Yup, guys and gals... I was one of those.
I had just just finished yet another brilliant Kruger trip when, one after the other, flights were cancelled, re-booked, and then... read more cancelled again.
Long story short: I was well and truly stuck in SA! For day 1-14 of lockdown.
Luckily, I have (and have had for 15+ years) Airport Game Lodge's contact details saved on my phone. They have been, still are, and will be my regular sleep-over on my frequent trips from the Netherlands to South Africa.

During my (involuntarily) extended stay the owners and staff were absolutely brilliant!! Well, they always are, but I guess it takes an unusual situation to really appreciate their efforts.
They were literally bending over backwards to keep their guests happy during 2 very difficult weeks.

Thank you, Otto & Marge, and all the staff!
I love you, I thank you and I will be back. In November, if traveling is allowed again by then.

Hugz, Jose - Stay safe, stay healthy! xx

PS: If you don't like the resident dog and/or cat visiting you, find a better place to stay. I doubt you'll succeed. More

  Friendly service from staff that was working. Hotel in quiet location but limited food options, only take out food to be delivered to the hotel. Cleanliness can be improved, sufficient... read more breakfast in the morning More

  I organized a conference for 1 week here, and thanks to the staff it turned out wonderfully! The staff was very helpful throughout the week and the location was great.... read more It is a spectacular location with animals roaming nearby that you can feed. It is really relaxing and is quite a difference being there rather than at a regular hotel where the only view would be the parking lot.

  There were just small issues that bothered me, that I'd like to mentioned, however, as to be read below, they do not affect my positive opinion whatsoever. First thing that... read more I realized is that there are no foreign adapter near the bed, so unless you are traveling with an adapter Type M to fit into the plug, you won't be charging your phone or laptop next to you, which is only a big deal if you were planning on watching movies while in bed. Not a big deal but worth to mention. Second thing, and I am not sure if that was because I only stayed one night, however, I only got one small towel that I was using as both after a shower and to dry my face at the sink. With the one towel came the shampoo but I would've liked it rather in a bottle than in a plastic packing bag, so I would've been able to take it with me to not waste the product. The shower was great but the curtain bar was unstable and collapsed while I was closing the curtains. They were not fixed so I am quite sure it was not the first time, but I guess it is better than drilling into the walls. Last but not least, the small kettle didn't seem to have a lid so when trying to make a tea, if you were to late to turn it off, the water would boil over the counter.
I've learned not to have any expectations when it comes to a stay-over to catch a flight. I previously had booked another lodge but chanced to this facility and I am more than happy I did so. I was picked up by Rodney, a very polite & friendly man as well as funny, who also helped me to get dinner, as I arrived late. I was checked in by Judy, another very friendly lady, as well as the rest of the team that I met during breakfast (included) and throughout the day. The room had everything I could've needed as in two fans, a heater and even a fireplace. The facility is big and the rooms are somewhat like cabins with a very green and pretty garden and when I heard about the "real game" around the lodge, I was even more satisfied. How would you like waking up to deers, ostriches, blesbok antelops, peacocks and etc etc? I for sure was loving it and couldn't get enough of it. It is a very nice place to stay and I highly recommend to use this lodge as your next stay. I was traveling alone, but many couples and friends seem to use the facility as well. My room was quite big and a very convenient separate (relatively big) shower from the toilets, a closet, a desk with adapters, a tv, a fridge and tea and coffee station as well as a hair dryer. You could sit and relax outside in the grass and even for a small coin be able to feed the very friendly wild. All in all, just great! Ps.: two mirrors in the room: BONUS!

  Now back in the UK and thinking about our memorable holiday in South Africa. Spent one night at the Lodge and was impressed with the service and hospitality from... read more the moment we were collected at the airport by Steven. Our room was simple but adequate and the breakfast was just what we needed for our early start. Loved seeing the wildlife in the distance.

  very good, humble and warm staff, had enjoy with great hospitality, good food and better transportation between lodge and airport.good connectivity of WIFI. you will found with in nature during... read more your stay.

  Very handy for overnight stay OR Tambo. Generous shuttle to and from airport, 24/7. Did not have breakfast due to early rise. Rooms are adequate but a bit outdated, There... read more is a small game park adjacent to the lodge

  this is a good place but not goood on location . not close to anything. but a good 1 night and off the next morning . the breakfast was good... read more not a lot but the necessarys . the bed good and clean the shower was great and pillow good.

  I stayed here for one night in May, as part of a tour, as a stop between Johannesburg and Kruger NP. My room was simple - fine. ... read more The wifi worked, which was appreciated. There are animals on site, but we arrived too late in the day to really appreciate them. There was a good selection for supper and breakfast.

  Airport lodge is clean and comfortable. The staff are really lovely, particularly Rodney who was really kind and helpful; offering a lift to the local pub and also giving great... read more advice on further travel. I returned for another night after originally staying there after an organised tour because the staff were so kind and the free airport shuttle bus was really useful for me too

  I really enjoyed my stay here it was so nice because you able to have your own house and basically cater for yourself with your friends or even family. The... read more place is basically fully furnished and the only thing do is to make your way up here so i dare you to take this experience.... Thank you for the experience, #Khwela

  Excellent service, helpful staff and very comfortable and convenient. We were collected at the airport by the owner . We had a car rental booked for the next day to... read more drive to Kruger national park so this place was perfect . We stayed again the nite we came back from k n p . That evening we were driven to another hotel for dinner and collected . In the morning we were driven to the airport for our flight to Cape Town. We would highly recommend the game lodge.

  This place is wonderful .They have a wonderful staff very friendly and hard working you never have to ask for anything .There is a open general kitchen and dinning ... read more are where guess can sit ,eat and chat there is also a mini library if you enjoy reading . The grounds is spectacular for walking and you can feed the animals, nice for taking pictures .They are on time with picking you up from the airport. Look just pack your bag and go and if simple is 5 Stars i give that to them .

  The hotel itself is fine, very spacious rooms available. The shower was seperate to the bathroom which is okay unless you are on a tour with someone you don't know... read more well. I booked a day tour though the hotel which took us through Soweto and to the Apartheid Museum and that was well organised and a great way to experience the area. Free shuttle to the airport which is a nice bonus. My main issue with this hotel was when I first got to my room, the toilet was NOT clean. It was filled with someone elses diarrhoea!! I was busting at the time so I just had to flush the toilet and use it but I think that it was genuinely disgusting and a total oversight on behalf of the cleaners. More

  This is a great place to stay! My room was very comfortable and spacious, the hotel property is in a peaceful location, with friendly staff and a delicious breakfast. Highly... read more recommended, easy access to JNB airport. You won't be disappointed!

  Perfectly functional, clean accommodation near Johannesburg Airport. Has a few wildlife in the grounds. OK for a one night stay pre or post airport. Nothing within walking distance and... read more no restaurant or Bar on site. Only one poorly stocked vending machine in Reception.

  The owners, Otto and his wife Marge, are wonderful people, extremely friendly and honest. While driving us back to the airport, they asked about our trip. We were leaving... read more for Upington and then to the Kalahari. They let us know that if we should end up back in Johannesburg to give them a call. At this point, the lockdown was just being discussed. Within 2 days of arriving in the Kalahari, all domestic flights were canceled. We spent 2 weeks instead of 1 in the Kalahari - not a bad place to be stranded and then received a travel pass from the US Embassy. WE had a flight home - but we had to drive our rental car to Johannesburg. In so doing, we would need a place to stay. So, we called Otto at the Airport Game Lodge. Sure enough, we were welcome. We drove all day and arrived just before sundown. Our room was ready - an upgrade from the last time, we had a fireplace. Nice. The owner made all the arrangements to take us to the US Embassy the next day along with some Dutch folks who were also going home. But we had one more problem. We had a rental car. Otto agreed to take possession of the rental car until the car company could get someone there to pick it up. What amazing service. These people worked tirelessly to help stranded citizens not only... The owners, Otto and his wife Marge, are wonderful people, extremely friendly and honest. While driving us back to the airport, they asked about our trip. We were leaving for Upington and then to the Kalahari. They let us know that if we should end up back in Johannesburg to give them a call. At this point, the lockdown was just being discussed.

Within 2 days of arriving in the Kalahari, all domestic flights were canceled. We spent 2 weeks instead of 1 in the Kalahari - not a bad place to be stranded and then received a travel pass from the US Embassy. WE had a flight home - but we had to drive our rental car to Johannesburg. In so doing, we would need a place to stay. So, we called Otto at the Airport Game Lodge. Sure enough, we were welcome.

We drove all day and arrived just before sundown. Our room was ready - an upgrade from the last time, we had a fireplace. Nice. The owner made all the arrangements to take us to the US Embassy the next day along with some Dutch folks who were also going home. But we had one more problem. We had a rental car. Otto agreed to take possession of the rental car until the car company could get someone there to pick it up. What amazing service.

These people worked tirelessly to help stranded citizens not only survive the lockdown but make way to their respective embassies. The rooms were spotless. A hot breakfast was provided. The gounds maintained. All on a skeleton crew. They even made daily runs to the local market so people could purchase food.

I would recommend this lodge to anyone. Beautiful rooms, beautiful grounds with grass, water features and pleanty of animals to watch. Best of all, the owners are super honest. Both of our visits to their lodge were superb. More

  I stayed at the Airport Game Lodge with my folks as an overnight before flying out of Johannesburg airport. You honestly cannot believe you’re only fifteen minutes from OR Tambo... read more - the lodge is a quiet, rustic, beautiful haven with lovely gardens, nice pool, home style cooking and animals galore!

Rooms are comfy and simple, we sat out on our picnic bench at the front of our room surrounded by peacocks, watching wildlife like ostriches, springbok and buck cruising on by.

Staff are friendly and helpful.

Free airport transfers on the hour.

A number of tour options from the lodge if you have the time and want to explore. Definitely still felt like we were on holiday and not just staying at the airport for a layover before a flight.

Would 100% stay again.