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Simbavati River Lodge | Timbavati

Simbavati River Loge is an intimate and hospitable camp built on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River, in the heart of the world famous Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Shaded by ancient Jackalberry and Leadwood trees, Simbavati is warm and welcoming, with a contemporary design, and accommodation for guests in luxury tented rooms or thatched chalets.

Simbavati takes its name from the local Shangaan language, and means “the place where the lions come down from the stars” – a reference to the magnificent, world-famous white lions found in Timbavati.

Accommodation

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 River Lodge 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

Location

Simbavati River Lodge is situated in the northern sector of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which was previously known as Gomo Gomo. The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is a rich wildlife concession that borders on the western side of the Kruger National Park, forming a unique combination of public and private land called “The Greater Kruger Park”. There are no fences between the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and The Kruger National Park allowing free movement of wildlife between the two Reserves.

 

Facilities

  • 8 Luxury en-suite safari tents
  • 3 Thatched en-suite family chalets
  • Spa with 2 treatment rooms
  • Lounge with a selection of books and games
  • Curio shop
  • Bar
  • Game viewing deck overlooking the river
  • Dining on the viewing deck
  • Open air boma
  • Informal meeting room/activity room
  • Swimming pool
  • Wi-Fi in reception, lounge & deck (but very little cell phone reception)
  • Wheel chair friendly

Rates

Luxury Tents
Accommodation Dates Luxury Tent
per person sharing		 Luxury Tent
single rate		  
01 Nov 2019 – 31 Oct 2020 R 7 250 R 9 645  

 

Tented Pool Suite
Accommodation Dates Tented Pool Suite
 per person sharing		 Tented Pool Suite
 single rate		  
01 Nov 2019 – 31 Oct 2020 R 7 750 R 10 310  

 

Family Chalets
Accommodation Dates Family Chalets
per person sharing		 Family Chalets
3rd & 4th person		 Children
4 - 11 years
01 Nov 2019 – 31 Oct 2020 R 7 250 R 5 440 R 3 625

 

Please note: A surcharge of R1250 per person per night will be added for 2 pax wanting to book a family chalet.

Includes: All standard meals, accommodation, two game drives per day and a sundowner drink. Emergency Medical Response and Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance.

Excludes: Drinks, baby-sitting, transfers, gratuities and items of a personal nature. Timbavati Conservation Levy which may be prepaid or paid at the lodge (subject to change), and the vehicle entry fee of R160 only payable at the Timbavati Control Gate (price subject to change).

Minimum Stay: 2 nights.

Private Vehicle: Available on request per stay, charged per night (evening and early morning game drives) when either a Family Chalet or a minimum of 2 Luxury Safari Tents are booked.

Compulsory Conservation Fee:

Simbavati will collect the conservation fees (subject to change without prior notice) on behalf of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The conservation fee can be prepaid.

Timbavati Conservation Levy: 01 January - 31 December 2020 
R 400 per person, per day (12 years and older)
R 200 per child, per day (under 12 years)

Postponement Policy

Until further notice, any existing bookings travelling during the period 10 May to 20 December 2020 can be postponed up until 30 March 2022, subject to availability. Except for the 2021 festive season (20 December 2021 to 05 January 2022 which may attract a surcharge), postponed bookings are not subject to seasonality or inflation-related surcharges. All postponed bookings will, however, be subject to any concession fee surcharges as imposed by the relevant authorities.

Cancellation Policy

Until further notice, our cancellation policy will be amended as follows:

FIT’s: Full payment required at least 14 days prior to arrival
If cancelled 14 days or less prior to arrival 90% cancellation fee

Group’s: Full payment required at least 30 days prior to arrival
If cancelled 30 days or less prior to arrival 90% cancellation fee

Fact File

  • Simbavati River Lodge is family friendly. Children of all ages welcome (please refer to our child policy).
  • Groups are welcome with an exclusive use lodge rate on offer.
  • Photographic safaris offered with a specialised photographic vehicle.
  • Filtered water is provided on game drives, in the rooms and at the lodge at no additional cost.
  • Low risk malaria area.
  • No pets allowed.
  • Laundry service available.
  • No bush walks are possible.
  • Credit card facilities available.
  • Wheel chair friendly.

Why we LOVE it

  1. The Timbavati Game 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 the Timbavati carry the recessive gene “chinchillia’ that is responsible for this unusual anomaly. Just recently, two white lions were born into resident prides, and lucky guests have a good chance of seeing these cubs whist visiting Simbavati.
  2. Children are catered for with an activity plan or increase their wildlife knowledge with a large selection of books at their disposal.
  3. 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.
  4. Children of all ages welcome at Simbavati River Lodge. At the ranger’s discretion, younger children will be allowed to join their parents on game drives and exclusive use of game vehicles can be arranged.

FAQ's

Please email us with any questions you may have – info@africansynergy.co.za

Marketing Collateral

WETU

Simbavati Spa – Treatments

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News

Simbavati Trails Camp

CLICK HERE to view the New Trails Camp Opening Specials from Simbavati Safari Lodge.

Simbavati Trails Camp is Simbavati's luxury-but-back-to-basics walking trails camp. Located in a secluded area of the Timbavati bordering a 11,000 wilderness area in the Kruger National Park.

The camp offers 4 en-suite mere-style safari tents and hosts a maximum of 8 guests. Bucket showers are filled on demand with warm water, meals are prepared over an open fire by an expert cook, there is no electricity, nor telephone reception. Just you and the noises of the magic African bush. Days start with a +/- 4 hour walk at a leisurely pace with an armed specialist guide. The perspective on the bush on foot is entirely different from being on a safari vehicle. You'll hear better, smell more and slowly train your eyes to see more afar. Snack and drinks stops tide you over till a tasty brunch is prepared back at the camp.

After some 'me' time, spent snoozing or reading outside your tent a savoury and sweet 'tea' is prepared before another +/- 2 hour walk at the end of the afternoon ending at a viewpoint to enjoy an African sunset. A shod drive will bring you back to the camp with time to freshen up before dinner around the campfire.

Unfortunately Simbavati Trails Camp does not accommodate children under 14 years' old. To enjoy the full walking trail experience, a midnight stay is recommended.

 

Room Rate Type Meal Basis Rack Rate
Luxury Safari Tent PPS FB&GD R4,950
Luxury Safari Tent SGL FB&GD R6,600
Luxury Safari Tent SOLE USE FB&GD R34,650

 

Rates include: Accommodation, all standard meals, two walking safaris per day, selected drinks (selected spirits, house wines, local beers and soft drinks).

Rates exclude: Other drinks (see above*), private transfers, gratuities, laundry service, other items of a personal nature, Timbavati Conservation Levy (which may be prepaid) of R328 per person per day payable at the lodge (subject to change), and the vehicle entry fee of R1 40 only payable at the Timbavati Control Gate (price subject to change).

Payment: a 10% deposit is due within 7 days (for FIT) or 25% within 14 days (for Groups) from date of reservation to guarantee the booking. Easter and Christmas periods' bookings require a 25% non-refundable deposit. The balance is to be settled 30 days prior to the arrival of the guests.

Cancellation fees (up to 3 rooms, for 4 or more rooms see T & C's):

Up to 61 days prior to arrival: 1 0% cancellation fee of the full booking value .

31 to 60 days prior to arrival: 25% cancellation fee of the full booking value .

15 to 30 days prior to arrival: 75% cancellation fee of the full booking value

14 days or less prior to arrival: 90% cancellation fee of the full booking value.

Child Policy

No children under 14 years of age Children Under the age of 18 years have to share a room with an adult.

Minimum Recommended stay:

To enjoy the full walking trail experience, a 3 night stay is recommended. 

Facilities:

Sketches of the Trail Camp facilities are available here:

Layout

Aerial View

Floorplan

View from Dining Area

 


Simbavati Spa

The Spa, NOW OPEN offers guests at both River Lodge and Hilltop Lodge some exciting treatment options to choose from. Click here to see the treatments offered.

SIMBAVATI PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS

Unmatched in the wildlife photographic industry is our specialized photographic game drive vehicle – based in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve bordering the Northern region of the Kruger National Park. With no fences between the two reserves the animals move freely within more than 20 000 square kilometers of wilderness area.

The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is renowned for its great wildlife sightings some of which are the endangered white lion, leopard, wild dog, cheetah and many, many more – combined with our photographic vehicle, a professional wildlife photographer and Simbavati River Lodge – it promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Our professional photographer will ensure that you benefit from one on one instruction on everything from how to achieve the best position for the ultimate wildlife shot to professional tips on image editing, including both a pre-game drive and post-drive briefing.

BOOKINGS:

TEL: +27 (0)21 945 3751 info@simbavati.com

TEL: 0 8611 64566 info@africanphotographictravel.co.za

 

Gallery

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Families

Simbavati River Loge is an intimate and hospitable camp built on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River, in the heart of the world famous Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Simbavati takes its name from the local Shangaan language, and means “the place where the lions come down from the stars” – a reference to the magnificent, world-famous white lions found in Timbavati.

Simbavati River Lodge 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.

Chalet 1: 2 Twin bedded rooms.

Chalet 2: 1 Twin bedded room and 1 triple bedded room.

Chalet 3: 1 King bedded room and 1 twin bedded room.

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. Board games and books available in the lounge area.

Children 6 years & over are allowed on Game Drives. Families with younger children can arrange a private vehicle prior to arrival.

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.

Conference and Events

Simbavati River Lodge is situated in a low risk malaria area in the northern sector of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. It is surrounded by 12 000 hectares of wildlife and rich wilderness in which you can experience an authentic and affordable African safari.

This intimate camp is built on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River – a beautiful watercourse in the summer months when rain is plentiful, and a dry riverbed in the drier winter months. Accommodation consists of eight luxury tents and three chalets; all are privately situated, comfortably furnished and with en-suite facilities.

Groups are welcome with an exclusive use lodge rate on offer. An informal meeting room/activity room is available. Wi-Fi in reception, lounge & deck (but very little cell phone reception).

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.

Spa

The spa, with two treatment rooms, offers traditional African massage using the Africology range of products.  

Click here to view the treatment offering.