River Camp

River Camp comprises seven individual lodges and a shared central facility set out along an 800m stretch on the banks of the Limpopo River (as shown in the picture below). The camp often echoes with the sound of fish eagle calls and hippos can frequently be heard snorting and splashing close by. Crocodiles bask on the rocks and sandbanks along the river channels in front of the lodges and the bird life is spectacular. Occasional larger visitors are seen as bushbuck cross to the islands, impala shelter in the shade, and warthogs graze on the lawns. In the drier winter months even elephants occasionally pass along the river making use of the shrinking pools. What follows is a brief introduction to River Camp but you can read more about each individual unit on the pages that follow.

The central facility has a small pool and sun loungers, several braai spots and a boma flanked by a bar area on one side and a dining and seating area on the other. There is a kitchen, ice-maker and toilet facilities.

The aerial photograph shows the positioning of the seven lodges with units 1, 6 and 7 having three bedrooms and 2, 3, 4 and 5 two bedrooms each.

The living space in each lodge is an open lounge and dining area with connected kitchen, utility area and walk-in larder.

Roll-down canvas blinds with insect mesh windows enable the open fronts to be closed off in bad weather. The dining table seats eight and there are two comfortable sofas and two other chairs set in front of an open fireplace.

The kitchen comes equipped with a 4-element electric oven, microwave, extra-large freestanding fridge and freezer units, all cutlery, implements, pots, pans, plates and cups, a toaster and kettle. In fact everything you need to cater for your party during your stay (or for your cook to prepare meals for you if you opt for this service).

Each lodge also has a handheld radio, set of cooler boxes, canvas chairs and table, battery and paraffin lanterns, electric radiator (for the winter months) and back-up gas hob in case of power outages.

Depending on the lodge, a path, deck walk, or stepping stones take you down to a boma (fire area) and braai (barbeque) which are set on the river bank only metres from the water and with stunning views.

Each bedroom consists of a large open area complete with supremely comfortable bed (or two three-quarter size beds that can be joined together if necessary) and a sleeper-couch (suitable for children up to age 12 only) with attached bathroom. The bathroom has a double sink (except in the third bedrooms when it is single) and an indoor shower with views to the exterior through the shower glass (which forms part of the exterior wall). Two of the bedrooms in each lodge have a private outdoor shower that is hidden from the other lodges and living areas, and one has an indoor bath. There is a private, enclosed toilet (except in the third bedrooms where it is incorporated into the bathroom).

Each room has fitted wardrobe space, bedside tables with individual lamps, a dressing table or storage shelf, ceiling fan and air conditioning / heating unit. The front of each bedroom unit is made of sectional doors that can be slid back into a compartment at the side allowing the whole room to be opened up onto the woodland if desired. Outside the windows each unit has a private patio or deck area and one bedroom in each lodge has a pair of sunlounger chairs and table.

Each lodge is laid out differently and has been incorporated into the woodland with the least disturbance possible. In some lodges thatch-covered walkways connect the living space with the bedrooms, in others deck walks lead off from the fire area. Some lodges are more compact and others spread out over larger areas all of which gives each unit a unique character to fall in love with.

River Camp has been finished with custom designed furniture and accessories in a colour palette that complements the environment. A blend of natural canvas, copper and rusted metal combine in a rustic design emphasizing the camp's relationship with its surroundings. The striking blues, blacks and oranges of the woodland, pied and malachite kingfishers seen along the river here are incorporated into a colour scheme of subtle browns, greys and neutral cream designed to show off the African arts scattered throughout the lodges.

To find out more about each individual lodge click the links in the menu on the right or view pictures in the lodges gallery.