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Marloth Park comprises of the Lionspruit Game Reserve and a surrounding holiday township. The area’s opposite Kruger National Park between the towns of Komatipoort and Malelane. The popular destination or stopover to Mozambique and Kruger National Park itself allows walkers and cyclists. Within Marloth Park, the Aamazing Riverview Restaurant overlooks the Crocodile River and Kruger Park. This article contains a first-hand review of the restaurant.
Marloth Park Aamazing Riverview Restaurant
Marloth Park’s BnB’s, vacation homes and even lodges deliver a unique experience. Unlike Kruger National Park, animals wander between the accommodation. In fact, no fences and game corridors mean that animals excluding the Big 5 wonder around freely. Actually, visitors may feed the animals approved cubes available at local stores. Meanwhile, the Lionspruit Game Reserve accommodates the Big Five. But, the Aamazing Riverview Restaurant attracts people as it overlooks the Crocodile River on the border of Kruger Park.
Easy to find, the restaurant lies at the end of Maroela Road which comes off the main metalled road, Oliphants. On arrival at the complex, people notice a sign that says visitors need to pay entry fees. However, if you wish to just dine at the restaurant, entry’s free. Payment extends toward those non-residents who use the swimming pool picnic facilities. However, we recommend a prior visit. Check out the place and in season, make a reservation for your table.
The design and layout of Aamazing River View Restaurant
The restaurant provides two levels of seating. Upstairs, there’s a magnificent view of the Crocodile River. But, downstairs also shows the same view. Actually, people enjoy it as the fence between the two protected areas lies below and out of sight of the Aamazing River View. On the lower level, out of sight on the left-hand side, individual seating lines a small metal bar near the toilet facilities. To the right, wooden picnic tables provide rustic seating.
Most people go down a short flight of stairs if they wish to smoke and do so away from the restaurant. The drawback to the downstairs area is the entranceway. Unfortunately, one passes through the smoking bar to get to the restaurant tables. A word of advice – book a table away from the bar which tends to get a bit noisy as people play music and pool in there. While residents of Marloth Park may enter the premises, everyone doing so needs to buy something from the restaurant. It seems many people just visit the bar for refreshments.
Menu prices
Online, some visitors to Marloth Park complain the menu’s expensive. But, it’s actually comparable to any mid-level restaurant in Pretoria. Breakfast sits in the range of the popular food concession, Wimpy. The burgers and light lunches also go into the same price range. Dinner sees a selection of seafood, grills, salads and pasta dishes. A chicken salad set us back (95.00 ($6.48) but the person in our party who ordered it couldn’t finish it as it was a big helping.
Grilled 200gm rump steaks with starches or two vegetables came in at R106.00 ($7.23). Meanwhile, the pork chops came at R99.00 ($6.76.) Sodas and still water are priced at R15.00 ($1.02.) a J&B Whisky cost R20.00 ($1.36) and a 330ml local beer cost R27.00 ($1.84). Extra side orders of sauces and chips etc sell for about R35.00 ($2.39.) All in all, the pricing’s about right for what you get. Notably, this is not a five-star menu. The food is tasty, basic, and filling.
Waiter service, wait time and tips
The waiters seem friendly and attentive. But, when it gets busy, it’s an idea to tell them to check back with you often if you wish to refill those drinks. Visitors should note that the service from the kitchen is not designed to shunt people in and out like a factory line. Marloth Park’s a place to relax and enjoy the natural bush. Demanding an instant meal kind of defeats the relaxed atmosphere of the place. Expect to wait between courses.
In the front of the menu, the Aamazing River View Restaurant explains that guests should ask the waiter which meals take longer to prepare. All food’s freshly prepared, and some take longer than others to cook. But, as guests to the restaurant enjoy the scenery and the animals on the Kruger side of the river, waiting’s not too much of a hardship. However, the sun sets in the west, and the restaurant faces that way. If you don’t wish to face directly into the sun, choose a time shortly after last light.
Meanwhile, the front of the menu explains they levy in an 11 percent tip charge. That gets split between the restaurant workers. But, when you get your bill, there’s an option to pay a further tip to your waiter. Note, there is no obligation to do so. But, if you choose to, between 15 to 20 percent is a reasonable amount. Make sure you carry some cash with you. ATM machines are available at the shopping centers in Marloth Park. Sometimes, load shedding can cause the power in cell-phone towers to drop off. When the powers on, which is most of the time, credit cards work fine. But you may need to step outside and walk up the road slightly to do your transaction.
Other things to note about the Aamazing River View Restaurant
Don’t expect a five-star service or menu. The food’s adequate and tasty. Waiter service gets by and the staff is willing. But, the tables are simple wooden tables. The seating might grow a little hard on the buns after a while. The bathrooms are clean but could use some maintenance. All, in all, it’s a pleasant place to watch the animals and enjoy the view of the Crocodile River. And, you never know, you might see hippos, lion, leopard, elephants and other interesting animals.
Would we return to the Aamazing River View Restaurant in Marloth Park? Absolutely. Our overall impression is its priced about right, the views’ excellent, they cater for kids, and the atmosphere relaxing. And, don’t dress up. Shorts, sandals and tee’s are perfectly acceptable.
Remember to check back with The Destination Seeker often for more African reviews.
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