Extremely fun views from our lake room, many animals frequent the common area - hippos, zebra, giraffe, monkeys all ran around at different times -- very exciting! Staff tries very hard all the time, and food above average due to creativity, but not fancy. Game drives fun with many animals, and knowledgeable guides. Great place to stay, however there is a gap in expectation between the website description and the actual lodge. The lodge is small and so flexibility in meals/eating options, free-time activities, bar limited. Also, rooms are nice, but simple touches are missing -- burnt out candles in room, towels not replaced, mini bar with waters not refilled, etc. Also, dinner is served without main course options, also always eating our main course before we had our water/drinks, no music, candles not lit etc. Small stuff that may sound a little ridiculous, but a little discouraging because of website expectation, frequency of 'issues' and since these are easy, inexpensive fixes for the lodge. However it is a casual, intimate, quite lodge which offers a very authentic bush feel. I would recommend for the 'down to earth' traveler who doesn't demand 5-star pampering, but would like to feel welcomed with the local people who work at Elandela. They will welcome you with sincerity, cleanliness and kindness at Elandela, however you must offer them patience, happiness and an 'open mind' to the style of their culture.