Singita Sweni Lodge lies in the southeastern reaches of the Kruger National Park, on South Africa’s border with Mozambique. Situated on 33,000 acres, Singita’s concession is an isolated piece of pristine wilderness where a unique wildlife population thrives. Nestled beautifully amongst hundreds of trees at the edge of the Sweni River, the lodge rests lightly on the ground in an area especially well-known for its remarkable concentration of the ‘Big 5’ and four particularly formidable prides of lions.
Tucked into the banks of the Sweni River, this intimate lodge is a hidden jewel just waiting to be discovered. The lodge boasts six suites and one pool suite with décor inspired by beetles, chameleons and bird’s wings with soft cosy interiors in natural shades and occasional pops of vibrant colour. With an outdoor panoramic deck that seems to hover in the branches you can expect exceptional up-close sightings of the wildlife that wander down to the Sweni River to drink or wallow. Your outdoor day bed is the perfect spot to soak up the sun or spend a night under the African stars and with a private outdoor shower overlooking the river you will fully experience the allure of Africa. The Pool Suite has a private swimming pool and shaded riverfront deck which can be connected to the adjacent unit to create a more generous unit with two en-suite bedrooms, offering you an extra layer of privacy – perfect for families and honeymoon couples. Additional amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, hair dryers and electricity converters.
The main lodge offers an idyllic turquoise swimming pool where you can cool off during the heat of the day and gaze at wildlife from the sparkling water that overlooks the pristine bushveld. Your all-inclusive stay means that all your meals and beverages (including premium wines, spirits and liqueurs) are completely covered so the drinks will keep flowing without the worry of a hefty bar bill and you can have your fill of culinary delights around the clock. Revive your senses and restore your body and mind with treatments in the tranquility of the Spa, or from the comfort of your private suite. If you fancy a workout, a fully equipped fitness centre is available with picturesque views of the bush, while the library is the perfect hide-away if you want to read a good book or reconnect with the outside world and watch a bit of television. The Boutique and Gallery is not your regular curio shop but rather a haven for some serious retail therapy. In addition to items made by local craftsmen, the Boutique and Gallery boasts a wide range of collectable sculptures, homeware, jewelry, authentic carvings and museum quality, fine-art prints and works by some of the most respected artists on the continent. A worldwide shipping service is available so your purchases can be conveniently delivered directly to your door.
Sweni Lodge offers twice-daily game viewing expeditions with professional guides and trackers on open 4×4 Land Rover safari vehicles. During your stay at Singita Sweni Lodge, you are likely to spot a great variety of wildlife including elephant, leopard, famously large prides of lion, white rhino, black rhino, buffalo, hippopotamus, cheetah, sable and many types of birds. Walking safaris are an incredible way to experience the bush up close and personal and your expert guide and tracker will show you how to track animals on foot through the wilderness and explore the magnificent bushveld around you. This is the magic you’ll experience on your holiday to South Africa.
Wine is a key ingredient of the unique Singita experience with an extensive cellar showcasing a premium selection of wines, including some of the continent’s most sought-after private reserves. A private wine tasting within the unique ambience of the lodge’s cellar will delight as experienced sommeliers guide you through a variety of wine styles, years and cultivars to find the wines most suited to your individual taste. You can purchase wines from Singita’s Premier Wine Boutique either to be taken home at the end of your trip or conveniently delivered to straight to your door. As an addition to cellar purchases, Singita has secured allocations of highly limited, sought-after wines, including ‘Icons’, ‘Single Vineyard’ and ‘Limited Release’ wines, directly from leading wineries in South Africa. Stored in temperature-controlled cellars, these wines are unlikely to be available anywhere else.
Stargazing is an amazing experience for adults and children alike and with very little pollution and the absence of city lights to detract from the stars, your view of the heavens here will be crystal clear – nothing between you and the vast African sky above.
Camera kits suited to wildlife photography are available for rent during your stay and available to both experienced photographers and aspiring novices. Photographic editing is available where you can review and edit your photos with professional tips and expert guidance on selecting or enhancing your images.
Book a cookery class at the new state-of-the-art demonstration studio nearby where you can learn how to cook a popular South African dish or a trademark dish from chef Liam Tomlin’s tapas menu. All funds raised are used to support the ongoing work of the Singita Community Culinary School.
Singita Sweni Lodge welcomes children of all ages. There are babysitting services available and tailor-made activities to suit each family. In the interest of safety, children’s’ participation in game activities is at the discretion of your guide.
Baking with chefs (pizza/cookie making)
Arts and crafts
Board games
Astronomy and stargazing
Bush walks around camp
Mini Rangers' Course: This programme includes tracking animals; a cosmic safari (astronomy); learning bush survival techniques; flower-pressing (in summer); frogging; butterfly capture and release; game, tree and bird-spotting competitions; nature quizzes and a Ranger’s test. Kids are awarded a certificate to recognise their new-found knowledge and accomplishments.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
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