Find all hotels by Independent in Timbavati Game Reserve from SAR 169

"I have not left a review for anything in a long time, but AM Lodge absolutley deserves a great review. I read a couple of previous reviews that made me hesitant, but the record needs to be set straight. I stayed Mar 14 - March 16 of 2025 and it could not have been a better experience. I was first greeted at checkin by Raydene, Chris, and Musa. They had a non alcoholic mixed drink ready and waiting for me, a hot towel, and Raydene began explaining the structure of the lodge. They honestly made me feel like roylaty, and I had never felt that before. Raydedne broke everything down and answered every question I had, even the stuff I had texted about before arrival. I later met Brandon, the chef of the lodge. Every meal he prepared was like it was hand made at a luxury 5-star restaurant. I honetly could not have asked for better food, and he even adjusts the menu based on pretty much anything you want. Later in the afternoon, it was time for my game drive. Chris walked me to my private lodge and from that moment on, was immediately available for anything I needed. The lodge itseld was a massive 1,615 sq ft building and I had it all to myself. It is so secluded and private that you are entirely in personal peace whether you are inside or outside of your building. I got a private game drive with driver Benjamin and our tracker Bali. Im only allowed 1500 characters so I had to delete the rest of my review. In short, I would absolutely stay here again and upgrade to the superior suite"

"Wow wow wow what an incredible experience!! Everything at River Lodge was just amazing, all of the staff are so friendly and the food is delicious, you get to pick from a set menu for each meal which changes each day and all drinks are included. The absolute highlight though is the safari itself, you get 2x 3 hour drives a day which go so quickly. Our guide Phillip and his tracker Kulani were absolutely incredible, they made sure we saw all the animals and got us really close to them. Phillip was so knowledgable and we loved having him as our guide, we got to see the big 5 several times and even a leopard cub! We had the best experience ever at River Lodge and highly recommend to anyone. We stayed 3 nights which was enough to see everything but we definitely didn’t want to leave!! "

"Absolutely incredible!!! The trip of a lifetime and are already planning a trip back next year! I can’t express enough how incredible and knowledgeable the staff were and how you felt like you were at home. Everything from the food to the room and views was just amazing, can’t thank our guide and tracker Justin and Advice for some incredible game viewing and for teaching us so much! We can’t wait to visit again! "

"Everything was as pictured. Glamping tents were good. Animals did roam the grounds. Always felt safe though. And most importantly the safari drives were amazing! If you are lucky you will get Vestment - he was the absolute best!!! Definitely recommend. "

"Great place to stay if you're visiting Hoedspruit. Safe location, lovely outdoor shower and close to town."

"Our stay at Elephant Plains Game Lodge was unforgettable. From the warm welcome to the seamless rooming experience, everything was handled with care and professionalism. The highlight of our trip was the remarkable safari adventures (game drives), where we had the chance to see elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinos, leopards, and more up close—a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. The delicious meals, tailored to accommodate vegetarian preferences, were excellent. The staff also went above and beyond, assisting with retrieving our luggage from Johannesburg and providing thoughtful support with laundry and toiletries. Their hospitality and attention to detail made our stay exceptional. We are truly grateful for this amazing experience and will gladly recommend Elephant Plains to anyone visiting the area. We can’t wait to return!"

"Good quality hotel with lovely view. "

"Amazing trip! Motswari is very lucky to have the fantastic Owen (guide) and George (tracker). They made our experience incredibly adventurous, and we felt very safe throughout. Highly recommend! Service and rooms where great as well."

"Not value for money. Dinner was tasteless. Disturbing was to catch a worker at 07:30 the next morning hiding under our tent while we were bathing. The wooden floor has clear gaps to look through. When confronted he said he was there to fix a problem. Complained to the manager and she only replied "Sorry for that". No investigation or request to identify the worker. Internet is non-existent and lights are inadequate in the tent. "