singita lebombo safari lodge

Singita Lebombo Lodge

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• Excellent 327
• Very Good 11
• All languages ( 340 )
• English ( 296 )
• German ( 13 )
• French ( 11 )

" Don’t worry about “Safari” gear. Casual clothes and a light jacket. They have binoculars, blankets and sun screen in vehicles. Pack light "

" Spend more than 3 days there to fully enjoy all that Singita Lebombo has to offer "

" Booked our own airfare to/from Africa; the Singita team handled all of our intra-african flights and transfers once there. Very helpful. "

" Avoid lodge 9 if you have any walking difficulties as there many steps to get to it. "

" All the villas had amazing views, but some were further away from the main lodge. A porter always accompanied you at night to your villa. "

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SINGITA LEBOMBO LODGE - Updated 2024 Reviews (Kruger National Park, South Africa)

Matador Original Series

This Luxury Lodge in Kruger National Park Is One of Africa's Best Safari Destinations

W ithin half an hour of arriving at the tranquil Singita Lebombo Lodge in the heart of South Africa ’s Kruger National Park , I sat with guide Solomon Ndlovu and tracker Andrew Mathebula in Landcruiser surrounded by a pride of hungry lions.

Photo: Andrew Thompson

“We’ll just have to switch off the engine and see what happens,” Ndlovu said in a loud whisper. “We don’t want to interfere with the hunt.”

Most of the pride, who moments after our arrival on the scene had taken an interest in a herd of unassuming upwind zebra, were now strategically crouched around our open vehicle. Some fanned out and disappeared into the neighboring bushes and others remained still as mimes with eyes fixed on the middle distance.

As each of us collectively held our breath, we had little choice but to heed Ndlovu’s advice and wait until the pride had caught dinner.

“How’s that for an introduction to Lebombo?” Ndlovu said through a broad grin from behind the steering wheel. “I think it’s now time for a sundowner.”

Ndlovu was referring to the South African safari tradition of finding a scenic location at which to toast another successful day — or, in this case, arrival — in the bush.

At a scenic cliffside location overlooking Singita’s private concession, Ndlovu and Mathedbula laid out a sunset spread. And with gin and tonic in hand, I stood in silence surveying the land that would be home for three days of unbeatable wildlife sightings and a once-in-the-lifetime safari adventure.

It’s a curious thing when visiting a luxury safari lodge that, most often, the first and most highly anticipated thing you do is to leave and explore. The allure of the Big Five living in the surrounding wilderness is hard to resist — but in the case of Singita Lebombo, returning to the lodge is also a central part of the experience.

Singita’s Lebombo Lodge is a dramatic cliffside sanctuary located above the gurgling N’Wanetsi River. The lodge has exclusive rights to traverse a private tract of land. There are no fences dividing the Singita’s properties, and wildlife are free to roam throughout.

The properties manager, Daniel Zents, explained to me that the design of the lodge was inspired by the eagles’ nests built into the riverside cliff face.

“It’s an incredibly tranquil place to live and work,” Zents says. “And you’ll see how the rooms and common areas were built in such a way to place you directly into nature. Without sacrificing any of the luxuries, of course.”

There are 14 loft-style suites at Lebombo that sleep between two and four guests, and a large villa that sleeps eight. And with each spaced out across the cliffside and nestled among the trees, privacy and exclusivity are a given.

Each elevated suite capitalizes on its location in the South African bush, with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to let in light, fresh air, and the breeze. And whether relaxing on the sofa, on the bed, in the bathtub, or on the balcony, you’ll find expansive panoramic views of the river below and the distant Lebombo Mountains after which the lodge is named.

Rooms have a fully stocked coffee station and minibar, an oversized bathtub, an indoor-outdoor shower, and a king-size bed. And if you’d prefer to sleep under the stars, the team will make up a balcony daybed, complete with mosquito net and plush blankets and pillows.

Of course, there’s as much attention to opulence, comfort, and luxury in the lodge’s common areas.

The main bar and lounge also resemble an eagle’s nest, albeit a particularly giant one. And nearby is a library, two lap-style pools, spa, boutique and gallery, and a tranquil dining area where most guests take their meals.

And, despite being hundreds of miles from the nearest supermarket or liquor store, the food and wine plays a central role at Singita Lebombo.

Given that most guests leave early for game drives, and have snacks and coffee before departure and at designated scenic stops, it makes sense that Lebombo offers an all-day brunch option.

You can start your brunch journey at any time with a selection of local cheeses and charcuterie, or jump straight into a diverse menu of superb breakfasts, fresh salads, or more substantial meals. Fresh ice creams and sorbets follow, and if you’re starting early, there’s a selection of cocktails and wines selected to pair perfectly with the meal, with which to celebrate your morning’s game viewing.

Singita procures more fine wine than many other businesses in South Africa, and after aging these to perfection they transport them to lodges throughout Africa. At dinner each evening, a sommelier does the rounds to ensure that guests are fully versed in the available wines, and to recommend a varietal based on a specific dish.

The lodge is also home to an in-house culinary school, overseen by one of the country’s top chefs and restauranteurs, Liam Tomlin. The school upskills and trains unemployed youth from surrounding communities, with the aim of producing around ten internationally qualified commis chefs each year. Guests can chat with the students, and even participate in some activities with them — but for most, the food experience takes place in the dining room.

Photo: Singita

A stay at the lodge includes all meals and beverages, including premium wines, craft beers, spirits, and liqueurs. And a large hinged case of Cuban cigars awaits anyone who wants to indulge further after their fine-dining meal.

There aren’t many boxes left unchecked by the experience at Singita Lebombo. But if there’s one criticism to level against a stay there, it’s that a typical holiday doesn’t feel long enough to appreciate everything on offer.

Staff, who know your names from arrival and cater to your every need, walk the perfect line between comfort, class, and familiarity to make a stay at Lebombo instantly welcoming.

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Overlooks the meeting place of two rivers

A lounge with a view

• Singita Lebombo Lodge

Singita Lebombo Lodge Nwanetsi Concession, Kruger National Park

Why We Love it and You Will Too

• Breathtaking Location and View s - Singita Lebombo overlooks the N'wanetsi River
• Exquisite Luxury Accommodation - Featuring contemporary design, modern furnishings, and eco-friendly materials
• Unparalleled Wildlife Viewing - Game drives and guided walks away from the crowds
• Fine Dining - Superb cuisine and a wine cellar to impress the food connoisseur
• Conservation and Community - A portion of your stay goes towards supporting local conservation and communities

Your Singita Lebombo Lodge Experience

Situated in the Nwanetsi Concession Area in the Kruger National Park, Singita Lebombo Lodge is located in a game rich area and guests will enjoy excellent wildlife sightings, including the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant).

This exquisite safari lodge rests lightly among the ancient boulders of the Lebombo Mountains overlooking an African plain where two rivers meet. Guests will be able to experience the beauty of the bush, while staying in majestically appointed surroundings.

Guests will stay in luxurious suites elevated on stilts along the cliff side. Look out from the timber and glass suite and enjoy the breathtaking views over the African bush. Singita Lebombo Lodge suites all have floor to ceiling glass fronts , ideal for game viewing. They are furnished with stylish contemporary flare.

Dine indoors or out while watching game traverse the vast open grassland. Wine connoisseurs will delight in the wine cellar , boasting an array of award winning of fine wines. The dedicated Bush Spa offers a comprehensive activity and personal treatment programme.

See exciting African wildlife at this Kruger Park lodge while on one of their open Land Rover game drives which are led by expert guides. Alternatively, experience the African bush up close with an optional walking safari.

Child Policy

Singita Lebombo Lodge is unable to accommodate children under the age of 10. Children over the age of 10 can partake in the Mini Rangers Course, filled with fun activities.

Booking Singita Lebombo Lodge

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Singita Lebombo Lodge

Bonfire gourmet dinners accompanied by South African wine and cuisine to help add magic and romance to your stay. Two new diesel generators provide back-up power for cloudy days and when the battery systems run low. With solar energy providing clean carbon-free power electricity consumption at the concession will be halved. A similar solar installation is also ensuring a lighter footprint for the Singita staff village.

Sales + Promotions: Stay for 3 nights, and your 4th night is complimentary. Seasonal offer; except during holiday season.

What to expect

Lebombo concession is an ecological grant developed by Singita investments in a part of northern Kruger undertaking a mission in the conservation of wildlife. Daily flights are available from Johannesburg or Cape Town Airport.

Activities at Singita Lebombo Lodge

• Twice daily game drives in 6 seaters
• Lap Pool at Lebombo lodge
• Traditional African boma night
• Visit the Singita Wine and Art gallery
• Singita Cooking School and community
• Bush jogging and biking, on request.

The most dramatic Gorilla trek in Africa

Only 6 luxury suites

Authentic Rwandan experience

An unforgettable adventure

Singita tourist levy

South African Rand 94* *daily per person

Singita Tourist levy

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Accommodation at Singita Lebombo Lodge Twice daily drives, archery, mountain biking All inclusive meals with local beverages Transfers to Singita shopping boutique Complimentary use of Gym and Pool Free laundry service (*no dry-cleaning)

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5-day Fly-in Safari all-incl. Singita Lebombo

Big 5 off-road game viewing, 5-star iconic luxury, most famous lodges in the kruger national park ** includes transfers and  domestic return flights to skukuza (szk).

Best of the best ‍ The most prestigious lodge in the Kruger National Park

Discover the Heart of the African Wilderness.  See the Big 5 in their natural habitat.

Singita Lebombo Lodge is an architectural icon in the safari world. Inspired by the perching nests of eagles, the 15 glass cuboid suites cantilever out from the rock face and offer panoramic vistas across the Sweni River and climbing hills beyond. The interiors are as spectacular as the lodge’s dramatic situation: lavish lounging, dining and pool areas and cutting-edge contemporary style which fuses glass, slatted wood and bleached branches with natural, textured fabrics and luxury amenities.

Singita Lebombo Lodge is situated on 15,000 hectares of exclusive private concession in the eastern south central region of the Kruger National Park, South Africa. ‍ The size of this concession makes for phenomenal wildlife viewing.

The Lebombo Concession is renowned for its rich biodiversity. Guests at Singita Lebombo have the opportunity to embark on game drives led by experienced guides to witness the diverse wildlife, including the Big Five, in their natural habitat.

Location and getting there

Firstly, we'll handle everything including your lodging, flights and transfers! Singita Lebombo is about a 2 hour 15 minute trip by road from Skukuza Airport (SZK). There are daily flights from Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT) to SZK. At a slightly higher budget one can also land directly at the lodge airstrip in the reserve. Either via a commercial flight operated by Federal Air, or by chartering a private aircraft. Please get in touch if you have any questions regarding the finer details.

Our 5-star service

1 ‍ Place your enquiry. Be sure to include number of travelers, dates and whether you require flights and/or transfers

2 ‍ Our resident expert will liaise with you directly to coordinate all the details of your trip.

3 ‍ You'll receive a provisional booking via email. Complete payment and you're ready to travel!

5-Day SINGITA Lebombo Fly-In Package All-Inclusive ** includes domestic flights * travel insurance can be arranged

Meet sara, our resident expert, sara has spent 5+ years living at the singita lodges in south africa. ‍ she'll help you book your trip and can answer any questions you have regarding a safari at singita lebombo. she's available on whatsapp for fastest response..

Reviews from TripAdvisor

Intimate luxury at singita lebombo in the kruger national park.

Singita Lebombo Lodge

The Singita brand is synonymous with the ultimate luxury safari experience. Singita Lebombo is situated in an exclusive 33,000-acre concession within the Northern Kruger at the border with Mozambique . This remote part of the internationally-renowned reserve offers a particularly strong sense of wilderness and exclusivity. The landscape is beautiful and far more mountainous than the central regions of the Kruger.

Singita Lebombo is an architectural wonder. The stunning public areas and fifteen individual suites hang like eagles’ nests on the rugged rock face, maximizing the breathtaking views over the bush and the Lebombo Mountains. Luxurious rooms are styled in light hues and natural fibers, and the open, spacious rooms include decks with outdoor showers and day beds. Bathing areas are separated from the sleeping area by a curtain creating an interesting expansive, indoor/outdoor space when open.There is a wonderful gift shop, swimming pool, spa and gym areas. The service standards and meals are excellent, as can be expected from a Singita property.

Although the game is not as prolific here as it is in the Sabi Sands, the openness and tranquility is very special. This is a great fit for guests looking for extreme luxury and exclusivity. We often recommend pairing Singita Lebombo or its sister property Singita Sweni with either Singita Ebony and Singita Boulders which are in the Sabi Sands.

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What to see and do at Lebombo Lodge

Guided safari walks at lebombo lodge.

Walking safaris are an incredible way to experience the bush up close and personal.

Your expert guide and tracker will accompany you as you track animals on foot through the wilderness and explore the magnificent plants and landscapes around you.

We suggest a minimum age of 16 years for this activity, but participation is at the discretion of your Field Guide.

Stay up to date

Conservation, destinations, e. [email protected], t. +27 (0) 21 683 3424.

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Khabarovsk: Keystone of the Russian Far East

Photographs by William Brumfield

By rail, the city of Khabarovsk in the Russian Far East is a six-day, 5,300 mile journey from Moscow. Given the distance, it’s unsurprising that most visitors prefer to make the trip by air. The nine-hour flight has the added advantage of giving travelers a dramatic overview of the Amur River on the approach.  

Indeed, Khabarovsk is a city of two great strategic rivers: the Amur, which flows eastward along the border with China; and the Ussuri, which flows northward some 560 miles from its origins in the southern Sikhote-Alin Mountains, not far from the Sea of Japan. The confluence of these two rivers near Khabarovsk, and the state boundaries they define have created one of the most important geopolitical zones in northern Asia.   

Russian explorers attempted to gain control of the north bank of the Amur as early as the 1640s, but Russia was compelled to abandon the area by the Treaty of Nerchinsk, signed in 1689.  Russian troops did not return to the region in substantial numbers until the mid-19 th century, under the leadership of Governor-General Nikolai Muravyov.

He was later given the title “Amursky” for his role in acquiring the territory for the Russian empire. In the Treaty of Aigun (1858), negotiated with the Qing Dynasty, China ceded to Russia territory north of the Amur and east of the Ussuri.

Khabarovsk arose as a consequence of the Treaty of Aigun. The first Russian settlement was established in May 1858 by a detachment of Siberian troops under the command of Captain Yakov Dyachenko. The post was initially named Khabarovka in homage to the renowned 17th-century Cossack leader Yerofei Khabarov, who explored the area.

The settlement rapidly expanded, and by 1864 it already had a formal plan for development on hilly terrain along the left bank of the Amur. A telegraph line to Vladivostok began operating in 1868, and a proper river port was completed in 1874. By the end of 1880, Khabarovsk had gained over 4,000 inhabitants and an official status as a town.  

How to get there

To get to Khabarovsk from Moscow of St. Petersburg take a regular flight. The trip takes approximately 7,5 hours.

Entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on the development of river trading routes were quick to settle in the young town, which offered considerable potential for commerce with China. Progress in transportation also led to increased government authority. In 1884, Khabarovsk became the administrative center of a vast area stretching from the Amur River to the Pacific.  

The town’s status was further enhanced in late May 1891 when the heir to the throne, Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich (subsequently Nicholas II) included Khabarovka on the itinerary of his nine-month-long world tour.

At the time of his visit, the town unveiled a heroic monument to Muravyov-Amursky by the noted sculptor Alexander Opekushin. Dismantled during the Soviet period, the monument has since been restored to a prominent position overlooking the river. In 1893, the town’s name was changed from Khabarovka to the more formal Khabarovsk.

Perhaps the greatest catalyst for the town’s early growth was the completion of a rail line from Vladivostok in 1897. Khabarovsk now had a direct link to a growing international port, even as it controlled interior river traffic over the extensive territory of the Amur River basin.  

The town’s strategic location was not lost on military planners, who developed local machine factories to equip the armed forces of the Far East. At the same time, Khabarovsk, like the rest of Russia, experienced severe labor and military unrest in 1905-06 following the country’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese War.

With the return to stability under Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin (1862-1911), Khabarovsk continued its rapid growth. During the three decades from 1884 to the beginning of World War I, the population increased more than 10-fold. And in 1908, Khabarovsk became the headquarters of the Amur River Flotilla, with responsibility for patrolling the long frontier with Manchuria.  

In 1914, connections were improved with the Trans-Siberian Railway, which gave Khabarovsk access to distant Moscow and St. Petersburg. At that time, however, the rail route to the Russian Far East still went through Manchuria along the Chinese Eastern Railway.

The town was linked directly to eastern Siberia only in 1916, with the completion of a bridge across the Amur just to the northwest of Khabarovsk. Built in difficult conditions within three years, the bridge was one of the major achievements of Russian engineering.  

To this day the attractive, often imposing architecture of central Khabarovsk reflects the prosperity of the town at the turn of the 20 th century. Using an eclectic mixture of neoclassicism and medieval Russian elements, architects designed enduring, well-built structures for housing, commerce and administration. A peculiar local feature was the use of high quality, unstuccoed red brick for the structure, with gray brick for decorative trim.  

The most visible indicator of prosperity and rising consumer demand was the large department store. Firms such as Kunst and Albers, which had stores in several towns, and the Pyankov Brothers used architecture to create an impressive display for retail trade. The large Plyusnin building, subsequently converted to the Regional Library, contained one of the town’s many banks. The best of these buildings are on the main street, which is named after Muravyov-Amursky.  

Other historic buildings display the style moderne that was fashionable at the beginning of the 20 th century, with traces of traditional Russian decoration. The best example is the former building of the city council, now carefully restored.  

The Shrines of Kargopol: Preserving the art of the Russian North

The devastation of World War I occurred far from Khabarovsk, and the city actually grew with expanding military production. But the civil war following the Bolshevik Revolution caused major damage and disruption.

The last major battles of the Civil War occurred near Khabarovsk. Red partisan forces recaptured the town in early 1920, but they were suddenly attacked by the Japanese in April. Fierce fighting led to significant destruction in the central district. Instability continued until December 1921, when the city was retaken by a White army led by Viktorin Molchanov.

At the battle of Volochaevka in February 1922, Molchanov’s defenses were breached and Khabarovsk was retaken by Red forces, but not without further damage to the area, including partial demolition of the magnificent Amur River Bridge. Authority was vested in the Far Eastern Republic, a Communist ally that formally merged with the new Soviet state in November 1922.  

During the Soviet period, the expansion of Khabarovsk accelerated thanks to its strategic military, industrial and administrative position. The pace of growth is reflected in modernist buildings designed by prominent Constructivist architects such as Ilya Golosov, who built the large complex for the House of Soviets in 1929-30.

In the 1930s the Gulag concentration camp empire expanded and prison labor was used in construction. A number of building projects in Khabarovsk were undertaken by the NKVD, which preferred a pompous neoclassical style. Relics of that time include the GlavDalStroi Building and the Commune House, all on Muravyov-Amursky Street.

World War II, like the first, occurred far from Khabarovsk, but the city played a major role in defending the Far East from a Japanese attack. And it served as headquarters during the brief Soviet-Japanese War in August 1945

Liavlia and Zaostrovye: Enduring traditions in the Arkhangelsk Region

Greatly expanded after the war, Khabarovsk maintained its momentum into the post-Soviet period. The city’s vitality is reflected in the improved appearance of Muravyov-Amursky Street, from a renovated Lenin Square to Cathedral Square, with its new Dormition Cathedral visible from the Amur. In 2004 the Transfiguration Cathedral was consecrated on Glory Square near the river.

With a population of just over 600,000, Khabarovsk has witnessed a building spree of contemporary apartment houses in colorful post-modernist forms. And the city’s good management was acknowledged in 2000 when it was chosen as the headquarters of the Far Eastern Federal District.

In the late summer of 2013 the Khabarovsk area experienced a record-setting flood of the Amur, but the main part of the city — on high ground — avoided the worst of the destruction. Among the city's promising economic developments is its pivotal role in the massive "Strength of Siberia" gas pipeline project, which will link the gas fields of Yakutia to the rapidly expanding Chinese market. With its well-maintained central district, Khabarovsk preserves its heritage as it looks to the future.

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