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Karongwe River Lodge
With river views and private viewing decks, Karongwe River Lodge offers an enchanting bush getaway for luxurious relaxation and thrilling adventures. River Lodge boasts an immersion into the essence of nature with attentive integration of raw elements into its design style. Indoor areas combine modern design trends with natural materials, timber, and thatch for an extraordinary feeling of being in the outdoors, yet in warmth, comfort, and luxury. Karongwe River Lodge’s main lounge area opens to an expansive viewing deck for relaxed game viewing or spend afternoons soaking up the sun next to the pool side. Contemporary African-inspired dining can be savoured at the deck, indoor dining area, or surrounded by lanterns and crackling fires in the boma.
Karongwe Private Game Reserve boasts 9000 hectares of protected land teeming with wildlife, diverse flora, and intriguing birdlife with an impressive backdrop of the Drakensberg mountain range. Overlapped by four rivers, the reserve is perfectly located to draw animal and birdlife to these water sources. Located just 45 minutes from the expansive Kruger National Park, Karongwe River Lodge offers an exclusive game viewing experience, with convenient proximity to Krugers expanse of diverse ecosystems.
Expert game rangers and trackers at Karongwe Private Game Reserve showcase a wealth of knowledge, cultural richness, and extraordinary game tracking abilities. Day and night drives are undertaken in specialized 4-wheel safari vehicles, with guides going out of their way to get you up close to Africa’s breath-taking wildlife including lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, cheetah and African wild dog. Karongwe River Lodge also offers guests exclusive interactive cooking opportunities, anti-poaching walks, bush picnics, and photography workshops. Karongwe is home to several other 4-star and 5-star lodges speard out over the reserve.
Malaria:
- Although a malaria zoned area, the risk of malaria in the Kruger National Park is usually low, even in the summer months.
- The highest risk period is between November and April (summer rainy season).
- Most types of mosquito that are encountered will not carry the malaria parasite.
- Mosquitoes most often bite between dusk and dawn.
- The risk of malaria can be reduced by preventing mosquito bites by covering exposed skin with light clothing or insect repellents, ensuring netted screens are kept closed and burning anti-mosquito coils.
- Malaria prophylactic drugs can be taken that will further decrease the chances of contracting malaria.
Please note that the information provided above is taken from the official SANParks website. For professional advice on malaria please consult with your medical practitioner.
Wildlife:
- Highest population density of the Big 5 in South Africa and it is estimated that 1,500 lions, 1,000 leopards, 17,000 elephant, 48,000 buffalo and an excess of 2,000 rhinos live in the Kruger National Park.
- Other wildlife include but are not limited to the hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, wild dog, hyaena, warthog, black-backed jackal, large herds of elephant and many other cat and antelope species.
- Approximately 147 mammal species.
- Over 500 bird species.
Activities & Facilities:
- Game drives
- Guided bushwalks
- Stargazing
- Birdwatching
- Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
- Open-air traditional African Boma
- Spa & Gym
- Large viewing deck
- Bar & lounges
Game Drives:
The following information refers to the game drives offered in the Kruger National Park private game reserves.
- The game drives in the Kruger National Park are ranked some of the best in the world and you are likely to see all of the Big-5 in a 4 night stay.
- Game drives take place twice a day in the early mornings and afternoons for a duration of 3-4 hours.
- Game drives are led by an experienced guide and tracker team.
- Vehicles are allowed to go off road to track and follow the wildlife.
- Strict traverse rules are in place and vehicle numbers are limited in each reserve. A maximum of two vehicles are allowed at any sighting.
- Night drives and guided bush walks are permitted.
Highlights:
- Exclusive private game reserves are home to award-winning safari accommodation.
- Exciting Big-5 game drives with some of the best game rangers and trackers on the continent.
- Night game drives, guided bush walks, and off-road game drives are available in the private reserves.
- Multiple rivers and waterholes throughout the park.
- A diverse range of experiences and accommodation options catering for families, couples and large groups.
- All year round safari destination.
Location:
The Kruger National Park is almost 2 million hectares and lies in the north-eastern corner of South Africa in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.
Getting there:
- The best way to travel to the Kruger National Park safari lodges is to fly into one of the Kruger’s three airports, followed by a road transfer.
- Flight time from Johannesburg to Kruger: 60 minutes.
- Flight time from Cape Town to Kruger: 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Private charters can be arranged to selected reserves.
- Road transfer time to the reserves from the Kruger airports generally range between 30 and 120 minutes.
- The reserve is generally a 5 to 7 hour drive from Johannesburg along the N12 and N4 highways.
Child Policy:
- Pioneer Camp welcomes children over years
- Children under 6 years can be accommodated if the camp is booked for exclusive use
- Children 6 – 11 years pay 50% of adult rate
Special offers:
We have some fantastic specials offers including PAY STAY deals, Honeymoon offers and discounted rates available for both international travellers and SA residents. View all specials on our specials page here: special offers
Inclusions & Exclusions:
- Included: 2 x Game drives per day, guided bush walks, all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages, and private airstrip transfers.
- Excluded: Premium branded drinks, conservation levies, commercial airport transfers, and anything of personal nature.
Rates:
- The updated rates are displayed for each room category below
- Rates are charged per person, per night
- Single supplement of 50% applicable
- Rates displayed are valid until 15 December 2024
Seasons:
- Peak season: 20 December – 03 January
- High season: 04 January – 19 December
Packages:
Our selection of world class safari packages have been designed by our on-trend team of travel experts and include flights, transfers, accommodation and full board safari experiences. View all packages here: safari packages
Activities
- Game drives
- Guided bushwalks
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Kids activities
- Anti-poaching walks
- Community tours
- Bush picnics
- Photography workshops
- Yoga
- Tree planting
- Stargazing
- Traditional Shangaan evenings
Highlights
- Exceptional Big 5 game drives
- Pan African Cuisine
- Set in the beautiful Drakensberg escarpment
Closest airport
- Hoedspruit (HDS)
Children policy
Children of all ages welcome. Children under 6 years More Details are not allowed on game drives. Babysitting services are available at an additional cost.
- Children 0-2 years stay complimentary
- Children 3-11 years pay 50% of the adult sharing rate
Included
2 x daily game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, all meals, snacks, teas and coffees.
Excluded
Alcoholic beverages, mini-bar and transfers.
Seasons
High: 01 January – 30 April & 01 August – 31 December
Low: 01 May – 31 July
T's & C's
- Rates are per person sharing, per night
- Single supplement of 40% applicable
- Rates displayed are valid to 31 December 2024
Accommodation Options
Luxury Suites
Sleeps 2 Adults
Luxury Suites each boast their own viewing deck to enjoy mornings and afternoons while watching game wander past. Elegant en-suites bathrooms provide a double vanity, large walk-in shower or Victorian slipper bath, while bedrooms are draped with mosquito Read more netting for a romantic bug-free slumber. In-room facilities also include air-conditioning and coffee/tea facilities. Less
Refer to T&C's above
High Season $ 464 per person, per night
Low Season $ 279 per person, per night
Family Suite
Sleeps 2 Adults, 2 children
The 2 Family Suites comprise a double bed and three single beds each. En-suite bathrooms provide a double vanity, large walk-in shower, Victorian slipper bath and a separate toilet. Enjoy the convenience and comfort of air-conditioning, coffee/tea facilities, Read more and elegantly draped mosquito netting for peaceful sleep. Less
Refer to T&C's above
High Season $ 464 per person, per night
Low Season $ 279 per person, per night
Executive Suites
Sleeps 2 Adults, 2 children
Executive Suites each feature a private viewing deck to enjoy morning and afternoons while watching game wander past. En-suite bathrooms provide a double vanity, large walk-in shower, Victorian slipper bath and a separate toilet. Suites can be configured either for double or twin occupancy Read moreIn-room facilities include air-conditioning and coffee/tea amenities. Less
Refer to T&C's above
High Season $ 491 per person, per nightLow Season $ 394 per person, per night
Presidential Suites
Sleeps 2 Adults, 2 children
The Presidential Suites make for an experience of sophisticated indulgence and natural wonder. Secluded from the main lodge, the suites each feature a private viewing deck, and plunge pool with waterhole views. En-suite bathrooms provide a double vanity, Read morelarge walk-in shower, and luxurious Victorian slipper bath. Ideal for honeymooners, private dinners can also be arranged for guests. Less
Refer to T&C's above
High Season $ 517 per person, per night
Low Season $ 425 per person, per night
Best-price guarantee
Enquire at Karongwe River Lodge