Simbavati River Lodge

We had the best time here at Simbavati River Lodge. This was our first safari experience and will definitely not be our last! We weren’t expecting to be able to join the afternoon game drive since we got to the lodge after the drive had already started BUT they personally drove us to meet our guide in the middle of the drive so that we wouldn’t miss it. We were with Happy and Nickel for the three days that we were there and loved our experience with them so much! We saw the big five within our first few drives and they did their best to tailor each drive to what we wanted to see that day. Leaving them was one of the saddest parts. The entire staff is so friendly and welcoming and we felt right at home. The facilities are beautiful and we made use of both our plunge pool and the larger pool. The food was incredible and if anything, there was almost too much food every day. Would definitely come back. The experience is 100% worth the value.

I had the most wonderful time at Simbavati River Lodge. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel completely at home, warm, attentive, and always ready to help with anything we needed. The food was excellent throughout our stay, and all transfers were seamless and well-organised. A special thank you to Sara and Joseph, who guided us with such knowledge, patience, and passion. Their ability to spot wildlife and share fascinating insights truly enhanced our safari experience. Overall, River Lodge delivered comfort, hospitality, and unforgettable game drives. Highly recommended!

Simbavati River Lodge truly deserves to be a 5-star-plus experience. It exceeded all our expectations in every possible way. The location, rooms and communal areas are simply magical. During our stay, we were fortunate enough to watch elephants, nyala, hippos and many other animals come incredibly close—right near where we dined or just outside our rooms. Seeing them interact with one another or bathe in the river was utterly breathtaking.||What truly elevates the experience, however, is the exceptional staff. They personalise every detail and make you feel thoroughly spoiled, leaving you wishing you could stay forever. The food was outstanding—delicious, varied and thoughtfully curated, allowing us to sample unique local dishes throughout our stay. A special thank you to our wonderful butler Timothy, and to FOH team members Thindy and Zintle, who made us feel so welcome.||The morning and sunset game drives were unforgettable. Our driver, CJ, and tracker, Nonto, were incredibly knowledgeable and went to great lengths to help us see all the animals we hoped for—we were lucky enough to spot the Big Five and many more. Their deep understanding of animal behaviour made us feel completely safe at all times, ensuring a respectful and comfortable experience for both guests and wildlife. It was clear that all the drivers and trackers at Simbavati River Lodge share the same professionalism, confidence and dedication to guest care. I would return in a heartbeat.||We also went on a bush walk, which I would highly recommend to everyone. It was the missing piece of the safari experience that I didn’t even realise we needed. It gave us insight into tracking techniques and allowed us to learn about the Little Five, as well as the insects, footprints and details often overlooked when focusing on larger animals during game drives.||Simbavati River Lodge now holds a very special place in our hearts and has been the best experience we have ever had. Thank you to the entire Simbavati team.

We had the most incredible time at the Simbavati River Lodge. The entire staff is wonderful with special thanks to Bishop, Happy, and Daniel - who went out of their way to ensure that we had the best safari. It was my first time on safari, and Simbavati totally surpassed my expectations. We saw the big 5 multiple times and tons of other animals like monkeys, giraffe, zebras, and warthogs. The food was all very good, and Bishop ensured that I always had a vegetarian option. The rooms are spacious ad very clean, and we enjoyed the private plunge pool. I cannot wait to visit again!

Our stay at Simbavati River Lodge was, without exaggeration, one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. Each day, Sarah and Joseph guided us deep into the wilderness in pursuit of the Big Five - three exhilarating hours at sunrise followed by another three at dusk. Thanks to their exceptional skill, intuition, and extensive network with fellow trackers, we were fortunate enough to spot all five within just two days (including lion cubs!). Even during the quieter stretches of the drives, they kept the journey endlessly engaging—pointing out remarkable insects, vibrant birdlife, termite towers, and subtle tracks in the sand. Their passion for wildlife and conservation elevated the experience far beyond what one might expect on a traditional safari. After long days exploring the wilderness, we were warmly welcomed back by another attentive team who consistently prepared delicious meals for us. The culinary experience exceeded expectations; the quality, depth of flavor, and thoughtful preparation were particularly impressive for a remote safari setting. We left with not only unforgettable memories of the animals but also a deep appreciation for the dedication, expertise, and genuine hospitality of the entire Simbavati team. Strongly recommend to try out!

Beautiful lodge for a safari. A first-class and modern lodge that is wonderfully furnished. We felt completely at home. The service and the food were excellent. The location is by a small river, and if you’re lucky you can watch animals from the deck. The game drives were fantastic. Marc and Daniel were great guides. We would come again and definitely recommend it!

I’m not sure where to start but if you don’t read my whole review just please book it. It is simply amazing and a surreal experience. My wife and I came for our honeymoon in December 2025. It was our first time in the South Africa region everything was so beautiful and just like in the movies. Since we went in December we saw so many baby animals they were so precious always clinging on to their mom’s. ||Our guide was Julian! Man he is amazing he always went out of his way to make sure we were comfortable and see what we needed to see. He stays connected to the radio so when someone else spots something amazing he would take us on ‘Rari Safari’ in reference to a Ferrari in other words we were going fast to cast his the animal sightings. ||Julian isn’t afraid to get close and personal to the animal (within safe distance). Julian had help from Hebert to look for footprints. They taught us amazing things on each game drive it’s very informative and entertaining. ||We got to know more about everyone’s family and everyone was so sweet. It by far the best service we’ve had in the whole world literally. Our servers were amazing and the food by our Chef Pretty was so so good. From our steaks to authentic Africa cuisine and morning yogurt. ||The rooms were beautiful and every morning you can look out the watering hole to see animals bathe and drink it’s so beautiful. Our rooms were always clean when we came back to the game drives (thanks Connie for doing an amazing job!!)|||Thank you so much to those who helped served us on our stay at the lodge. We are thinking of coming back every 5 years to experience it again! You guys are such amazing people and made our stay unforgettable may God Bless!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Simbavati River Lodge – A 4★ Lodge That Truly Punches Above Its Weight Simbavati River Lodge is an absolute gem and far exceeds its 4-star rating The lodge is about a 60-minute (44 km) drive from Eastgate Hoedspruit Airport. The first 12 km to Enkhulu Gate is quick and easy. Enkhulu Gate is the only entrance to the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, where Simbavati River Lodge is located. From the gate, it’s another 32 km drive to the lodge, which takes longer due to the strict 50 km/h speed limit inside the reserve—but this is part of the magic. Once you enter the gate, the safari experience begins immediately, with wildlife sightings right from the start. We stayed from 7–10 January 2026 as a family of four, travelling with our daughters aged 9 and 6, celebrating my wife’s 40th birthday. From the moment we arrived, Simbavati delivered a boutique hotel–level, deeply personal experience. We had our own butler for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as our own game ranger and tracker for the duration of our stay. Chef Tact regularly checked in to ensure our dietary requirements were met and to see how we were enjoying the food—such a thoughtful and caring touch. The staff were exceptional: humble, warm, friendly, always smiling, and genuinely eager to make our stay unforgettable. The Food & Ralph – Absolute World Class Be warned—you will leave happy and very well fed! Our butler, Ralph, deserves special recognition. He was with us at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and regularly checked in to make sure everything was perfect. His attention to detail, warmth, and genuine care made us feel completely at home. Ralph didn’t just serve meals—he looked after us like family and treated my wife and children like royalty. He is truly world class. Meals were beautifully prepared, generous, and served on the stunning deck overlooking the riverbed. From the deck, we saw hippos, elephants, nyala, warthogs, crocodiles, and an incredible variety of birdlife including kingfishers, eagles, storks, and more. The deck is peaceful, quiet, and incredibly calming, making every meal a true safari experience. There is also a small gym for those wanting to burn off some of the delicious calories, and a pool to relax and cool off during the hotter parts of the day. Safari & Game Drives There are two game drives daily, each lasting about 2–3 hours (05:30 and 16:00). Our ranger and driver, Andre “The Giant”, is a walking encyclopaedia. His knowledge, passion, and ability to explain even the smallest details of the bush brought every drive to life. Nicholas, our tracker, may be quiet, but when he speaks, you listen—his tracking skills are nothing short of incredible. The safari experience exceeded all expectations. Over our stay, we were lucky enough to see the Big Five, as well as wild dogs, giraffe, hyena, and so much more. Every drive felt exciting, educational, and deeply immersive. Between 09:00 and 15:00, there is ample downtime, giving you the perfect opportunity to sleep, rest, and recharge your energy before the afternoon drive. A special mention to Kate, who lovingly looked after our girls while we went on a bush walk. She is an absolute treasure, and knowing our daughters were safe, happy, and well cared for gave us complete peace of mind. Special Mentions Thank you to Zintle and Thandi at front reception for their warmth and friendliness throughout our stay. We loved the ice-cream surprise on a 38-degree afternoon drive and the enthusiastic, warm welcomes waiting for us after every game drive. Thank you, Simbavati River Lodge, for being such a meaningful part of my wife’s 40th birthday celebration and for creating core memories our daughters will treasure forever. They’ve already asked when we’re coming back. We loved every single minute and truly consider you part of our family now. THANK YOU ❤️