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Simbavati River Lodge is an intimate and friendly camp built on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve. The Timbavati is part of the Greater Kruger Park. Shaded by age old Jackalberry and Weeping Boerbean Trees, Simbavati River Lodge comprises three thatched chalets, each with two bedrooms, and four luxury tented rooms all with en-suite facilities. Tents and chalets are comfortably furnished with eco friendly air conditioning or fans. Each has a well appointed en suite bathroom with indoor bath and outdoor shower (or outdoor bath and indoor shower in the case of two tents).
The lodge also offers a spacious lounge, bar, dining area on the deck and an expansive deck with breathtaking views over the river. There's also a small plunge pool for relaxing during the heat of the day. Brunch is served outside on the wooden deck and combine African and Western cuisine (with exciting new tastes for the more adventurous as well as more conventional options.) High tea is served just before the afternoon game drive whilst dinner is a festive event served around the campfire in the open-air boma, or on the deck overlooking the river.
Simbavati River Lodge offers game drives in the early morning and evening to ensure game viewing when the animals are most active. Game drives are conducted by experienced rangers and Shangaan trackers in open 4x4 vehicles, with excellent photographic opportunities. You traverse over 12,000 hectares of the finest big game country, with lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo thriving alongside giraffe, zebra and a variety of antelope. Nocturnal animals, including the big cats, are regularly sighted on night drives. Bird watching is wonderful, with various eagles, owls, francolins, kingfishers, rollers and weavers among the over 300 recorded species.
Simbavati River Lodge is a child-friendly safari camp with three family chalets available, each with two bedrooms sharing one bathroom. One of the family chalets can take three children sharing with two parents whilst the other chalets can accommodate two children. Typically children 6 years and over can join their parents on game drives. However families with younger children can request a private landrover and guide (at an additional cost).
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
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.
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.
