, she asked what drink we would like on our game drive and told us where to meet her and at what time. After lunch we were again greeted by Nombulela then have us a tour of the whole complex and explained everything we needed to know during our stay such as meal times and game drives etc. she got us a buggy to our room and we were transported to our stunning villa which are bags had already been dropped at. The private villa and pool was absolutely stunning! The rooms were able to be made up as either doubles or twins and both rooms had a private bathroom with outside shower and joined together by a living room which led onto the private outside area, pool and fire pit. I will say the outside shower in the moonlight in the nighttime was such a surreal experience looking out into the national park! The whole complex was so well kept and ALL the staff were pleasant and went above and beyond for us whenever we needed anything. It is truly the most stunning place I’ve ever stayed at and I’ve travelled to a lot of hotels around the world. The food on offer is out of this world and a different menu was created each day so we never had the same thing twice. For all three meals of the day it was a la carte and there was something for everyone in our group. Drinks were an additional charge but the staff were trained enough to recommend different wines for different dishes which we took them up on a few times. We were served by Simba and also Mkay who were two members of staff who stood out particularly well for us and made our dining experience all the more personalised. We also noted Mike who I believe was the restaurant manager and he took a great interest in our day and was overall very attentive while we were in the restaurant. On the final evening we spent we had commented on the chefs cooking and she came out to thank us for stopping by and for our kind worlds which I thought was a lovely touch as I’m sure she was very busy. We had done a safari a few days before coming to shepherds tree at a Dinokeng national park and saw quite a few animals but I will say the experience seeing animals at this place far surpassed what we saw there. This national park was more open and mountainous and we saw way more herds of animals rather than the odd couple of animals which was nice. Mingo was informative and explained different things about the animals as and when we saw them as well as things about the national park. I hope I am lucky enough to be able to visit this game lodge again only next time for a few more nights! Thankyou for a wonderful stay! Read less