Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
Elevated Timbavati lodge with panoramic views to the Drakensberg and Big Five below
About Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
Simbavati Hilltop Lodge commands one of the most spectacular elevated positions in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve. Perched on a hillside with wide-angle views over the bush to the distant Drakensberg escarpment, the lodge looks down over the expansive Mbali Dam and the Nhlaralumi River — a natural amphitheatre where wildlife comes to drink throughout the day.
The lodge offers eight spacious, air-conditioned suites with private decks oriented to capture the panoramic views. Each suite blends contemporary African design with thatched roofing and natural materials. The main lodge area includes a swimming pool with an infinity edge overlooking the valley, a restaurant, bar, and an open-air boma.
Game drives explore the Timbavati’s vast wilderness, where the Big Five roam freely across unfenced borders with Kruger National Park. The elevated terrain around the lodge provides excellent vantage points for spotting wildlife from distance — a unique advantage over lodges situated on flat ground.
Like all Simbavati properties, Hilltop Lodge includes all meals, local drinks, and twice-daily game drives in the rate. The warm, professional hospitality for which the Simbavati Collection is known makes this lodge particularly appealing for couples and small groups.
What's Included
Rooms & Accommodation
Hilltop Suite
Air-conditioned suite with private deck and panoramic bush views
Safari Experience
Wildlife Commonly Seen
Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, wild dog, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, zebra, kudu, waterbuck. Excellent raptors and savanna birds.
Best time to visit: Year-round; May-September for dry season
Amenities & Facilities
Location & Getting There
Address: Simbavati Hilltop Lodge, Timbavati, Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa
GPS: -24.2100, 31.3900
Fly into Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport. Lodge transfer approximately 1 hour. By road from Johannesburg, allow 5 hours via R36/R40.
Frequently Asked Questions
Its elevated position provides panoramic views over the valley and Drakensberg escarpment — a perspective most bushveld lodges cannot offer.
Yes — the pool overlooks the valley where wildlife comes to drink. Swimming while watching elephants below is a genuine possibility.