Simbavati River Lodge

Simbavati River Lodge is an intimate and friendly camp built on the banks of the seasonal Nhlaralumi River in the heart of the world famous Timbavati Game Reserve. The focus is on the excellent Big 5 game viewing, breathtaking views, friendly and knowledgeable staff in an environment where guests are made to feel comfortable and relaxed from the moment they arrive.

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. Enjoy sightings of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo as well as other species such as kudu, zebra, warthog, giraffe, monkey to name a few. Nocturnal animals, including the big cats, are regularly sighted on night drives. Bird viewing is spectacular, with over 360 recorded species including various eagles, vultures, kingfishers, buzzards and owls.

Accommodation consists of 6 luxury en-suite safari tents with plunge pools on the deck, 2 tented pool suites and 3 thatched family chalets. The tented accommodation has views of the bush from your own private viewing deck and are spaced adequately far apart to ensure complete privacy. The family chalets include a master bedroom, a twin bedroom as well as a private viewing deck. One of the family chalets can accommodate 5 people, while the other two can accommodate 4 people.

The pool suites have canvas walls, glass doors and windows which open onto a wooden deck and a private plunge pool.

Breakfast and lunch are served daily outside on the wooden deck, set out under age-old jackalberry and leadwood trees, combining African and Western cuisine offering exciting new tastes for the more adventurous as well as for the more conventional preferences. A traditional dinner is served around the campfire in an open-air boma, an experience not to be missed.

Other guest areas include a generously proportioned lounge and bar. During the mid-day heat, recline in a sun lounger or take a dip in the swimming pool.

Rates Include

All meals; selected drinks (selected spirits, house wines, local beers and soft drinks); tea/coffee; the Timbavati Conservation Levy; return shared Eastgate/Hoedspruit Airport transfers at set times (on request and must be pre-booked); and 2 daily shared safari game drives (dawn and dusk in open 4x4 safari vehicles) are included. IN ADDITION: For self-drive visitors there is a vehicle entrance fee of R280 per vehicle (subject to change), which is payable at the Timbavati Gate.

Children Policy

Children of any age are welcome. Rates available on request. Children aged 6 years and older are allowed on game drives. Families with younger children can arrange a private vehicle prior to arrival (cost on request).

Children aged 6 years and older are allowed on game drives. Families with younger children can arrange a private vehicle prior to arrival (cost on request).

There is a children’s activity room with a selection of toys/board games. Children will receive an activity booklet on arrival (coloured pencils available to use at reception).

Children under the age of 13 will be taken to look at tracks and signs in the bush by a tracker after breakfast.

There are also board games and books available in the lounge area.

Baby-sitting during the game drives/evening meals is possible by prior arrangement and at an additional cost. This needs to be pre-booked.

All of the holidays we prepare are tailor-made, but this might give you an idea of how Simbavati River Lodge can be included in you own dream holiday.

Big 5 Safari and White Sand Beaches

9 nights

4 Star Accommodation

Carana Beach Hotel

Mahe

Simbavati River Lodge

Timbavati Game Reserve

Destination: Seychelles and South Africa.

9 night itinerary including Mahe and Timbavati Game Reserve.

Price Per Person From GBP 3,644USD 4,628ZAR 82,906EUR 4,373

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*Prices are per person and are based on today's exchange rates. Exchange rates are subject to change and are updated daily.

Prices exclude international flights - ask us if you would like to include these.

Guest Rating: 4.6 / 5.0 based on 13 ratings

Directions For Drivers

From Hazyview: Follow the R40 towards Klaserie. Once past Klaserie, continue along this road until you see the turning off to the right for Eastgate Airport. Turn right here and proceed along this road until you reach the main Timbavati Control Gate/Enkhulu Gate.

From Eastgate/Hoedspruit Airport: Turn left and proceed along this road until you reach the main Timbavati Control Gate/Enkhulu Gate.

From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take the N12 or N4 highway to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Follow the Schoemanskloof option on the N4 and then take the R36 to Lydenburg/Mashishing.

Follow the R36 to Ohrigstad, go through the Strydom Tunnel and take the R527 to Hoedspruit. Turn right onto the R40 towards Klaserie, and continue along this road until you see the turning off to the left for Eastgate Airport. Turn left here and follow the directions as above From Eastgate/Hoedspruit Airport.

From Kruger National Park/Orpen Gate: Exit the Park, and continue along the R531. Turn right onto the R40, and continue along this road until you see the turning off to the right for Eastgate Airport. Turn right here follow the directions as above From Eastgate/Hoedspruit Airport.

ONCE AT THE TIMBAVATI CONTROL GATE: For self-drive visitors, there is a vehicle entrance cash fee of R280 per vehicle payable at the gate (cash or Visa/MasterCard credit cards only and subject to change). Please retain your receipt as proof of entrance and have it stamped at your destination when you are leaving, which acts as your Exit Permit. Once inside the gate, follow the signs to the lodge through the reserve.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

If you are using a GPS to get to Simbavati, please use the GPS Co-ordinates: S 24° 12’ 20.2” E 31° 19’ 24.2”.  Do NOT type in Simbavati River Lodge into your GPS. The GPS will pick the lodge name up but will try and direct you through Kruger National Park which is not the correct direction. Please note you cannot access the Lodge through Kruger Park but only through the Timbavati Gate as per the directions above.

Very important:
If you are going to be late due to unforeseen circumstances, please let the lodge know as soon as possible on +27 (0) 15 793 9051/3.

General Information For Guests

All rooms have air conditioning, a hair dryer, tea/coffee making facilities, a safe and a mini bar. In addition, the tented pool suites have a private plunge pool and deck, and two outdoor showers.

A laundry service is offered - additional cost.

The main guest facilities include an open-air boma, a swimming pool, a bar, a library, a spa, a gym, and a curio shop in which to buy any necessities forgotten at home, or an African memento to remind you of your visit to Simbavati River Lodge. Credit card facilities are available.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge area.

The lodge offers scheduled transfers at set times to coincide with the scheduled flights into and out from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport. Please note that you will be sharing with other guests coming to the lodge. If you are planning to drop a rental car at Hoedspruit Airport, please ensure that you arrive well before the flight arrival time as unfortunately the transfer vehicle cannot wait for late arrivals. The transfer time is approximately one hour.

Scheduled collection times from Hoedspruit are 11:20 and 13:20. Scheduled departure times from Simbavati are 09:30, 10:30 and 11:00. If you are arriving at a different time, then a private transfer can be arranged.

Game drives take place in the early morning and late afternoon when the animals are naturally most active.  The vehicles are open-sided 4x4 vehicles with 3 rows of comfortable bucket seats in tiers. You generally head out with a maximum of 8 guests.

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