South Africa - 7-day Sabi Sand & Timbavati Safari with Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge & Simbavati Hilltop Lodge- Private accommodated

Originally a private family retreat, Chitwa Chitwa earned its name as an affectionate ode to the aging giraffe bull who shared the lakeside home as an extended member of the Brink family. According to the owner, Charl Brink, the majestic arrival of this regal relative was always signaled by the creaking of his old joints - and still today, his watchful essence is felt presiding over the lodge. The private game lodge is magnificent and graceful in appearance, yet humble enough to evaporate into the surrounding beauty of the unspoiled bush of the Sabi Sand.

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Chitwa Private Dining Credit: Dook Private dining on the edge of the Chitwa Dam

Private Dining Credit: Dook Private dining on the pool deck at Chitwa Lodge

Healing Hands Credit: Max Time out in the Chitwa Spa

Elephant introduction Credit: Sheldon Hooper (Chitwa Guide) Close up viewing of the big 5

Zebra Credit: Tom Solo Large herds of plains game frequent the Chitwa Lodge

Territorial Males Credit: Tom Solo The big cats survey they territory around Chitwa Lodge

Hippo Fun Credit: Dook Excitement in the Chitwa Damn

Giant Drink Credit: Dook Elephant stop off for an afternoon cool down at the Chitwa Dam

PRIDE Credit: Tom Solo The thriving prides who roam Chitwa

Up close Credit: Tom Solo Informative game drives in and around Chitwa

Lions Stare Credit: Tom Solo The young cubs of Chitwa

Leopards Views Credit: Tom Solo Gazing over the veld - the Leopards of Chitwa

Gentle Giants Credit: Tom Solo The large herds if the Sabi Sands

Chitwa Giraffes Credit: Dook The giraffes that give Chitwa it's unique name

Luxury Suite CHARLSY SUITE CHITWA House

6 Luxury spacious suites varying from 130 to 180 sq meters offering:

• Each suite can accommodate up to 2 extra beds for children under the age of 12 yrs only.
• Opens onto a private lake-view deck with plunge pool
• Bath-tub, indoor and out door shower
• Fireplace
• Minibar
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Coffee / Tea facility
• iPod docking station

The Charlsy suite consists of 2 beautifully appointed inter-leading en-suite rooms joined by a common living area and offering:

• Spacious common lake-view deck with swimming pool
• Bath-tub, indoor and out-door shower
• Fireplace
• Minibar
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Coffee/tea facility
• iPod docking station

The Chitwa house is the epitome of family luxury in the African bush

• 2 beautifully appointed en-suite rooms with private decks and out-door showers

• Spacious common lounge/dining area

• Spacious common lake-view deck with swimming pool

• Private safari vehicle with guide and tracker

• Private meals

• Television in the lounge

• Fully stocked mini-bar and coffee/tea facilities

• Fully equipped kitchen

Property Facilities

Bar, Barbeque Facilities, Eco Friendly, Gym, Gym (nearby), Kiddies Club, Library, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa

Room Facilities

Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Fan, Fireplace, Fridge, Heater, Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Outside Shower, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee

Services

Babysitting Service

Cultural Excursion Pizza truck stop

Dixie is a small village situated close to the Gowrie Gate entrance of the Sabi Sand. Through our close associations with our neighbours and our love of the area in general, we have cultivated a unique partnership with the Dixie community in order to contribute to their general upliftment. The Cultural Village Excursion, headed by professional field guide Chris Sebuye affords the opportunity to slip unnoticed into a day in the life of the locals whilst tapping into the optimism and energy that is so much part of this little village’s charm. The transfer will be in a Chitwa Chitwa open vehicle and will take about two hours from the time of departure from the lodge.

This is unique and made at the lodge by the owners, truly one of a kind.

Safari stops of the ultimate luxury... with pizza of course!

The first in the Sabi Sand Game reserve!

Welcome to the Chitwa Pizza stop made in our Pizza Truck's oven.

Hilltop Lodge has one of the finest settings in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, an unfenced but private part of the Kruger Park. It’s perched on the hillside with wide angle views over the bush and views to the distant mountains of the Drakensberg escarpment. Below lie the expansive Mbali Dam and the Nhlaralumi River, where you may be lucky to see elephant, and other wildlife, come to quench their thirst.

Hilltop Lodge has a light footprint, purposely designed so that it can be removed without leaving any lasting impact on the land. This luxurious lodge has a romantic, bright and airy ambience with 8 spacious tented suites connected by wooden walkways to the main lodge and a private Cottage( Mvubu) Accommodating up to 4 guests per night.

The Timbavati forms part of the Greater Kruger Park and offers exceptional game viewing including all the Big Five, most notably leopard, and also wild dog. Twice-daily game drives provide for close encounters with birds and animals, large and small.

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Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Infinity pool, with panoramic views of the bushveld

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Double day bed for an afternoon read or snooze

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Main lodge has wraparound decks with panoramic bush and distant mountain views

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Main lodge has wraparound decks with panoramic bush and distant mountain views

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Bathroom – bath, double vanity with double outdoor shower for two

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Sitting area and books and board games

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Views over the bushveld, the dam and the Nhlaralumi River.

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Views over the bushveld, the dam and the Nhlaralumi River.

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Breakfast area

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Open air boma & campfire for dining under the stars

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Open air boma & campfire for dining under the stars

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Game viewing vehicle

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Double day bed for an afternoon read or snooze

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Main lodge has wraparound decks with panoramic bush and distant mountain views

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Spa Treatments

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Luxurious, private suites overlooking the beautiful dam

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Bathroom – bath, double vanity with double outdoor shower for two

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Experience Spacious private decks with a sala pavilion with a day bed

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge Main lodge has wraparound decks with panoramic bush and distant mountain views

Luxurious Safari Tent

8 luxurious tented rooms offer a choice or King or twin beds. Each suite has glorious views over the bushveld, the dam and the Nhlaralumi River. French doors open out onto an expansive viewing deck, each with its own private sala pavilion with double day bed for an afternoon read or snooze.

The en-suite bathroom tent is connected to the bedroom tent via a small passage. On the deck is a double ’rain’ shower with views over the dam.

Mvubu Cottage

• A private and exclusive cottage with two en-suite bedrooms (one of which has an outdoor shower) for up to four guests to share. It occupies its own elevated position, with a private pool and viewing deck (the day bed is the perfect vantage point from which to appreciate the view and the many animals that come to drink from the Nhlaralumi River below).

• Guests reserving the cottage at its published rate can expect the ultimate exclusive Big 5 safari, with access to a private vehicle, field guide and tracker (maximum of four per vehicle). Those guests who may be upgraded from Hilltop Lodge will join Simbavati Hilltop Lodge game drives with other guests.

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at Simbavati Hilltop Lodge, although Mvubu Cottage guests have the option of more private dining experiences where continental breakfasts, picnic-style lunches and a-la-carte dinners will be delivered to them by our service team.

• The day bed on the upper deck can be converted into a ‘sleep out’ for our more adventurous guests.

Property Facilities

24-hour Security, Bar, Eco Friendly, Laundry Service (Available), Library, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa

Room Facilities

Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Hair Dryer, Heater, Laundry Facilities, Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Outside Shower, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee

Services

Credit Card

Game Drives

Game drives take place in the early morning and late afternoon when the animals are naturally most active. Key to the experience are your English-speaking local guide, working with a tracker from the local Shangaan community. This duo pool their knowledge, experience and fresh observations to maximise your wildlife sightings. Not only in terms of how much you see. But how rewarding, informative and fun the overall experience is. Your guide is often a keen photographer and will be conscious and considerate if your mission is to capture sightings on camera.

Boma & Campfire dining

Several times a week, dinner in the camps is a more hearty, campfire style meal served under the stars in a ‘boma’, a circular enclosure originally made from branches. The cosy, lantern-lit ambience recalls the early days of safari pioneers.

Another authentic safari experience is dining out under the star in a boma (an enclosed circular dining area) around the campfire. This usually takes place every 2nd night.

The gentle flicker of lanterns, candle-light and a welcoming open fire truly conjures up what is magical about a safari.