Style

Sumptuous solitude

Setting

Sweet Sweni

With only six riverside rooms, this intimate safari lodge on the banks of the Sweni river offers true seclusion. The Kruger National Park surrounds you, offering some of the world's best safari experiences, but the luxurious rooms at Singita Sweni don't compromise on comfort, offering game-viewing decks, indoor/outdoor showers and complimentary minibar.

Smith Extra

Get this when you book through us:

A bottle of South African wine; guests staying three or more nights get a South African wine tasting experience

Facilities

Photos Singita Sweni facilities

Need to know

Rooms

Six riverside rooms.

Check–Out

11am, but guests may use the lodge facilities until their departure.

At the hotel

The riverside rooms have air-con, fireplaces, a game-viewing deck, outdoor and indoor showers and complimentary minibar. Suites have iPod docks.

Our favourite rooms

All rooms are on the banks of the river with excellent views, but the ones furthest from the main lodge offer a bit more seclusion.

Poolside

The pool is surrounded by sunloungers and shaded areas.

Spa

The hotel spa in Lebombo village offers a full range of treatments, including body polishes, facials and massages, all using Dermalogica products.

Packing tips

You should take anti-malaria precautions. Cold nights, particularly between May and November, means some warm layers are essential.

Also

Safaris are conducted in six-seater Land Rovers but private vehicles can be booked on request for the duration of the stay (ZAR7,500 a day): families must book a private safari vehicle (free for four or more with at least one child under 10).

Children

Welcome. Kids can stay in any room; cots can be added to all, and the Pool Suite and one of the Sweni Suites can connect. Kids under two stay free; two–16 year-olds are charged 50 per cent of the full rate when sharing with an adult or another child.

Food and Drink

Photos Singita Sweni food and drink

Top Table

By the fire on the terrace, with a view over the river.

Dress Code

Safari classics.

Hotel restaurant

African fusion cuisine includes delicious game dishes, such as ostrich, to tempt the adventurous. Dishes make extensive use of local fresh fruit and vegetables. The wine cellar is also exceptionally good.

Hotel bar

All drinks at the bar are complimentary, except champagnes.

Last orders

There are no last orders but early starts make late nights a rarity; wake up calls are usually at 5am.

Room service

Always available; meals can be served in your room and the lodge endeavours to meet all guests wishes.

Location

Photos Singita Sweni location
Address
Singita Sweni
Sweni River
Kruger National Park
South Africa

Planes

Federal Air (www.fedair.com) flies direct to Satara airstrip twice a day from Johannesburg’s International Airport. Kruger Mpumalaga International Airport can be reached with SA Airlink (www.saairlink.co.za). Private air charters are also available on request. Transfers from the airstrip are included.

Automobiles

Johannesburg is eight hours away; take the N12/N4 to Nelspruit, followed by the R40 to Hazyview and then the R536 toward Paul Kruger Gate. Pay to enter, and then follow the H11 for 12km toward Skukuza before heading north on the H1-2 towards Satara. The exit is three kilometres south of Satara. Beware of the gate closure times: 5.30pm between May and July, 6pm between March and April and August and October, and 6.30pm between November and February. The closest towns are Hoedspruit and Skukuza (both two to three hours by car).

Worth getting out of bed for

The Kruger National Park has spectacular scenery, with abundant wildlife to match. The south-western section of the park, around the Crocodile and Olifants rivers, is thickly wooded and home to white rhinos and buffalo. The plains in the eastern section of the park are favoured by giraffes, wildebeests, impala and zebras, which also makes the area popular with lions. After a few days in the park you would be unlucky not to have spotted the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffalo and black rhino. Go walking, cycling or on a safari in a 4x4.

Reviews

Photos Singita Sweni reviews

Anonymous review

There are four Singita lodges in the Kruger National Park, each offering luxury, seclusion and spectacular wildlife. Read our review of nearby Singita Boulders for more details.