I really don't think there are any words to describe this place!
I was nearly in tears leaving I loved it so much:
- Amazing staff, so welcoming (special thanks to Bryan who drove half way to Port Elizabeth to try and catch up with us after we'd checked out as I'd forgotten my handbag!)
- Wonderful food and plenty of it, decided on picnic for 2nd day for lunch, picnic basket (with menu!) and everything we needed provided by kitchen staff and great grounds to enjoy it!
- Guide (Francis) so knowledgeable and patient, couldn't believe how much we saw on the game drives and how close we got to the animals. Learnt so much too.
- Rooms wonderful (as we were on honeymoon they had our room done up with petals, bottle of champagne and lovely personalised card when we returned from our first game drive), really comfortable rooms and meticulously clean

I really don't believe it's possible to write a review to do this place justice. My advice is just go visit!! I can't WAIT to go back.......

The Lodge is a long way from the N2 - make sure you've got proper directions
Once you find the lodge the welcome makes the trip woth it.
The drives out are a well organised routine and our guide was excellent.
The pool outside our rooms was beautifully kept and an inviting refuge after
spending time out on the reserve.
The food was well cooked and good wholesome fair.
We weren't great animal enthusiasts - until we stayed in Shamwari!

We had 4 nights at Rippons, which was the end of our journey along the garden route. After you've negotiated the 21km journey to the resort, you're offered a very warm welcome and tour around.

It is a very quiet and remote place to stay, which we loved. Below the pool is a large lake where you could reguarly see baboons and the resident hippo.

Aside from the fantastic service, food and overall cleanliness of the resort, our stay was made such great fun with our tour guide Fred.

We both got on with him really well, he was extremely knowledgeable but also a great laugh to be around. His effort continued at breakfast and dinner where he seemed to double up helping out by offering drinks, coffee etc.

One addition thing I really appreciated was given the remoteness of this location you weren't ripped off for anything. Yes you were charged for drinks when offered, but 80p for a beer isn't going to break the bank is it. Generally when you have nowhere else to go for these things you are charged the earth for them.

We saw 4 of the big 5 and spent the last day following two cheetahs around who were looking for food. Fred has the ability to get his vehicle to places you wouldn't think were possible and the driving experience alone is great fun.

My family recently visited SA for the first time last month and began our trip in Rippons. Our stay and experience was truly memorable. Bryan was a perfect host whose deep knowledge of various subject was captivating. The staff at Rippons were friendly and helpful and we felt we were in safe hands. The accomodation was brilliant and the game drives were varied (we were lucky to see all of the big 5) and educational. This was a great introduction to our trip and we had three to four wonderful days at Rippons.
Definetly recommend the lodge and first time visitors must not be put off by the initial drive on the dirt road to get to the lodge - it was a little long but trust us it was well worth the drive.