Guest Reviews

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 are amazing! There were times we saw many animals and times that we saw only a few. But that’s what going on a safari is about. You never know what you’ll see. This is a lodge that I will return to. Thank you to the entire staff!!

• Luxury Safari Suites in Thornybush Game Reserve

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 their efforts. A special shoutout to Karlien! She welcomed us and was the perfect hostess/front of house. She made sure all our needs were met and even scheduled a last minute massage for my daughter and I.
Shimungwe Lodge is the perfect place for small groups. We booked all four rooms and had this beautiful lodge to ourselves. Thanks to the Shimungwe Team for making our trip unforgettable.

• Luxury Safari Suites in Thornybush Game Reserve

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 no hesitation in recommending Shimungwe to anyone who wants an exceptional safari experience. We’ll be back!

The family atmosphere is what sets this lodge apart from the larger ones. Everyone makes sure that your individual experience is one never to forget.

My husband and I went to Shimungwe lodge for our honeymoon and I am not exaggerating when I say this was hands down the best trip of our lives. The service was second to none, the accommodations were perfection and the staff was warm and wonderful. My husband has celiac and the kitchen staff went above and beyond to ensure no cross contamination. The meals were the best food we’ve ever had. The game drives were perfect as well we saw the big 5 and we weren’t surrounded by a ton of tourists. It felt very intimate. I cannot recommend this place enough. We will be coming back!!!

This was my 3rd trip to Thornybush Reserve and the best. The lodge has 4 rooms, a max of 8 guests , so everyone is treated as an individual. Karlien is great, always there and super helpful. The room staff and catering staff were amazing. Meals were creative and very tasty. Lucan & Daniel are excellent on the Drives, very knowlegable and everyday a suprise.
Best safari experience to date.

Beautiful setting for an African lodge with incredible service and food with unique sightings of African wildlife!

Yet another beautiful visit to what must be one of the best Lodges around. The staff are all definitely one step ahead, friendly and extremely efficient. The worst part is that our trip is over far too quickly. Congratulations Shimungwe.

The lodge offers an experience that feels much like visiting a friend’s beloved home. Set above a riverbed, one has a feeling of living in the trees. It has been lovingly and thoughtfully designed to be exceptionally functional and casually chic without feeling as clinical as a ‘hotel’. Where most lodges are muted tones of beige, white & brown, Shimungwe is colourful and warm.

I’d be remiss in particular, not to mention the ranger and his tracker, Lucan & Danny, who
facilitated the most exceptional game viewing we’ve ever experienced.

We recently spent a few idyllic days at Shimungwe and can't rate it highly enough. The lodge is both intimate and luxurious. Nataly and her staff were professional and the meals and accommodation exceptional. The game drives with Lucan and Danni were simply magnificent with incredible sightings too. This really is a gem in the bush and we can't wait to visit again. Definitely worth putting it on your bucket list.

It's was such a treat! Amazing place with great staff, very organized. Food from the chef was stunning! Lucan and Dan are absolutely incredible rangers!
It was a great experience would definitely recommend if you're looking for a place to go on safari - you can't go wrong with Shimungwe!