Singita Sweni Lodge

Reviews

"Probably to be expected when a hotel only has six rooms and maybe five times the staff, this place was the perfect introduction to African safari. The staff were extremely nice and helpful, and we really enjoyed our time with our rangers and tracker during the game drives. We did not realize that June was one of the best times to go to South Africa for game viewing, but it was incredible. We were able to see scores of wild animals, including right from the hotel lobby and restaurant that are perched right above the Sweni River. The room itself was a huge highlight, featuring a modern but natural mini villa (on stilts perched above the river bank), with all the comforts of home. Singita is an incredible experience, and we are glad we visited this hotel in Kruger before the second part of our trip to Signita Sabi Sands. Also, visit the boutique and gallery, where we found a few great homegoods to bring back. Room"

- Charles

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"What a fantastic experience. Beyond my expectations. I have traveled the world and seen many Game Lodges but Singita Sweni blew my mind. You must try the massage! We saw all the Big 5. Thank you Peter and your Team."

- Vernon

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"My wife and I have been on safaris in Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa multiple times. All are great but Singita has been the best for us by far. Previous trips to Singita Ebony and Singita Boulders were spectacular. Our most recent visit was July 2013 to Singita Sweni – equally thrilling, if not better. True to Singita standards the game viewing and service at Singita Sweni set it apart. Game viewing was excellent with something new and exciting with each drive (the leopard and cubs in a tree feasting on a python was our #1, followed by a wildebeest shooing a cheetah from his “spot” under a tree). Lodging was unmatched and cuisine and wine outstanding. The staff anticipated our needs, made extra efforts to identify and fulfill extra services based upon our style, and created a true trip of a lifetime for us and for our extended family. The only thing that could have made our trip better would have been a 30-hour day so that we could enjoy the game drives and truly soak up all of the other activities, food and wine, and ambience that Singita Sweni had to offer. We now are looking ahead to visiting Singita Tanzania lodges, then Singita Sweni again. We will be back!"

- Tracy P

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"We ended our 12 day private trip through South Africa with a 3 nite stay at Singita Sweni. It was soooooooo lovely!!! Our first night fell on their weekly bush dinner (a full restaurant experience with silver, china,... in the bush lit by numerous candle lanterns. We ended our last night with a private wine tasting in the cellar. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Singita Sweni - from the expertly guided bush drives to the delicious food and lovely suite, it is a one-of-a-kind experience with impeccable service and hospitality. They even made a special trip to the store and surprised me with my favorite soft drink - Tab - because they heard me mention my love for it. Another night we arrived at the room after dinner and they had run me a hot bubble bath because they heard me complaining of the crick I had in my neck. Our final night we were surprised with a bucket of champagne on ice when we got to the room. Thank you Singita Sweni - you set the bar high for all other lodgings to compare and rank as one of the best we have ever enjoyed. I wish I were leaving tomorrow to return..."

- CM Johnson

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"After staying at some of the top places in South Africa for our honeymoon (Kensington Place, Delaire Graff and Singita Ebony), Singita Sweni was pretty much the only way to match what we'd already experienced. With our standards already pretty high, Sweni managed to once again exceed them! I didn't really understand how the safari experience would differ between Ebony and Sweni, but it was really amazing to experience both. First, while Ebony was traditional and rustic, Sweni was much more modern. We loved the decor of the rooms, the amazing glass walls and views, and the privacy. The food was just as amazing as our Ebony experience and once again, we pretty much never stopped eating! Even when we missed a breakfast because of an extended game drive to go see a cheetah family, the staff surprised us with a picnic lunch on a cliff overlooking Kruger. The game drives in Kruger were even more amazing than in Sabi Sands. The larger blocks made tracking harder, but there were just so many more animals roaming around that we constantly had amazing sightings. If you really want to see the big five, make sure to go to Kruger. And, there's really nothing that can top the Sweni experience."

- David S

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"My wife and I visited Sweni Lodge for 2 nights in late October transferring over from Ebony Lodge on the second stage of our holiday. Ebony Lodge was going to be difficult for anyone to follow, but Sweni Lodge gave them a good run for their money and certainly delivered, so much so that my wife and I regretted that we could not have stayed longer. Having stayed at Ebony Lodge for 4 nights previously, witnessed the big 5 and been totally spoilt, we felt that we were now safari experts – seen it, been it done it and got the tee-shirt. Our guide and tracker Danie and Exon stood no chance. We could not have been more wrong if we tried. As usual nature coughed up new and varied experiences, and Danie in particular provided a different perspective and insight on some of the animals that we had already seen at Ebony. Highlights (following on from our experience at Ebony) included the numerous lions that we saw, the rock python, the scorpion and the waterbucks at sunset. As noted in other reviews the accommodation and hospitality are excellent. The accommodation is modern, fully glazed with a choice of 3 showers and two toilets with a balcony overlooking the river and hippos below. We had the option of either sleeping inside or outside on the balcony beneath the stars, which we did on the first night, fully protected by mosquito nets. The ladies of Sweni Lodge gave us a warm welcome and made sure that we had a fabulous stay. We were impressed that Ebony Lodge had contacted them in advance and that they had noted and briefed the staff on our particular preferences. We cannot leave this review without special mention to all the staff at Sweni Lodge who were outstanding, in particular:- • Danie and Exon – for an awesome time. • Angelique and Irene (star of the Sinigita coffee table book) for always making sure we were being looked after. • Thabile, our butler, for looking after us and for dancing with my wife at the bomar. (Irene – your absence from the dancing was duly noted just as much as and Beauties’ dancing was also a revelation) • Lucky for her sparkling personality and providing my wife with her brandy nightcap. Thank you and hope to see you all again soon."

- Alan C

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"We arrived at Sweni Lodge for our first ever safari holiday as a family. We had the most perfect time. The people, the lodge, our room and the drives were all second to none. The attention to detail and the personal and friendly atmosphere was made all the special by the surprise outdoor under the stars dinner they arranged for us as a family. Our guide Barry and tracker Sunday were brilliant, they made sure we saw every animal possible and enabled us to experience all of them close up whilst being very respectful of each and everyone of them. All the team there were helpful, kind and attentive at all times as well as being good fun. Our personal lodge was immaculate & beautiful yet completely sat in the bush environment in a very sympathetic way. We returned each night to candles being lit around the bath and special treats for us to enjoy. We all were upset when we had to leave. We will definitely go back as it was our best holiday ever. Thank you Sweni."

- Helen

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"This was an amazing experience, they really were very child-friendly for our four year old boy. Also the ranger and tracker, Enos and Howard did a wonderful job to show us all the animals we wanted to see. The whole staff is very friendly and very service orientated, they already knew our preferences from Singita Ebony before we arrived. This is the best customer service we ever had!"

- Erik

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"We have never enjoyed a hotel or staff more than our stay here! Angelique, the manager on property was attentive to each and every detail, and was so fabulous that we never had to request anything twice, she even anticipated our needs. We are now at Singita Ebony Lodge where they were already aware of our special requests as to food and wine preferences. Singita is the most wonderful organization that we have ever encountered!"

- Laurie

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"This is everything you want in a safari and more. This is my 2nd stay at a Singita property, having previously stayed at Castleton (also incredible). The lodge is beautifully located along the Sweni river where there is no shortage of animals passing by for a drink. The rooms are huge. 2 bathrooms, 3 showers (1 outdoor!) and the option to sleep both indoors or out. Be sure to take a bath - you will likely see hippos, crocs, monkeys, and baboons while you relax in bubbles. One thing that makes Sweni extra special is the option to takeover the whole lodge as a group (6 rooms / 12 people). We went with a great group of friends and they took such incredible care of us. The service at Singita is like no other place in the world. Big thanks to Irene, Lucky, Beauty, Trust, and the entire staff! Rangers Enos & Nico, and trackers Sunday & Glass gave us great game rides - in Range Rovers, on bikes, and even on foot! Their stories and knowledge we're hugely appreciated. Singita truly is a "place of miracles." I definitely plan to be back!"

- Dave