Siviti

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Pricing

pp/night sharing

normal price: R17 000 (save: 62%)

Within 30 days of travel

1 Mar - 31 Jul '25

Sun - Thurs

R 6500

1 Mar - 31 Jul '25

Weekend (Fri and Sat)

R 6900

Availability of this rate needs to be confirmed with Siviti at time of booking

Includes:

Accommodation
All meals and hot beverages
Early morning and late afternoon game drives
Sundowner drink

Our Verdict

Wonderfully luxurious and stylish, yet intimate lodge consisting of 5 hugely spacious suites - each with their own private plunge pools! - located overlooking the seasonal Timbavati river

Lodge Gallery

Our Ratings

8.9

Overall

9.0

Luxury & style

8.5

Setting

9.0

Game Viewing

9.0

Romance

Our Ratings

8.9

Overall

9.0

Luxury & style

8.5

Setting

9.0

Game Viewing

9.0

Romance

What's Hot

Relax in your private plunge overlooking the seasonal Timbavati river (ice cold drink in hand of course!) whilst viewing the animals in the river-bed and surrounding bush!
The suites are massively spacious (the smallest room type comes in at 80 square metres!) and luxurious in an elegantly restrained style - the temptation will be to lock yourself away for the duration of your stay!
The arc of the rim flow pool on the main deck creates a dramatic vista across the river bed in front of the lodge - it truly is a gorgeous setting!
With just 5 suites sleeping a maximum of 12 guests, this is a wonderfully intimate lodge which really gives off the feel of being a private home in the bush (which it was of course, originally being an owner's house for private use only)
The wonderfully friendly staff go out of their way to spoil the lucky guests under their charge!

What's Not

Phew, not a heck of a lot to complain about to be honest! I guess the fact that the river-bed in front is not often flowing (but that's hardly the lodge's fault!)
The public lounge areas are perhaps slightly less impressive than the suites themselves

Siviti game viewing can also be enjoyed from the luxury of an exclusive decked terrace, or perhaps whilst enjoying a dip in your sparkling private plunge pool whilst sipping on a gin-tail!

Lodge Profile

Wonderfully luxurious and stylish, yet intimate lodge consisting of 5 hugely spacious suites - each with their own private plunge pools! - located overlooking the seasonal Timbavati river

Quick Overview

Location

Thornybush

Drive Time

6 hours drive from Johannesburg

Malaria

Yes - low risk area

Setting

Overlooking a riverbed

Rooms

4 Timbabati Suite and 1 Timbavati Villa (2-bedroom)

Aircon

Yes

Pool

Private plunge pools

Spa

Camp Fenced

Tracker

Yes - ranger and tracker

Off Road

Yes

Child Policy

No children under 16

Previously an owner’s private lodge, Siviti (previously known as The River Lodge) in Thornybush reserve was converted into a commercial lodge offering luxury accommodation in the form of five freestanding villa-style suites - it is now a firm favorite with guests for its unpretentious style, intimate connection with wildlife and peaceful setting.

The lodge overlooks the seasonal Timbavati river, in an area frequented by herds of elephants, antelope, leopards and a myriad of colourful birds. There remains a relaxed and personal ambience, almost a sense of being in a private home in the heart of the African bush. This is amplified by the wonderfully friendly staff at the lodge - Bongs the butler, Anna and Nomsa - who go out of their way to ensure a homely yet sophisticated stay.

Meals are prepared in an open-plan kitchen and served alfresco-style on the terrace under the biggest Jackalberry tree in the area. This often coincides with the elephants wandering up to drink from the infinity pool, cooling themselves down in the midday heat.

The lavish, air-conditioned accommodation consists of 5 luxurious and hugely spacious suites known as the Timbavati Suites as well as the 2-bedroom Timbavati Villa. Each suite is discreetly positioned to ensure extra privacy, boasting their own elevated viewing decks complete with private plunge pool to ensure a unique and private bush experience.

Each one of the 80 square meter Timbavati Suites radiate elegance and luxury! Stackable doors give fantastic views on the sandy river-bed and bush beyond, affording a magical wildlife experience from the comfort of an extra length king-size bed or the indoor lounge area. The expansive outside decks were purposefully built below tall trees to ensure shade and boast stunning views of the perennial Timbavati river - game viewing can also be enjoyed from the luxury of an exclusive decked terrace, or perhaps whilst enjoying a dip in your sparkling private plunge pool whilst sipping on a gin-tail!

High-lofted thatched roofs and fireplaces add to the interior ambience of the suites and the bathrooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors which open to allow the outdoors in, allowing you spectacular views while you soak in the bathtub! An outside shower completes the experience.

At 220 square meters, the Timbavati Villa boasts a large private lounge and dining area, flanked on either side by two luxury en-suite bedrooms decorated in sophisticated African chic with bathrooms featuring floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The heated rim-flow pool adorning the deck has become a popular stopover for many Kruger elephants seeking an alternative freshwater source as they forage along the banks of the Timbavati river! The Timbavati Villa really does present the ideal option for friends or family travelling together who wish to enjoy their own private safari experience in luxury!

Of course of equal importance is the quality of the game viewing and you’re very unlikely to go disappointed in that regard - the Thornybush reserve now forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park after the north-eastern boundary fence was removed back in 2017. This has allowed for natural wildlife migration patterns to resume, which has resulted in a supreme game-viewing experience!

Pricing

pp/night sharing

More Information

Booking Notes

Unless otherwise stated, all rates listed are based on a minimum 2 night stay. Surcharges may apply for a 1 night booking
Rates quoted are only applicable to SA Residents only. Special Discounted rates for International Residents are available on request
Rates exclude Conservation Fee