Jan
Green seasonWildlife: Green season
Summer rain greens the bush, with newborn animals and visiting migratory birds. Thick vegetation makes wildlife harder to spot.
Rhino River Lodge
Zululand, South Africa · Private reserve
Lodge describes itself as: Luxury. Self-declared by the lodge, not an official grade.Lodge
Mid-range · How we rate: Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
How we rate
Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
Photo: Rhino River Lodge · Source ↗
Full board (FB)
Three meals daily, Two game drives daily and 2 more
9 rooms
Deluxe Rooms, The Hideaway, Family Loft Chalets and 2 more · Sleeps up to 16 guests
All ages welcome
Family rooms available
By air
3 hrs from King Shaka International Airport
Wi-Fi in public areas
Solar power
From about A$400
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Rhino River Lodge
Rhino River Lodge sits beside the Msunduze River in Manyoni Private Game Reserve, in KwaZulu-Natal’s Zululand. Its nine accommodation units range from Deluxe Rooms and two-bedroom Family Loft Chalets to The Hideaway and two private safari houses. The houses add private pools, while the main lodge has a shared swimming pool, lounge and dining room. Full board includes three meals and two game drives each day. Children are welcome, with game drives reserved for ages four and over. It is a practical choice for families and small groups wanting shared safari days with space to relax between outings.
“Family chalets, interlinked rooms and private safari houses give different-sized groups room to spread out, while included meals and twice-daily game drives keep the safari simple.”
Best for
FamiliesGroupsBirders
Known for
What you can expect to see
Big FiveLionLeopardElephantBuffaloRhinoCheetahGiraffeBirdlife
Explore Manyoni’s Big Five habitat, with cheetah, giraffe and a recorded bird list of 434 species.
Your stay
What's included
Board: Full board (FB)
Included
- Three meals daily
- Two game drives daily
- Dining room
- Private veranda
- Night drives
- Game drives
Not included
- Park fees
- Drinks
Drinks and the compulsory Manyoni Private Game Reserve conservation levy are charged separately.
Optional extras (at a cost)
Babysitting is available at an extra charge.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Lounge
- Wi-Fi in public areas
In your room
- Air-conditioning
- Mini bar
- Tea/coffee station
Rooms
Where you sleep
Sleeps up to 16 guests
- Deluxe Rooms4 at the property · sleeps 2 adults · King-sized bed or twin single beds, Air conditioning, Mini bar, Private veranda
- The Hideaway1 at the property · sleeps 2 adults · King-sized bed, Private deck, Outdoor shower, Outdoor bathtub
- Family Loft Chalets2 at the property · sleeps 4 adults · Two double bedrooms, Open-plan living area, Air conditioning, Mini bar
- The Cottage1 at the property · Two en-suite bedrooms, Loft room, Private swimming pool, Kitchen
- The Homestead1 at the property · Two bedrooms, Loft room, Private deck, Plunge pool
Activities
Things to do
Included in your stay
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- King Shaka International Airport
- 3 hrs transfer
- Rhino River Lodge
- How you arrive
- By air · 3 hrs from King Shaka International Airport
- Transfers
- The lodge is a three-hour drive north of King Shaka International Airport. Use the N2 and P450 to reach Manyoni South Gate, then follow the reserve road for 5.5 km to the lodge.
Good to know
Before you book
- Check-in
- From 13:00
- Children
- All ages welcome. Family rooms available
- Single travellers
- A single supplement applies
- Dietary needs
- Special diets catered for
- Power
- Solar power
- Malaria
- Malaria-free area
Before you travel
Australian Government travel advice
South Africa
Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution
Last updated
Read the full advice on Smartraveller for South Africa (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Summarised and shortened by Explore Africa; read the full advice on Smartraveller.
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Green season
- February: Green season
- November: Green season
- December: Green season
- Green season
Month-by-month notes
Feb
Green seasonWildlife: Green season
Summer rain greens the bush, with newborn animals and visiting migratory birds. Thick vegetation makes wildlife harder to spot.
Nov
Green seasonWildlife: Green season
Summer rain greens the bush, with newborn animals and visiting migratory birds. Thick vegetation makes wildlife harder to spot.
Dec
Green seasonWildlife: Green season
Summer rain greens the bush, with newborn animals and visiting migratory birds. Thick vegetation makes wildlife harder to spot.
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
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Helpful guides
Plan around this stay
South Africa's online traveller declaration: the 2026 change
What Australian travellers need to know about South Africa's online Customs declaration from 1 July 2026, including rail travel and the designated-transit-area exclusion.
South Africa: Big Five, Cape Town & the open road
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Nearby
Other stays nearby
Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge
Zululand, South Africa
9 km away
From about A$600 per person / night, sharing
Sungulwane Private Game Lodge
Zululand, South Africa
10 km away
From about A$900 per person / night, sharing
Ghost Mountain Inn & Safaris
Zululand, South Africa
20 km away
From about A$140 per person / night, sharing
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Zululand, South Africa
45 km away
From about A$400 per person / night, sharing
Details checked November 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed by the lodge when you contact them.