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Join us at Amani and Experience true Africalm

Amani

Local is Lekker

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OVERVIEW

Charming & Intimate

Simbavati Amani is a charming, intimate safari lodge in the peaceful heart of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, perfect for couples or exclusive use.

Though there are only four luxury suites within the homestead, a magnificent double volume sitting room, mezzanine library area, interactive kitchen and bar mean there is generous space to relax.

Warm evenings are spent socializing around the fire-pit, marvelling at the star-studded sky whilst animal calls echo through the darkness. Daytime means morning and evening guided game drives in the unfenced reserve, a part of the Greater Kruger and home to all the Big Five.

The gardens offer a tranquil oasis, shaded by mature trees. They flow down to a secluded entertaining area with infinity pool, terrace, alfresco bar and campfire. All overlooking a rewarding and flood-lit waterhole. Simbavati Amani can be taken on an exclusive use basis to create your own private bush retreat.

Why we love it

Intimate Safari Villa

Charming & Intimate safari retreat in the bush

Four Luxury Suites

Ideal for exclusive use
(4 suites)

Waterhole

On the bank of a dry river with a floodlit waterhole

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Couples & Friends

The ideal getaway
for couples and
friends

ROOMS

Select Room

Luxury Suites within the Lodge

Simbavati Amani accommodates eight guests, in four luxury suites with king or twin beds. Each bedroom has its own private entrance onto the garden. All four suites have an en-suite bathroom, and offer a double basin, bath or shower.

 

Simbavati Amani - bedroom detail
Simbavati Amani - bathroom

Top Reasons to Visit

LODGE

Intimate & Relaxing

You arrive back from your game drive to cross a bridge over the dry river bed and into the cocooning ambience of the lodge. You feel like you are in your own island retreat, surrounded by the sounds of the bush.

At Amani, unwinding is the order of the day – whether under the trees on the deck, around the pool or savouring the bushveld views. The wildlife-rich watering hole will entice and ease the busiest of minds.

Families

Private villa

Simbavati Amani also operates well as a private villa for a family party.

Two bedrooms are on each side of the double volume sitting room. So parents and children can be close to each other, with two suites adjacent to each other.

There is also an upstairs Mezzanine area which makes for a perfect kids hang-out space. There’s space for an extra bed here for an older child or teenager (with a toilet & basin). Plus the fenced garden offers a safe environment for kids to run around.

REGIONS

Getting There

Simbavati Amani is approx 60 to 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 for Klaserie Game Reserve onto Argyle Road. Continue until you reach the Enkhulu control gate of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.  Please note that continuous cell phone reception ends here.

At this gate you will tell security you are going to Camp George/Amani/Homestead in the Klaserie. You DO NOT pay an entrance fee at this gate. Immediately after the gate, there’s a cattle grid in front you. Do not cross this grid. Instead you turn immediately left before the grid and follow the road as it doubles back on itself and then curves to the right to head to the Klaserie main gate (Incheni Gate). This takes about 10 to 15 mins drive.

At the gate, you will be required to pay an entrance fee in cash. (This changes on a yearly basis).  This gate is open from 6am to 6pm. The lodge would have at this stage sent a QR code to the gate for your entry (SA ID / Passport information is required for your QR code).

Go through the gate and continue straight on the main road for quite some distance (approx 20 minutes) until you reach a big cell/radio tower. At the cell tower you will find a sign on a stone plinth on your left saying Northumberland/Fife/Klaseriemond/Durham/Dundee East. Turn right.

Follow the powerline on your left for approx 3.2km. Where the powerline heads away from the road, you will find a sign on your rights saying Camp George/Amani Safari Camp. Turn left here.

Continue until the next sign (on a stone plinth) and turn right here. At the next stone plinth/sign, you turn right for Simbavati Homestead and Simbavati Amani and follow the signs to your lodge.

Aim to arrive by 2.30pm, if possible so that you have ample time to settle in before the game drive. If you are going to be late due to unforeseen circumstances, please let us know on (015) 004 1400 

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

Timing 

From Johannesburg Airport – ± 6½ to 7 hours (490km)

From Kruger Airport – 3 + hours (190km)

From Hazyview – 2 to 2½ hours (140km via the R40)

From the Three Rondavels view point (last point on the Panorama route, 145km) – 2½ hours (so depart by 12 noon latest).

Directions from Johannesburg to Simbavati Amani (± 6½ – 7 hour drive)

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. See Downloadable Directions.

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 Hoedspruit directions to the Lodge.

From Hazyview or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport

KMIA – 3+ hours (195km) * Hazyview – Allow 2 to 2½ 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 1½ 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 Hazyview 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 3¾ hours driving). En route you can stop off at the Bournes Luck potholes, Gods Window and the Three Rondavels

TIP: It takes approx 2½ + hours to get to the camp from the Three Rondavels viewpoint. So don’t leave the Three Rondavels later than 12 noon. Assuming you spend 1½ hours at the various stopping off points, we recommend leaving your lodge by 8.30am.

Simbavati Amani accommodates eight guests, in four luxury suites. Beds can be made up as one king bed, or two twin beds. Each bedroom has its own private entrance and views onto the garden or a small courtyard. All four suites have an en-suite bathroom with double vanity. Two have a bath and shower and two have a spacious walk-in shower.

In- room Facilities

  • Air-conditioning – with heating/cooling
  • Ceiling fan
  • Mosquito nets
  • Minibar with drinks 
  • Coffee and tea-making facilities
  • Bathroom – with double vanity. two with bath and shower, two with shower only
  • Complimentary eco-friendly amenities
  • Hair-dryer
  • Mini-safe for your valuables
  • Laundry service – laundry bag in room
  • Room equipped with electronic eco-friendly insect spray (1 min intervals) 

Lodge Facilities & Good to Know

  • Double-volume sitting area with books and board games
  • Mezzanine level acts as a private area (for study, yoga or business if you must)
  • Garden with extensive deck under mature trees
  • Entertainment area with infinity pool, pool terrace, open air bar and campfire
  • Complimentary wifi 
  • Floodlit waterhole
  • Maximum 8 guests on game drives

OUR LocaL PROMOTION

Valid until 31 Jan 2025

25 Nov 2024 – 31 Jan 2025
Bookable within 30 days of arrival
LUXURY SUITE
Per person sharingR5,600
SingleR7,467

FINE PRINT

Inclusions

General Information

Families at Amani

Amani is usually sold on a per person basis. But it is perfect as a private Safari Villa for a larger family party or for two families travelling together. 

Children are welcome from 8 years upwards and can join the adult game drive, if you are sharing with others. 

Younger children are welcome but ONLY if Amani is taken on an exclusive use basis. (In this case, your guide will discuss how sightings will be handled if you have young children. For example you may not go as close to big cat sightings if you have very small children. )

Two bedrooms are on each side of the double volume sitting room. So parents and children can be close to each other. There is also an upstairs Mezzanine area which can take an extra bed for a teenager (with a small bathroom up there as well). Or makes for a perfect kids space to hang out. 

There are board games and a fenced garden which offers a safe environment for kids to play. 

Health/Travel

The Kruger is a malarial area so we recommend that you take anti-malaria prophylaxis. Mosquitos are less prevalent in the winter. 

We also recommend anti-mosquito repellent to stop you from getting bitten. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a typical pattern of safari activities?

What’s the ideal length of stay?

Is there Wi-Fi?

What should I wear for a game drive?

Do you offer spa treatments?

Get in touch

Lodge Host: Dalene Nienaber

TEAM PIC

Lodge telephone number: There is no telephone at Amani to receive calls. But a message can be relayed via Camp George on 015 004 1400  

Reservations: +27 87 151 4520