Xaus Lodge

!Xaus is in a stark and remote part of the park. It has the potential to be a most amazing destination though it is not there yet. The night skies and view over a salt pan is unparalleled. The service and nature staff are absolutely sweet and giving. However there are issues. Firstly, insufficient game drive options and sparse game. Game is very sparse compared to SANParks locations. The main attraction is that lions etc come to drink at freshwater bird baths which allow guests to see them close up if they are lucky. That made the experience better for us But we saw very little game or birds relative to rest of park. Fine if you are expecting it. The scenery is amazing. Also, management is not attuned to needs of luxury lodge guests.Antony has an abrasive personality and was entirely dismissive about our prior meal requests saying “it’s too hard”. It wasn’t since they have those products where he shops in upington but he obviously didn’t care to try. We didn’t mind as we had an alternative but it was more the rudeness with which he dismissed it- far from experience at other lodges. They also would not write up our vegetarian menu on the the board even when we comprised 4 out of 5 guests at night- would write up menu of the other single guest and leave us having to ask the staff what things were. There is no choice in food and a guest asking for extra veggies was told it wasn’t possible. The lodge is supposed to be about the Khoisan and this doesn’t come through. The indigenous staff are not involved in welcoming guests etc and, seem subservient to the abrasive manager in a very old fashioned way not reflective of South Africa in 2024 or other lodges. It was very uncomfortable. When someone mentioned giving smaller portions of food on plate so it didn’t go to waste the manageress said it wouldn’t as someone in kitchen was always hungry- are staff eating leftovers from guest plates? That’s depressing. Another staff member mentioned a part of the park that only Antony and his special guests were allowed in. I thought it was owned by the Khoisan? Why can’t they go there? The rooms are average and have no aircon which the SANParks camps have. However we left feeling that the land restitution has failed in true empowerment and we felt a bit depressed by the experience. Pros: night skies, pans, scenery, possible close up lions Cons: average food and rooms, strange vibes

We stayed at the lodge for 3 days. This is beautifully located. The service and friendliness is excellent. Great game drives. If you are looking for a little paradise, you definitely have to come to this place. We'll definitely be back!

Great box on the dune 91 Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. A warm welcome and great food. Guides are knowledgeable, passionate and very flexible and helpful. The morning walk was very interesting and varied We will be back

We go to these private lodges for the bush experience - the accomodation and food are less important . We were quite disappointed at the length of time we spent in the bush . In addition I would far rather go on a game drive at 3:00pm (in line with other private lodges ) than 9:00pm at night and then only for an hour .

Amazing lodge in the Kalahari. Fantastic place place to unplug from the world. No internet, TV or phone. Just pure silence of the desert. The views of the pan from the rooms is brilliant. Food was excellent considering the remote location. Room are not fancy but are comfortable and have everything you need. Game drives and nature walks were very interesting.

We spent two nights in this expensive private lodge and had high expectations given by the photos of the site, unfortunately it didn't go that way. The location is certainly very suggestive and the chalets very beautiful, the cuisine very well cared for but there is a but. I state that we were the only guests which amazed me as at the booking it seemed fully booked so that we had to move the dates. The first night around 11 pm there were loud squeasing and noises of scratching nails, coming from the nests of bats in the roof inside the chalet, bats that then began to fly and emit verses throughout the night. They scare me a lot so I spent the whole night awake huddled under the blankets while my husband tried to get them out. In the morning I reported everything to Antony, the manager, who spread his arms saying that they don't bother him. I expect such an answer from a staff member at Twee Rivieren where I pay 1000 rand a night, but not in a 22,000 rand private lodge. Although nothing would have changed, he should have proposed to change chalets since they were all empty and only 4 other people would arrive. The next night, same thing, however, I slept in the bathroom sitting on a chair with my feet on the toilet. In the morning when Antony the manager asked me how it went and I told him he smiled .... I'm a stupid tourist ok course ...... Let's move on to activities. A 55 minute night drive, a 50 minute morning walk and a 1 hour and 30 minute sunset drive We have been going to South Africa for 23 years and we know the natural environment well and it is not the first time we have gone to a private lodge, but we have never had such a treatment. I wrote an email on my return to the company that manages the lodge, no answer Money really wasted