Fantastic, friendly staff who go out of their way to create a memorable experience. The game drives were brilliant and the food was delicious.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing

The staff were amazing everyone included. They were friendly and kind. Our guide was amazing and went above and beyond as well as our spotter.

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing

If you love elephants 🐘 and game drives this is the lodge for you! Super friendly staff. Very knowledgeable tracker & drivers

Stayed in February 2024

Everything! Rooms, food, game drives, the works!

Stayed in January 2024

All was very satisfactory.

Well appointed lodge. Fantastic game drives and daily visits from wild animals to the viewing deck at the lodge.

Stayed in December 2023

Nothing to fault.

Beautiful lodge. Unbelievable wildlife encounters. Especially the herd of visiting elephants while we were sitting down for Christmas lunch!

Stayed in December 2023

Everything was wonderful- just a quick note to make the note of allergenic ingredients if anyone in the group has an allergy. Thank you Simbavati for the vacation of a lifetime

We loved the property and everything about the game drives and how kind and helpful the staff were! The staff is absolutely amazing and hospitable and put a big smile on your face just by being around them. We loved all the wonderful experiences made possible by Marti Lise, Ralph, Happy and everyone else!

Stayed in October 2023

Nothing

Friendly staff, comfortable accomodation.

Stayed in September 2023

Just fantastic from the very start. I will miss this place but hopefully can make it back some time soon.

Stayed in August 2023

The 10 minute rule at sightings was not good as it meant moving on at critical moments in the safari to let another vehicle in

A great safari and a fantastic location on the river. The staff were amazing: Auwbery and Siphu served us so well in the restaurant and the bar. Our guide Clement assisted by Nicholas were the best, giving us the most fantastic safari experience. The best safari staff we have experienced

Stayed in July 2023

variety of safari trails

location the rooms the food quality the length of safaris

Stayed in February 2023

Nothing!

Incredibly located lodge with super super helpful and friendly staff who will go above and beyond to ensure your stay is memorable. This was our first time on safari but we had the most wonderful experience and were fortunate enough to see all of the big five, a whole host of other animals, as well as a rarely sighted cheetah! Frequently elephants pass right in front of the lodge so we had them join us for breakfast one morning! From the moment we arrived we were made to feel super welcome. Special shout-out to Bishop (butler), CJ (guide) and Sion (tracker) for all of their superb attention and help throughout our stay. Food was delicious (much better than we had even anticipated). We were also incredibly lucky to have had a surprise private candlelit dinner by the fire organised on our final evening! Would recommend this lodge to anyone considering and we would love to stay again.

Stayed in March 2023

honestly said: nothing.

Felt like a „home away from home“ from the first hello until goodbye. Great team, very nice tents, good food and (most important for this kind of holiday) incredible game drives. We saw a lot of animals and it was very nice that they not just concentrate on the big 5 but also told a lot about the bush, the birds and all the other small parts of nature. thanks again to our competent and very funny ranger Edward and the incredible tracker Nicholus.

Stayed in January 2023

loved the area, the drives, the tents, the restaurant, the service, the location and the view! really an amzing experience

Stayed in January 2023

No WiFi in the rooms Very low water pressure in the shower in the room

The professional and friendly staff The modern look n feel of the reception and general lounge area The daily game drives were exhilarating and exciting experiences The number of guests was perfect - it wasn’t noisy and over-crowded. It was a great atmosphere around the lodge Great food!

Stayed in January 2023

accommodation and food outstandingly

staff was out of this world! great!

Stayed in October 2022

The Simbavati River Lodge was an absolute dream from start to finish. Every single staff member was welcoming, attentive, eager to visit with you, and helpful. The cuisine was very good & lots of variety. We had the pool suite which as fantastic. There is wild life all over the property, so everywhere you look you are getting glimpse of the bush. The guide & trackers are so much fun & knowledgeable. I don't think there was a question that went unanswered. Special thanks to GY, Happy, Bishop, Allison, Russel, Kobus and who made our first South African Safari unforgettable. We cannot recommend this lodge enough & hope to return one day.

Stayed in November 2022

Absolutely nothing I didnt like. WiFi doesn’t work in your room/tent but the whole point of safari is to switch off and enjoy the moment.

Loved absolutely everything! The staff were exceptional & personable. The lodge and luxury tent was stunning, highlight was when a herd of elephants walked past as we sat on the deck! The safari and trackers were amazing, we learnt so much, they are so dedicated and talented! Epic G&T sundowners. Literally had a tear in my eye leaving it was that magical! Great for honeymooners, couples & families, we met lovely people!

Stayed in October 2022

Wifi was slow and only available in limited area. They are working on this and hopefully will be fixed soon. The pool was not clean, but it may have been because of the season.

Staff worked so hard to make our stay special. Exceptionally friendly. Great food. Clean and peaceful. GY and Happy made our game drives extra special, they worked so hard to find us the big five and were so knowledgeable. Easy to spot animals. Children did a pizza making lesson onsite and enjoyed board games. Spa was also great. We highly recommend staying at Simbavati River Lodge.

Stayed in September 2022

My specific units roof, had something living in the roof that made a noise, which sounded very scary even though it was most probably just a squirrel. But I could not sleep and felt quite scared during the night. I think proper coffee should also be served on the game drive.

Food was amazing. Staff went above and beyond. The facilities were stunning.

Stayed in August 2022

Privacy between the rooms not great. Pity no nightly firepit although boma fire every other night lovely

Food perfectly good. delightful staff. Game viewing excellent. lovely quiet environment.

Stayed in August 2022

Nothing, it was perfect!

It was our Dad’s 80th and the stay couldn’t have been scripted better! The staff were incredible: Kobus the lodge manager was excellent and Sipho saw to the family’s individual needs. Everyone did their utmost to make the stay special. The food was extraordinary. We had a game vehicle to ourselves, with our own guide and tracker. Gyani and Jonathan were knowledgeable and we had sightings that we’ll remember for many years to come. The snacks and drinks completed each sunset. Dad’s birthday was celebrated with a sunset champagne tasting, cheese etc at the riverbed followed by a dinner in the boma with dancing. It was that good and we’ll certainly be back!

Stayed in July 2022

The reservation team is working remotely from Johannesburg and so this causes some disruptions in communication I suppose because I requested for a special occasion and reminded for multiple times but when check-in neither the reception nor the staff knew about this situation.

Simbavati provides an exclusive experience to its guests. The staff is very kind and engaged. The place and the food is amazing and the trackers (for the game drives) are very knowledgable. I give full recommendations to this facility.

Stayed in July 2022

Game drives could be a bit frustrating as they have a queuing system where you have to wait your turn to see the animals. So even if you find the animals but someone else has called in before you then you have to drive around and wait. Our bathroom in our river tent was in desperate need of attention - water damage was extensive in the separate toilet area and the paint peeling off the walls.

Staff and attentiveness were excellent. Menu was a great variety and delicious. Everything organised very well.,

Stayed in July 2022