River Bend Lodge

River Bend Lodge has it all. It’s situated in a large private concession of Addo elephant park and is home to not only the big five, but also a stunning amount of birdspecies - one even more spectacular than the next. You don’t even have to leave the lodge to get up close and personal to many bird species, because the lodge’s garden is a birders paradise. Barbets, hornbills, bee-eaters, wood hoopoos to name a few all frequent the garden, giving spectacular photo opportunitites. There is a waterhole right outside the perimeter of the lodge that attrackts herds of elephant, kudu, zebra, buffalo and eland. You can admire them while being spoiled with a lavish breakfast or lunch. But the best thing is you get to go on undisturbed gamedrives with awesome guides without any disturbances or pressures. If you want to stay a lottle longer (to take photos in my case) you can just ask. If there’s something you want to see or a place you want to go, just ask and they’ll domtheur utmost. That makes a world of difference while out on safari! The staff in the lodge also all go out of their way to make you feel at home and pampered. Even when travelling alone, I felt welcome and cherished. The lodge really feels like a ‘home away from home’ and makes me want to return again and again. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable (I love the bed, the view and the airo!) and the food is fantastic. You can sit on the terrace and enjoy the night sky and the sounds of the bush while having all the comforts (and more!) of home. I love this place, can’t wait to be back!

We discovered the River Bend Lodge by chance and booked online for one night. When we arrived, we immediately extended our stay to three nights. The lodge is beautiful, as are the suites. The staff are incredibly warm and friendly. Our highlight was the game drives with John, his enthusiasm is simply infectious. He explained so much about the animals and their behavior and made our stay even more unforgettable. The fantastic cook also deserves a special mention. The food was a dream every day and although we had a restriction (gluten intolerance), this was not a problem at all. They even baked extra gluten-free pastries for tea. I would like to thank you very much for the wonderful stay and we will definitely be back.

Charming Lodge inside Addo Park. Wonderful accommodations, first class staff and delicious cuisine. Daily safaris were exceptional, guides were knowledgeable and highly capable. Highly recommend.