Leopard Sands, Kruger Park

Staying at Marriott Leopard Sands was truly a first-class experience from beginning to end. They went above and beyond in every possible way and completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment we landed, the service was exceptional. A driver was waiting at the airport with a sign with our names on it, helped us with our luggage, and then escorted us to a shuttle where a table was beautifully set up with welcome drinks and snacks. On the scenic drive to the lodge, we even spotted elephants and other wildlife, which set the tone for the entire stay. When we arrived at the lodge, we were greeted with songs, warm smiles, and hot towels to refresh ourselves. Our luggage was delivered to our room while we enjoyed a snack before heading out on our first game ride. The food throughout our stay was delicious, with thoughtful menus and plenty of great options. I was celebrating my birthday, and the staff went out of their way to make it memorable. I requested rose petals in the pool, and they accommodated it perfectly. They surprised me with a welcome charcuterie board in the room, a small birthday cake, and even serenaded me both at dinner and at sundowners. It was incredibly special. Our hut, as I like to call it, was spacious, beautifully decorated, and so peaceful. We could see wildlife right outside—we spotted a buffalo and even an elephant nearby. The early morning game drives were unforgettable, and the lodge prepared tasty and filling breakfast boxes to take with us. I also appreciated the complimentary laundry service, which made the stay even more comfortable. One gesture that really stood out was when I needed tampons during my stay. They had maxi pads on hand and kindly offered to pick up tampons for me and charge it to the room. That level of thoughtfulness shows just how much attention they give to every detail. Every single member of the team contributed to making this an outstanding stay, so I don’t want to single anyone out—it was a true team effort. Even the general manager took the time to meet with guests and was warm and personable. This was one of the most peaceful, relaxing, and memorable vacations I’ve ever had. Marriott Leopard Sands made me feel like royalty, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. ~Shareen Anderson

My family and I had a fabulous 5 days at Leopard Sands! The staff were welcoming and wonderful. I had many questions before we came, and Anita happily answered all of them in a very timely manner. The food was lekker (delicious) and abundant, and they allowed for substitutions. The rooms were very nice and we loved having an option of the inside and outside showers (I loved the outside one!). The bed was very comfortable and it was always spotless. We enjoyed the turndowns in the evening, and as we were celebrating my husband's 70th birthday, they made a special effort and "decorated" our bed and made and served him a cake and the whole staff also sang to him. We had Goodwill as our safari guide, and he was very knowledgeable and friendly. We saw all of the Big 5 and he answered all of our varied questions. The snack and drinks on the safaris were appreciated. It was a fantastic place and I highly recommend it!