Simbavati Waterside

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Pricing

pp/night sharing

normal price: R16 675 (save: 50%)

SA Residents Specials

6 Jan - 20 Dec '26

Within 30 days of travel

R 8338

6 Jan - 20 Dec '26

Within 60 days of travel

R 10005

6 Jan - 20 Dec '26

Within 90 days of travel

R 11673

6 Jan - 20 Dec '26

Within 120 days of travel

R 13340

2 night minimum stay

Includes:

Accommodation
3 meals per day
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! Overlooking a large dam, this modern 8-roomed lodge caters for both families (half the rooms are family suites) as well as couples (with the 2 suites that feature wood-burning Kol Kol hot-tubs a particular highlight!)

Lodge Gallery

Our Ratings

8.2

Overall

8.0

Luxury & style

8.5

Setting

8.0

Game Viewing

8.0

Romance

Our Ratings

8.2

Overall

8.0

Luxury & style

8.5

Setting

8.0

Game Viewing

8.0

Romance

What's Hot

Modern new 8-roomed lodge overlooking a large dam in the southern portion of the 60 000-hectare Klaserie reserve (the most easily accessible part of the Klaserie too, just 30 minute’s drive from Hoedspruit Airport) – the dam acts as a real animal magnet, especially in the winter months, and whether you’re on your suite’s private deck or the shaded main lodge viewing deck, you can relax whilst watching the animals come down to satisfy their thirst!
Very cleverly, the 2 rooms at the lodge which don’t look out over the water but rather have a view into the bush, have been equipped with wood burning Kol Kol hot tubs – we can see these being a huge drawcard for couples, especially in the cooler winter months! So it’s ultimately a real head-scratcher of a choice: a view over the dam or your own hot tub?!?
The Klaserie has fewer commercial lodges than the other Big 5 private reserves in the greater Kruger area, so you tend to encounter less vehicle traffic than you would at those other reserves – this can make for a more relaxed and less rushed feeling game drive experience
Simbavati Waterside has not one but 2 different bomas – a more traditional and rustic feeling one encircled with rough tree branches which overlooks the bush, as well as a more contemporary and minimalistic version perched on the edge of the dam (and let’s face it, whichever one you’re in, there’s little better than eating out under the stars with an open fire crackling in the background!)
Try the new Shilope Sleepout Deck - a stunning overnight experience located out in the wilds of the Klaserie reserve!
Families are well catered for at Waterside – in fact, 4 of the lodge’s 8 rooms are family-friendly 2 Bedroomed Luxury Suites (and each of these units has 2 bathrooms too, so both kids and parents have got their own space and privacy)

What's Not

Given that half of the lodge’s rooms are 2 bedroomed family friendly suites, if you’re allergic to the presence of kids then you’re probably better off looking at a lodge that cater for adults only
Pity that the lodge’s swimming pool is tucked away at the back of the lodge rather than also enjoying prime views over the dam as would have been our choice
Having lower vehicle densities than in most of the other private game lodges bordering the Kruger does have the negative aspect that there are consequently less eyes out on drive radio-ing in sightings, so you may work harder for your sightings too

Simbavati Waterside the dam acts as a real animal magnet, especially in the winter months, and whether you’re on your suite’s private deck or the shaded main lodge viewing deck, you can relax whilst watching the animals come down to satisfy their thirst!

Lodge Profile

Quick Overview

Location

Klaserie

Drive Time

6 hours from Johannesburg

Malaria

Yes - low risk area

Setting

Overlooking large dam

Rooms

8 Suites (including 4 two-bedroom family suites)

Aircon

Yes

Pool

Yes

Spa

Yes

Camp Fenced

Yes

Tracker

Yes - ranger and tracker

Off Road

Yes

Child Policy

All ages welcome

At Bushscapes we always love lodges that overlook a water source – be it a waterhole, river or dam. Obviously the water tends to act as a powerful animal magnet, particularly in the dry winter months when the surrounding bush dries out, often making for excellent game viewing that you can enjoy even from the comfort of your private deck or perhaps whilst enjoying a drink at the lodge bar. Another big plus point is that water so often adds to the sheer visual appeal of the lodge compared to others which simply overlook the surrounding bushveld. The good news is that Simbavati Waterside ticks both these boxes with its position overlooking a large dam in the southern portion of the 60 000 hectare expanse of the Klaserie Reserve. And compared to lodges deeper into the Klaserie, Simbavati Waterside also has the advantage that it’s very easily accessible, being one of the first lodges that you’ll encounter after entering the reserve, an easy 30 minutes from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport if you’re coming in by air.

The rooms at Simbavati Waterside are large and modern in style but with organic elements that ensure they aren’t too bland or minimalistic. The lodge also cleverly caters for both families as well as couples looking for a more romantic bush experience - of the 8 rooms at Waterside, 4 of them are 2 bedroomed family units where mom and dad enjoy a larger master bedroom with king-size bed and a stunning en-suite bathroom complete with romantic stand-alone bathtub and also boasting indoor and outdoor showers! An interleading door connects the kid’s room which is smaller and fitted out with twin beds and simpler bathroom. All 4 of these Two-bedroomed Luxury Suites overlook the water, so you can relax on your covered deck whilst watching the wildlife come down to slake their thirst! Unusually, Waterside accepts kids of all ages (but only children of 6 years up are allowed on the usual shared game drives (if guests wish younger kids to join them on game drives they will need to take an extra game drive vehicle at extra cost if available)

The other 4 rooms at Waterside are geared towards couples only and of these 2 overlook the dam whilst the other 2 look out into the surrounding bush. What the lodge has very cleverly done though is compensate these bush-facing rooms by equipping them with Kol Kol wood fired hot tubs, which we foresee being a huge drawcard particularly in the cooler winter months!

A wonderful addition is the Shilope Sleepout Deck - set in the heart of the Klaserie wilderness beside an iconic Weeping Boer-Bean tree from which it derives its Shangaan name, this offers a truly serene and adventurous bush experience. Unlike many of the other sleepout experiences that have been such exciting additions to the South African game lodge scene, here the top level is a look-out deck with the comfy bedroom area actually located a storey lower - to be honest this is in many ways probably a more practical solution as opposed to the bed being in a far more exposed area on the top level. A highly recommended treat, especially if you are staying 3 nights or more!

As far as the main lodge areas are concerned, as you might expect they make the most of the waterside location with a shaded wooden deck, a sand floored contemporary-styled boma as well as an attractive firepit area all flanking the water’s edge. The exception, a little surprisingly, is the swimming pool which has been built away from the dam overlooking the surrounding bush. There’s also a second “bush boma” away from the dam built from rough branches where hanging lanterns lend a wonderfully traditional and rustic atmosphere! Then there’s a gym and Spa facility as well as the usual safari shop.

Pricing

pp/night sharing

More Information

Booking Notes

Child Policy

Simbavati Waterside takes kids of all ages. But only children of 6 years upwards are allowed to participate in the shared adult game drives.
If you wish for your younger children to join you, you will need to take a private vehicle at any extra cost. This is subject to availability of vehicles.

Useful Links

Lodge Website

Visit the official lodge site.

Trip Advisor

Read guest reviews for this lodge.

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