simbavati river lodge

Simbavati River Lodge enjoys a unique setting on the banks of Kruger Park’s Nhlaralumi River in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve.

One of its winning charms is the popular waterhole right below the dining deck, much loved by elephants.

Between game drives, you could enjoy a game-viewing experience of note just sitting on the deck as wildlife comes and goes from the water.

This lodge has a broad appeal, with a traditional safari ambience but with a relaxed contemporary twist in terms of décor.

You have a choice of tented or chalet accommodation at Simbavati River Lodge.

It caters well to couples and honeymooners with a safari spa and a fully equipped fitness centre. Whilst its two-bedroom chalets and Cubs Club kids centre are popular with families.

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.

Accommodation at Simbavati River Lodge in Timbavati:

Tented Luxury Suites

The six luxury tented suites at Simbavati River Lodge have a king-sized bed (which can be converted to a 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.

Tented Pool Suites

Two spacious and airy Tented Pool Suites are in a more secluded location.

They have a king-sized bed (which can be converted to a twin) and a beautiful game-viewing deck with a solar-heated plunge pool. (These can prove quite popular with the elephant.)

There’s a good-sized en suite bathroom and dressing area with ample storage space, indoor shower, double vanity, enclosed toilet and door out to an outdoor rain shower as well.

Two-bedroom Family Chalets

There are three two-bedroom family chalets.

Each has a beautiful game viewing deck with a riverfront view.

Each has a main bedroom with a king-sized bed, a second bedroom with twin beds and one bathroom with a bath and double rain shower.

Please note that the bathroom is accessed via one of the bedrooms.

And you don’t have to have young children to use the family chalets.

Families with adult children can use them as well (with a discount for the 3rd and 4th adults). Just as long as you don’t mind sharing a bathroom.

However, each two-bedroom chalet is configured slightly differently.

Chalet 1 (Buffalo) has one twin-bedded room and one king or twin-bedded room which has direct access to the deck.

The bathroom is accessed via the twin-bedded room.

Chalet 2 (Rhino) has one twin-bedded room, with the main bathroom accessed from this. Beyond is a triple room (one king bed and one single) which has direct access to the deck.

Chalet 3 (Elephant) has a larger bedroom (with king bed) with the main bathroom accessed from this room, and direct access to the deck.

Then a smaller twin-bedded bedroom, which also has deck access.

Safari at Simbavati River Lodge in Timbavati:

Timbavati Game drives take place in the early morning and late afternoon when the animals are naturally most active.

Key to the experience is your English-speaking guide who works closely with a tracker from the local Shangaan community.

This duo pools their knowledge, experience and fresh observations to maximise your wildlife sightings.

Their passion is in seeking out a variety of wildlife for guests to see as well as ensuring a rewarding, informative and invigorating overall experience.

Your guide is often a keen photographer and will be conscious and considerate if your mission is to capture sightings on camera.

The afternoon drive often ends after the sun sets, offering guests a glimpse into nocturnal bush life.

With the help of a spotlight, guests may spot a hunter on the prowl or one of the shy animals which only operate after dark.

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 months, 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 stargazing.

Your guide helps you to interpret what you see.

They also communicate with other vehicles by radio to keep in touch with sightings nearby.

The tracker, seated in the hot seat at the front of the vehicle, tunes into clues offered by the bush. It may be the spoor of a big cat on the hunt.

Perhaps a fresh scent mark on a shrub, a muddy patch on a tree left by an itchy rhino, or a tell-tale sign where a kill has been dragged into the bush.

But it is not just about game viewing.

You’ll start to tune into the sights and sounds of the bush, traversing the land and soaking it all in whilst you stop for a morning coffee or a sundowner in a beautiful spot.

Our vehicles come equipped with blankets, bird books, binoculars, water and refreshments. However, we do recommend that you bring your binoculars for maximum enjoyment.

The Timbavati Private Game Reserve offers an exclusive safari wilderness.

There are never more than two vehicles at a sighting.

So you don’t have to jostle for positions as you may do in a national park.

Family Safari’s at Simbavati River Lodge in Timbavati:

Spending time together in the wild is a great way to connect as a family.

It’s a rare youngster who doesn’t leap at the incredible opportunity to encounter favourite animals from screens and books but in their home territory.

And what adult isn’t overcome with emotion to see kids encounter charismatic species in the wild for the first time?

The safari experience captivates all age groups and, with a tracker and a guide leading the game drives, parents are relieved of the responsibility to “entertain”.

Parents get a real break, to do something that is undeniably educational – but everyone thinks is a thrilling treat.

We believe the African bush is an incredible natural classroom.

It introduces kids and young adults to the complexities of ecosystems while they just think they are having an amazing adventure.

The joy of a Simbavati safari is that you don’t just get to pay for Summer Camp; you get to share and bond with your family as they develop an affinity for nature.

Everyone is learning (with not a whiff of worthy self-improvement) and you’ll find your guide often exclaims about some new observation too.

Boma and Campfire Dining at Simbavati River Lodge:

Several times a week, dinner in the camps is a heartier, 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, candlelight and a welcoming open fire truly conjures up what is magical about a safari.

This is a convivial affair with traditional local dishes cooked over an open fire.

Most of the dishes will be recognisable, but you are welcome to try some traditional African delicacies such as pap and chakalaka.

Naturally, this is a meat-eater’s delight.

But vegetarians are well-taken care of as well.

Health & Wellness at Simbavati River Lodge in Timbavati:

Why does a safari spa experience work so well?

It’s probably because the combined mix of being surrounded by nature and pampering relaxation has such a restorative effect on your well-being.

Plus, the relaxing and unhurried hours between game drives offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy an in-room spa treatment.

The added plus of an in-room treatment is that you can fall asleep afterwards if you so wish!

To pay homage to our unparalleled cultural heritage, our highly skilled therapists offer a selection of traditional African massages and other treatments.

All are aimed to relax and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.

Choose from a range of massages, facials, and hand and foot treatments, all using luxurious Healing Earth products.

Directions to Simbavati River Lodge in Timbavati:

Directions from Hoedspruit Airport

As you exit the Airport, turn left for Timbavati Game Reserve onto Argyle Road.

Continue until you reach the Enkhulu control gate of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Please note that continuous cell phone reception ends here.

Aim to arrive by 2.30 pm, if possible so that you have ample time to settle in before the game drive.

If you are going to be late due to unforeseen circumstances, please let us know at (015) 793-9021.

After the gate, you continue on the tar road for approximately 27km.

Please ensure that you keep to the speed limit (50km/hour) and do not get out of your car.

Turn right at one of the stone direction markers with a sign for Simbavati River Lodge, onto a gravel track.

There is a Simbavati sign here as well.

Follow the Simbavati River Lodge paw print signs on the trees to the lodge for approximately 6.4km.

Please do not rely on your GPS after Hoedspruit.

Their directions are incorrect, and this could mean a two-hour detour.