Simbavati Hilltop Lodge

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Pricing

pp/night sharing

normal price: R20 400 (save: 50%)

SA Residents Specials

6 Jan - 20 Dec '26

Within 30 days of travel

R 10200

6 Jan - 20 Dec '26

Within 60 days of travel

R 12240

6 Jan - 20 Dec '26

Within 90 days of travel

R 14280

6 Jan - 20 Dec '26

Within 120 days of travel

R 16320

2 night minimum stay

Includes:

Accommodation
3 meals per day
Transfer to/from local airports/other lodges (including Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport)
Tea and coffee
Selected drinks (house wines, beers, ciders, soft drinks, water & local spirits; excluding premium brands and cellar wines)
2 daily safari game drives (dusk and dawn in open Land Rovers)

NOTE: Rates apply only to SA residents

Our Verdict

DRINKS INCLUDED! Gorgeous contemporary tents complete with private plunge pools are the standout feature here along with the commanding hilltop position with views of the dammed up river below!

Lodge Gallery

Our Ratings

8.8

Overall

8.5

Luxury & style

9.0

Setting

8.5

Game Viewing

9.0

Romance

Our Ratings

8.8

Overall

8.5

Luxury & style

9.0

Setting

8.5

Game Viewing

9.0

Romance

What's Hot

We love the contemporary styling that marks Hilltop out from so many of its competitors - the combination of canvas with packed stone walls and wooden structural features is wonderfully attractive!
Beautiful decks and seating areas from which you can drink in the stunning views - whether that be from your private plunge pool or the comfy day sala on your tent's deck, or up on the main public areas! The welcoming bar and the firepit deck are especially stunning
Super friendly and helpful staff service just as at all the sister lodges in the Simbavati fold - but now with added luxury and style
This part of the Timbavati has an enviable reputation for great game viewing - including great leopard sightings
We loved the inside/outside shower - you can enjoy the feeling of showering in the open air yet with complete privacy

What's Not

More expensive than the other Simbavati lodges - but then again it is a fair step upmarket, especially with the private plunge pools
Plenty of steps from the main lodge area to the rooms, so not really recommended for those with limited mobility

Simbavati Hilltop Lodge a very attractive and bang-up-to-date contemporary styling success that blends clean and minimalistic lines with the use of organic materials that make it all immediately feel right at home in the African bush

Lodge Profile

DRINKS INCLUDED! Gorgeous contemporary tents complete with private plunge pools are the standout feature here along with the commanding hilltop position with views of the dammed up river below!

Quick Overview

Location

Timbavati

Drive Time

6.5 hours from Johannesburg

Malaria

Yes - low risk

Setting

Hilltop (of course!)

Rooms

8 Luxury Tents

Aircon

Yes

Pool

Yes - and plunge pools at all tents

Spa

In room treatments

Camp Fenced

Tracker

Yes - ranger and tracker

Off Road

Yes

Child Policy

No children under 12

The flagship of the Simbavati lodge family, the “Hilltop” part of the lodge’s name refers to the fact that the main public area of the lodge – the main viewing deck, bar and restaurant and stunning infinity swimming pool – are positioned on top of a small koppie, enjoying stunning views over the Nhlaralumi River below with the bush vistas stretching to the distant Drakensberg mountain range. The lodge’s 8 suites are actually scattered on the slopes below – in fact they’re perched just above the river bed. Each suite comprises two individual tents: one for the main bedroom and a separate bathroom, which is linked by a passage that can be opened up on one side – this allows for an indoor or private outdoor shower experience. Privacy is guaranteed thanks to the careful placement of the tented-suites, ensuring a tranquil and intimate stay. Perhaps the highlight though of these 8 tented suites are their spacious decks, complete with private plunge pools and comfy day sala areas!

The lodge’s architectural style definitely makes it one of the new wave of game lodges that has tossed aside the old fashioned thatched stereotype – in its place Simbavati Hilltop boasts a bold mix of attractive structural wooden features, packed stone feature walls and a uniquely modern take on traditional tented structures. The result is a very attractive and bang-up-to-date contemporary styling success that blends clean and minimalistic lines with the use of organic materials that make it all immediately feel right at home in the African bush (whilst at the same time almost hinting at a subtle Bali-style design influence in the rooflines in particular!) However you choose to describe the new lodge though, we like…very much!

The lodge’s lounge areas also attractively hit the spot in combining modern lines with furniture and décor that are comfy and welcoming. A favourite has to be the lounge and bar area adjacent to the pool deck, where you can relax and chill with something long and cold in your glass whilst admiring the great 360 degree views! If you fancy doing a bit of sun-worshipping between game drives, then find yourself a lounger alongside the stunning infinity swimming pool. Another great feature is the stunning firepit area which also boasts sensational views out over the river below and the vast expanse of bush beyond!

Ultimately you are there to enjoy the bush and game viewing and the good news is that this part of the Timbavati enjoys a well-earned reputation for delivering quality sightings – in fact this is one of our best recommendations for seeing leopard outside of the Sabi Sands. And of course you get to experience it by way of Simbavati’s consistently excellent teams of rangers and trackers. Simbavati’s new Hilltop Lodge is a really stylish and very welcome addition to the lodges in the greater Kruger – our advice is get there before the secret gets out!

Pricing

pp/night sharing

More Information

Booking Notes

Maximum 3 nights stay
Not applicable to group bookings
Prices exclude the Timbavati Conservation levy of R368 per person as well as the Timbavati Road levy of R160 per vehicle, payable on entry into the Reserve
Full payment required within 48 hours of booking
Subject to availability

Child Policy

No children under 12
Children under the age of 16 years have to share a room with an adult above 18 years of age

Useful Links

Lodge Website

Visit the official lodge site.

Trip Advisor

Read guest reviews for this lodge.

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