Simbavati River Lodge

CEDARBERG RATING

Premier

PRICING FROM

₤ 358 (Pps)

Overview

  • Simbavati River Lodge is one of the few tented camps in the Greater Kruger
  • Superb game-viewing in the Timbavati Game Reserve
  • Warm friendly ambience
  • Accepts children of all ages with spacious family suites and a kids centre
  • Choice of tented rooms or chalet accommodation
  •  Well-priced

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, the lodge comprises three thatched chalets (each with two bedrooms) and eight 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).

Simbavati River Lodge also offers a spacious lounge, bar, and dining area on the deck, and an expansive deck with breathtaking views over the river. There's a small plunge pool for relaxing during the heat of the day. Brunch is served outside on the wooden deck and combines 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.

Game viewing

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.

Family Safaris at Simbavati River Lodge

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. The other chalets can take two children. Typically, children 6 years and over can join their parents on game drives. However, families with younger children can request a private land-rover and guide (at an additional cost). One child can sometimes share with parents in the tents on request.

They have a kids centre with a dedicated carer where kids can enjoy various activities from cupcake decorating, bug/treasure hunting, making animal face masks, colouring in, board games, wildlife DVDs and scrap booking, amongst other activities.

The Greater Kruger is a seasonal malarial area (lower risk in the dry winter months of May to August).

Simbavati River Lodge on the map

Rooms

Click on the Green Dot to see Room Images

2 Bedroom Family Chalet

Ideal for families with children. The family chalets include a master bedroom and a twin bedroom, as well as a private viewing deck. One of the family chalets can accommodate five persons, while the other two family chalets can accommodate four persons.

Details: King-sized bed and twin beds, air-conditioning, seating area, minibar, desk, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, en suite bathroom with shower, separate toilet, outside terrace and viewing deck.

 

Luxury Safari Tent

Our luxurious tented accommodation provides generous bush or water views
from your own private viewing deck. Tents are spaced adequately far apart as to preserve privacy, and they have all the amenities that ensure a luxurious and comfortable stay.

Details: King-sized bed or twin beds, air-conditioning, seating area, minibar, desk, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, en suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower, separate toilet, outside terrace and viewing deck.

 

Tented Pool Suite

The two luxury glass-fronted, tented Pool suites feature the same décor and facilities as the Luxury suites, uniquely including a private plunge pool and views of savanna bush thickets.

Details: King-sized bed or twin beds, plunge pool, air-conditioning, seating area, minibar, desk, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, en suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, separate toilet, outside terrace and viewing deck.

 

Highlight of the holiday

"The safari at Simbavati Lodge was the highlight of the holiday. The game drives were brilliant, the ambience of the lodge was excellent and a great situation. The staff were friendly and attentive. "

Fantastic stay

"Our stay at Simbavati River Lodge was fantastic. The staff was so kind and helpful. The lodge was beautiful and our room was better than we could have expected. Our game drives were amazing. "

Surprise bush dinner

"Simbavati, wonderful on all counts, lovely surprise bush dinner "

Special offers

Combo Offer

Stay 4 or more nights at Simbavati Lodges & receive discounts

Stay 4 nights at any combination of our lodges and receive an 8% discount (min 2 nights at each lodge) Stay 5 nights at any combination of our lodges and receive a 10% discount (min 2 nights at each lodge) Stay 6-7 nights at any combination of our lodges and receive a 12% discount (min 2 nights at each lodge) Stay 8+ nights at any combination of our lodges and receive a 15% discount (min 2 nights at each lodge)

Excludes: Festive Season (21 Dec to 8 Jan)

Terms & Conditions: Not combinable with other Simbavati offers

VALID FROM 08/01/2024
VALID UNTIL 20/12/2024

Combo Offer

Stay 3 nights at any Simbavati Game Lodge & get 30% off a stay at Simbavati Trails Camp - see detail

Stay minimum of 3 nights at any Simbavati Game Lodge (Hilltop, River, Camp George or Amani) and get 30% off a stay at Simbavati Trails Camp (Minimum 2 nights stay) Stay minimum of 3 nights at Simbavati Cederberg Ridge and Fynbos on Sea ON A FULL BOARD AND ACTIVITY BASIS and get 30% off a stay at Simbavati Trails Camp (Minimum 2 nights stay) Trails Camp is open from March to November each year.    

Excludes: Note: Trails Camp is closed from December to February each year

Terms & Conditions: Min 2 nights at Trails Camp

VALID FROM 01/03/2023
VALID UNTIL 30/11/2024

Honeymoon Offer

Stay 3+ nights and one partner pays only 50%

Stay 3+ nights and one partner pays only 50% Lodges must be booked on a Full Board & Activity basis (eg Cederberg Ridge and Fynbos on Sea) Not combinable with other Simbavati offers

Excludes: Festive Season (21 Dec to 8 Jan)

Terms & Conditions: Lodges must be booked on a Full Board & Activity basis (eg Cederberg Ridge and Fynbos on Sea)

VALID FROM 08/01/2023
VALID UNTIL 20/12/2024

Includes

Full Board & 2 Game drives per day

Family Suitability

Family-friendly all ages

Malaria Rating

Low risk and/or seasonal malaria

Good For

Big 5, Birding, Flora, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine

Features