4 Star Kruger Park SAfari Vacations

Simbavati River Lodge enjoys a unique setting on the banks of the 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 elephant. 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.

Simbavati River Lodge - 4 Star SAfari holiday accommodation

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. It caters well to couples and honeymooners with a safari spa and 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 wild dog.

Watch elephants drink from the comfort of our dining deck, On the River, stunning river setting with flood-lit waterhole right in front of the deck. Frequent visits by herds of elephant. Caters equally for both couples and families. Safari spa, gym and kids club & activities are additional features.

ROOMS & FACILITIES

Tented Luxury Suites

Six luxury tented suites have a king-sized bed (which can be converted to 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.

GAME VIEWING

Two spacious and airy Tented Pool Suites are in a more secluded location. They have a king-sized bed (which can be converted to 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.

Watch elephant up close and personal

Tented Pool Suites

Simbavati River Lodge - 4 Star SAfari holiday accommodation

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 king-sized bed, 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 3^rd and 4^th adults). Just as long as you don’t mind sharing a bathroom.

GAME DRIVES

Timbavati 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 guide who works closely 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.

Simbavati River Lodge

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 own 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 position as you may do in a national park.

Guides are also allowed to take the vehicles off road on occasion, to follow some of the Big Seven (for example rhino, lion, leopard or wild dog). This allows you to enjoy up close and personal encounters.

Currently over 40 mammal species are to be found in the Greater Kruger, including the Big 5 of Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo, and Elephant. The Timbavati is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, as many as 360 species of bird life have been documented here.

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Simbavati River Lodge

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