Shimungwe Lodge Safari FAQs

At Shimungwe Lodge, the all-inclusive accommodation rate includes your suite, all meals, two guided game drives per day, water, hot beverages, selected local drinks, house wines and Wi-Fi. Game drives are subject to weather and operational conditions.

Published accommodation rates include VAT. A compulsory conservation fee of R330 per person per night is added to every reservation.

Flights, airport transfers, guided nature walks, premium or imported drinks, specialist facilitators, spa treatments and other third-party services are not included, they are available to our guests on request, at an additional fee.

Shimungwe has four identical suites and accommodates a maximum of eight guests in total, including children.

Each suite normally accommodates two guests. A bed for a small child can be added to a suite on request at no additional bed charge, provided the lodge’s overall eight-guest capacity is not exceeded. The applicable child accommodation rate still applies.

Yes! As part of our history, we are owned by a family. So Shimungwe welcomes families and is particularly well suited to private, multi-generational stays because the entire four-suite lodge can be reserved exclusively.

Children aged six and older are welcome to join game drives. The team can also arrange simple lodge-based activities such as bush crafts or pizza making for younger children.

Shimungwe unfortunately does not provide babysitting or supervised childcare. If a child cannot join a game drive, a parent or guardian must remain at the lodge. For the children's activities, adult does not need to participate but must be present on the property.

Yes! As a small lodge, we have a plated menu to ensure all of our food is fresh and delicious. 

With advance notice, Shimungwe’s chefs can accommodate most dietary requirements and food allergies, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free meals. Vegan catering can be more challenging in the lodge’s remote location, so early notice is particularly important.

Halal or kosher meals can be sourced from specialist suppliers at an additional cost. Shimungwe does not operate a certified halal or kosher kitchen or separate preparation facilities. Please discuss these requirements with the reservations team before booking.

At Shimungwe Lodge, the all-inclusive accommodation rate includes your suite, all meals, two guided game drives per day, water, hot beverages, selected local drinks, house wines and Wi-Fi. Game drives are subject to weather and operational conditions.

Published accommodation rates include VAT. A compulsory conservation fee of R330 per person per night is added to every reservation.

Flights, airport transfers, guided nature walks, premium or imported drinks, specialist facilitators, spa treatments and other third-party services are available to our guests at an additional fee.

While at Shimungwe you can enjoy game viewing, birdwatching and stargazing. In the local vicinity there are many local conservation activities offered by vendors in the Hoedspruit area.  

Very close to us you can also visit Nourish Eco Village who advocate to protect wildlife by supporting the surrounding communities.

Two game drives per day are included in Shimungwe’s accommodation rate, weather and operational conditions permitting.

Drives usually depart around sunrise and again in the late afternoon, when wildlife is often more active. Each normally lasts three to four hours. Rain ponchos are carried on the vehicle, although severe weather may occasionally require a drive to be delayed, adjusted or cancelled.

A typical day begins around sunrise with a morning game drive in open vehicles. The drive lasts approximately three to four hours and includes a stop for coffee and refreshments.

After returning to the lodge, guests enjoy breakfast followed by time to relax in their suites or enjoy our lodge facilities, including the pool, lounge and bar. A light lunch is served before the afternoon activity.

The afternoon game drive also lasts approximately three to four hours. It includes a drinks stop and continues after sunset, returning to the lodge after dark. Dinner is usually served in one of the lodge’s outdoor dining areas, weather permitting.

Yes! Shimungwe is located inside the Thornybush Game Reserve, home to lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, collectively known as the Big Five. Guests may also encounter giraffe, zebra, hyena, African wild dog, hippo, antelope, birds, reptiles and nocturnal wildlife.

Shimungwe’s experienced guide and tracker team regularly finds rewarding wildlife sightings, but the animals are wild and move freely through the Greater Kruger ecosystem. No particular species or Big Five sighting can be guaranteed.

Yes! As a private reserve, Thornybush permits qualified guides to drive off-road when appropriate for selected wildlife sightings.

Off-road driving is always subject to reserve rules, safety, wildlife welfare, soil conditions and the guide’s judgement. Vehicle numbers at sightings are also limited to reduce pressure on the animals and provide a quieter game-viewing experience.

Thornybush offers rewarding safaris throughout the year. The best time depends on the experience you prefer.

The drier months from May to September generally bring cooler temperatures, thinner vegetation and wildlife gathering around available water. Early mornings and evenings can be cold.

The warmer, wetter months from October to April bring lush vegetation, summer thunderstorms, newborn animals and migratory bird species. This period is particularly rewarding for birdwatching and photography.

Wildlife moves freely through the Greater Kruger ecosystem, so sightings vary from day to day and cannot be guaranteed in any season.

Thornybush has a warm, wet summer season and a cooler, dry winter season.

From October to April, daytime temperatures are usually warm to hot and may exceed 30°C, with occasional thunderstorms and periods of very high heat.

From May to September, days are generally mild and dry, but early mornings and evenings can be cold—particularly on an open safari vehicle. Temperatures and rainfall vary, so guests should check the forecast shortly before travelling.

Pack comfortable clothing in neutral colours, closed walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera.

In summer, bring lightweight clothing, swimwear and a light rain jacket. In winter, pack warm layers, a jacket, scarf and gloves for early-morning and evening game drives.

Temperatures can change considerably during a drive, so layered clothing is useful throughout the year. Guests should also bring any personal medication and the appropriate travel adaptors for their devices.

Thornybush Game Reserve is in a low malaria-risk region of South Africa. Whether preventive medication is appropriate depends on the traveller, season, itinerary and current health guidance.

Please consult a doctor or travel-health professional well before departure for personalised advice. Guests should also take precautions against mosquito bites, including using insect repellent and covering exposed skin, particularly from dusk to dawn.

Health recommendations can change, so travellers should check current official guidance before visiting.

Shimungwe Lodge is located in the Thornybush Game Reserve, officially known as Thornybush Nature Reserve, in South Africa’s Greater Kruger ecosystem.

The lodge is near Hoedspruit in Limpopo Province, approximately 45 minutes by road from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport and approximately six hours by road from Johannesburg.

Most guests fly to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport and travel approximately 45 minutes by road to Shimungwe Lodge. Airport transfers are not included in the accommodation rate and are normally booked by the guest or travel agent.

If required, Shimungwe can arrange a third-party transfer on request at the guest’s cost.

Guests may choose to self-drive from Johannesburg, which takes approximately six hours. Please download and follow Shimungwe’s driving directions, as standard navigation applications may not always identify the correct reserve entrance. These can be downloaded from our website.

Yes! We have Wi-Fi installed in the main lodge and also within each of our all four of our guest suites. It is generally suitable for web browsing, messaging, social media and video calls, with the strongest signal usually available in the main lodge.

Mobile-phone reception in the reserve is poor and unreliable, so guests are encouraged to use Wi-Fi-based services such as WhatsApp for calls and messages.

Yes. Shimungwe has mains electricity as well as backup power for load-shedding and power outages.

Each suite has South African three-round-pin Type M sockets, European-style two-round-pin Type C sockets and a dedicated USB charging point. Guests should still bring the appropriate travel adaptor for any devices that use other plug types.

Kruger National Park is a large public national park where visitors may self-drive on designated roads or join guided safaris.

Thornybush is a private game reserve within the unfenced Greater Kruger ecosystem. Wildlife can move between Thornybush, neighbouring reserves and Kruger National Park.

In Thornybush, safaris are led by qualified guides and trackers. Under appropriate conditions, guides may travel off-road for selected sightings, and reserve rules limit the number of vehicles around an animal. This can provide a quieter and more flexible game-viewing experience than a public self-drive safari.

Yes. Thornybush is well suited to first-time safari guests because wildlife activities are led by experienced guides and trackers, and visitors do not need to navigate or drive themselves within the reserve.

Being part of the open Greater Kruger ecosystem, Thornybush offers opportunities to see the Big Five and many other species, although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. 

Shimungwe’s four-suite size, personal service and proximity to Hoedspruit Airport also make it an accessible and reassuring introduction to safari travel.

A small safari lodge offers fewer guests, quieter shared spaces and more personal interaction with the guiding and hospitality teams.

Shimungwe has only four suites and accommodates a maximum of eight guests. This allows the team to learn each guest’s interests and create a relaxed, unhurried stay.

Families and small groups can also reserve the entire lodge, including its shared facilities and safari vehicle, for an exclusive-use experience.

The other benefit is that small groups or large families can reserve the entire lodge on an exclusive use basis so that the safari experiences is specifically crafted around the needs and preferences of your group.