Simbavati River Lodge in the Timbavati
Simbavati River Lodge is an intimate and friendly camp built on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River in the heart of the world famous Timbavati Game Reserve. Shaded by age old Jackalberry and Leadwood trees, Simbavati is warm and welcoming, with a generous contemporary design and accommodation for guests in luxury tented rooms or thatched chalets.
Simbavati River Lodge takes its name from the local Shangaan language, translated as “the place where the lions come down from the stars”. The focus of the lodge 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 is situated in the northern sector of the Timbavati Game Reserve, and surrounded by 12 000 hectares of wildlife and rich wilderness in which you can experience an authentic and affordable African safari. The design of this 4-star lodge is contemporary, warm and welcoming. Guest common areas offer a generously proportioned lounge, bar, boma and extensive decks with breathtaking views overlooking the Nhlaralumi river where regular wildlife sightings take place and guests can unwind.
Accommodation consists of eight luxury tents and three chalets; all are privately situated, comfortably furnished and with en-suite facilities.
Luxury Tent Accommodation
The luxurious tented accommodation offers generous bush or water views from your own private viewing deck. Tents are spaced adequately far apart to ensure privacy, and they have all of the amenities to ensure a luxurious and comfortable stay.
- Twin bed configuration
- En-suite bathroom with bath/shower and double vanity basin
- Air conditioning – Complimentary toiletries provided
- Outside shower/bath – Wardrobe with coat hangers
- Private viewing deck
- 2 point plug converters
- Non smoking rooms
- Hairdryer
- Coffee and Tea station
Family Chalet Accommodation
Simbavati is a child-friendly safari camp with three family chalets available, each with two separate bedrooms sharing one bathroom. One of the family chalets can accommodate five persons, whilst the other two family chalets can accommodate four persons.
- Double, twin and/or triple bed configuration
- En-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower
- Wardrobe with coat hangers
- Double vanity basin (complimentary toiletries provided)
- Private viewing deck
- Air conditioning and 2 point plug converters
- Non smoking rooms
- Hairdryer
- Coffee and Tea station
At the field guide’s discretion, younger children will be allowed to join their parents on game drives and depending on availability, exclusive use of game vehicles can also be arranged.
Simbavati River Lodge Wildlife and Game Viewing
Simbavati River Lodge offers game drives in the early morning and evening when game viewing are most active. Game drives are conducted by experienced field guides and Shangaan trackers in open 4X4 vehicles, with excellent photographic opportunities. You traverse over 12,000 hectares of the big-5 game country, with 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, woodpeckers, buzzards, herons, egrets, owls, weavers.
The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve was initiated in 1956 by a group of land owners which was concerned about the degradation of this once pristine wilderness area.Timbavati is dedicated to conservation by maintaining the biodiversity of species and is also involved in different research projects.
White Lions of the Timbavati
The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is one of the few places in the world where you have the opportunity to see the unique white lion in their natural environment. The resident lion prides of Timbavati carry the recessive gene “chinchillia’ that is responsible for this unusual anomaly. Two white lions were born into resident prides, and guests have a great chance of seeing these cubs while visiting Simbavati.
Dining
Enjoy an early morning cup of coffee/tea with rusks before embarking on the game drive. After the morning game drive, breakfast is served outside on the wooden deck, while a light lunch is served just before the afternoon game drive.Dinner is a festive event which is alternatively served around the campfire in the open-air boma or in the thatched dining area. Dinner consists of an African and Western cuisine with exciting tastes for the more adventurous as well as various conventional options.The bar caters for alcoholic beverages and also includes a wide selection of fine South African wines.
Relaxation
Simbavati River Lodge is an uncomplicated and down to earth safari experience and guests are encouraged to relax and feel at home. The lounge area is the perfect place to relax on a comfortable couch with a book or doze off on an afternoon siesta.
During the mid-day heat, recline in a sun lounger or take a dip in our swimming pool.
Children are catered for with an activity plan to increase their wildlife knowledge and there is a large selection of interesting books which are at their disposal.
The lodge has 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.
