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Located in the heart of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger region, Simbavati Homestead is an intimate self-catered safari offering an exclusive experience. The homestead is a modern African farmhouse and has been designed with friends and families in mind, with a contemporary style and great connection with the bush through expansive stoeps and terraces for soaking up the surrounds.
Simbavati Homestead features five bedrooms, all of which have king-sized beds (that can be changed to twin). Two are en suite with one having a private balcony, while the others offer shared bathrooms. The villa also boasts a swimming pool, small boma, covered patio, open plan lounge and a dining area - ensuring there is plenty of space for everyone to gather and enjoy the peaceful setting.
Considered one of the largest and oldest safari areas in South Africa, the Greater Kruger region is made up of Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands, Timbavati Game Reserve, as well as the surrounding private game reserves (such as Klaserie). The entire area is one of the best places to view free-roaming game, experience guided walks and explore some of the wildest areas in the country.
Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is home to a magnificent wildlife population, including the Big Five, plentiful plains game and avid birdlife. Guests of Simbavati Homestead will have ample opportunity to explore all the natural beauty of the area with twice-daily game drives and from the comfort of the lodge overlooking the waterhole.
The house was beautiful and spacious. It really was a slice of paradise in the bush. Our game drives were wonderful and our private view and waterhole offered some incredible sightings while we played in the pool, including elephant, giraffe, hyenas, waterbuck etc.
Kate
Northumberland Farm, Hoedspruit, 1380
24.175960, 31.198349
Directions from Johannesburg to Amani / Homestead
N1 ROUTE (recommended route):
The N1 route via Polokwane is an alternative route from Gauteng to Simbavati Camp George. Although this way is ±50 km longer than the Dullstroom route and one pays more in toll fees, for some people this is a better option. It is a road without potholes, and there are fewer delays due to heavy, slowmoving trucks. From Oliver Tambo International Airport follow the R21 north to Pretoria. Just before you reach Pretoria take the N1 North to Polokwane. (From Johannesburg, you follow the N1 North to Polokwane). Take the R71 to Tzaneen just before you get Polokwane. Follow the R71 via Grobler Street through Moria to Tzaneen. Do not turn off the R71 until you get to the Tjunction. Turn right onto the R36/R71 towards Tzaneen. Turn left onto the R71 at the first offramp and stay on the R71 through Giyani, Letsitele and Gravelotte until you reach the next TJunction. At the Tjunction turn right onto the R40 south towards Hoedspruit, White River and Mbombela. Continue straight through Hoedspruit. Drive ±6.5 km and then turn left on the D1909 (Argyle Road). The signage reads Timbavati and Eastgate Airport.
DULLSTROOM ROUTE:
(Please be aware that this road has some very bad stretches with potholes, but it is still the fastest and most preferred road by regular travellers).
From Johannesburg take the N12 to Witbank (Emalahleni) and continue on the N4. From Pretoria, take the N4 to Witbank (Emalahleni). Follow the N4 and turn left to Belfast (Offramp R33/R540). Once in Belfast, turn right into Voortrekker Street and continue straight with the R540 to Dullstroom. Drive straight through Dullstroom and continue to Lydenburg (Mashishing) on the R540. At the Tjunction turn left into Lydenburg (Mashishing) into Viljoen Street (R36). Turn left again into Voortrekker Street. Turn right into De Clercq street and follow the R36 through Ohrigstad. After the Abel Erasmus pass, the R36 turns left to Tzaneen. Do not turn left here, but continue straight on the R527 until you reach the town of Hoedspruit. (The distance between Ohrigstad and Hoedspruit is ±85 km).
Once in Hoedspruit, continue straight. After the bridge crosses the railway line, turn right at the fourway stop and stay on the R40 South towards Hazyview and White River. Drive ±6.5 km and then turn left on the D1909 (Argyle Road). The signage reads Timbavati and Eastgate Airport.
Please DO NOT rely on your GPS after Hoedspruit. It will lead you onto bush roads where you will get lost and get stuck.
After about 300 m. you will get to a control gate, where you pass through. Continue straight, past the airport, for another 18 km until you reach the Enkhulu Control Gate, the Timbavati/Klaserie/Umbabat Nature Reserves gate. At this gate, you will tell security you are going to Simbavati Homestead in the Klaserie. The gate is open from 06:00 – 18:00. You will be expected to pay an entrance fee here (2024 R300 *Subject to change). Very important: Please do not arrive at the lodge late, as you will then miss the afternoon/evening game drive and lunch, which we do not serve later than 15h00. It is also safer not to drive in the reserve and arrive at the lodge when it is dark. When you enter the gate there will be a cattle grid in front of you. Do not cross this grid. Turn left before the grid and follow the road back past the gate you just entered. Follow the dirt road until you get to the Klaserie Nature Reserve’s Incheni Gate.
At the gate, you will pay a gate entrance fee of R300 per small vehicle / R760 per truck (please make sure you have cash available) and tell the security you are visiting Amani. Please provide them with the QR Code send to you by Homestead. Go through the gate and continue on the main road for quite some distance until you reach a big cell/radio tower. At the cell tower you will find a sign on your left saying Northumberland/Fife/Klaseriemond/Durham/Dundee East turn right. Follow the powerline on your left for ± 3.2 km. Where the powerline turns away from the road you will find a sign on your right saying Amani/Angelas Safari Camp/Camp George left. Turn left at this sign.
Continue straight for another 1.1km till you see another sign follow this sign for another 1.8km and you will arrive at the camp.
From Hoedspruit, it will take you approximately 90 minutes to get to the lodge.
Emergency Contact Number: +27 (0)15 004 1400
The Homestead is offered as a self-catering homestead, plus your own game vehicle, guide and house-keeping staff. But you can request the services of a kitchen assistant (at an extra cost) to assist you with meal preparation.