Simbavati Hilltop Lodge | Kruger National Park

We spent 2 luxury nights at the 4 star Simbavati Hilltop Lodge, located within the Timbavati Private Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. This is a review of our stay and what can I say but WOW! This place really is out of this world, absolute luxury in the middle of the African bush.
We took advantage of special rates for South African and SADC country residents. The lodge is aimed very much at the international, mainly European and USA markets, and has been hard hit by restrictions as you can imagine. Once international travel picks up, this sort of place will once again be out of reach of most locals, so my advice is to take advantage while you can.
Note: There's no Wifi in the tents, and no mobile phone reception on the reserve, but there is a usable Wifi connection at the main lodge, adequate for Whatsapp and updating your Instagram or Facebook, but you won't be steaming Netflix or Prime.
Correction: Simbavati is a 4 star lodge and not 5 star as mentioned in the video, (but as far as I'm concerned it SHOULD be 5 star!) 👌
This wasn't a sponsored visit, we paid for our own stay, opinions are my own and entirely unbiased.
Simbavati Website: www.simbavati.com/
African Safari Group: www.africansafarigroup.com/
Timbavati: timbavati.co.za/
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"Live each day as if it’s your last, because someday it will be!"
I'm Chris, wildlife & nature lover, photographer and videographer, living an outdoor lifestyle and making the most of each & every day and new experience. I create original video and photographic content, reviews and trip reports from some of the unique places in the world.
Now: Exploring my home continent of Africa.
Kangela: to search / to look for / to seek
Bring on the adventure, the world awaits!
Available for collaborations: [e-mail]
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On Instagram: / chriskangela
On Facebook: / chriskangela
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[@richardphipps1507]

that's my dream vacation right there 🤘🤟

[@Kangela]

It sure is hard to beat.

[@annielincoln4]

Thank you so much for posting. We had just booked for 2022 and this video answered quite a few of the questions I had

[@Kangela]

That makes me very happy if I’ve been able to help 👌

[@harlandfigueroa3486]

very nice drone introduction!

[@Kangela]

Thank you! 👍

[@estellasexton7545]

the fireplace fascinates me the most!

[@Kangela]

I hear you.

[@susiquatt]

wonderful sights there indeed!

[@Kangela]

Thanks.

[@Shadow-ci1wi]

wow that river in the middle! 🤘

[@Kangela]

And LOADS of hippos in it.

[@sibusisosandla9292]

Very beautiful place

[@Kangela]

It sure is beautiful Sibusiso 👌

[@sibusisosandla9292]

@@Kangela yes it is three much beautiful 😂😂👌👌

[@OglockGamesBR]

that small pool is really refreshing when its hot!

[@Kangela]

That's so true.

[@davidmudd6753]

nice vegetation! 👍

[@Kangela]

It sure is!

[@hannahmckenzie6107]

so many lodges! thats a lot!

[@Kangela]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@raybryan3204]

that's a busy restaurant wow!

[@Kangela]

Yes, it's so good to see people out enjoying life.

[@angleklima4033]

mmmh that steak? looks yummy!

[@Kangela]

It was!

[@MissMadWonderland]

Simbavati... sounds clever :-)

[@Kangela]

I also thought so.

[@melitasoto8210]

I wouldn't want to have a tent without a hot tub haha

[@Kangela]

A hot tub would sure add to the "vibe".

[@atlantageorgia2639]

lots of people there! 😮

[@Kangela]

It's the ideal way to enjoy a break without the crowds.

[@beckygolphin7205]

thats a nice crocodile in front of the pool :)

[@Kangela]

I also thought so.

[@piercethequinnxoxo5094]

the tasting room is my kinda place haha 😁

[@Kangela]

I hear you.

[@abigailbcfc]

there is a river nearby?

[@Kangela]

The Kruger area is actually quite a wet part of the country, plenty of rain and plenty of rivers.

[@johnwisse8372]

is there some swamp area surrounding the camp?

[@Kangela]

Not a swap, but a river.

[@brandonweber6733]

when is the best season to go there?

[@Kangela]

We've been there at all different times of the year and have enjoyed each visit. For purely game viewing though, the dry season, which is between May and October is probably the best time. It's also a bit cooler then, but also more crowded, because it's when loads of other visitors will be there. I prefer the "off" season, game viewing is a bit tougher, because the bush is lusher and thicker, so more places for the animals to hide, but also less tourists.

[@edmundorusso5210]

quite remote this time 😋

[@Kangela]

Very remote, which is just how I like it 😉

[@gimmecokejohanna4724]

how hot does it get there in summer?

[@Kangela]

The daytime temperatures can go int the mid and even upper 30's (celcius) in summer, and it's also quite humid.

[@martafernandezmartin4754]

is there a real national park there? 🥰

[@Kangela]

There sure is.

[@henrygellison4491]

are you ever at home guys?

[@Kangela]

Not that often 😂😂😂

[@typerider2905]

Timbavati? aha!! 🤔

[@Kangela]

Thanks for commenting.

[@tyruscallahan1727]

not seen a lot of wildlife beside the road

[@Kangela]

There was actually quite a bit.

[@cliffordfitchett6704]

good food, vegan on top of that!

[@Kangela]

Yes indeed!