River Sands Villa

REGIONS

Getting There

Please note that all guests travelling to Simbavati River Sands are required to meet at Simbavati Hilltop Lodge,
where they will be transferred to the lodge by open safari vehicle. Simbavati Hilltop is +- 90 minutes from
Hoedspruit Eastgate airport, depending on how comfortable you are driving on gravel roads. It can be accessed
via a rental car.

Directions

Simbavati Hilltop is +- 90 minutes from Hoedspruit Eastgate airport, depending on how comfortable you are
driving on gravel roads. It can be accessed via a rental car.

DIRECTIONS FROM HOEDSPRUIT AIRPORT

As you exit the Airport, turn left onto Argyle Road which leads to the Timbavati Game Reserve. Continue straight
for approximately 12km until you reach the Enkhulu Control Gate of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

Here you will be required to pay an entrance fee. (This changes on a yearly basis). This gate is open from 6am to
6pm. Cash or card is accepted. Please note that continuous cell phone reception ends here. Aim to arrive at the
gate by 13h00, if possible, so that you have ample time to have lunch and settle in before the game drive. If you are
going to be late due to unforeseen circumstances, please let us know on (015) 793-9021 or (015) 793-9051.

Once you have entered Enkhulu Gate, continue on the tar road for approximately 26.5km until you see the
Simbavati River Lodge signpost on your right hand side. Please note there is a strict 50km speed restriction on the
tar road once you have entered Enkulu gate that is enforced by speed cameras. Please do not get out of your
vehicle or feed any animals.

Turn right onto the dirt road and follow the Simbavati River Lodge signage for approximately 5.5km until you see a
Simbavati Hilltop sign board indicating left. Speed limit on the dirt road is 30 km per hour. Please give way to all
animals. Please keep a careful lookout for all signs withinthe reserve, as the elephants sometimes knock them over.

Turn left at the Simbavati Hilltop signboard and follow the remaining signboards for Simbavati Hilltop Lodge for
approximately 2.5km until you reach Simbavati Hilltop Lodge.

Note: Please do NOT rely on your GPS after Hoedspruit. It will lead you onto the incorrect roads where you could
get lost and stuck!

TIMING

From Johannesburg Airport – ± 61⁄2 to 7 hours’ drive (505km)

• From Kruger Airport – 3 + hours (190km)
• From Hazyview – 2 to 2 1⁄2 hours (140km via the R40)
• From the Three Rondavels view point (last point on the Panorama route, 145km) – 21⁄2 hours (so depart by 12 noon latest).

DIRECTIONS FROM JOHANNESBURG TO SIMBAVATI HILLTOP LODGE (± 61⁄2 – 7HOUR DRIVE)

N1 via Polokwane (Recommended Route)
The N1 route via Polokwane is an alternative from Gauteng to Simbavati. Although this way is ±50 km longer than
the Dullstroom route and one pays more in toll fees, for some people this is a better option. It is a road with fewer
potholes, and there are fewer delays due to heavy, slow-moving trucks.

From Oliver Tambo International Airport follow the R21 north to Pretoria. Just before you reach Pretoria take the
N1 North to Polokwane. (From Johannesburg, you follow the N1 North to Polokwane). Take the R71 to Tzaneen just
before you get to Polokwane. Follow the R71 via Grobler Street through Moria to Tzaneen. Do not turn off the R71
until you get to the T-junction.

Turn right onto the R36/R71 towards Tzaneen. Turn left onto the R71 at the first off-ramp and stay on the R71
through Giyani, Letsitele and Gravelotte until you reach the next T-Junction. At the T-junction turn right onto the
R40 south towards Hoedspruit, White River and Mbombela.

Continue straight through Hoedspruit. Drive ±6.5 km and then turn left on the D1909 (Argyle Road). The signage
reads Timbavati and Eastgate Airport. Then follow the Hoedspruit directions to the Lodge.

Via Dullstroom
The most direct route is via N4 then Dullstroom to Lydenburg and Ohrigstad and onto Hoedspruit. However some
people prefer to take the northern route via Polokwane and Tzaneen as there are fewer potholes.

From Johannesburg take the N12 to Witbank (Emalahleni) and continue on the N4 towards Nelspruit. (From
Pretoria, take the N4 to Witbank). Follow the N4 and turn left to Belfast (Off ramp R33/R540). Once in Belfast, turn
right into Voortrekker Street and continue straight on the R540 to Dullstroom.

Drive straight through Dullstroom and continue to Lydenburg (name change to Mashishing) on the R540. At the
T-junction turn left into Lydenburg (Mashishing) into Viljoen Street (R36). Turn left again into Voortrekker Street.
Turn right into De Clercq Street and follow the R36 through Ohrigstad. After the Abel Erasmus pass, the R36 turns
left to Tzaneen. Do not turn left here. Instead continue straight on the R527 to Hoedspruit.

In Hoedspruit, continue straight. After the bridge crossing the railway line, turn right at the four way stop and
continue south on the R40 for another 6.4km. Turn left onto the D1909 (Argyle Road). The sign says
Timbavati/Eastgate Airport road. Then follow the Hoed spruit directions to the Lodge.

DIRECTIONS FROM KRUGER MPUMAL ANGA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OR HAZYVIEW

KMIA – 3+ hours (195km) * Hazyview – Allow 21⁄2 hours (140km)

The most direct route from Kruger Intl Airport is via the R40 thorough White River and Hazyview. Similarly if you
are staying in or near Hazyview, the R40 north is the direct route. Just 6.5km south of Hoedspruit. You turn right
onto the Timbavati/Eastgate Airport road. Allow 11⁄2 hours to get from Hazyview to the Timbavati turnoff. Then
another hour to get to the Lodge. Once on the Timbavati Road, you immediately pass the Eastgate Airport. Then
follow the Hoedspruit directions to the Lodge.

ALTERNATIVE PANORAMA ROUTE IF STAYING AT A HAZ Y VIEW LODGE:

The R40 is a difficult road given the number of slow trucks and cars as well as many pedestrians. It takes longer
than you would expect.

So if you have time, we recommend enjoying a tour of the Panorama route via the Blyde River canyon. Note that
this is a longer route (240km from Hazyview to your Lodge (or 33⁄4 hours driving). En route you can stop off at the
Bournes Luck potholes, Gods Window and the Three Rondavels

Emergency Contact Number: +27 (0)15 793 9051/3 or +27(0)15 793 9021