Simbavati River Lodge

Location: Timbavati Private Game Reserve, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, 1380, Bushbuckridge, ZA

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Property Type: Safari/Tentalow

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:30 PM - 05:00 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Instructions: This property offers transfers from the airport. To arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 72 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. The front desk is open daily from 8 AM - 5 PM. This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in. To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions. The front desk is staffed during limited hours. For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation.

Amenities & Facilities

• Free breakfast
• Full-service spa
• Fitness facilities
• Books
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Free WiFi
• Terrace
• Designated smoking area
• Concierge service
• Wheelchair accessible
• Outdoor furniture
• Fitness facilities
• Free airport transportation
• Gift shops or newsstand
• Free breakfast
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Full-service spa
• Pool umbrellas
• Free reception
• Free self parking
• Free valet parking
• Pool sun loungers
• Free full breakfast
• Game viewing on site
• Safari on site
• Books
• Games
• Couples/private dining
• Renewable energy source - solar
• Grey water recycling system
• Well-lit path to entrance
• Humane animal treatment
• Locally-owned & organized tours & activities
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Locally-sourced food on site (80% or more)
• Comprehensive food waste policy
• Accessible airport shuttle
• No accessible airport shuttle

Rooms Available

• Deluxe Tent

  1 King Bed and 1 Twin Bed

  409-sq-foot individually decorated room, deck/patio with pool views

  
  

  Relax - Private plunge pool

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), electric kettle, and free bottled water

  Sleep - Premium bedding, turndown service, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and slippers

  Practical - Desk, safe, and desk chair

  Comfort - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar
  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Slippers
  • Electric kettle
  • Toilet paper
  • Bottle of water
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Designer toiletries
  • Premium bedding
  • Turndown service
  • Free WiFi
  • Private plunge pool
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Deck or patio
  • Desk chair

• Family Chalet, 2 Bedrooms

  5 Twin Beds

  538-sq-foot individually decorated room, deck/patio with river views

  
  

  Layout - 2 bedrooms

  Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), electric kettle, and free bottled water

  Sleep - Premium bedding, turndown service, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, deep soaking bathtub and separate shower

  Practical - Safe and wardrobe or closet

  Comfort - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 5 (5 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar
  • Safety deposit box
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Slippers
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toilet paper
  • Bottle of water
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Designer toiletries
  • Premium bedding
  • Turndown service
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Deep soaking bathtub
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Deck or patio

• Luxury Tent

  1 Twin Bed

  409-sq-foot individually decorated room, deck/patio with river views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom

  Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), electric kettle, and free bottled water

  Sleep - Premium bedding, turndown service, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and slippers

  Practical - Desk, safe, and desk chair

  Comfort - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar
  • Shower
  • Safety deposit box
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Desk
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Slippers
  • Electric kettle
  • Toilet paper
  • Bottle of water
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Designer toiletries
  • Premium bedding
  • Turndown service
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Deck or patio
  • Desk chair

• Family Chalet

  1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

  538-sq-foot individually decorated room, deck/patio with river views

  
  

  Layout - 2 bedrooms

  Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), electric kettle, and free bottled water

  Sleep - Premium bedding, turndown service, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, deep soaking bathtub and separate shower

  Practical - Safe and wardrobe or closet

  Comfort - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar
  • Safety deposit box
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Slippers
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toilet paper
  • Bottle of water
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Designer toiletries
  • Premium bedding
  • Turndown service
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Deep soaking bathtub
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Deck or patio

Guest Reviews

• Jocelyn (10/5): Relaxed intimate lodge with a great game drives and bushwalks - It was an intimate lodge that has a wonderful relaxed feeling The rangers (we had Happy and Daniel ) went out of their way to find the wildlife and provide the best vantage points to view the animals The food was lovely and the staff were very friendly
• Karen (10/5): - Location,staff excellent. Food was 5star and such a good variety. Guide and tracker Musa and Maritize were so good finding the leopards,pride of lion at Giraffe kill and many more. Bush walk we learnt so much Nothing
• Uwe (4/5): Enttäuschender Aufenthalt zu hohe Kosten - Lage Angefangen hatte es damit, dass man mir das falsche Haus zur Verfügung stellen wollte. Ich hatte sofort Einwände erhoben, da das Haus zu klein und die Aussicht nach rechts auf eine Wand gewesen wäre. Dies geht meines Erachtens gar nicht. Entweder bezahlt man für ein Familienhaus oder eben nicht. Das Familienhaus hatte einen etwas unangenehmen Geruch, war aber akzeptabel, und darauf wurde ich hingewiesen und war damit einverstanden. Die WC-Spülung war gleich defekt, wurde aber sofort repariert. Richtig schlimm wurde es in der Nacht, da die Klimaanlage in beiden Räumen nicht funktioniert hatte. Eine wahre Horrornacht mussten wir dort verbringen. Meinen Unmut darüber hatte ich am Morgen mitgeteilt, aber es musste ein externer Techniker hinzugezogen werden. Ohne erheblichen Druck wäre dies erst am Nachmittag möglich gewesen, so dass eine angedrohte Abreise nicht mehr möglich gewesen wäre. Ergebnis der Kontrolle war eine defekte Klimaanlage, wobei der Staubfilter mit 2 mm Staub verschmutzt war. Für mich bedeutet dies, dass die Anlage nicht gewartet wurde. Die zweite Anlage war nur falsch eingestellt. Ich finde, für 25.000 Rand die Nacht sollte dies nicht passieren. Immerhin hatte man uns ein Upgrade in die Hilltop Lodge gegeben, bei der alles in Ordnung war, wobei ein Preis von ca. 40.000 Rand sehr hoch ist. Eine spätere Einigung auf einen Schadenersatz für die entgangene Nachtruhe war nicht möglich. Booking.com hatte mir aber ca. 8.800 Rand erstattet. Ich kann daher den Aufenthalt dort nicht empfehlen, da wir bessere Unterkünfte hatten.
• Marie (10/5): Traumhaft! - Die Lodge und die Einrichtung war ein Traum. Total modern und schön eingerichtet. Wir waren total begeistert. Die Lodge liegt auch an einem kleinen Fluss, wodurch man Tiere beobachten könnte. Unsere Guides Marc und Daniel waren fantastisch und haben unsere Wünsche erfüllt. Wir würden raten nicht mit einem eigenen Mietwagen anzureisen, da die Straßen dort für Off Road Jeeps geeignet sind und nicht für einen Mietwagen. Aber das ist keine Kritiken an der Lodge nur als Hinweis.
• Herman (10/5): Once again an enjoyable time with Simbavati in the Timbavati game reserve. Treated like family! - Food was excellent. Staff very friendly. There was nothing that I did not like.
• Kyriacos (9/5): Fantastic location friendly staff - Location, staff, rooms. Opportunity to see wildlife Maybe food (lunch , dinner) can be a bit simpler, though appreciate chef tried to cater for people from different parts of the world
• Bianca (10/5): A luxurious lodge right in the middle of nature - What a marvellous experience!! We had never expected such a luxurious accommodation right in the middle of nature. The impallas, elephants, warthogs, ... walked right in front of our terrace and during the game drives we came so much closer to the animals than we would ever have imagined or hoped for thanks to our guide Martin and tracker Stiff! I will never forget that leopard! And back in the lodge the welcoming was so heartly, the food just perfect and the rooms really clean and comfortable.
• jean michel (10/5): Sorties safari géniales avec un super driver clément et tracker Daniel - Tout Rien
• Sian (10/5): Wonderful warm welcoming place where elephants come to breakfast! - This was a wonderful family of people who welcomed you in and showed you some of the best South Africa has to offer! Andrea and Nicholas were a fantastic team with great tracking skills and amusing stories that kept us and the kids entertained and taught us a lot about all the wonderful animals, from big to tiny. Nothing at all, everything was excellent!
• Achim (8/5): - Einzigartige Tierbeobachtungen möglich, direkt von der Lodge aus. Lage direkt an einem Fluss, auch in der Trockenzeit mit Wasserlöchern gefüllt. Essen sehr gut, Personal teilweise unpersönlich. Driver und Tracker für die Gamedrives hervorragend. Unterkunft wird in Teilen renovierungsbedürftig. Ob einem der sehr hohe Preis gerechtfertigt erscheint, muss jeder selbst entscheiden.
• Marjon (10/5): De mooiste afsluiter van onze vakantie die we ons hadden kunnen wensen! - Heel fijn, we hadden een huisje met ons vieren. Wat een uitzicht vanaf ons deck! Prachtige accommodatie, heerlijk bed en superlieve mensen, het ontbrak ons aan niets! Het eten was heerlijk, de sfeer gezellig, de avondmaaltijd in de boma met tracker Mosa supergezellig en de gamedrives met Mosa en guide Dennis werkelijk spectaculair!
• Chiara (10/5): -
• Jan (10/5): Highly recommend! Don’t miss out on this amazing experience - Location was amazing to see all the wild life. We saw the Big 5 within the first 2 days. Every single staff was highly professional. The lodging was simply luxurious and amazing. Great attention to detail from start till the end of our stay. Free shuttle to and fro to airport. We were upgraded to the Mvubu Cottage - we had a private chef and all guests also had a butler, a tracker and a guide for the game drives. Nothing. I loved everything.
• Jacques (10/5): - La tente de luxe était superbe Les games drive quelle aventure formidable, un merci tout spécial à Dennis Le personnel était à l’écoute de nos moindres besoins
• Olivier (10/5): Amazing - everything was very delicate Nothing
• Symon (10/5): Exceptional - Lovely lodge with a spacious and immaculate room, as well as a gorgeous communal area overlooking the river and where you can watch the animals pass by. Lodge and game drive staff were all amazing.
• Charlene (8/5): Very good -
• Mark (9/5): Superb -
• Hutchison (9/5): Superb -
• Avanti (10/5): Exceptional -
• Carol (9/5): Amazing location and accommodation, would recommend - Location was perfect, completely unfenced. Animal we’re allowed to roam around the campus Waited a long time (30minutes) for breakfast. But as soon as we were noticed they did their best to serve us quickly.
• Jody (10/5): - Great place. If you like elephants you will see many here. Overall a great place, from the people working there, to the food and amazing game drives.
• Leane (7/5): Good -
• Sophie (10/5): I wish we could do it all over again! - The lodge was stunning. So tranquil and nestled away in nature. The rooms and main lodge dining area faced the watering hole so we were spoilt for choice with elephants, giraffes, warthog and kudu right in front of our eyes at all times. The staff were the most welcoming, friendly and professional group of people. They could not help us enough. The game drivers and trackers (shoutout to Dennis and Daniel) were incredible. We saw every animal we could have ever hoped for including 2 leopards and we got so close! Obi was our butler and cared for us from start to finish. The cleaning staff left our room so beautiful every day. Honestly the most astounding and outstanding place. There was nothing not to like. Absolutely perfect place in every way.
• Katherine (10/5): Incredible, memorable honeymoon, thank you - Everything was perfect from start to finish. We were on our honeymoon and the entire team made our stay so memorable, we saw the big 5 in just over a day!! Thank you to the entire team, Thandy, Justice, Nicholas and Andre, you are all amazing. Nothing
• Emma (4/5): Disappointing - The hall with a beautiful view on a water spot where you can see elephants. Breakast was excellent as well as dinner. I booked this lodge at the end of our trip so I had the possibility to compare it with the others lodges I was staying at. Unfortunately this has been the worst one. It has been the most expensive of the entire trip so I had high expectations that haven't been met. First, the room was ok but not so "luxury" to justify the price. Moreover the private pool we had was into the shadow so not very useful. Second, the lunch the day of our arrival was awful, the meat was so hard that I wasn't able to finish it. Third, the staff: before our first game drive (3 pm) I asked for a coffee at the machine. The lady who was there wasn't happy at all, it was like I was disturbing her. Fourth the choice of wines: I booked an all inclusive option on booking and they only give you one choice of red wine, one of white and one of rosé. Fifht the game drive: there is no communication between the drivers at all. Our driver wasn't informed that there was a female lion with her cubs so we couldn't see her (but the others guests of the lodges yes). Finally, the day of our departure they give us an invoice to pay some drinks that we didn't have. They recognized the mistakes but I have been contacted some days later because they forgot to charge us with the conservation fees. Unacceptable for a "luxury" lodge. Avoid it.
• Eleanor (10/5): Unforgettable watering hole location - Watering hole on the property blew us away!
• Aldana (10/5): Exceptional - Everything was perfect, they provided us with halal food based on our request. We enjoyed the game drives. Special thanks to our guide and tracker GY and Daniel we were able to see all give in the very first game drive! Nothing
• David (10/5): - What we like the best is the people in this property! They are warm and welcoming! Every staff there are giving their best services to us! They are working hard to make sure the customers happy! Our guide named Happy was exceptional in terms of knowledge, competence, skills and his happy nature and disposition impressed us! He works extremely well with our ranger/ driver named Marte-lize, who has tremendous passion for her job and very good at her job! We are very blessed to have the best game drives every day! Our waitress Chrinah, was sweet, attentive and thoughtful. We are very grateful to have the wonderful unforgettable experiences! We cannot help but feel grateful for the memories we had made during our stay. It was a journey that awakened our sense, rejuvenate our spirit , and left us with a profound appreciation for the untamed the beauty of Africa wilderness! The memories of our Safari adventure will forever remain tattooed in our heart!
• Fiona (10/5): Brilliant for a family safari adventure - Fantastic, friendly staff who go out of their way to create a memorable experience. The game drives were brilliant and the food was delicious.
• Carol (10/5): It was a dream they made come true! - The staff were amazing everyone included. They were friendly and kind. Our guide was amazing and went above and beyond as well as our spotter. Nothing
• Sarah (10/5): An incredible family safari - We absolutely loved simbavati river lodge and could not imagine a better safari experience for our family of 4. Special shoutout to our fantastic guide CJ for incredible sightings including the elusive white lion. Truly nothing to dislike!
• Sabine (10/5): 10 out of 10 - If you love elephants 🐘 and game drives this is the lodge for you! Super friendly staff. Very knowledgeable tracker & drivers Nothing
• Nikola (9/5): Superb -
• Alexa (10/5): Lodge was truly special. Rooms were modern, clean and fairly bug free. Game drives were incredible and all the food was - Everything! Rooms, food, game drives, the works!
• Annemarie (10/5): Will tick all the boxes on an African safari wish list. - Beautiful lodge. Unbelievable wildlife encounters. Especially the herd of visiting elephants while we were sitting down for Christmas lunch! Nothing to fault.
• Annemarie (10/5): A true African safari experience. - Well appointed lodge. Fantastic game drives and daily visits from wild animals to the viewing deck at the lodge. All was very satisfactory.
• Rachel (10/5): Exceptional - We loved the property and everything about the game drives and how kind and helpful the staff were! The staff is absolutely amazing and hospitable and put a big smile on your face just by being around them. We loved all the wonderful experiences made possible by Marti Lise, Ralph, Happy and everyone else! Everything was wonderful- just a quick note to make the note of allergenic ingredients if anyone in the group has an allergy. Thank you Simbavati for the vacation of a lifetime
• Dario (9/5): Superb -
• Alisha (10/5): Exceptional - Friendly staff, comfortable accomodation. Nothing
• Julian (10/5): - Simbavati River Lodge encompasses a combination of luxury and Safari adventure。 While being papered with an amazing room with 5 star accommodations, you are submerged within the best Safari viewing experience one can imagine. Staff is professional friendly and extremely happy and hospitable. They go way beyond what was expected in all aspects leaving you with an experience that may be lived in very few places in this type of vacation. The food served is phenomenal with all sorts of choices for every breakfast lunch dinner and drinks. Our Field Guide, Tracker provided us with knowledge and viewings of all sorts of species while always providing a safe environment with upbeat and fun momments to be remembered. The rest of the staff including our Butler were all on opoint. We dream on returning soon.
• Joanna (10/5): Just fantastic - Just fantastic from the very start. I will miss this place but hopefully can make it back some time soon.
• David (9/5): A great experience delivered by amazing staff - A great safari and a fantastic location on the river. The staff were amazing: Auwbery and Siphu served us so well in the restaurant and the bar. Our guide Clement assisted by Nicholas were the best, giving us the most fantastic safari experience. The best safari staff we have experienced The 10 minute rule at sightings was not good as it meant moving on at critical moments in the safari to let another vehicle in
• SANDEV (10/5): - Phenomenal property and staff and game drives. Food and rooms were excellent.
• Emmanuel (8/5): memorable - location the rooms the food quality the length of safaris variety of safari trails
• Andrew (10/5): Wonderful staff and perfect location for safari - highly recommended! - Incredibly located lodge with super super helpful and friendly staff who will go above and beyond to ensure your stay is memorable. This was our first time on safari but we had the most wonderful experience and were fortunate enough to see all of the big five, a whole host of other animals, as well as a rarely sighted cheetah! Frequently elephants pass right in front of the lodge so we had them join us for breakfast one morning! From the moment we arrived we were made to feel super welcome. Special shout-out to Bishop (butler), CJ (guide) and Sion (tracker) for all of their superb attention and help throughout our stay. Food was delicious (much better than we had even anticipated). We were also incredibly lucky to have had a surprise private candlelit dinner by the fire organised on our final evening! Would recommend this lodge to anyone considering and we would love to stay again. Nothing!
• Burgin (10/5): Exceptional -
• Volker (10/5): Incredible 3 nights on Safari - Felt like a „home away from home“ from the first hello until goodbye. Great team, very nice tents, good food and (most important for this kind of holiday) incredible game drives. We saw a lot of animals and it was very nice that they not just concentrate on the big 5 but also told a lot about the bush, the birds and all the other small parts of nature. thanks again to our competent and very funny ranger Edward and the incredible tracker Nicholus. honestly said: nothing.
• Adrien (9/5): Amazing experience and super staff, especially CJ and Nkosi on our game drives!! -
• Simone (9/5): loved the area, the drives, the tents, the restaurant, the service, the location and the view! really an amzing experien - loved the area, the drives, the tents, the restaurant, the service, the location and the view! really an amzing experience
• Bert (10/5): Exceptional -
• Neil (8/5): The epitome of the perfect wild-life break we needed to kick start our 2023 expectations!!! Thank you. - The professional and friendly staff The modern look n feel of the reception and general lounge area The daily game drives were exhilarating and exciting experiences The number of guests was perfect - it wasn’t noisy and over-crowded. It was a great atmosphere around the lodge Great food! No WiFi in the rooms Very low water pressure in the shower in the room
• Judson (10/5): Exceptional -
• Nadeem (7/5): for what I paid I could have stayed in a 5 star in Maldives - staff no swimming pool that make sense, bathrooms and rooms are outdated. half of the time at the property we didn’t have water.
• Thoba (9/5): Superb -
• Regine (10/5): it was such a pleasure being there and have the total safari experience - staff was out of this world! great! accommodation and food outstandingly
• Kady (10/5): Unforgettable - The Simbavati River Lodge was an absolute dream from start to finish. Every single staff member was welcoming, attentive, eager to visit with you, and helpful. The cuisine was very good & lots of variety. We had the pool suite which as fantastic. There is wild life all over the property, so everywhere you look you are getting glimpse of the bush. The guide & trackers are so much fun & knowledgeable. I don't think there was a question that went unanswered. Special thanks to GY, Happy, Bishop, Allison, Russel, Kobus and who made our first South African Safari unforgettable. We cannot recommend this lodge enough & hope to return one day.
• Faye (10/5): Amazing from start to finish! - Loved absolutely everything! The staff were exceptional & personable. The lodge and luxury tent was stunning, highlight was when a herd of elephants walked past as we sat on the deck! The safari and trackers were amazing, we learnt so much, they are so dedicated and talented! Epic G&T sundowners. Literally had a tear in my eye leaving it was that magical! Great for honeymooners, couples & families, we met lovely people! Absolutely nothing I didnt like. WiFi doesn’t work in your room/tent but the whole point of safari is to switch off and enjoy the moment.
• Lindi (8/5): Very good -
• Sehar (10/5): Best vacation spot. Serene, clean, exceptional - Staff worked so hard to make our stay special. Exceptionally friendly. Great food. Clean and peaceful. GY and Happy made our game drives extra special, they worked so hard to find us the big five and were so knowledgeable. Easy to spot animals. Children did a pizza making lesson onsite and enjoyed board games. Spa was also great. We highly recommend staying at Simbavati River Lodge. Wifi was slow and only available in limited area. They are working on this and hopefully will be fixed soon. The pool was not clean, but it may have been because of the season.
• Hanno (10/5): Exceptional -
• Tarryn (9/5): It was really enjoyable. - Food was amazing. Staff went above and beyond. The facilities were stunning. My specific units roof, had something living in the roof that made a noise, which sounded very scary even though it was most probably just a squirrel. But I could not sleep and felt quite scared during the night. I think proper coffee should also be served on the game drive.
• Charles (8/5): very good value for money. reasonably priced bush experience. highly recommend - Food perfectly good. delightful staff. Game viewing excellent. lovely quiet environment. Privacy between the rooms not great. Pity no nightly firepit although boma fire every other night lovely
• Christopher (10/5): A gem in one of the most beautiful parts of Kruger - It was our Dad’s 80th and the stay couldn’t have been scripted better! The staff were incredible: Kobus the lodge manager was excellent and Sipho saw to the family’s individual needs. Everyone did their utmost to make the stay special. The food was extraordinary. We had a game vehicle to ourselves, with our own guide and tracker. Gyani and Jonathan were knowledgeable and we had sightings that we’ll remember for many years to come. The snacks and drinks completed each sunset. Dad’s birthday was celebrated with a sunset champagne tasting, cheese etc at the riverbed followed by a dinner in the boma with dancing. It was that good and we’ll certainly be back! Nothing, it was perfect!
• Donald (10/5): - The lodge is well positioned with great facilities and comfortable accommodation. The guides and trackers and knowledgeable and friendly making for the best game drives.
• David (10/5): Excellente - Chambre confortable. Chaque lodge est a l’écart des autres ce qui donne un sentiment d’être seul. Les prestations sont excellentes. Le personnel au petit soin. Les games drive au top avec le chauffeur et pisteur qui vous accompagne pendant le séjour. Beaucoup d’animaux dont les big 5. Je retournerai dans cet hôtel avec grand plaisir.
• Dean (10/5): Simbavati sensation - 5 star accommodation, food and wildlife experience.
• Paulo (10/5): Amazing wild dogs sighting - Very nice lodge located on a river bank in the Timbavati Game Reserve with good food and with excellent and talented staff. They could not do anymore to make us feel comfortable and welcome. From the front desk ladies to the waiters and cooks they are all so nice and attentive. The guide (Nichole) and the tracker (Thabo) tried everything to show us some amazing animal sights. The game drives can vary depending on your luck, but the guide and tracker did everything they could to show us some quality sightings such as leopards and hyenas with kill and the high light for me, a pack of more than 30 wild dogs which Nichole chased off road for more than 15min. The information and explanations from the guide were just enough to keep us interested and to let us enjoy the moment. I also liked the fact that the guides use a hear piece to maintain radio contact with the other vehicles. In other lodges you have to be submitted to listen to the constant radio talk. This was a far, far better experience. We definitely recommend this lodge for a fantastic stay and a truly bush experience. Thank you to all and well done for your dedication
• Bonnie (10/5): - The guide and tracker and butker qere excellent. So kind and helpful. The drives were FANTASTIC. Included the Big 5 as well as nuanced things like birds, vegetation, insects and reptiles. Just excellent. ,
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Wunderschöner Platz mit vielen vielen Tieren direkt beim Frühstück und an den lodges, tolles Essen und klasse Personal, alles wie eine Familie, spitzen Safaris mit Leopard, Nashorn, Löwen Elefanten.....
• Peter (10/5): - Nothing better than being greeted by a herd of elephants and impala as we sat on the veranda sipping a drink and sailing up the sun
• Alana (10/5): 60th Birthday celebrations - What a 60th Birthday bucket list adventure Family from around the globe joined together and we were super spoilt by team at Simbavati
• Verified traveler (6/5): - Leider war das Lucyszelt In der River Lodge nicht wie auf den Bildern am Fluss , kein Blick . Bei Hitze ueber 40 Grad funktionierte die Klimaanlage nur unzureichend . Außer 2 Ganes drives keinerlei andere Aktivitaeten moeglich . Gebiet um die Lodge bzgl Tieren ziemlich leergefegt , morgens in 3 Stunden 2 x nur 2 Tiersorte gesehen . Zu teuer fuer die Leistung , schade .
• Janaina (6/5): Decepcionados - Buscávamos um safári de alto nível e não tivemos isso. A qualidade dos safáris foi mediana. Fizemos outros em outro lodge e foi imensamente superior (mas o dobro do preço). A ranger era inexperiente e o tracker apático. Na maior parte das vezes, se restringiram a rodar pela reserva e encontrar os animais na sorte. No outro lodge, eles foram totalmente envolvidos e ativos na busca, e os safáris foram emocionantes. Não voltaremos e não recomendamos. A parte isso, o lodge é lindo e a reserva tem uma natureza belíssima. Os animais que vivem por lá são especiais. Vimos os 5 grandes. Também fomos presenteados por uma manada de elefantes que atravessou o rio, bem em frente ao lodge, enquanto tomávamos café da manhã.
• kevin (10/5): Traveller from Toronto - Great with African cuisine dinner, thank you so much to Nicholas, Stefan, Kyle for the game drive. it was a great experience in my life. Nice to try kadu, buffalo meat for dinner. 3 meal plus 4 snack time per day.
• Dave (10/5): Truly Loved It - We stayed in what are called "tents" but are actually much nicer including a complete bathroom, minibar, a/c, overhead fan, etc. The staff was wonderful, nice small pool, food good. Oh, the animals -- unbelievable. We stayed 4 nights at roughly $515/night, worth every penny, and had a great time on all the drives. Didn't get bored for a second.
• Emma (8/5): Great for safaris - A great location beside a river bed, that sadly only carries water during heavy rain. Never the less we still saw many animals walk along the river bed and drink from the water hole in front of the lodge. Internet is intermittent, due to the isolation of the area, but we found that all the lodges we visited had the same problems. Comfortable and very friendly staff.
• FelixSnow (10/5): Nice hotel with great staff - The staff is always caring. The morning and evening drives were excellent. We've seen all the big fives. The waterhole in front of the property is popular with animals. You can see them during meals and mid-day breaks. Our children love the property and activities. Highly recommended.
• Matthew (10/5): - Amazing! Truly unforgettable
• Atousa (8/5): - Everything was better than you expected exept the scorpion that we found in our room. Be careful!!!!!!!

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