River Bend Lodge
River Bend Lodge, Addo Elephant Park
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Why people book this hotel
“The staff are absolutely amazing, and the game drives are conducted with so much…”
“The staff were charming and friendly and lovely”
“We were also thrilled that there was room for our 19-month-old son to join us”
“The beds were comfortable with good linen and pillows”
“And to finish off at our last breakfast a family of elephants just walk in front…”
“Great location Lovely comfortable room”
“Breakfast was also very good”
“Best breakfast ever”
“The lodge is great but the game drives are very overpriced for what you get”
“The unit no 1 with private pool and super king size bed was great”
Overview
Located on a private concession within the malaria free Addo Elephant National Park, River Bend Lodge offers luxury accommodation, spa facilities and private game drives. Free WiFi is available. The 5-star, spacious and elegantly decorated suites offer a private patio with views of the surrounding landscapes and animals. All have air conditioning, a ceiling fan, flat-screen TV, coffee machine and a bathroom with separate bath and shower and complimentary toiletries The Silver Thorns Restaurant at the main lodge serves contemporary and culinary cuisine. Room service and special diet menus can be requested. Drinks and snacks can be enjoyed at the bar. The lodge also hosts regular wine tasting and food pairing. The spa offers a variety of massages and beauty treatments. Other facilities at River Bend Lodge include a shared lounge, a library, 3 outdoor pools with sun loungers, a games room and a kids' club. Guests can go on private game drives and guided walks. Other activities in the area include horse riding and bird watching. The lodge is 76 km from Port Elizabeth Airport.
Traveller reviews
Pepijn
family_with_children
June 1, 2026
“While the stunning location, passionate game drives, and family-friendly flexibility were exceptional, the rigid dining”
It’s a beautiful spot in a stunning park! The staff are absolutely amazing, and the game drives are conducted with so much passion, enthusiasm, and respect for nature. We were also thrilled that there was room for our 19-month-old son to join us!
Tracy
family_with_children
May 3, 2026
“Very disappointing.”
The staff were charming and friendly and lovely. The beds were comfortable with good linen and pillows.
Joaquim
couple
April 5, 2026
We had a great time at the Riverbend Lodge. We were welcomed with a nice drink and taken to our upgraded cottage. Beautiful. The staff was very attentive and friendly. At 15:00 a very tasty complementary high tea was offered every day. Breakfast was also very good. Above all was the game drive’s with Roland (we did two). We had an unforgettable tracking experience. We had fun tracking some lions that Roland “sensed” were hidden in some bushes hiding a kill. What a treat. And to finish off at our last breakfast a family of elephants just walk in front of the Varanda and a buffalo could be spotted as well. Thanks for the wonderful memories.
Dawn
couple
March 4, 2026
Great location Lovely comfortable room
Debbie
couple
March 1, 2026
“Outstanding”
What can I say, outstanding in every way. We thought we were just going to a lodge on the edge of Addo park but it was so much more. Beautiful property with outstanding views and its own safaris. All staff were lovely and very accommodating, Matt our ranger, made the holiday really special with all of his knowledge and enthusiasm. Thank you, we were so lucky to stay with you. 😊
Peter
extended_group
February 9, 2026
“For a guaranteed safari experience with luxury facilities then you can’t go wrong.”
Great location. Nicely laid out for everyone. Suites were luxurious and had everything you needed. Game drives were excellent. Rangers passionate and very knowledgeable.
gabriel
couple
January 12, 2026
“Nyati experience”
The room and facilities exceeded our expectations. The unit no 1 with private pool and super king size bed was great. The quality of food and the service exceeded our expectations
Havard
extended_group
January 5, 2026
“Truly a great and beautiful stay.”
My stay at Riverbend Lodge was genuinely memorable. Matthew and Leo were fantastic guides, both incredibly knowledgeable and easy to spend time with. Exploring the Addo concession with them made every game drive feel special. The staff throughout the lodge were warm, attentive and always ready to help. The food was another highlight. Every meal was delicious, and the four course dinner was a real treat. My room overlooked the waterhole, which made the setting feel peaceful and connected to nature. The space was well designed with a very comfortable bed, and the outdoor shower was a wonderful touch on hot summer days. Riverbend Lodge offered a beautiful mix of comfort, great service and unforgettable wildlife experiences. I left with only good memories.
Aurimas
solo_traveller
December 28, 2025
“Total scam”
Great scam place
HEATHER
extended_group
November 24, 2025
“Fabulous boutique safari reserve with great safari trips Ranger Mikky was excellent. Restaurant exceptional.”
Fabulous boutique reserve traditional buildings with great views. Excellent safari drives with Ranger Mikky.
Lance
extended_group
November 8, 2025
“Good enough.”
Rooms are excellent
María
solo_traveller
November 2, 2025
A beautiful, lovely, rustic lodge located in the middle of nature. The personnel are so kind and attentive. The food is superb. The game ranger is so experienced and knowledgable, she explained so many things about wild animals and made sure I was comfortable at all times.
Melanie
family_with_children
October 7, 2025
“An exceptional experience for our daughters first game drive.”
We cannot wait to go back to Riverbend Lodge. The staff were incredible. The game drives we plentiful. The grounds were stunning and well managed. The rooms were so comfortable.
Petrus
couple
August 19, 2025
“What a pleasant surprise, enjoyed our stay very much”
DAVID
couple
April 8, 2025
“Brilliant experience”
Amazing place to enjoy a true safari experience backed up by amazing staff. Ranger John is the best ranger I have experienced in 20 years of visiting South Africa
Roeland
solo_traveller
April 6, 2025
Very nice lodge north from the main Addo park. Staying here allows you to do drives in this part which is very different and super beautifully compared to the main park. The lodge is great but the game drives are very overpriced for what you get. The ranger was excellent but for these prices you should get a lot more than just the drive
Sarah
couple
March 7, 2025
“Excellent stay”
Best breakfast ever. Wonderful game drives. Can’t recommend this place enough
Dean
couple
February 17, 2025
“The staff were excellent our ranger Mathew most knowledgeable and helpful it's only the faculty that needs some rec”
Property is dilapidated and is in dire need of a make over
David
couple
January 30, 2025
“Country hotel feel was nice but at the price was not good value for South African residents. We were on the all inclusiv”
The staff were very helpful and friendly and the food was very good. The garden was beautiful.
Dee
extended_group
January 24, 2025
“Jenna and Ryan the ranger made our stay truly memorable.”
Old colonial style , beautifully furnished rooms in wonderful parkland . Antiques and memorabilia of past times abound.
Facilities
Activities
Games room, Spa and wellness centre, Massage, Hiking, Kids' club, Spa facilities, Game drives, Walking tours, Tour or class about local culture
Cleanliness & disinfecting
Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against Coronavirus, Linens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines, Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays, Guest accommodation sealed after cleaning, Guests have the option to cancel any cleaning services for their accommodation during their stay
Entertainment and family services
Board games/puzzles, Indoor play area
Food & Drink
Kid meals, Wine/champagne, Fruits, Coffee house on site, Snack bar, Special diet menus (on request), Breakfast in the room, Restaurant, Bar, Breakfast options
Food & drink safety
Breakfast takeaway containers, Delivered food is securely covered, All plates, cutlery, glasses and other tableware have been sanitized, Physical distancing in dining areas, Food can be delivered to guest accommodation
General
WiFi available in all areas, Non-smoking rooms, Safety deposit box, Facilities for disabled guests, Family rooms, Non-smoking throughout, Air conditioning, Designated smoking area, Heating, Indoor fireplace
Internet
WiFi, Internet services, Free WiFi
Outdoors
Outdoor furniture, Garden, Terrace, Outdoor pool, BBQ facilities, Sun terrace, Outdoor pool (all year)
Physical distancing
Contactless check-in/check-out, Cashless payment available, Physical distancing rules followed, Screens or physical barriers placed between staff and guests in appropriate areas
Pool and wellness
Fence around pool, Sun loungers or beach chairs, Sun umbrellas, Plunge pool, Pool/beach towels, Swimming Pool
Reception services
Invoice provided
Safety & security
Key access, Fire extinguishers
Safety features
Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities, Shared stationery such as printed menus, magazines, pens, and paper removed, Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas, Process in place to check health of guests, First aid kit available, Access to health care professionals, Thermometers for guests provided by property, Face masks for guests available
Self check-in
Passport/ID information collected online before you arrive, Check-in kiosk in the lobby
Services
Daily housekeeping, Shuttle service, Concierge service, Private check-in/check-out, Shuttle service (additional charge), Airport shuttle (additional charge), Shared lounge/TV area, Packed lunches, Fax/photocopying, Luggage storage, Ironing service, Airport shuttle, Business centre, Babysitting/child services, Laundry, Dry cleaning, 24-hour front desk, Room service, Meeting/banquet facilities
Honeymoon Suite
Offering a private terrace and plunge pool, this lavishly decorated suite features an en-suite bathroom and an outdoor shower.
Luxury Suite
Elegantly decorated, they are equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV, a patio and en-suite bathrooms with a separate bath and shower.
Hotel Policies
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