Sauraha accommodation from NZ$20

Overpriced, overhyped, and overwhelmingly disappointing I genuinely don’t understand the rave reviews about Sapana Village Lodge, my stay felt more like a lesson in what not to do in hospitality. Sure, the view is lovely… but you can’t sleep on a view. The room? Dim, musty, and crawling with ants quite the “rustic charm,” if that’s what you’re into. The bathroom felt like it hadn’t seen a proper cleaning in ages, and the linens had a damp, moldy smell that made me question everything. The service was painfully slow and disorganized. I waited over an hour for dinner and when it finally arrived, it was bland, lukewarm, and overpriced. The staff were friendly, but the whole place felt like it was running on guesswork and good intentions rather than actual management. What really pushed me over the edge was the outrageous pricing for activities. They charge a premium for basic excursions like canoe rides and jungle walks and we later found the exact same experiences literally down the road for half the price, with better guides and no pushy upselling. It felt like they were taking advantage of guests who didn’t know any better. If you’re into paying luxury prices for a mediocre lodge and a side of frustration, then maybe this is the place for you.

The best things about this resort are the location and the staff. Sabrina on reception is always smiling and cheerful. She has "magic fingers" which repairs things. Sitaram Streatham is an outstanding waiter in the restaurant. He is very attentive but also very knowledgeable about local wildlife. Lovely gentle mannered man. Our room was very comfortable. The bathroom is a wet room so i struggle with wet floors but i bought a floor squeegy in town for just over £1 and that helped a lot. The food in the restaurant is very good and reasonably priced. Beer prices are good too.

All the staff were lovely! You can easily book a 1-3 day safari and they will pack a lunch for you as well!!