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Simbavati Hilltop Lodge

Designed with a light eco-footprint, Simbavati Hilltop Lodge offers a reimagined luxury tent experience. The unique tented lodge has been created so that it can be removed without any lasting effects on the land. Eight tented suites exude pure class and sophistication, married perfectly with eco-elegance. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Timbavati Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park, guests are spoilt with wide-angle views over mountains, bushveld, and river landscapes. Your safari experience here is led by expert rangers who do their best to track the animals you are particularly interested to see. Night drives, photographic safaris, and guided nature walks all offer alternative ways to experience and capture the beauty of nature.

Besides being home to the Big 5, Timbavati Private Game Reserve offers plenty of opportunities to spot other magnificent wildlife including giraffe, zebra, hyena, warthog, and various antelope species. The reserve serves as a protective habitat for endangered black and white rhino and pangolins and is one of the only places in Africa where the White Lion can be found. This alone makes it a one-of-a-kind experience—but there is so much more to indulge in.

There is never a moment at Simbavati Hilltop Lodge where you are not captivated by the beauty of nature intertwined with stylishly graceful design. The main lodge features wraparound decks with panoramic views, an infinity pool, a lounge area, and a dining tent. Guests will also enjoy meals in the alfresco dining area as well as in the open-air boma with crackling fires and starlit skies.

Gallery

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Wildlife:

High concentration of Big 5 with large herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as large lion prides.
Large number of White lions live in the reserve.
Other wildlife include but are not limited to the hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, African wild dog, hyaena, warthog and many other cat and antelope species.
Large antelope herds support the populations of predators in the reserve.
Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the region. Many can be seen in the reserve.

Game Drives:

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 bushwalks are permitted.

Activities & facilities:

Game drives
Guided bushwalks
Stargazing
Birdwatching
Infinity swimming pool
Restaurant
Open-air African Boma
Seated firepit
Spa treatments
Viewing deck
Bar & lounges
Waterhole

Highlights:

Unique tented style luxury lodge perched high up on the hillside.
Exceptional views of the reserve and and distant Drakensberg Mountains.
A nearby waterhole and the Nhlaralumi River are frequently visited by wildlife, which can be viewed from the lodge.
8 Luxury tented suites are in secluded positions overlooking the dam and the river.
Each suite has a private viewing deck with plunge pool and outdoor sala with daybed.
The main lodge features wraparound decks, an infinity swimming pool and a convivial bar with 360°views.
Exciting Big-5 game drives with game rangers and trackers.

Getting there:

There are several private airstrips in Timbavati, two daily chartered flights from Johannesburg are operated by Federal Airlines.
Hoedspruit (HDS) is the closet commercial airport to Hilltop Lodge, daily flights operate from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Flight time from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit or private airstrip: 60 minutes.
Flight time from Cape Town to Skukuza: 2 hours 30 minutes.
Road transfers from Hoedspruit to Hilltop Lodge take approximately 90 minutes.

Location:

Located in the western region of the Greater Kruger and borders the Kruger National Park, Klaserie Game Reserve, Umbabat Game Reserve and Thornybush Game Reserve.
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.

Special offers:

Enjoy one free night with our PAY 3 STAY 4 offer.
Honeymoon offers includes 40% off one partners accommodation, plus extras.
Special offers are valid 8 Jan – 31 Mar & 1 Nov – 20 Dec
South African resident rates are bookable 30 days prior to arrival date only.

Child Policy:

Hilltop Lodge welcomes children from 12 years.

Inclusions & Exclusions:

Included: 2 x Game drives per day, guided bush walks, all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages, and Hoedspruit (HDS) airstrip transfers.
Excluded: Premium branded drinks, conservation levies, other 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 35% applicable.
Rates displayed are valid until 04 January 2026.

Seasons:

Peak season: 21 December – 05 January
High season: 06 January – 20 December

Accommodation Options

Luxury Safari Tents

Sleeps 2 Adults

PAY 3 STAY 4

Elegant and sophisticated, every spacious tent features a king bed, double vanity, bathtub, and alfresco twin rain shower. A private viewing deck and outdoor sala with a daybed offer magnificent views over the bushveld, dam, and Nhlaralumi River.