Singita Ebony Lodge

Set on a bend in the Sand River, this lodge lives up to its name –  Tengile means “tranquil” in the local Tsonga language. Elegant interiors meet modern finishes and amenities, with plenty of space to savour the solitude, or mingle with your fellow travellers.

The nine “floatings” suites look out over the river, raised above ground level and offer wonderful views of the surrounding forest. The spacious suites will boast sunken lounges, elegant bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms (with indoor and al fresco showers) opening out onto the cool riverine forest.

Indulge in a relaxing massage at the spa, or spend some time in the gym, when you’re not out exploring the area on a game drive.

Sustainability is paramount at Tengile River Lodge, and environmentally friendly materials have been used in construction, with durability in mind. Solar power systems have been installed to cut down on the amount of electricity used.

Silvan Safari Lodge can be found in a wild northern section of the renowned Sabi Sands reserve.

Contemporary in style yet entirely in keeping with its natural surroundings the lodge with six exquisite suites are spread out along a stretch of the Manyeleti River, each with its own theme and all with private plunge pools situated on expansive decks, living areas, large bathrooms and state of art technology. One of the suites, Leadwood, has second bedroom and bathroom making it ideal for families.

In the main lodge building, find a dining room, lounge, bar and wine cellar where you can find South Africa’s most celebrated bottles There’s also a fabulous lap pool where elephants sometimes come to drink, and a spa is close by.

While you often won’t need to leave the lodge to spot wildlife, you’ll get some incredible experiences out on guided game drives in the reserve, with Swarovski binoculars in hand. For photographers, the Silvan Studio is where your captured memories come alive with our large scale canvas printers, state-of-the-art Apple computers and a ranger trained in photography and editing on hand so that your safari experiences can be printed on site.

Sitting alongside the meandering Sands River, set amidst wild bush and enormous trees in the middle of South Africa’s ‘big cat country’, is Singita’s original Ebony Lodge and the private Ebony Villa. Unrivalled hospitality is blended with the heritage of an English country home to create a timeless and welcoming safari experience.

The Ebony Villa is composed by the linking together of the lodge’s two two-bedroom suites, perfect for families, especially those with younger children, or friends looking for more exclusivity. The individual suites – each already wonderfully equipped – are connected by a private lounge, swimming pool and deck area, with the villa suited to up to four adults and four children under 12 years, or up to six adults and teenagers.

During the safari, enjoy a private guide and vehicle, chef, host and banakeli (personal waiter). Dining can be completely private at the villa, or enjoyed at the main lodge, and there is a private entrance and boma for those seeking complete seclusion. Guests of the villa can use the lodge’s amenities, indulging in the Bush Spa, relaxing in the library, using the well-equipped gym or cooling down in the pool.

Of course the highlight here is the rich array of wildlife. Species such as leopard, lion, rhino, large herds of buffalo, elephant, reedbuck, hyena, hippopotamus, nyala, cheetah, wild dogs and many types of birds can be spotted on privately guided day and night game drives, and thrilling walking safaris. Other activities such as stargazing will get Africa even further under your skin.