Arathusa Safari Lodge
Situated in the popular Sabi Sands area of the Greater Kruger National Park, Arathusa offers an intimate safari experience, excellent value for money and a chance to spot the Big Five.
Simbambili
Simbambili Game Lodge accommodates just 18 guests in its nine luxury suites. All rooms come complete with plunge pools, private salas and views that stretch across the active watering hole and Sabi Sand Reserve. With Moroccan influences throughout, the welcoming lodge is sophisticated in its design, with thoughtful details that compliment the natural beauty surrounding it. The main common areas are just as inviting, with dramatic fireplaces in large, airy lounges and dining rooms sharing the scenery over raised verandas. Guests can enjoy sundowners overlooking the watering hole, which may be occupied by a grazing elephant or a herd of thirsty antelope. The real pride of Simbambili is the dedicated staff, who all come highly recommended by our clients, and visitors from all over the world.
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- 617-223-4340
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Rooms
Individually hand-crafted suites sit nestled inconspicuously among dense stands of knobthorn and jackalberry trees. They are thoughtfully designed to blend with the environment, and carefully positioned to enhance privacy. Each suite has spectacular views, whether from the large en suite bathrooms and salas or individual private plunge pools, and in some rooms, guests may even be able to see the water hole from the king-size beds.
Location
Located in the north of the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, adjoining Kruger National Park. Simbambili Game Lodge is set among trees along the meandering Manyaleti River, with views over the extensive savanna grassland. The lodge’s location allows guests to enjoy game drives into both Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park, where animals have free, safe movement between the two. Guests can opt to fly into the reserve and enjoy a short transfer, or self-drive to the lodge through the Gowrie Gate.
Food and drink
There is a perennial waterhole that can be viewed directly from the main dining area, which makes for superb game viewing at the lodge itself. All this is complemented by elegant cuisine and a selection of South African fine wines. Guests may also choose to dine privately, or in the boma, where meals are served around the fire, and under the night skies, making for a lovely spot to relive the day’s adventures.
Families
Simbambili is an adults-only lodge, open to guests 16 and over.
Facilities and activities
On game drives in open 4X4s or bush walks, you will head out with your ranger and tracker to find the Big Five, as well as the many other species that can be found in the world-renowned Sabi Sands private game reserve. Drives head out early in the morning, and later in the afternoon for the greatest chance to see a variety of animals, and guests have much of the afternoon to relax at the lodge, which may involve a treatment at the in-house spa.
Accessibility
The lodge is wheelchair accessible.
Our opinion
Simbambili offers an intimate safari experience in the heart of the Sabi Sands private game reserve. We feel that Simbambili is a thoroughly genuine and refined lodge, with superb game viewing — not ostentatious, but with fine attention to detail.
Sabi Sand Wildtuin tour ideas
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
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![Arathusa Safari Lodge, lounge area]()
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![Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin]()
Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge
The lodge has eight luxurious suites which are stylish and individually decorated to the very highest standard. The game viewing here is truly second to none.
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![Dulini Leadwood Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin]()
Dulini Leadwood Lodge
Dulini Leadwood Lodge offers the perfect package for guests wanting to relax in privacy and luxury with a very exclusive safari experience.
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![Dulini River Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin]()
Dulini River Lodge
Overlooking the Sand River, Dulini River Lodge offers a luxury stay in the Sabi Sands region of the Greater Kruger.
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![Dulini Safari Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin]()
Dulini Safari Lodge
Set on the banks of the Mabrak River, under ebony and leadwood trees, Dulini Safari Lodge offers an sophisticated stay in the Sabi Sand Reserve. Guests travel to the lodge for the opportunity to see the Big Five, and treated to a luxurious, discerning stay.
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![Elephant Plains Main Lodge]()
Elephant Plains Game Lodge
This owner-run lodge offers excellent Big Five game viewing, luxe accommodation and sumptuous international fusion cuisine with a proudly South African feel. The lodge is an excellent option for those looking for an authentic safari experience.
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![Exeter Private Game Reserve - Kirkman's Kamp, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin]()
Exeter Private Game Reserve - Kirkman's Kamp
Kirkman's Camp, with its spectacular views of the unspoilt wilderness and the Sand River, is regarded as one of the best loved lodges in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
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![Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve, lodge lounge area]()
Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve
An intimate destination (perched on a small kopje in the western sector of Sabi Sands), Leopard Hills will cater for an exquisite stay in the African bush.
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![Lion Sands Private Game Reserve - Ivory Lodge]()
Lion Sands Private Game Reserve
Ivory Lodge offers an extremely luxurious and very private safari experience and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a very exclusive safari experience.
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![Sabi Sabi - Little Bush Camp, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin]()
Little Bush Camp
Little Bush Camp is a warm and cozy, contemporary African retreat in the heart of the bush. With just six suites, the lodge is very exclusive and private, boasting all the features of an exceptional bush lodge.
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![Notten's Bush Camp, dining area]()
Notten's Bush Camp
Set within Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Notten’s Bush Camp is a characterful base from which to explore the reserve’s wildlife. Owned and managed by the same family for four generations, the friendly, personal service makes you feel as though you’re staying at a friend’s home.
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![Luxury villa, Sabi Sabi - Bush Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin]()
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Bush Lodge enjoys a stunning location and the discreet placing of the suites gives an intimacy and exclusivity that belies the relatively large number of suites.
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![Sabi Sabi - Earth Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin]()
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is built in complete harmony with its surroundings, each enormous suite is sculpted into the earth, with rough mud walls reminding you that you are in wild Africa.
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![Sabi Sabi - Selati Lodge, The Sabi Sand Wildtuin]()
Sabi Sabi Selati Lodge
Selati Lodge has all the atmosphere and trimmings of 'Yesterday'. The lodge's name commemorates the Selati railway line that used to run from the Transvaal to Mozambique, close to the site of the lodge.
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![Main Area, Savanna Private Game Reserve,The Sabi Sand Wildtuin]()
Savanna Private Game Reserve
This characterful lodge is situated within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and provides comfortable accommodation to return to after game drives out in the bush, where the Big Five can often be spotted. Staff here are very friendly and help to create a relaxed atmosphere.
