Your stay
Situated along the unfenced western boundary of the Kruger National Park, Olifants West Nature Reserve is an 8 800-hectare Big Five private nature reserve located within one of Africa’s largest, free-roaming conservation areas.
The Lodge, The Suites and The Villa
With a deliberate focus on low environmental impact, sustainably-sourced resources and hand-made eco-luxe décor, Royal Ingwe River Lodge camouflages itself with its natural surroundings. The five-star lodge is a portal to a world untouched by human development.
Here you can experience how conservation-driven luxury travel, intentional sustainability and social commitment seamlessly complement each other to protect South Africa’s most important resources, while positively impacting the greater Hoedspruit region.
The Suites
Each modern suite is adorned by one-of-a-kind artworks in different media created by various South African artists, so that no two suites are alike, even though each of them is furnished with custom-made furniture and décor crafted by local artisans from sustainably-sourced, natural materials.
Maathai Suite
From R 18,000.00 (per person sharing per night)
In 2004, Wangarĩ Maathai was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The social, environmental and political activist founded the non-profit Green Belt Movement, which promoted reforestation, environmental conservation and women’s rights across Kenya.
| Super King Twin | Spectacular River view |
| Living space (60.5m2) | Wooden deck (75 m²) |
| Indoor and outdoor shower | Outside daybed |
Lotter Suite
From R 18,000.00 (per person sharing per night)
South Africa wildlife conservationist, Wayne Lotter was co-founder of the PAMS Foundation, a non-profit conservation organisation in Tanzania. He gave his life to protect Africa’s wildlife from being exploited by poaching and illegal trafficking.
| Super King/Twin bed | Spectacular River view |
| Living space (61 m²) | Wooden deck (79 m²) |
| Indoor and outdoor shower | Outside daybed |
George Adamson Suite
From R 18,000.00 (per person sharing per night)
Known as Baba ya Simba, meaning ‘Father of Lions’, George Alexander Graham Adamson was renowned for raising and releasing orphaned lioness Elsa, alongside his wife at the time, Joy Adamson.
| Super King/Twin bed* | Spectacular riverside view |
| Living space (79 m²) | Outside daybed |
| Inside fireplace | Wrap-around wooden deck (73m²) |
*Optional extra bed for 1 child.
Joy Adamson Suite
From R 15,900.00 (per person sharing per night)
Naturalist Joy Adamson was a prominent figure in the fight for the ethical treatment of animals and their natural habitat. Her work inspired the establishment of wildlife reserves across Kenya. Alongside her husband, she successfully released orphaned lion Elsa back into the wild, which saw her pen Born Free.
| Super King/Twin bed* | Inside fireplace |
| Living space (66 m²) | Wooden deck (40 m²) |
| Indoor and outdoor shower | Spectacular riverside view |
*The Joy Adamson Suite may be booked alongside the adjoining George Adamson Suite to create an interleading family suite that accommodates 4 adults and 1 child.
Sheldrick Suite
From R 15,600.00 (per person sharing per night)
Dame Daphne Marjorie Sheldrick was a Kenyan-British conservationist who dedicated her life to protecting and rehabilitating orphaned elephants. By founding the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which continues to operate to this day, she ensured the species long-term survival and reintegration into social groups.
| Super King/Twin bed | Inside fireplace |
| Living space (64 m²) | Terrace/Patio (22 m²) |
| Indoor and outdoor shower | Spectacular riverside view |
Ian Player Suite
From R 15,250.00 (per person sharing per night)
Perhaps best known for preventing the white rhino from going extinct through Operation Rhino, Dr Ian Cedric Audley Player was a South African conservationist who was instrumental in establishing protected areas across South Africa.
| Super King/Twin bed | Spectacular riverside view |
| Living space (67 m²) | Terrace/Patio (21 m²) |
| Inside fireplace |
Ntombela Suite
From R 15,250.00 (per person sharing per night)
For close to 80 years, Magqubu Ntombela served as a game ranger and wilderness guide across KwaZulu-Natal. His innate understanding of the landscape and nature saw become mentor to and shape the conservation work of Dr Ian Player.
| Super King/Twin bed | Spectacular riverside view |
| Living space (67 m²) | Terrace/Patio (21 m²) |
| Inside fireplace | |
Inclusions & Exclusions
What do rates include?
- Accommodation
- Return transfer from the Olifants West Nature Reserve entrance gate to Royal Ingwe River Lodge
- Morning and evening game drive with a FGASA-accredited guide and tracker
- Daily guided walking safari with tracker, upon request
- Breakfast, lunch, high tea, sundowners and dinner
- A private picnic lunch at a hide overlooking a waterhole
- All soft drinks, juices, beers, spirits, cocktails, and a selection of seven specially curated house wines, which are available at our bars and in-room minibars
- High-speed Wi-Fi within the main lodge and rooms
On request special activities (included)
- Bush walks
- Wildlife lectures
- Hide visits
- Black Mamba meeting
What do rates exclude?
- Flights and airport transfers to/from Olifants West Nature Reserve gate (Royal Ingwe River Lodge may organise an airport meet and greet with a private, air-conditioned transfer, at an additional charge)
- Olifants West Nature Reserve charges a conservation fee (R287 per person, per stay, including VAT), and a gate entry fee (R115 per vehicle, including VAT), which may change without notice.
- Private game drives with your private vehicle, ranger, tracker (subject to availability, at a cost of R4 500 per day)
- Guided excursions to Blyde River Canyon Reserve, Pilgrim’s Rest, and the Greater Kruger Region
- Local community experiences
- Wedding packages and private events
- Royal Ingwe boutique and art gallery purchases and shipping
- Spa treatments
- Premium wines and spirits from our wine cellar collection
- Curated wine tastings and pairings in the wine cellar
- Cigars and cigarettes
- Local or international telephone calls
By request specialist activities (not included)
- Private open game drive vehicle
- Exclusive bush breakfast and dinners
- Wine tastings in our private wine cellar
- Local community experiences
- Wedding packages
- Excursions to interesting local destinations (Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrm’s Rest etc.)
Terms & Conditions
- Accommodation rates are per person per night sharing
- Quoted in South African Rand (ZAR)
- Inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT) at 15 %, subject to change
- Children from the age of 10 years are welcome
- Children aged 12-16 years will be accommodated at 50% of the adult rate, when sharing a suite with one adult or another child