• Shimungwe Lodge open outdoor living flows from the main unit out to the patio and swimming pool and open boma overlooking the river bed in Greater Kruger

Shimungwe: An intimate luxury safari lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve

Four luxury suites. Eight guests. Big Five safari game drives. Personalised hospitality. Private lodge buyouts available.

Discover a more personal safari at Shimungwe Lodge, an intimate, all-inclusive retreat in Thornybush Game Reserve, part of South Africa’s Greater Kruger ecosystem.

With only four suites, Shimungwe offers an unhurried safari experience shaped around exceptional wildlife encounters, experienced local guiding and warm hospitality. Overlooking the seasonal Timbavati riverbed, the lodge welcomes couples, honeymooners, families and small groups seeking privacy and a genuine connection with the African bush.

Why choose Shimungwe?

  • Intimate by design: Four suites accommodate a maximum of eight guests.
  • Uncrowded game viewing: Enjoy twice-daily Big Five game drives with an experienced local guide and tracker team.
  • Warm, personal hospitality: Our small team creates a relaxed stay where guests feel at home.
  • Flexible accommodation: Reserve an individual suite or book the entire lodge for a private safari.

 

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Our Suites

Shimungwe is an intimate, boutique safari bush lodge with four luxurious suites, spacious places for private relaxation and time to enjoy the dappled light. They have private, en-suite bathrooms with beautiful views and invigorating outside showers.


Each of our luxury suites boasts a private balcony with unimpeded views of the stunning African bush along the Timbavati riverbed, allowing guests to continue wildlife spotting long after the game drive has ended.

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Game Drives

For many guests a Big Five African safari is the highlight of their trip. Both morning and night, our passionate and experienced local guide and tracker team will take you on mesmerizing game drives into the African bushveld for a genuine, uncrowded African safari experience.

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Location

Shimungwe Lodge is nestled on the banks of the Timbavati River in the wild south of the iconic Thornybush Game Reserve located within the Greater Kruger National Park. We are located near the town of Hoedspruit and only a 45-minute drive from the Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport.

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Experience Shimungwe

With just four tastefully-appointed suites, the lodge is ideally suited to couples and small groups looking for a private luxury safari escape as well as family gatherings who prefer the exclusivity of reserving an entire camp.

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Reviews

  • Absolutely Perfect

    An environment with attention to the smallest details, immersed in the green of the vegetation, overlooking a river where animals come to drink, so you can see them while already in your room. Excellent welcome, cuisine, and safari outings. Everything very intimate and, at the same time, expertly organized. A special thanks to Karlien who guided us step by step on the route to arrive. Highly recommended!

    hallie_Lazio, September 2026

    Rome, Italy

  • Shimungwe is my favourite

    We stayed at three lodges over our two week stay, and Shimungwe is my favourite. It felt like my home away from home. The suites are spacious and clean, the food is delicious: the chef is one in a million! Everything he cooked and baked was to die for! I have a few food restrictions, and he made sure those ingredients were not added in mine. The game drives... Read this review

    SranPete, August 2026

  • A Safari Dream!

    The Shimungwe Team treated us to a safari experience we will never forget! The lodge is intimate and filled with all the comforts we needed. It overlooks a riverbed where elephants and giraffes graze. The food was delicious and the service was even better; thanks to Tshepo, Gift, Khensani and Mavis! Lucan and Daniel were relentlessly in finding us the Big 5 and so many other animals. We appreciate... Read this review

    Roam790486, July 2026

    Pasadena, Maryland, USA

  • The family atmosphere is what sets this lodge apart

    We recently had the pleasure of spending four nights at Shimungwe, and what an extraordinary experience it was! Nataly, Gerhard and the entire team ensured that every moment of our stay was truly unforgettable. The accommodation was superb, the food boundless, the staff were some of the friendliest we've ever encountered, and the game drives were exceptional, with a huge range of animals seen on every drive .We have... Read this review

    John Bennett, May 2026