In Africa, you could pay buckets more at a splurge lodge in Sabi Sands Game Reserve – but it’s unnecessary.
Not when the adults-only Simbambili Game Lodge offers nine honeymoon-worthy bungalows!

Simbambili Game Lodge

One of the best game reserves in South Africa, Sabi Sands is a private game reserve abutting world-famous Kruger National Park.
The park isn’t fenced, so the animals pass freely between the park and the game reserve.

If you want to see lions and the rest of the “Big 5” (leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhino), Sabi Sands is the place to go!
Our Sabi Sands game drives were action-packed and we saw all the Big Five animals on a 3-night safari.

Simbambili Game Lodge is located in the slightly less-busy northern section of Sabi Sands.
Strung along the edge of a sandy riverbed, Simbambili’s bungalows have private plunge pools and enormous bathrooms with egg-shaped stone tubs and rain-showers.

You’ll also find a “sala” (outdoor lounge area with double cushioned day-bed) on the spacious deck of your bungalow.
Fold back the wood-and-glass doors, and you bring the outside completely in.

Bush dining

Breakfast and lunch is served in an elegant, thatched-roof dining room with tree-trunk columns, fireplaces and no walls on three sides.
The dining room overlooks a watering hole, where a moving tableau of warthogs, impala and baboons kept us swapping forks for binoculars.

No Simbambili Game Lodge review would be complete without mentioning the romantic four-course dinners in the lodge, which alternate with barbecues by lantern light in the dry riverbed or boma.
We’re still dreaming of the warm lemon soufflé!
And the lions…

If you stay at Simbambili Game Lodge
What we especially loved:
Unbelievable game viewing!
Be aware:
Simbambili’s little gym isn’t really up to snuff. But to be fair, most people don’t expect working treadmills and ellipticals when they go on safari.
Booking this Sabi Sands game lodge
Part of the Thornybush Collection of South African safari lodges, Simbambili Game Lodge is intimate – it only has nine lovely bungalows with private pools.
Experience more of Africa!
Read our posts on:
Lower Zambezi National Park | From canoeing (with crocs!) in the Zambezi River to offering unforgettable elephant encounters, Chiawa and Old Mondoro safari camps nail glamping in Zambia.
Victoria Falls | The pool decorations at The Royal Livingstone Hotel kick if you walk too close. They’re zebras – live zebras.
Chobe National Park | You won’t believe all the animals in when you go on a Chobe safari.
Cape Town | Hiking up Table Mountain isn’t exactly a walk in the park. But the views are astounding!
Photo credits: 7, 8 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | Remaining photos Simbambili Game Lodge
Have you been on an African safari? Where did you stay?

About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!
Gabe
Friday 7th of February 2014
Great write up! I will be here in Nov for my honeymoon! Can not wait!
Janice and George
Friday 7th of February 2014
You'll have a wonderful time - the bungalows are very romantic. A perfect honeymoon choice!
Frank
Monday 9th of December 2013
Wow! I've been working on a South Africa Destination Guide on my site and will include a link to this post. It's out of the price range for most travelers but this post shows what's available to those looking for something special for a few days. Frank
Janice and George
Monday 9th of December 2013
Yes, it was certainly special. Simbambili offers similar luxury to other lodges in Sabi Sand (except for the wines and alcohol, which aren't included in Simbambili's rates) that are even three times more expensive.
Cheryl Merrill
Friday 8th of November 2013
I did a Game Ranger Training Experience in the Sabi Sand preserve. Not as plush as this (outdoor bucket shower) but got to drive a 12-passenger Land Rover down a rocky river bed and parallel-park next to an elephant! The game viewing in Sabi Sand IS incredible. We tracked lions on foot and found them! I have incredible respect for the game ranger who kept us off the lions' lunch menu.
Janice and George
Friday 8th of November 2013
Sounds like you had a rich game-viewing experience too! Tracking lions on foot must have been very exciting...
Sofie
Saturday 2nd of November 2013
This looks like a place I wouldn't mind crashing in after a day in the wild:)
Janice and George
Saturday 2nd of November 2013
It was quite civilized indeed! And you better appreciate returning to the fine things too, after getting a little hot and dusty on a game drive.
Charu
Monday 28th of October 2013
So "Out of Africa"...and those lion cubs!
Janice and George
Monday 28th of October 2013
Aren't they cute? Just have to remember they're wild; they grow up and kill impala :-). But yes, the lodge was delightful...