Simbavati River Lodge
An exclusive African Safari experience awaits you at the Simbavati River Lodge, situated in the world famous Timbavati Private Game Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. The reserve is home to the famous White Lions and offers exceptional game viewing opportunities. Simbavati River Lodge has extensive tracts of wilderness (over 9 500 hectares) in which to experience an authentic but affordable African safari.
An intimate and child friendly camp, Simbavati River Lodge places emphasis on relaxation. Chalets are comfortably furnished complete with air conditioning, further enhancing your tranquil African Bush experience. The lodge also offers a lounge, bar, dining area and breathtaking views of the nearby Nhlaralumi river.
Pattern of activities & meals
The lodge offers Big 5 game drives in the early morning and late afternoon/evening to ensure game viewing when the animals are most active. Nocturnal animals, including the big cats are regular sightings at night. Currently there are over 40 mammal species in the Timbavati including the Big 5 of Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant as well as 360 species of bird life.
Early morning tea/coffee
Game Drive
Mid morning breakfast/brunch on the dining deck.
Time at leisure
Afternoon High Tea (combination of High Tea & Lunch) on the dining deck
Afternoon/evening game drive
Dinner on the deck or sometimes around the fire in the open air boma
11 elegantly decorated en-suite chalets & luxury safari tents:
3 Thatched family chalets, all with 2 bedrooms and en-suite with shower and bath and air-conditioning.
Bed configuration differs for each chalet: Chalet 1 has 2 twin bedded rooms, Chalet 2 has 1 twin bedded room and 1 triple bedded room, whilst Chalet 3 has 1 king bedded room and 1 twin bedded room.
8 Luxurious Safari Tents, all twin bedded with en-suite. Bathroom configuration differs with either inside shower and outside bath, or inside bath and outside shower.
In room facilities include:
– Wardrobe and coat hangers
– 2 point plug converters
– Complimentary toiletries
– Non-smoking rooms
– Private game viewing deck
Lodge facilities include:
– Lounge with a selection of books and games
– Curio shop
– Informal meeting lounge
– Furnished game-viewing deck
– Guest toilets
– Baby-sitting during the game drives/evening meals is possible by prior arrangement and at an additional cost (R45 per hour). This needs to be pre-booked as it will be with a member of staff.
Note: The swimming pool is advised to be used with adult supervision.
Dining Options:
– Dining area and bar overlooking the Nhlaralumi River
– Authentic South African Cuisine
– Full English Breakfast/Brunch served daily after morning game drive
– High Tea served daily before afternoon game drive
– Dinner served on the deck or in the Boma
– Special dietary requirements will be catered for subject to prior notification. (We need notice to ensure the correct supplies as the nearest shops are over one hours’ drive away)
Activities:
– Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
General Information:
– No Pets allowed
– Accommodates groups
– Children of all ages welcome (refer to children policies for more information)
– Laundry Service available
Getting There:
The Timbavati Private Game Reserve is a wildlife-rich concession of land that adjoins the western border of the Kruger National Park forming a unique combination of public and private lands called “The Greater Kruger Park”. There are no fences between the Timbavati and the Kruger National Park which allows free movement of wildlife between the Reserves.
Simbavati River Lodge is situated in the northern sector of the Timbavati Nature Reserve. The closest gate into the Kruger National Park is the Orpen Gate (approximately 1 hour drive)
By Air:
SA Airlink operates daily flights from OR Tambo (Johannesburg) International airport to Hoedspruit/Eastgate airport. Transfer from Hoedspruit to Simbavati takes approximately 60-70 minutes (charged separately). Other airports in the area are Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, also known as KMIA or Kruger Nelspruit (approx 3 hours from Simbavati) or Phalaborwa airport (approx 2 hours from Simbavati).
Clients can fly into the private landing strips of the Timbavati Nature Reserve by prior arrangement. Charter company details need to be given directly to the lodge so that transfers can be arranged from the airstrip. There is a cost for these transfers. Please see transfer rates.
By Rail
Clients choosing to come by train can make use of the new Premier Classe train from
Johannesburg/Pretoria/Nelspruit to Hoedspruit station. Transfers to the lodge take approximately 60-70 minutes and must be booked separately. (www.premierclasse.co.za)
Direction by Road: From Johannesburg/Pretoria
Simbavati River Lodge is a 6 to 7 hour drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria.
From Johannesburg take the N12 to Witbank and continue on the N4. From Pretoria, take the N4 to Witbank. Follow the N4 and turn left to Belfast (Off ramp R33/R540). Once in Belfast, turn right into Voortrekker Street and continue straight with the R540 to Dullstroom. Drive straight through Dullstroom and continue to Lydenburg on the R540. At the T-junction turn left into Lydenburg into Viljoen Street (R36). Turn left again into Voortrekker Street. Turn right into De Clercq Street and follow the R36 through Ohrigstad. After the Abel Erasmus pass, the R36 turns left to Tzaneen. Do not turn left here, but continue straight on the R527 to Hoedspruit. In Hoedspruit, continue straight. After the bridge crossing the railway line, turn right at the four way stop and continue on the R40 for another 6, 4 km. Turn left onto the Timbavati/ Eastgate Airport road and go through the Guernsey Access Control Gate after approx 200 m. Continue straight for another approx 18 km until you reach the new control gate of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Continue straight on this road into the Timbavati for approx 10 km until you reach the old control gate. Here you will be required to pay a conservation fee of R150.00 per person (children under 10 yrs pay as well) and a vehicle entrance fee of R120.00 per vehicle (Above fees are subject to change). Continue straight for 14 km until you see a dam on the right hand side; turn right onto a gravel road after the dam where it is clearly marked with the Simbavati River Lodge sign on your right. Carefully follow the Simbavati River Lodge paw print signs on the trees for a further 6,4km to the lodge. On the way you will be crossing a low water bridge.
Direction by Road: From KMIA Airport
Driving from Nelspruit or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) to Simbavati will take approximately 3 hours.
From Nelspruit take the R40 to White River. From KMIA turn right onto the R40 to White River. Drive through White River, follow the R40 signs carefully to Hazyview. Continue north on the R40 through Hazyview. Note that this is a busy stretch of road with vehicles, people and sometimes animals on the road. Please drive carefully and slowly and keep to the speed limits. Follow the R40 towards Klaserie and Hoedspruit. Just before Klaserie you turn right onto the R40 toward Hoedspruit. Travel for approx 18 km and turn right at the Eastgate airport sign. Go through the Guernsey Access Control Gate after approx 200 m. Continue straight for another approx 18 km until you reach the new control gate (not in operation yet) of the Timbavati Private Game Reserve. Continue straight on this road into the Timbavati for approx 10 km until you reach the old control gate. Here you will be required to pay a conservation fee of R160.00 per person and a vehicle entrance fee of R120.00 per vehicle (Above fees are subject to change). Continue straight for 14 km until you see a dam on the right hand side; turn right onto a gravel road after the dam where it is clearly marked with the Simbavati River Lodge sign on your right. Carefully follow the Simbavati River Lodge paw print signs on the trees for a further 6,4km to the lodge. On the way you will be crossing a low water bridge.
NB. As of the 01 March 2012 the Timbavati Conservation Levy will be R160.00 per person per stay. This will become effective for all bookings taken from the 01 November 2011.