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Simbavati River Lodge

Photo gallery for Simbavati River Lodge

Outdoor pool, pool umbrellas, sun loungers
Front of property
Luxury Tent | Balcony
Dining
Designer toiletries, hair dryer, bathrobes, towels

Overview of Simbavati River Lodge

Simbavati River Lodge

4.0 star property
9.4 out of 10 Exceptional
9.4/10 Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Spa
  • Free airport shuttle
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
Map
Timbavati Private Game Reserve, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, 1380

Explore the area

  • Popular LocationKlaserie Nature Reserve10 min walk
  • Popular LocationTimbavati Game Reserve10 min walk
  • Popular LocationKruger National Park1 min drive
  • AirportHoedspruit (HDS)46 min drive

Room options

About this area

Bushbuckridge

Located in Bushbuckridge, Simbavati River Lodge is in a rural area and on a river. While the natural beauty of Kruger National Park and Klaserie Nature Reserve can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can check out Hans Merensky Golf Estate.
Visit our Bushbuckridge travel guideOpens in a new window
View more Safari Tentalow in BushbuckridgeOpens in a new window
Map

What's nearby

  • Klaserie Nature Reserve - 10 min walk
  • Timbavati Game Reserve - 10 min walk
  • Kruger National Park - 1 min drive
  • Umbabat Nature Reserve - 12 min drive
  • Grietjie Game Reserve - 99 min drive

Getting around

  • Hoedspruit (HDS) - 46 min drive

About this property

Simbavati River Lodge

4-star family-friendly tentalow near Kruger National Park
Consider a stay at Simbavati River Lodge and take advantage of free full breakfast, a free roundtrip airport shuttle, and game and wildlife viewing. Treat yourself to a massage, a body treatment, or a manicure/pedicure at Simbavati Spa, the onsite spa. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities such as a terrace and a garden.
Other perks include:
  • An outdoor pool with sun loungers and pool umbrellas
  • A safari, self parking (surcharge), and a front-desk safe
  • Game drive on site, concierge services, and a gift shop
  • Guest reviews say good things about the helpful staff
Room features
All 13 individually furnished rooms feature comforts such as premium bedding and air conditioning, as well as amenities like minibars (stocked with some free items) and safes.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Bathrooms with designer toiletries and hair dryers
  • Furnished balconies or patios, wardrobes/closets, and electric kettles

Languages

Afrikaans, English

Cleaning and safety practices

Enhanced cleanliness measures

Disinfectant is used to clean the property
High-touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected
Sheets and towels are washed at 60°C/140°F or hotter

Social distancing

Contactless check-in and check-out
Protective shields in place at main contact areas
Social distancing measures in place

Safety measures

Personal protective equipment worn by staff
Temperature checks given to staff
Temperature checks available for guests
Masks available
Hand sanitizer provided
Individually-wrapped food options available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and through room service
This information is provided by our partners.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free offsite parking
  • Free roundtrip airport shuttle from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM at scheduled times
  • Self parking on site (ZAR 0.01 per day)

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Ecotours
  • Free children's club
  • Full-service spa
  • Game drive
  • Game viewing
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Safari

Family friendly

  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Free children's club
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground

Conveniences

  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Proposal/romance packages

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In a national park
  • On a river
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Massage
  • Spa open select days

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • In-room accessibility available in select rooms
  • No elevator

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Towels

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water
  • Free minibar (limited items)
  • Limited room service

Outdoor space

  • Furnished balcony/patio

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Safe

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in from 2 PM - 5 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport; to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 72 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 8 AM - 5 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Additional fee: ZAR 140 per person, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

This property is located in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The additional mandatory fee covers entrance to the reserve.

Optional extras

  • Self parking fee: ZAR 0.01 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property
Guests under 12 years old are not allowed in the spa, and guests under 12 years old are only allowed with adult supervision

Property is also known as

Simbavati River Lodge Kruger National Park
Simbavati River Lodge
Simbavati River Kruger National Park
Simbavati River Bushbuckridge
Simbavati River Lodge Bushbuckridge
Simbavati River Lodge Safari/Tentalow
Simbavati River Lodge Safari/Tentalow Bushbuckridge

Frequently asked questions

Does Simbavati River Lodge have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Simbavati River Lodge pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Simbavati River Lodge?

Self parking is available for ZAR 0.01 per day. There is free parking nearby.

What time is check-in at Simbavati River Lodge?

Check-in is from 2 PM - 5 PM. After-hours check-in is not available.

What time is check-out at Simbavati River Lodge?

Check-out is at 11 AM.

Does Simbavati River Lodge provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's a free airport shuttle that runs 9:30 AM–1:30 PM at scheduled times.

Where is Simbavati River Lodge located?

This family-friendly Bushbuckridge tentalow is located on a river, within a 15-minute walk of Klaserie Nature Reserve and Timbavati Game Reserve. Umbabat Nature Reserve and Kruger National Park are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Simbavati River Lodge Reviews

Simbavati River Lodge Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 21 reviews" "
" "10 - Excellent 76%
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 21 reviews" "
" "8 - Good 14%
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 21 reviews" "
" "6 - Okay 10%
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 21 reviews" "
" "4 - Poor 0%
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 21 reviews" "
" "2 - Terrible 0%

9.7/10

Cleanliness

9.7/10

Staff & service

10.0/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

10.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ido, London

10/10 Excellent

Donald

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The lodge is well positioned with great facilities and comfortable accommodation. The guides and trackers and knowledgeable and friendly making for the best game drives.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dean

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Simbavati sensation
5 star accommodation, food and wildlife experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Paulo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing wild dogs sighting
Very nice lodge located on a river bank in the Timbavati Game Reserve with good food and with excellent and talented staff. They could not do anymore to make us feel comfortable and welcome. From the front desk ladies to the waiters and cooks they are all so nice and attentive. The guide (Nichole) and the tracker (Thabo) tried everything to show us some amazing animal sights. The game drives can vary depending on your luck, but the guide and tracker did everything they could to show us some quality sightings such as leopards and hyenas with kill and the high light for me, a pack of more than 30 wild dogs which Nichole chased off road for more than 15min. The information and explanations from the guide were just enough to keep us interested and to let us enjoy the moment. I also liked the fact that the guides use a hear piece to maintain radio contact with the other vehicles. In other lodges you have to be submitted to listen to the constant radio talk. This was a far, far better experience. We definitely recommend this lodge for a fantastic stay and a truly bush experience. Thank you to all and well done for your dedication
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie, Houston, Texas

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The guide and tracker and butker qere excellent. So kind and helpful. The drives were FANTASTIC. Included the Big 5 as well as nuanced things like birds, vegetation, insects and reptiles. Just excellent. ,
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Peter, New York

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nothing better than being greeted by a herd of elephants and impala as we sat on the veranda sipping a drink and sailing up the sun
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Alana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
60th Birthday celebrations
What a 60th Birthday bucket list adventure Family from around the globe joined together and we were super spoilt by team at Simbavati
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

kevin, toronto

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Traveller from Toronto
Great with African cuisine dinner, thank you so much to Nicholas, Stefan, Kyle for the game drive. it was a great experience in my life. Nice to try kadu, buffalo meat for dinner. 3 meal plus 4 snack time per day.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Dave, Portland, OR

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Truly Loved It
We stayed in what are called "tents" but are actually much nicer including a complete bathroom, minibar, a/c, overhead fan, etc. The staff was wonderful, nice small pool, food good. Oh, the animals -- unbelievable. We stayed 4 nights at roughly $515/night, worth every penny, and had a great time on all the drives. Didn't get bored for a second.

8/10 Good

Emma, Perth Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great for safaris
A great location beside a river bed, that sadly only carries water during heavy rain. Never the less we still saw many animals walk along the river bed and drink from the water hole in front of the lodge. Internet is intermittent, due to the isolation of the area, but we found that all the lodges we visited had the same problems. Comfortable and very friendly staff.