Shepherds Tree, Pilanesberg Game Reserve, 0300 Pilanesberg, South Africa
#4 of 12 hotels in Pilanesberg
Guests' ChoiceBased on 1225 hotel reviews
9.3Cleanliness
9.7
Comfort
9.7
Location
9.6
Facilities
9.5
Staff
9.7
Value for money
9.1
Free WiFi
9.3
Each review score is between 1-10. To get the overall score that you see, we add up all the review scores we’ve received and divide that total by the number of review scores we’ve received. We are currently testing a weighted review system in Malta and Iceland (excluding hotel and vacation rental chains). For properties in these countries, the more recent the review, the bigger the impact on the total review score calculation. In addition, guests can give separate ‘subscores’ in crucial areas, such as location, cleanliness, staff, comfort, facilities, value for money and free Wi-Fi. Note that guests submit their subscores and their overall scores independently, so there’s no direct link between them.
You can review an Accommodation that you booked through our Platform if you stayed there or if you arrived at the property but didn’t actually stay there. To edit a review you’ve already submitted, please contact our Customer Service team.
We have people and automated systems that specialise in detecting fake reviews submitted to our Platform. If we find any, we delete them and, if necessary, take action against whoever is responsible.
Anyone else who spots something suspicious can always report it to our Customer Service team, so our Fraud team can investigate.
Ideally, we would publish every review we receive, whether positive or negative. However, we won’t display any review that includes or refers to (among other things):
To make sure reviews are relevant, we may only accept reviews that are submitted within 3 months of checking out, and we may stop showing reviews once they’re 36 months old – or if the Accommodation has a change of ownership.
An Accommodation may choose to reply to a review.
When you see multiple reviews, the most recent ones will be at the top, subject to a few other factors (what language a review is in, whether it’s just a rating or contains comments as well, etc.). If you like, you can sort and/or filter them (by time of year, review score, etc.).
We sometimes show external review scores from other well-known travel websites. We make it clear when we’ve done this.
These guidelines and standards aim to keep the content on Booking.com relevant and family-friendly without limiting expression of strong opinions. They are also applicable regardless of the sentiment of the comment.
Contributions should be travel related. The most helpful contributions are detailed and help others make better decisions. Please don’t include personal, political, ethical, or religious commentary. Promotional content will be removed and issues concerning Booking.com’s services should be routed to our Customer Service or Accommodation Service teams.
Contributions should be appropriate for a global audience. Please avoid using profanity or attempts to approximate profanity with creative spelling, in any language. Comments and media that include 'hate speech', discriminatory remarks, threats, sexually explicit remarks, violence, and the promotion of illegal activity are not permitted.
All content should be genuine and unique to the guest. Reviews are most valuable when they are original and unbiased. Your contribution should be yours. Booking.com property partners should not post on behalf of guests or offer incentives in exchange for reviews. Attempts to bring down the rating of a competitor by submitting a negative review will not be tolerated.
Respect the privacy of others. Booking.com will make an effort to obscure email addresses, telephone numbers, website addresses, social media accounts, and similar details.
The opinions expressed in contributions are those of Booking.com customers and properties and not of Booking.com. Booking.com does not accept responsibility or liability for any reviews or responses. Booking.com is a distributor (without any obligation to verify) and not a publisher of these comments and responses.
By default, reviews are sorted based on the date of the review and on additional criteria to display the most relevant reviews, including but not limited to: your language, reviews with text, and non-anonymous reviews. Additional sorting options may be available (by type of traveller, by score, etc.).
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
End of dialog contentReviewed: 23 September 2024
Alfonso
United StatesNone.
Service is top rate and so as foods. One phone call and the cart will come to pick us up. Mingo, our ranger drove us all around to see many animals twice a day. It was our first safari experience.
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 20 September 2024
Paula
South AfricaFrom the second you arrive to the time you leave here, the time spent will be amazing and memorable. The staff are all so friendly and efficient. The setting is absolutely spectacular with the Pilanesberg visible from every angle. The food is outstanding and being able to select from the three course menu for lunch and dinner was beyond a delightful treat. With every meal being separately prepared, it is a gastronomic journey of delight. The game drives were excellent and on our last morning, we saw lions! What a great way to round off an amazing few days. The room was great and the outdoor shower sublime while the bed was like a little piece of sleep heaven. Highly recommend staying here!
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 17 September 2024
Jacob
South AfricaN/A
The game drives and the restaurant staff were really great!
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 13 September 2024
Zac
United KingdomEverything
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 10 September 2024
Elmien
South AfricaThe connecting door in our room were rattling from the wind.
The staff was amazing, friendly and very professional (Reception, restaurant, bar and game rangers). What a delightful weekend.
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 7 September 2024
Charmaine
South AfricaNothing
The food, the staff and the premium service
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 6 September 2024
Marina
GuatemalaThe room was clean and tidy, although the floor was a bit sticky (it felt like when you use too much disinfectant and it stays sticky), but nothing that deterred from our experience.
Shepherds Tree is such a beautiful and relaxing space. I stayed there with my partner for just one night and our only regret is not being able to stay for longer. The bedrooms are lovely, the view amazing and the staff accommodating and kind. We got lucky and got to see THREE LEOPARDS, this thanks to our wonderful guide Doreen who hustled and moved around the park to get us the best views and the most awesome experience possible. Game drives are in small groups, so the experience feels very personal and unique. I couldn't recommend Shepherds Tree more and hope to return soon.
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 5 September 2024
Candice
South AfricaThe pillows were a bit hard for our preference
The staff is very friendly, food and rooms are fantastic
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 2 September 2024
Johanna
GermanyThis review has been hidden because it doesn't meet our guidelines.
Reviewed: 2 September 2024
Takie
South AfricaMy stay was short 🤦🏾🤦🏾
The atmosphere, the location and the quality of the establishment
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 1 September 2024
Anita
South AfricaNothing
Attention to detail. Staff very professional, friendly and welcoming.
Stayed in September 2024
Reviewed: 27 August 2024
Jonathan
United KingdomHaving to go home at the end of our stay.
The whole stay was excellent, from the greeting on arrival, complete with a cold drink and lovely desk manager, to the departure with a driver organised to take us back to Johannesburg. Everything in between was amazing - the game drives, starting with a cheery 5.30am “morning morning” phone call from our ranger - then the skillfully led and informative game drives - thank you Mingo for making it such an amazing stay. The ‘big’ 5 were all seen if you believe in counting these things, but it was so much more than this. Endless food with a significant danger of eating too much. A beautiful clean room with a view over the veld. Such welcoming staff. 3 days was not enough. A truly life changing experience.
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 26 August 2024
Daniel
BrazilNothing!
Everything!
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 26 August 2024
Johanna
GermanyThere's really just one small detail that stuck in my mind. As mentioned above, our ranger Goitse always gave space to other visitors too during special sightings on game drives. I think it's the right thing to do. Unfortunately not everybody is like that. There's in particular one ranger working for Shepherds Tree who's neither calling their coworkers for a special sighting, nor making space for them, rather blocking them, when at the same place watching something. One time when coming back from a game drive, she even bragged about it, telling us she could send us the pictures. This situation didn't compromise our all in all experience at Shepherds it was just something that left a bad taste and I wanted it to be mentioned as this happed a few times to a few people around.
Everything was simply amazing. Starting off with our lovely ranger Goitse, who was not just a competent guide with the ability to find those animals for us to watch, but is also incredibly charming and funny. She made our stay particularly special, as she's letting you feel her passion for nature and wildlife. Her knowledge is wide and she's always respectful towards the animals, giving them space to avoid to much impact on their business, as well as towards us and the other guests. She always made sure everybody got the chance of a special sighting and made space for others to see as well. We consider ourselves being very lucky to have her shown us so many things. Going on game drive safari with her, you won't be disappointed. Big thanks to you, Goitse, we won't forget the experience you gave us. The hotel staff (waiters, chefs, reception, drivers, cleaning) are all very nice and polite, starting to remember us after a few days as we were staying longer than most of the guests (6 nights). We really felt home after a short time because everybody gave us a warm welcome. The food is delicious, from breakfast to dinner, nothing to complain, and even special requests are never a problem. Because we were staying for so long, we were even offered to be served food that's not in the menu for us not to get bored (which isn't even possible with the great choice you get). The rooms are well equipped with everything you could possibly ask for, a spacious bathroom with bathtub that'll leave you with a calming view of the bush when taking a bath and an outdoor shower where you can watch the stars when using. Coffee and tea also provides as well as hairdryer, fridge, storing space. The perfect place to come back to when having an exhausting day out in the bush on safari.
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 24 August 2024
Sally
United StatesMaybe it needs a gym? And the waterhole could be nicer!
Close to Johannesburg, comfortable bedrooms with all amenities included. Wonderful spa, with awesome therapists. Dina was amazing! Food really delicious, Staff so friendly and helpful. Our Game Ranger Answer was very knowledgeable and we saw incredible sightings!
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 23 August 2024
Daniel
BrazilNothing to say.
Staff were amazing, rooms are exceptional, everything was perfect! I would definitely recommend you to stay there.
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 19 August 2024
Rutendo
South AfricaThere was a slight smell from the bathroom in our room. I am not sure if it was the drainage system, but we still loved our experience
Loved the atmosphere the food the staff. Our rangers, Goitse and Thapelo, did a great job. We got to see the big 5 plus hyenas. Best experience ever! We will definitely be coming back
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 19 August 2024
Sarah
South AfricaSuch a wonderful stay, really couldn't fault anything. Food was great, room was spotless, rangers were amazing and we had amazing sightings. Loved the boma braai on the Saturday.
Stayed in July 2024
Reviewed: 16 August 2024
Julia
GermanySimply perfect! We will come back!!
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 13 August 2024
Sarah-jayne
United KingdomNothing
Beautiful, clean, relaxing, fantastic attention to every detail
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 8 August 2024
Caroline
FranceThe surroundings are beautiful. Rooms have a lot of space and breakfast is great .
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 8 August 2024
Dmathew18
South AfricaEverything was amazing
Stayed in August 2024
Reviewed: 1 August 2024
Khwezi
South AfricaGreat service. My life partner and I enjoyed our couple holiday
Stayed in July 2024
Reviewed: 10 July 2024
Jennifer
South AfricaLoved everything!
Modern and contemporary accommodation with spectacular views, wonderful staff and very high service standards!
Stayed in July 2024
Hodenhagen, Germany
Oranjestad, Caribbean Netherlands
Vodice, Croatia
Veľký Meder, Slovakia
Port Douglas, Australia
Tivat, Montenegro
Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria
Dmitrov, Russia
Booking.com is part of Booking Holdings Inc., the world leader in online travel and related services.
We have more than 70 million property reviews, and they're all from real, verified guests.
1
The only way to leave a review is to first make a booking. That's how we know our reviews come from real guests who have stayed at the property.
2
When guests stay at the property they check out how quiet the room is, how friendly the staff are and more.
3
After their trip, guests tell us about their stay. We check for naughty words and verify the authenticity of all guest reviews before adding them to our site.
If you booked through us and want to leave a review, please sign in first.
End of dialog content