The redesigned Singita luxury suites provide an up-close-and-personal wildlife experience in South Africa’s ‘big cat country’ while putting a fresh, elegant twist on the classic safari lodge. Whether perched on the river’s edge at Ebony, nested on the rocks of Boulders, or hovering in the treetops of Sweni, there’s a magic charm that will tastefully transport you to another time and gently deposit you in the lap of mother nature.

Style

Constructed out of stone, wood and glass, the rustic lodges are furnished with wood, metal ores, and comfy hand-made rugs and sofas. Topped with private heated plunge pools and modern conveniences like smart tools, the sexy Singita lodges are a high-end designer retreat deep in the wilderness. Exuding raw beauty, they are ideal for the modern explorer who wants to roam the globe’s lesser-travelled parts while staying connected.

Boulders Lodge Copper Bar

Design team, Sally Tsiliyiannis of GAPP Architects and designer Cécile & Boyd threw out the rule book when it came to each of these unique natural settings

Location

Singita lodges are situated in a concession within the Kruger National Park, one of the largest reserves in Africa. Singita is an opulent window into 45,000 acres of Africa’s wild side, with frequent sightings of leopard, lion, rhino, buffalo and hippo, from your private deck, not uncommon.

How do I get there?

Near the Mozambican border, this is most easily reached with Singita’s in-house jet service, a Cessna Mustang, to all but Boulders Lodge. Or take a connecting flight of not more than an hour and a half from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport to one of the Singita park airstrips.

Facilities & services at Singita Lodges, South Africa

Considered some of the country’s best luxury safari lodges, Singita is a destination unto itself. There all the creature comforts and upscale amenities to enjoy in-between nature excursions like a luxurious pool, spa and fireplace with access to free WiFi and smart technology.

Modern rooms are equipped with heat and light controls, power converters and hairdryers, while cable/satellite TV and DVD players are in the communal areas. Provisions are also made for babysitting services and customised activities for the kids.

*Amenities – pool, spa, fitness centre, boutique, art gallery, fireplace, TV, electricity (220V), power converters, hairdryers, babysitting services, kids’ activities, dining area or room, jet service

Ebony Lodge

Ebony Lodge

Food & beverage

Emphasising healthy eating, breakfast is wholesome and organic with servings of nuts and seeds paired with the perfect omelette. You can wash it all down with a veggie smoothie, wheatgrass juice or kombucha and the chefs are happy to cater for all dietary types.

The adventurous spirit of the lodge carries through to the kitchen where global dishes are crafted from simple, local ingredients like pan-fried quail with wild mushrooms, sage and polenta in winter. Look forward to everything of the best in regional vintage wines from the lodge’s private cellars where guests can buy bottles to take back to their suites.

The cuisine at Singita’s lodges has recently undergone a complete overhaul with Capetonian star chef Liam Tomlin at the lead

Ebony Lodge

The twelve Ebony luxury suites are decorated with makeshift furniture, poster beds, animal prints, artefacts and antiques that revive the style of the classic safari tent camps. At the centre stage is a marble traveller’s desk with smart devices and a spacious private dining room for entertaining.

Glass walls and canvas lead out onto the dining and lounge veranda with an outdoor bar to enjoy an evening gin and tonic. Each with a private plunge pool and deck perched above the Sand River, make these lodges an intimate escape to roam freely between indoors and out.

Castleton Lodge & Farmhouse

Previously the grandfather’s residence of Singita-founder, Luke Bailes the luxury farmhouse and six cottages sit in a vast open veld near an animal drinking hole, where a much larger watering hole can also be found. The lodge pool is laid out on the expansive tree-covered lawns constructed in the same style as an old farm dam and actually overlooks the Castleton dam.

Communal spaces in the main house and six separate cottages cater for up to 12 people, making this ideal for singles, couples or large groups. As one might think, farm-life is anything but boring here. Between games of archery or boules, the safari guides on-site will arrange game drives as and when it suits you.

Colonial-style cottages are draped in antiques and botanical wall prints, against a quaint yet contemporary bathroom

Idle over inventive farm cooking, learn the ropes of the country-style kitchen and linger over fireside meals beneath the outdoor boma

With a vintage-like tennis court & pavilion, trampoline, spa and yoga pavilion, and the choice to order spa treatments to your suite

Boulders Lodge

Inspired by the organic rock shapes, Boulders Lodge features an award-winning wine cellar built around some of the ancient rock. The Copper Bar serves fresh-pressed juices and cocktails and is a nice watering hole where guests can gather to talk about their safari adventures. Comprising twelve luxury suites, the lodge can accommodate up to small families.

Rustic furniture made from cast iron, stone slabs and fossilised tree stumps is offset by sheep-skin soft rugs, furnishings and flax linens. With spacious private decks, outdoor showers, private heated plunge pool and long walkways there is endless opportunity for continued wildlife spotting.

Glazed walls generously bathe rooms in sunlight

Boulder’s lodge reflects the light, shade and mood of the strewn boulders on which it sits along the river

Sweni Lodge

Last but not least is Sweni lodge, a sophisticated reinvention of a botanist’s retreat where all that’s missing are insect nets and a microscope. Ensconced in luxury, they come with outdoor showers, daybeds overlooking the river and modern amenities like bed heating, a Bose sound system and bean to cup coffee machines. These treehouses on steroids give new meaning to a destination-oriented hotel. The cuisine is modern, and the service attentive and laid back.

Glass-walled suites hover effortlessly from a canopy of tree-tops above the river

The guests

Well suited to children of all ages but only from 10 at Boulders Lodge. Not specifically equipped for disabled guests.

Special offers & packages

Seasonal specials and combination packages are sometimes available that offer accommodation and flight booking discounts. Our consultants will provide you with the relevant details for the period in which you hope to travel.

Booking a Singita Luxury Safari Lodge

If you have any questions with regards to booking Singita Luxury Lodges, please send us your enquiry. Our team will promptly assist you in booking this bucket-list experience.

Singita’s most recent awards

Destination South Africa – Singita Ebony Lodge – Best of Destination South Africa – Best of Destination South Africa 2020

Conde Nast Traveller – Singita Ebony Lodge – Top 20 Resorts in Africa / South Africa – Readers’ Choice Awards 2019

Pure Life Experiences – Winner – Conservation and Sustainability – Pure Awards 2019

Travel + Leisure – Singita Sabi Sand – No.1 Safari Lodge in Africa & No.3 Top Hotel in the World – Travel + Leisure 2019

World Travel Awards – Singita – Africa’s Leading Game Reserve Brand Winner – Africa’s Leading Game Reserve Brand 2019

Luxury Travel Guide Awards – Singita South Africa – Winner – Luxury Private Lodge 2019

Elite Traveler Awards – Singita Ebony Lodge – Top 100 Hotels – Elite Traveler’s Awards 2019

Kiwi Hotel Awards – Winner – Best Sustainable Luxury – Kiwi Collection Luxury Hotel Awards 2019