Simbavati Photo Safari (ITT)

Simbavati River Lodge offers an exclusive and authentic African Big 5 Safari experience over an extensive tract of pristine wilderness in the well-known Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, home to the famous white lions. Set amongst a truly unique landscape with magnificent views over the Nhlaralumi River where the surrounding wilderness can be appreciated sipping exotic cocktails, enjoying authentic cuisine or simply relaxing.

This intimate, family-friendly lodge boasts contemporary luxury accommodation in luxury safari tents or thatched family chalets elegantly decorated with sophisticated finishes where one can awaken to sights and sounds of the surrounding bush.

Breakfast and lunch are served daily outside on the wooden deck, set out under age-old Jackalberry and Leadwood trees, combining African and Western cuisine offering exciting new tastes for the more adventurous as well as for the more conventional preferences. A traditional dinner is served around the campfire in an open-air "Boma", an experience not to be missed.

The lodge offers Big 5 Safari game drives in the early morning and evening for exceptional game viewing when the animals are most active. Nocturnal animals, including the big cats, are regular sightings at night. Simbavati also offers specialized photographic game drives.  (ITT)

• Images
• Video
• Rooms
• Units
• Facilities
• Activities and Services
• Restaurants

Simbavati River Lodge Breakfast with a view

Simbavati River Lodge Bar Area

Simbavati River Lodge Dinner Setup on the deck viewing

Simbavati River Lodge Main Lodge with a deck enjoying expansive views of the river and waterhole

Simbavati River Lodge Main Lodge with a deck enjoying expansive views of the river and waterhole

Simbavati River Lodge Boma Dinner Experience

Simbavati River Lodge Tented Pool Luxury Suites

Simbavati River Lodge Tented Luxury Suites

Simbavati River Lodge a spacious en suite bathroom and dressing area with ample storage space, shower, double vanity, enclosed toilet and door out to an outdoor rain-shower as well.

Simbavati River Lodge Tented Luxury Suites

Simbavati River Lodge Luxury Safari Tents

Simbavati River Lodge a spacious en suite bathroom and dressing area with ample storage space, shower, double vanity, enclosed toilet and door out to an outdoor rain-shower as well.

Simbavati River Lodge Tented Luxury Suites

Simbavati River Lodge Beautiful game viewing bedroom with a riverfront view

Simbavati River Lodge Family Chalet

Simbavati River Lodge Family Chalet

Simbavati River Lodge Spacious en suite bathroom and dressing area with ample storage space, shower, double vanity, enclosed toilet and door out to an outdoor rain-shower as well

Simbavati River Lodge Pool area

Simbavati River Lodge Private Dinner

Simbavati River Lodge Cubs Club

Simbavati River Lodge Wildlife Experience

Simbavati River Lodge Wildlife Experience

Simbavati River Lodge Wildlife Experience

Simbavati River Lodge Wildlife Experience

Simbavati River Lodge Wildlife Experience

Simbavati River Lodge Wildlife Experience

TENTED POOL SUITES LUXURY SAFARI TENTS BEDROOM FAMILY CHALETS

King bed (convertible to twin) En suite bathroom with shower, double vanity, and separate toilet Dressing area with ample storage space, Game viewing deck ,Plunge pool ,Outdoor shower.

King bed (convertible to twin) En suite bathroom with shower, double vanity, enclosed toilet, Dressing area with ample storage space, Game viewing deck , Outdoor shower, Views over river bed or bush.

King bed (convertible to twin), Twin beds (second bedroom), 1 x Bathroom with bath and double shower, Game viewing deck ,Views over river bed.

Notes: each two-bedroom chalet is configured slightly differently

2-bedroom Family Chalets Luxury Safari Tent Tented Pool Suite

There are three family chalets. Each has a main bedroom with a king-sized bed, the second bedroom with twin beds, and one bathroom with a bath and double indoor rain shower. Please note that the bathroom is accessed via one of the bedrooms. Each has a beautiful game viewing deck with a riverfront view.

Notes: each two-bedroom chalet is configured slightly differently

Six luxury safari tents have a king-sized bed (or twin) and a beautiful game-viewing deck with either a river or bush view. There’s a spacious en suite bathroom and dressing area with ample storage space, shower, double vanity, enclosed toilet, and door out to an outdoor rain shower as well.

Two spacious and airy Tented Pool Suites are in a more secluded location. They have a king-sized bed (or twin) and a beautiful game viewing deck with a solar-heated plunge pool. There’s a spacious en suite bathroom and dressing area with ample storage space, indoor shower, double vanity, enclosed toilet, and door leading out to an outdoor rain shower.

Property Facilities

24-hour Security, Bar, Business Centre, Eco Friendly, Gym, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Laundry Service (Available), Library, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa

Room Facilities

Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Hair Dryer, Heater, Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee

Services

Airport Shuttle (Complimentary), Babysitting Service, Credit Card

Game Viewing

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.

Your mode of transport, (or chariot as one of our guides likes to call it), is an open-sided 4×4 game vehicle with 3 rows of comfortable bucket seats in tiers. You generally head out with a maximum of 8 guests. This offers safe, yet close wildlife encounters. Guests sit up high for the best ‘spotting’ of birds and animals. There are no sides to inhibit your views and you naturally feel more in tune with nature. In the summer month, a shade top is added to protect against the African sun, but in winter it is open to the skies for the best bird-viewing and for stargazing.

Your guide helps you to interpret what you see. They also communicate with other vehicles by radio in order to keep in touch with sightings nearby.

Dining - Restaurant Dining - Boma

Enjoy an early morning cup of coffee/tea with rusks before embarking on the game drive. After the morning game drive, breakfast is served outside on the wooden deck, while a light lunch is served just before the afternoon game drive. The bar caters for alcoholic beverages and also includes a wide selection of fine South African wine

Dinner is a festive event which is alternatively served around the campfire in the open-air boma or in the thatched dining area. Dinner consists of an African and Western cuisine with exciting tastes for the more adventurous as well as various conventional options.