Jan
Green seasonWildlife: Summer rain brings greener, denser vegetation; wildlife is harder to spot and birding is excellent.
Summer rain brings greener, denser vegetation; wildlife is harder to spot and birding is excellent.
Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
Greater Kruger, South Africa · Private reserve
Lodge describes itself as: Luxury. Self-declared by the lodge, not an official grade.Lodge
Luxury · 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: Marius Coetzee · Simbavati Hilltop Lodge · Source ↗
All inclusive (AI)
Accommodation, All meals (lunch on arrival or departure) and 3 more
8 tents
Luxury Safari Tent
Children 12 and over
By air
via Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport
Wi-Fi in public areas
From about A$1,750
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
Simbavati Hilltop Lodge is perched on a hillside within the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, an unfenced part of the Greater Kruger National Park, offering sweeping views over the bush, the Mbali Dam, the Nhlaralumi River, and the distant Drakensberg Mountains. The lodge comprises eight spacious tented suites, each with its own private plunge pool, deck, and sala pavilion, designed with a light environmental footprint that blends luxury with sustainability. Guests can enjoy twice-daily game drives in one of South Africa's premier private game reserves, with the Big Five and frequent wild dog and leopard sightings. Communal facilities include an infinity pool, a 360° bar, an open-air boma, a firepit, and an in-room or sala-based spa.
Your stay
What's included
Board: All inclusive (AI)
Special offer: Stay three consecutive nights and pay for two from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, excluding 21 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. New bookings only, subject to availability and restricted allocations. Not combinable with other offers. Groups of eight or more guests are excluded. Standard payment, cancellation and child policies apply; the offer can be withdrawn.
Included
- Accommodation
- All meals (lunch on arrival or departure)
- Two safari activities per day
- Beverages excluding premium brands and cellar wines
- Scheduled shared transfers from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport
- Game drives
- Night drives
Not included
- Concession fees
- Gratuities
Optional extras (at a cost)
- Laundry
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Gym
- Bar
- Boma
- Library
- Curio shop
- Public WiFi
- Viewing deck
- Wi-Fi in public areas
In your room
- En-suite bathroom
- Air-conditioning
- Private plunge pool
- Private deck
- Mini bar
- Tea/coffee station
- Safe
Rooms
Where you sleep
- Luxury Safari Tent8 at camp · sleeps 2 adults · Children aged 12 and over stay within the two-person tent capacity. · King or twin beds, En-suite bathroom, Private plunge pool, Viewing deck, Sala pavilion, Outdoor rain shower, Air-conditioning, Mini safe
Activities
Things to do
Included in your stay
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport
- Transfer
- Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
- How you arrive
- By air · via Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport
Good to know
Before you book
- Check-in
- From 14:30 until 18:00
- Children
- Ages 12 and over
- Single travellers
- A single supplement applies
- Malaria
- Low malaria risk
- Minimum stay
- 2 nights
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Green season
- February: Green season
- March: Green season
- April: Good
- May: Dry season, best game viewing
- June: Dry season, best game viewing
- July: Dry season, best game viewing
- August: Dry season, best game viewing
- September: Good
- October: Good
- November: Green season
- December: Green season
- Dry season, best game viewing
- Good
- Green season
Month-by-month notes
Feb
Green seasonWildlife: Summer rain brings greener, denser vegetation; wildlife is harder to spot and birding is excellent.
Summer rain brings greener, denser vegetation; wildlife is harder to spot and birding is excellent.
Mar
Green seasonWildlife: Summer rain brings greener, denser vegetation; wildlife is harder to spot and birding is excellent.
Summer rain brings greener, denser vegetation; wildlife is harder to spot and birding is excellent.
Apr
GoodWildlife: The dry season begins and thinning grasses make wildlife easier to see.
The dry season begins and thinning grasses make wildlife easier to see.
May
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Dry winter conditions thin the vegetation and draw animals to rivers; mornings and evenings are cool.
Dry winter conditions thin the vegetation and draw animals to rivers; mornings and evenings are cool.
Jun
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Dry winter conditions thin the vegetation and draw animals to rivers; mornings and evenings are cool.
Dry winter conditions thin the vegetation and draw animals to rivers; mornings and evenings are cool.
Jul
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Dry winter conditions thin the vegetation and draw animals to rivers; mornings and evenings are cool.
Dry winter conditions thin the vegetation and draw animals to rivers; mornings and evenings are cool.
Aug
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Dry winter conditions thin the vegetation and draw animals to rivers; mornings and evenings are cool.
Dry winter conditions thin the vegetation and draw animals to rivers; mornings and evenings are cool.
Sep
GoodWildlife: Late dry-season conditions draw animals to water, with warmer days and evenings.
Late dry-season conditions draw animals to water, with warmer days and evenings.
Oct
GoodWildlife: Late dry-season conditions draw animals to water, with warmer days and evenings.
Late dry-season conditions draw animals to water, with warmer days and evenings.
Nov
Green seasonWildlife: Summer rain brings greener, denser vegetation; wildlife is harder to spot and birding is excellent.
Summer rain brings greener, denser vegetation; wildlife is harder to spot and birding is excellent.
Dec
Green seasonWildlife: Summer rain brings greener, denser vegetation; wildlife is harder to spot and birding is excellent.
Summer rain brings greener, denser vegetation; wildlife is harder to spot and birding is excellent.
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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Details checked November 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed when you enquire.