Simbavati Hilltop Lodge  Verified Listing

Excellent Rating: 5.0 / 5
Based on 16 verified guest reviews

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Member since: 25 July 2013

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Luxurious Safari Tent  From R23325 /night

Good Breakfast, lunch and evening meal included

Sleeps 2 people, 1 Bedroom.

Luxurious and individual pavilion style safari tents offering king-size or ... twin-bed options, a separate en-suite bathroom allowing for an indoor or private outdoor shower experience as well as a private viewing deck and daybed.

Rate Basis: Full board (breakfast, lunch and evening meal included)

Bedroom 1

1 King

From R23325 /night

 

Good Breakfast, lunch and evening meal included
Garden
Breakfast included
Bath towels
Electric Blankets
Patio
Linen
Covid-19 Certified
Swimming Pool
Spa facilities
Cleaning service
WiFi
Fireplace
Dining Area
24hr Security
Safety Deposit Box
Aircon
Airport Transfers
Balcony
Bar
Ceiling fans
Concierge
Deck
Fan
Hairdryer
Heater
Mini Bar
No smoking
Restaurant
Room service
Serviced Daily
Tea and coffee facilities

Situated within the world-renowned Timbavati Game Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger Park the Simbavati Hilltop Lodge boasts breathtaking views from individual luxurious tents, specifically arranged to create a unique village feel. Privacy is guaranteed thanks to the careful placement of the tented-suites, ensuring an intimate and unforgettable stay.

Enjoy magnificent views of the bush and wilderness from the unique contemporary lodge facilities or from your own private deck or daybed and experience an exhilarating game safari exploring the abundance of wildlife, including the Big 5 as well as the unspoilt landscapes of the reserve.

In Room Facilities:

We have 8 luxurious safari tents, offering king-size or twin-bed options. The en-suite bathroom tent is connected to the main tent via a small passage, with an opening to the outdoors that gives you an indoor or private twin shower outdoor shower option.

Each of our tents is equipped with a private game-viewing deck and daybed to take in the stunning scenery, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, stocked mini bar, coffee and tea making facilities, complimentary eco-friendly and biodegradable products, electric blankets for the winter season, safe and hairdryer.

Area Information:

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge is ideally situated in the famous Timbavati Private Nature Reserve forming part of the Greater Kruger Park and which currently features over 40 mammal species including the Big 5, endangered species such as the wild dog and cheetah and 360 species of bird life.

The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve was initiated in 1956 by a group of landowners 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.

Property Facilities:

The lodge offers Big 5 Game Drives in the early morning and late afternoon/evening, taking advantage of the time of day that the animals are naturally most active. Nocturnal creatures - including the big cats - are regular sightings at night.

The lodge facilities allow for complete relaxation and appreciation of the unique, authentic surroundings. Guests can sit back and enjoy a cocktail on the deck overlooking the river or in the covered pool lounge for shaded outdoor relaxation, spend an afternoon at the outdoor infinity pool with panoramic views of the bushveld and distant mountains and visit the gift shop for safari memorabilia.

Attractions:

Big 5.
Cheetah.
Wild Dogs.
White Lion.

Map

Extra Info

Property Type Camp, Game Lodge
Conditions Show
Check-in after 02:00 PM
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Cancellation Policy Strict
For more info Contact Host

Reviews

Leon Eady
07 June 2021

We have recently had the privilege of spending a couple of days at Simbivati Hill Top Camp.
This was without doubt one of the finest and most enjoyable bush experiences that my wife and I have ever had (and we have been to the bush very often and stayed in many places)
The friendly reception by Bongi and her crew upon arrival was very welcoming and set the tone for the next 4 days.
The accommodation was excellent with beautiful views of the dam and river. We were visited by elephants a number times while we relaxed on our private deck and day-bed.
Our game drives were also very good with Themba and Evans doing a great job to show us the big five and so much more. Really impressive tracking and bush knowledge.
The food prepared by Thompson and Sheldon was outstanding. Well prepared and beautifully presented. However for us the star of the show was undoubtedly Aubrey the Butler. We have seldom (in our travels and staying at reasonably upmarket places) come across a more personable and professional maitre’d. Aubrey made our stay that much more enjoyable and I think Simbavati are fortunate to have a man of his calibre.
Overall this was a great bush experience and I’m sure that we will return to Simbavati in the not too distant future.

Superb. 5 out of 5
Matthieu
27 May 2018

Everything: The location, the view from the lodge, the room, the food, the staff, the game drives, etc., it is like being in paradise.

Superb. 5 out of 5
Scott
08 May 2018

This was our second trip to South Africa and we found the staff here and the food to be the best in all of our travels.
The game viewing was a little less than we had expected as the animals were just not around as usual.
However the fact that we had just been to Sabi Sands and had seen all of the big five made up for the missing in action critters.
Hats off to Aubrey and all the others making up the Simbavati family for making us feel so at home.

Superb. 5 out of 5
Purplepixie48
23 April 2018

All the places we stayed on our recent trip to SA were great but this was more than that! It was wonderful in every aspect from start to finish! The hospitality, friendliness, food, surroundings were faultless. Our luxury safari tents were brilliant. What amazing views! We saw (and heard) hippos wallowing in the river each day and a herd of elephants swimming across and an antelope grazing happily a few feet away from our balcony. Even the thundering of tiny baboon paws on our tent roof in the early morning was exciting! And then finally... the safaris! Wow. Colbert our guide and tracker Derrick were brilliant. So knowledgeable and friendly. We saw The Big Five and more on our first outing and each trip saw loads of animals (including a rather amorous rhino....!!) These safaris surpassed the others we subsequently went on and will forever remain in our memories... Big thanks to our butler Andrew as well.

Superb. 5 out of 5
Roy Hewett
16 April 2018

SimbavatI, in general, and Hilltop Lodge, in particular, are outstanding in all aspects of the game viewing experience.

Luxury and comfort underpin the preparation for excellent game drives and experiences that are undeniably life-changing.
From reception, through butler, catering, game driver/guide, tracker, luxurious accommodation and friendliness of all staff, this Private Lodge must rank amongst the best in the Timbavati.

Communication and cooperation amongst rangers of the many different lodges virtually assures successful sightings of the ‘Big 5’ by most clients. Stops for coffee/tea in the early morning and drinks in the early evening are highlights in the wilds.

The SimbavatI Lodges deserve the ultimate recognition for an outstanding package to the Wild life connoisseur and adventurer.

Superb. 5 out of 5
Amanda B
09 April 2018

We stayed at Simbavati for four nights - we only checked out today, but the place and the people had such an impact on us that I wanted to get my review in whilst everything was fresh in our minds! The camp itself is beautiful - the tents are gorgeous - air conditioned with outdoor showers and a lovely day bed overlooking the river where you can watch hippos all day long. The food (and there’s a lot!) was absolutely delicious with lots of choice. On alternate evenings, there is a BBQ and you sit around the fire pit away from the main restaurant. Nothing is too much trouble for the fantastic staff. Each and every one greeted us with huge South African smiles and fabulous hospitality. Aubrey was our lovely butler who spent time telling us about this beautiful country and sharing his incredible experiences with us. Every morning when we returned from our game drives, he had hot chocolate waiting for my kids, he remembered that I have ice in my wine and was just lovely. We had some truly amazing experiences on the game drives - and I don’t use the ‘a’ word that often. Our guide was Rey and our tracker was Shaddy and they were brilliant - so so knowledgeable, passionate about the animals and respectful of course. They were a brilliant team with great senses of humour. Sundowners overlooking the African bush....pure heaven. Thank you to everyone at Simbavati for making our stay so special x

Superb. 5 out of 5
KerisB
08 April 2018

We visited on our honeymoon back in April and had the most incredible time! Everything from start to finish was amazing! We got greeted and taken to our tent which over looked the river where we watched and heard the hippos! We then began our first game drive and we were lucky enough to see the wild dogs first! We got back from our game drive greeted with hot towels before taken back to your tent to freshen up for dinner/breakfast depending on which one! Andrew was our butler and we just loved him! He couldn’t do enough for us! We were lucky enough to see the big 5 during our stay- thank you Jimmy and Vincent! All the little touches really made this place, the welcome letter, the wake up calls, the turn down of our rooms to arrive back to after the afternoon game drive! Then on our final night a bath ready for us with petals and champagne! It really is spectacular and would highly recommend staying we were really sad to leave! Thanks all for looking after us so well, we will keep the memories forever!

Superb. 5 out of 5
Mike
06 April 2018

My wife and I recently stayed at the Simbavati Hilltop Lodge for 3 nights. Wow .... what a wonderful experience!!!
The drive to get to the lodge... 30+km drive over dirt roads after leaving the tarred road was unexpectedly long but interesting before we found ourselves in an oasis surrounded by miles of remote bush.
The lodge is wonderful and is exceptionally luxurious considering how remote we were.
The "Luxury Safari Tents" really are luxurious... big bedroom, separate shower room and separate bathroom. Our private veranda looked out over the river dam giving extensive views of passing game. From our viewpoint we watched hippos lazing in the water during the day even spotted a line of elephants swimming across the river one morning.
The dining, bar, swimming pool and recreation areas are wonderful being set up at the top of the hill overlooking the river and bush. The food and the staff were great!
The twice daily (morning and afternoon) safari drives were out of this world!!! On our very first safari outing on the first afternoon of our stay was saw all of the "Big 5" and more !!!! Our Safari Guide on all of our trips out (his name was Collbert) was a real gem.... he knew what he was talking about and had a great sense of humour!
The Simbavati Hilltop Lodge was easily the best place that we stayed at on our 3 week trip to South Africa. Yes ... it is not cheap... but worth every penny!!!

Superb. 5 out of 5
Anonymous
26 March 2018

Our stay at Simbavati Hilltop lodge a week and a half ago was unforgettable. The facilities and staff were all five star (especially Rey and Shaddy-our driver/guide/tracker team and Andrew-our butler). We saw all the big 5 throughout our four day stay. The bonus delighter was the many animal babies we saw (water buffalo, rhino, hippo, elephant and hyena). It was slightly windy so we weren't bothered by any mosquitoes, and the temperature ranged between 90 and 70F so it was comfortable. The food was outstanding (we enjoyed trying Kudu)- luckily my safari pants were stretchy. I thought I would be afraid to walk around as the lodge isn't fenced but it was safe and the staff took care to escort us at night. I enjoyed hanging out on the day bed watching random animals walking in front our tent. I was sure a wart hog was sleeping under our tent platform but in the end we figured out it was the sound of the hippo in the nearby river. There was no need for a big camera zoom lens as the animals are so close by. This is a close proximity/quality experience, not a mass migration/quantity experience. This lodge is more appropriate for adults than for families, but the staff were accommodating to our teen daughters.

Superb. 5 out of 5
Beabeby
11 March 2018

Game drivers highly experienced, they try to fulfill customer's requirements for animal viewing. All personnel is very polite, it's noticeable that there is a good working environment where the customer is their priority. The food is outstanding. The accommodation are great with privacy and incredible views.

Superb. 5 out of 5

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Excellent Rating: 5.0 / 5
Based on 16 verified guest reviews

Our Promise

Excellent & Prompt Service

Only Quality, Verified Listings

No Booking Fees. Save Money

All Bookings are Secure

Quick & Easy Payment Options


Extra Features

Instant Booking Confirmation

Best Price Guaranteed


About the Host

Member since: 25 July 2013

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