River House Lodge
27 Visarend Street
View on map and nearby hotels
Why people book this hotel
“The view The facilities The staff The sound of nature The way it helps to do a r…”
“The staff were very friendly and helpful”
“The hotel has a great location overlooking the river with a viewing platform and…”
“A great location but a very quirky place which is a bit tired in places”
“The works were not complete during our stay, but the part that has been complete…”
“Room was nice, overlooking the communal pool, shower was excellent”
“We also greatly enjoyed the quality of the meals and breakfast, not to mention t…”
“the breakfast was really good, there was a variety of cereals and choice of prot…”
“The new pool is beautiful, we spent the afternoon swimming and sun bathing while…”
“Pool was welcome on hot days”
“The rooms are clean and comfortable, and both breakfast and dinner were excellen…”
Overview
Bordering Kruger National Park, this award-winning country-style lodge is situated in the small town of Malelane and is a great base from which to discover the Bushveld. Wake up to the sounds of native birds. At River House Lodge you can watch hippos and crocodiles in their natural habitat while relaxing in the pool or sunbathing on the large thatched deck. Alternatively, you can marvel at views of the river and national park from the comfort of your private balcony. Spend the day enjoying drives through Kruger National Park or visiting Swaziland. The attentive staff is happy to arrange various fun and adventurous activities for you. For special occasions, the original pump house has been converted into a stunning wedding or party location. River House Lodge is a gay-friendly property. It has an outdoor swimming pool and provides free on-site private parking.
Traveller reviews
Liliana
solo_traveller
April 19, 2026
The view The facilities The staff The sound of nature The way it helps to do a reset of the mind and body
Emsie
couple
April 6, 2026
The staff were very friendly and helpful. We would recommend them any place at any time
Hannah
family_with_children
April 3, 2026
“Wonderful stay, welcoming staff and lovely rooms.”
This property has been completely renovated and redecorated. The works were not complete during our stay, but the part that has been completed is really well done, we loved our rooms. The new pool is beautiful, we spent the afternoon swimming and sun bathing while watching the hippo and elephants at the waters edge. Our evening meal was hearty, homemade and truly South African. Eating over the water is just wonderful. Thankyou for a lovely stay.
Glenys
couple
March 26, 2026
“Beautiful riverside location, excellent food”
Stayed here one night, and booked an evening meal, which was delicious and very good value. Room was nice, overlooking the communal pool, shower was excellent.
Peter
family_with_children
December 30, 2025
“Great location on the Crocodile River”
A quirky hotel on the Crocodile river. The hotel has a great location overlooking the river with a viewing platform and a lovely location for breakfast. Dinner is taken inside and is comfort food but tasty. Pool was welcome on hot days.
Abi
couple
December 22, 2025
It had a really homey feel. The staff were really friendly and helpful. The food was amazing, home cooked goodness! The view on the deck were amazing and we can’t wait to come back!
Andrew
couple
December 6, 2025
Very friendly and helpful staff. A great location but a very quirky place which is a bit tired in places. The place definitely grows on you.
Lleoni
couple
November 22, 2025
Everything, the food was absolutely gorgeous. Staff are very friendly and can’t do enough for you. The whole experience was amazing and I’d definitely come and stay again
Martyn
couple
November 11, 2025
“Great location with a decking overlooking the river. Comfortable spacious rooms, excellent service.”
Great location overlooking the Crocodile river, relaxing outside area with terrace and decking, comfortable spacious rooms. Short distance to Malalane Gate for entering the park and close to a well stocked supermarket.
Laëtitia
family_with_children
November 8, 2025
“Nous avons beaucoup apprécié notre séjour et n’hésiterons pas à revenir.”
During our stay, we were charmed by the kindness of the staff and the décor — surprising yet full of originality. We also greatly enjoyed the quality of the meals and breakfast, not to mention the magnificent view from the deck. A special mention to Christophe for his carefully crafted cocktails!
Peter
couple
October 23, 2025
A real interesting gem of a lodge
Christopher
couple
October 11, 2025
“Stayed here before, just as good.”
Good location, great views, friendly staff
Richard Neil
couple
September 3, 2025
“Very pleasant stay. Good wholesome meals.”
An historical nostalgic different property
MJCH
family_with_children
August 30, 2025
“Thank you all for making this stay such an outstanding experience”
:It is a beautiful and stunning colonial house, full of details adorning the walls, where you can truly feel the soul of South Africa. From the balcony, you can see hippos, elephants, and deer, which is truly incredible as the house borders the fence of Kruger Park. The dinner is delicious and highly recommended. I would especially like to thank Eve, who kindly washed my van and made it shine—it was an incredible gesture. I am also grateful to the manager, who provided water and a bucket, along with a very interesting conversation. It was an outstanding act of kindness that I will always remember.
Vens
couple
August 23, 2025
“A blissful location on the banks of Crocodile River”
We've spent a few lovely days residing in a River House Lodge. What sets this place apart is the ambience - the furniture and fittings are antiques sourced from Africa and elsewhere. It lends itself to an authentic atmosphere and I felt like an explorer back in time. Arguably, this place has the best viewing deck in all of Malelane - close to the water, hardwood floor, comfortable, spacious deck chairs, binoculars, lights - everything you need to get a good look at the animals roaming around. There's also a pool table and loungers for a relaxing afternoon. We enjoyed the homemade food for dinner and a good wine selection. The owner went out of his way to accommodate our 4am starts by packing us lunch boxes the night before. We also had trouble with our electric socket adapter (European to South African). He got his tools out and fixed the issue promptly.
Mingjun
extended_group
August 10, 2025
“太棒啦!”
The hotel is right next to the Crocodile River, and from the terrace you can see elephants, crocodiles, hippos, and antelopes. The staff feel just like family — warm, friendly, and always ready to help. They gave me so much support during my stay. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and both breakfast and dinner were excellent. I will definitely come back!
Holiday
family_with_children
July 14, 2025
“LOVED IT!”
the breakfast was really good, there was a variety of cereals and choice of protein. staff so accomodating and friendly. The view was beautiful! Location you can't beat.
Manrakhan
extended_group
July 12, 2025
“Beautiful view on the river! Lovely stay!”
The view of the park was really beautiful! Loved the view point! We also dined in and dessert was excellent!
Bernadette
couple
July 9, 2025
“An exceptional location with warm, welcoming staff”
The history of the property and the fantastic staff
MJP
family_with_children
July 5, 2025
“Short stayover on the edge of Kruger”
Nice location, comfortable room Food nice Friendly staff
Facilities
Activities
Golf course (within 3 km), Massage, Billiards, Game drives
Food & Drink
Breakfast options, Bar, Wine/champagne
General
Air conditioning, Heating, Chapel/shrine, Non-smoking rooms, Family rooms
Internet
WiFi, Internet services, Free WiFi
Outdoors
Outdoor pool, Sun terrace, Outdoor pool (all year), Outdoor furniture, Garden, Terrace
Parking
Parking, Free parking, Parking on site, Private parking
Pool and wellness
Pool with view, Pool/beach towels, Shallow end, Fence around pool, Swimming pool, Sun loungers or beach chairs, Sun umbrellas, Swimming Pool
Safety features
Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities
Services
Daily housekeeping, Fax/photocopying, Packed lunches, Tour desk, Meeting/banquet facilities, Ironing service, Laundry, Dry cleaning
Family Room
Offering free toiletries and bathrobes, this family room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a bath and a hairdryer. The family room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a terrace and a patio. The unit has 3 beds.
Family Room with Balcony
The family room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with river views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 3 beds.
Deluxe Double Room
The spacious double room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with pool views as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. The unit has 1 bed.
Double Room
The pool with a view is the standout feature of this double room. The double room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with pool views as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. The unit has 1 bed.
Standard Double Room
The spacious double room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with pool views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Standard Twin Room
Twin room overlooking Kruger National Park and the river.
Twin Room
The twin room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with pool views as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. The unit has 2 beds.
Hotel Policies
Price Watch
Email me price updates for Hotel River House Lodge
Each day we'll check prices and send you an email for your selected dates at River House Lodge.
If you don't have specific dates but would like to check prices for say next weekend or say next month we can check the price too.




