Situated in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, unfenced, the Hilltop Lodge is a luxurious tented lodge and has one of the finest settings in the area. Perched on the hillside with wide angle views over the bush and views to the distant Drakensberg mountains. Below lies the expansive Mbali Dam and the Nhlaralumi River, where you may get to see some of Africa’s beautiful wildlife, who come to quench their thirst.

Hilltop Lodge has been purposely designed so that it can be removed without leaving any lasting impact on the land. It’s bright and airy with the 8 spacious tented suites which are connected by wooden walkways to the main lodge.
Two game drives a day provide close encounters with birds and animals, both large and small.
Note: Hilltop Lodge is not suitable for guests who have difficulty with steps as each suite is accessed by a number of steps.

Suites

There are 8 luxurious tented rooms where guests can choose between King or twin beds. Each suite has uninterrupted views of the bush, Mbali Dam and the Nhlaralumi River.

The rooms open up onto a large viewing deck with its own private sala [a sala is an outside bush gazebo] with a double day bed where you can put your feet up, relax, read a book or take a lazy afternoon snooze.

The bedroom is connected to the bathroom via a small passage and on the deck you get to enjoy a double ‘rain’ shower with views expanding over the Mbali Dam.

Dining

Several times a week, dinner is served under the stars in a ‘boma’, which is a circular enclosure originally made from branches. This is a more hearty, campfire style meal and the cosy, lantern-lit ambience recalls the early days of safari pioneers.
Let their chefs delight you in the variety of options at breakfast or the delicious set menus which differ each evening.

Safari

Timbavati Game drives take place in the early morning and late afternoon when the animals are naturally most active. Key to the experience are your English-speaking guide who works closely with a tracker from the local Shangaan community. This duo pool their knowledge, experience and fresh observations to maximise your wildlife sightings. Not only in terms of how much you see. But how rewarding, informative and fun the overall experience is. Your guide is often a keen photographer and will be conscious and considerate if your mission is to capture sightings on camera.

Your mode of transport is an open-sided 4×4 game vehicle with 3 rows of comfortable bucket seats in tiers. You generally head out with a maximum of 8 guests. This offers safe, yet close wildlife encounters.

Guests sit up high for the best ‘spotting’ of birds and animals. There are no sides to inhibit your views and you naturally feel more in tune with nature. In the summer month, a shade top is added to protect against the African sun, but in winter it is open to the skies for the best bird-viewing and for stargazing.

Your guide helps you to interpret what you see. They also communicate with other vehicles by radio in order to keep in touch with sightings nearby.