EXETER RIVER LODGE
Kruger Park, South Africa

Lodge In Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve’s western sector, River Lodge sits in the shade of a grove of ebony trees right on the edge of the Sand River. Eight luxury suites spread out along the shady bank with dramatic close up views of the River, all with generous spaces and elegant bathrooms. Cool off in the private plunge pool, while enjoying the sight of a herd of elephant drinking or perhaps hippo surfacing in the river below. The magnificently positioned guest sitting and dining areas overlook the Sand River, and are filled with deep sofas perfect for whiling away the hours between game drives. A giant sausage tree provides shade for long, lazy afternoon lunches. Delicious Pan African meals, complimented by the finest selection of South African wines, are shared in the open air boma around a blazing fire under a star strewn sky. Romantic candlelit dinners in the African bush, or on the deck of the guest suites, offer more memorable dining experiences.

Camp Description

River Lodge at a glance • 8 suites – air conditioned
• Outdoor showers
• Private plunge pools • Boma
• Safari Shop
• Traversing 10 000 hectares

Game Viewing

Please note that River Lodge is part of the Exeter Private Game Reserve within the Sabi Sands.

Exeter Private Game Reserve Wildlife Habitats: Exeter’s mixed bush savanna habitat is dominated by acacia, marula and combretum trees, with tamboti and weeping boerbean on raised termite mound thickets. A narrow band of riverine forest lines the Sand River and its drainage lines. These wooded habitats provide the ideal conditions for leopard, bushbuck and a variety of shade-loving birds. Rock outcrops (koppies) north of the Sand River support trees such as large-leaved rock fig and jacketplum.

Mammals at Exeter Private Game Reserve: Our guests are extremely likely to see territorial and individually recognizable leopard and lion which are tracked on a daily basis. Several clans of spotted hyena den in collapsed termite mounds. Impala are the most abundant antelope, with common waterbuck and grey duiker also frequently seen. Greater kudu, bushbuck and nyala favour thickets and riverine forest, whilst buffalo herds graze in tall grasslands. Waterholes attract elephant, white rhino, giraffe and warthog and many other African wildlife species during the dry season (May to October). Cape clawless otter and hippo are resident in the Sand River. Nocturnal white-tailed mongoose, African civet and large-spotted genet are frequently encountered on night game drives. Rock hyrax and klipspringer live on rocky outcrops.

Birds at Exeter Private Game Reserve: There are more than 300 bird species recorded in the Sabi Sand. White-crested helmetshrike, lilac-breasted roller, brown-headed parrot, emerald-spotted dove and scarlet-chested sunbird are among the colourful savanna residents. Woodland kingfisher, red-chested cuckoo and Wahlberg’s eagle are breeding visitors from tropical Africa during the wet summer months (October to March). The distinctive call of African scops-owl punctuates the night throughout the year. Crested francolin and helmeted guineafowl wonder on sand tracks during the early mornings and late afternoons. Saddle-billed stork, grey heron and pied kingfisher feed at waterholes and pools in the Sand River.

Other African Wildlife at Exeter Private Game Reserve: Large golden orb-web spiders hang their webs in dense vegetation. Chains of processionary caterpillars are conspicuous as they cross sand tracks at the end of summer (April to May). Dung beetles actively go about their business where elephant and rhino have been. Tree monitor and water monitor are frequently encountered in savanna and riverside habitats respectively. Nile crocodiles are resident in the Sand River. Large leopard tortoise and flap-necked chameleon are other interesting reptiles. The conspicuous meringue-like nests of foam-nest frogs hang above waterholes after summer rains and 18 species of frog may breed in seasonal waterbodies

Read more about:

The Kruger National Park & Private Game Reserves