Simbavati River Lodge

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Taken from local Shangaan language, Simbavati River Lodge translates to "the place where the lions came down from the stars" and was designed to offer private luxury accommodation with breathtaking views, personalized service, and an excellent big-5 game viewing experience.

Situated in the heart of the world-renowned Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park, this intimate, family-friendly camp is built on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River – a beautiful watercourse in the summer months when rain is plentiful, and a dry riverbed in the drier winter months.

Simbavati River Lodge boasts eight Luxury Tents and three Family Chalets; each positioned to offer guest privacy and comfortably furnished.

The twin bedded Luxury Tents offer spectacular bush or water views from the private viewing deck. The tents are spaced far apart to ensure guest privacy, and they have all of the amenities that ensure a luxurious and comfortable stay. The bathroom configuration in each tent differs, with either an inside shower and outside bath, or an inside bath and outside shower.

Each Family Chalet features two separate bedrooms with one shared bathroom. One of the family chalets can accommodate five persons, whilst the other two family chalets can accommodate four persons.

The lodge facilities include a lounge area with a selection of book and games, bar, curio shop, outdoor boma, informal meeting room, swimming pool, spa, Wi-Fi in the main lodge areas, and a game viewing deck with breathtaking views of the Nhlaralumi river.

Simbavati River Lodge is situated in the northern sector of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and is surrounded by 12 000 hectares of wildlife and rich wilderness. There are over 40 mammal species in the Timbavati Reserve including the Timbavati white lions and the famous Big 5 - lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant. The reserve is a bird watchers paradise with 360 bird species recorded.

Game drives are offered in the early morning and evening and are conducted by experienced field guides and Shangaan trackers in open 4X4 safari vehicles.

Simbavati River Lodge is ideal for solo explorers, couples and families looking for an affordable and authentic safari experience.

Rate Excludes

Transfers, beverages, babysitting, conservation fee, and items of a personal nature.

The lodge will collect R328 per adult per day and R164 per child per day (children under 12 years) for conservation fees on behalf of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The conservation fee can be prepaid.

Child Policy

Children of all ages are welcome at Simbavati River Lodge.

There is a children’s activity room with a selection of toys/board games. Children will receive an activity booklet on arrival (colored pencils available to use at reception). Children under the age of 13 will be taken to look at tracks and signs in the bush by a tracker after Breakfast. Board games and books available in the lounge area.

Children under 3 years - no charge and the rate includes all meals.
Children aged 4 to 11 years - 50% of per person sharing rate when sharing with parents in family chalets.
Children over the age of 12 years sharing with parents in a family chalet will pay the 3rd/4th person rate.
Children 6 years & over are allowed on Game Drives. Families with younger children can arrange a private vehicle at an additional cost prior to arrival.
Babysitting during the game drives/evening meals is possible by prior arrangement and at an additional cost. This needs to be pre-booked.

Rates

Luxury Safari Tent

From $ 494 Per Person Sharing

Single: $ 657
Unit sleeps: 2

Includes: Accommodation, all meals and twice daily game drives with a sundowner drink.

Dates	Rates (PPS)	Rates (SINGLE)
01 Nov 2019 — 31 Oct 2020	$ 494	$ 657

Family Chalet

From $ 1,482 For 4 people

Unit sleeps: 4

Includes: Accommodation, all meals and twice daily game drives with a sundowner drink.

Please note: For the third and fourth person over the age of 11 years, the cost will be R4875 per person per night and children between the ages of 4 and 11 years will be R3250 per child per night sharing with their parents for 2019.

For the third and fourth person over the age of 11 years, the cost will be R5440 per person per night and children between the ages of 4 and 11 years will be R3625 per child per night sharing with their parents for 2020.

Dates	Base rate	Extra adult
01 Nov 2019 — 31 Oct 2020	$ 1,482

Reviews

"The three night stay at the lodge was fantastic. The sightings were great. saw the big 5 in abundance. The rangers tracked lion for hours to ensure we got to see them before we went home. The staff were exceptional, especially with our 10 year old. The food was excellent, never disappointed. What a warm, friendly, luxurious place."

- Dian

"Family of Mum, Dad, miss 8 and Miss 6 loved this. We enjoyed 6 game drives over 4 days and saw the big 5 plus crocs, hippos and the highlight of a cheetah with a kill. Accommodation was great the food ok and the staff great."

- Daniel

"My granddaughter and I have just spent 4 glorious days at Simbavati and agree it is the best holiday we have ever had. We were made so welcome by everyone. Sitting beside the waterhole having breakfast and watching the animals and birds coming in to drink was magical. We were fed almost too well, delicious meals every day. But the game drives - well they were so exciting, with our ranger Clement and his tracker Caswell, both extremely knowledgeable, showed us the Big 5 and so many other animals. All in all an experience we will never forget and highly recommend Simbavati to everyone!"

- Cynthia

"We were picked up by the lodge at the main gate last minute as our original transport was disrupted. As we were late arriving they made our journey to the lodge our first game drive. Clement, our driver was nothing less than superb in the way he made this and all our subsequent drives spectacular. His knowledge and ability to explain everything around us was impeccable, we got to see all the big 5 as well as many other animals due to his expertise. the Lodge was brilliant, unfenced and in tents (luxury without a doubt) made you feel part of the surroundings. Food, staff all excellent. we all had massages of different types all superb (don't ask for hard unless you can take it). Thank you to everyone at Simbavati you made our holiday! Peter, Linda, James & Edward Williams P.S The boys would like to say a special thank you to Obedience for his attentiveness and feel they have made a new friend."

- Peter

"What an awesome experience - Gert and his team are absolutely wonderful. Roy thank you for the warm, hearty welcome from you! Rekson our ranger, Daniel our tracker are so skilled and professional! We learned so much with every drive! The wild dog and leopard sightings were very special, if you know that the wild dog is highly endangered. The elephant and rhino sightings were also unbelievable. Bishop is a true gem at food service, what an unbelievable man! Thank you Amen for walking us to our rooms at night, you're a star. I will truly recommend visiting Simbavati River Lodge - for an unforgettable experience."

- Rochelle

"We looked long and hard before we booked our first safari and chose Simbavati because it was slightly outwith the normal safari trail. I'm not one to follow the crowds!! Wow we were not disappointed. We were met by Itu as we arrived with drinks and wet towels with a run down of the next 4 days. We were taken to lodge elephant which is the one they have in the pictures.. Truly outstanding, from our private balcony we saw so many beautiful wild animals pass by at all times of the day. There were 2 very substantial bedrooms with a massive bathroom with everything you would need. Our guide and tracker were Jimmy and Collence who were truly outstanding. They were educational and funny, passionate about the animals and showed us exactly what we wanted to see. Got closer than we ever thought to the animals but their respect and knowledge made us feel so comfortable. I would highly recommend Simbavati to everyone. The friendliness, comfort, beautiful accommodation, excellent staff, gourmet food and most of all being beside the most stunning animals in the world. What more could someone ask for!! I don't often return to the same place as the world is so big but I'm going to be hard pushed not to return here."

- Laura

"The Simbavati River Lodge, located in the Timbavati Private Reserve, is joined to the Kruger. The lodge itself compromises of a great setting in a dry river bed, and has it's own waterhole and viewing deck. My room, a luxury tent had a rustic feel, but all the mod cons of hot running water, shower, electricity and left me for wanting nothing. The camp is unfenced and brings you closer to the wildlife than many camps I have visited. Each morning or evening something was outside my room, A bushbuck, Waterbuck, Warthogs and Kudu were all seen less than 10-15 feet from my room - a tip - Keep your camera handy at ALL times. Mornings were a 5 am start with a quick coffee and excess of 3 hour game drives (in fact ours were at least 4 hours) with some excellent viewings. This included 5 separate leopard sightings and 3 sightings of wild dogs. Food in the lodge was excellent with breakfast after the morning drives. Lunch mid afternoon and a 2nd game drive leaving about 4pm. The days were wonderful with elephants, bushbuck daily coming to the waterhole. One morning as we drank coffee before heading on our first game drive we watched a female leopard walk through the camp and directly across the river bed. The guides and vehicles were excellent, with our guide and tracker both delivering great sightings of more than you would expect, but also funny and knowledgeable. Really really had a great time, and met some wonderful people there too."

- Joe

"We visited Simbavati River Lodge for 2 nights and had the most memorable, amazing stay. My boyfriend took me there as a surprise to propose to me and it couldn't have been more special. The staff went to SO much trouble, especially Greg! All my (now) fiance asked was that we could stop near a river bed at sunset for him to propose. What the staff of Simbavati organised was unbelievable: we had a vehicle to ourselves, they set up the most beautiful spot for sun-downers overlooking a riverbed with candles, lanterns, rose petals, snacks, champagne and rocks positioned in the shape of a heart, and to capture the moment, they organised for a member of staff who is a great photographer to be there to discretely take photos. I couldn't imagine anything more romantic and perfect. The camp itself is also really lovely: luxury tented rooms with big outside showers and private decks, the dining room/main deck of the lodge has a dam just in front of it where big herds of elephants drank a few times a day, the staff were so friendly and attentive (especially Roy) and the food was delicious! We will definitely be back! Thank you!"

- Kirsten

"Our transfer from the local airport to Simbavati was a portent of what was to follow. On the way we saw impala, waterbuk, ostriches, a rhino, a warthog, and several other types of antelope. We were just minutes too early because a couple who transferred a little later than we did also saw a cheetah. Our first drive in the evening had a rain shower, but it did not last long. The rain followed us from Jo'Burg. After passing various types of antelope, we got a call that the other vehicles happened upon a momma lion and four cubs; three twins and an adolescent male. It was as if the cubs knew they were cute and posed for us to take pictures. I got an amazing shot of one with its head tilted back yawning, fangs on display. Next up was a mother leopard and adolescent cub up a tree with a kill. Several hyenas were circling below, waiting for any scraps. We stayed there well into darkness. Enough about the animals. The entire stay at Simbavati was one adventure after another. Check in at the lodge was fast and efficient and we were shown our room. They had held lunch for us and the couple that followed us. This was a very nice touch. The lodge manager was ever-present and helpful. She helped my wife pick out a fleece with removable sleeves to wear as a vest under her down jacket. It was very cold on the morning drives. Another nice feature of this lodge were the bed warmers that were very much appreciated due to the temperatures. The manager also volunteered to loan a pair of long trousers to my wife. The food was good, generous, and varied. Not usually an adventurous eater, I tried ostrich and impala the first day. The menu was varied and my wife was eating pretty much vegetarian , not wanting to eat game. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Simbavati. All the staff were friendly, courteous, and helpful."

- William