Singita Sweni Lodge was influenced by the structures of dens, warrens, and lairs found in the Kruger area. Flanking the Sweni River, this tranquil sanctuary is elevated on stilts with decks of timber. Even when you’re indoors, you’ll have the sensation of being close to the river and trees. Tucked into the banks of the Sweni River, this intimate lodge is a hidden jewel that provides a bold, African context for contemporary design, and architecture. As well as an artisanal food journey focusing on sustainable, seasonal flavors.
Singita Sweni Experience
Singita Sweni Lodge highlights
There is a swimming pool in the main lodge area. Spa and fitness center facilities The Singita Boutique & Gallery There is a television at the Singita Boutique & Gallery. Dependent upon area coverage, there is mobile phone signal. There is complimentary internet (WiFi) access. However due to the remote location of the lodge, the wireless connection can be slow and intermittent. Children of all ages are welcome. There are baby-sitting services available and tailor-made activities to suit each family. In the interest of safety, participation of children in game activities is at the discretion of your guide.
Singita Kruger Lodges have recently been named no. 15 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023 and also received the Eco Hotel Award. This was for both lodges in the Kruger – Singita Lebombo Lodge and Singita Sweni Lodge.
Offering intimate engagements with nature, the lodge features seven suites. Including a secluded Pool Suite with a shaded riverfront deck. The option to connect this suite to the adjacent one; allows for a more expansive option and adds an extra layer of privacy that’s perfect for families.
All the en-suite suites are hidden among a canopy of trees. Each featuring open-plan interiors and decks that seem to hover in the branches. An intimate hideaway with bold interiors that are inspired by beetles, chameleons and birds’ wings, and neutrals that draw in the light.
Suite interior
All suites have outdoor showers that overlook the river. Of course, there is an indoor shower and bath too. And outdoor day beds where you can spend a night under the stars. Witness exceptional up-close sightings of the wildlife that wander down to drink or wallow around the river from your suites.
Sleep out on your deck
All suites are air-conditioned, with overhead fans. They have generously stocked minibars, a tea/coffee station, digital safe, hairdryer, I-Pod docking station, bathroom amenities, direct dial telephone, and WiFi.
There are 6 x Sweni Suites and 1 x Pool Suite.
The Pool Suite with the unique inclusion of a private swimming pool can be connected to the adjacent unit. To create a more generous unit with two en-suite bedrooms. Offering guests an extra layer of privacy. Perfect for families and honeymoon couples.
Pool Suite exterior
Kruger Family Safari at Singita Sweni Lodge
Children of all ages are welcome at Singita Sweni Lodge. And with babysitting services and tailor-made activities, Singita Sweni Lodge is suitable for all families.
Your family stay allows for endless discovery in nature’s abundant classroom. And with a front-row seat to the continent’s most iconic wildlife and wilderness areas, families are able to share profound and unfiltered moments in the bush throughout their stay.
Kruger National Park Family Safari ↓
Designed to specifically suit the interests of each group, family safaris awaken the senses. The Singita experience encourages an appreciation of the wilderness from a very young age. Africa’s untouched landscapes offer a rich environment for learning. The Field Guides and Trackers take immense pride in sharing their vast knowledge with guests. Instilling a sense of awe and respect for the infinite beauty of the bush. About everything from bird calls to fascinating plant species.
As you immerse yourself in the wide-open spaces, a world of knowledge opens up. While strengthening the bonds with your loved ones. From easing into the luxury of sharing family meals under the stars every night to game drives. You’ll create memories to last a lifetime.
Family bonding time on a safari in Kruger National Park
Kids activities on safari
Singita’s Mini Game Rangers’ Course is a fun-filled course that teaches young explorers a huge amount. From outdoor survival and animal tracking skills to more about the wonders of astronomy and the secrets of tree and bird identification.
Other activities include cooking interactions, board games, stargazing, bush walks, arts & crafts, movies and swimming as well as activity booklets with a variety of games, quizzes, and puzzles. In the interest of safety, children may participate in game drives and bush walks at the discretion of dedicated Field Guides.
Child Policy
Infants under the age of 2 years stay free of charge. Children aged 2-16 years pay 50% of the adult rate when sharing a standard suite with one adult or another child. A single child in their own suite will attract the full adult rate. Families of four or more members, including at least one child under 10 years, are guaranteed complimentary use of a private vehicle. Families of up to three members, including at least one child under 10 years, will need to pay for the use of a private safari vehicle. Triples are available on request. An additional room needs to be booked and a minimum charge of 3 adults will apply.
Singita Sweni Lodge Activities
Guests have private access to 33,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the world-renowned Kruger National Park. Ensuring unforgettable game-viewing experiences. With the lodge’s proximity to the river, guests also enjoy up-close sightings of numerous animals and birds frequenting the area to drink or wallow in the water.
During your stay at Singita Sweni Lodge, you are likely to spot a great variety of wildlife including elephant, leopard, famously large prides of lion, white rhino, black rhino, buffalo, hippopotamus, cheetah and sable.
Leopard
Safari Activities ↓
Daily game drives
Daily game drives with professional Field Guides and Trackers provide the perfect opportunity to get up close with Africa’s incredible wildlife, with evening drives revealing the elusive magic of nocturnal Africa, always ending with a perfect sunset. Game drives are all conducted in state-of-the-art safari vehicles, each accommodating a maximum of six guests.
Rhinos
Guided safari walks
Walking safaris are an incredible way to experience the bush up close. An expert Field Guide and Tracker will accompany guests. Track animals on foot through the wilderness. Enjoy magnificent landscapes and their beautiful plant and animal species. A walking safari gives you a more intimate perspective of these awe-inspiring experiences in nature. We suggest a minimum age of 16 years for this activity, but participation is at the discretion of the Field Guide.
Guided Safari Walks
Bird watching
There is a variety different of bird species at Singita Kruger National Park and the area is a bird watcher’s dream. Guests can engage with the Field Guides and Trackers at the lodge to learn more about the birds in the area.
Giant Kingfisher
Wine experiences
Personalized wine tastings enveloped in the unique ambience of each lodge’s own temperature-controlled cellar. These are a highlight with guests, connoisseurs and casual tasters alike. Singita’s experienced sommeliers are able to guide guests through a variety of wine styles, vintages and cultivars to find the wines best suited to their individual tastes.
Stargazing
There is perhaps no more transcendent experience than looking up at a full sky of sparkling stars. With very little light pollution and no city lights the views of the stars are crystal clear.
Wellness
Singita’s wellness philosophy creates an environment for guests to shed the stresses of everyday life. Beautiful treatment rooms are available for healing massages at the fitness center and Boutique & Gallery space. Or in the privacy of your suite.
Fitness Center
A fully equipped fitness center is available for guests’ convenience. This facility is shared between Lebombo and Sweni Lodges with picturesque views of the bush. Allowing guests to keep an eye on the wildlife action outside while they work out.
Yoga
Guided yoga is available at both Lebombo and Sweni Lodges. Yoga mats and instructional cards are also provided in each room if guests would like to do a self-guided practice.
Swimming
Sweni lodge has a pool at the main area and the pool suite has a private pool.
Boutique & Gallery
The Boutique & Gallery spaces give travelers the opportunity to source unique décor elements, exceptional African artifacts and jewellery, the most sought after contemporary African art, and more.
Singita Community Culinary School (SCCS)
The Singita Community Culinary School is a community partnership program that produces 10 x internationally qualified commis chefs every year. Empowering and upskilling members of the communities that live near the lodges and camps is a crucial part of fostering harmony between people and nature. And ensuring each thrive and endure well into the future. Recently, a partnership was formed with the Prue Leith Culinary Institute that will further enhance the benefits to students of Singita’s Culinary School. The partnership was a perfect fit in terms of its shared passion for African cuisine and belief in community upliftment.
The school has a state-of-the-art demonstration studio at Singita Lebombo Lodge. Guests can take part in pre-arranged cooking classes. A donation is requested for this incredible experience.
Community Cooking School
Community Upliftment and Sustainability
In South Africa, the Singita Lowveld Trust manages a wide range of conservation projects in Singita Sabi Sand and Singita Kruger National Park. From anti-poaching initiatives to wildlife research & land management. Sustainability efforts and community partnership projects such as early childhood development, digital learning and a world-class culinary school.
A highly skilled team of tracking dogs and handlers enhance anti-poaching efforts in the Sabi Sand Reserve. While the Trust’s partnership with the global conservation NGO Panthera has shown that the area is home to the largest density of leopards of any protected area surveyed in South Africa. The Panthera’s Furs for Life project, of which Singita is a partner, has reduced the demand for leopard skins with 50%.
Culinary Delights
Singita’s fresh new take on safari dining means guests can now experience a unique culinary circuit. With varying flavors and cooking techniques inspired by the setting and style of each lodge. This is also driven by sustainability best practices. Recognizing that sustainable operations across all lodges and urban offices plays a major role in achieving their overall purpose to preserve and protect large areas of African wilderness for future generations. They achieve this through continued efforts to reduce their ecological footprint and to improve conditions for their people, and those in neighboring communities. At Singita Sweni Lodge, the food is of the finest quality and is available in a variety of venues. Always creative and authentic.
Gourmet food at Singita Sweni Lodge
This includes plenty of fresh, local ingredients that even well-traveled guests may not have experienced. Such as gemsbok, kudu, Saldanha Bay mussels, kingklip and waterblommetjies.
Best Time to go on Safari
Southern Africa is a year-round destination. Traditionally the dry winter months (April to October) are best for game viewing. This is due to the shorter grass, lack of foliage and the absence of water which forces the game to concentrate around the remaining sources of drinking water.
Annual rainfall, usually in the form of short afternoon thunder showers that clear up within an hour, occur from December to March. Many species give birth to their young around the start of the rains, so the bush is alive with newborn animals.
Please note: The agreement with South African National Parks (SANParks) stipulates that during high rainfall periods, dirt roads are closed in the private concession to avoid damage and for safety reasons. At such times, Singita will make every effort to offer guests exceptional game-viewing experiences on accessible roads in the Park.
To ensure your comfort you may want to tailor your clothing choices to the time of year:
October – April: The weather is warm during the day and cooler in the morning and evenings. We recommend casual summer clothes (shorts and cool shirts) and a warm jersey/sweater for the cooler times of day.
May – September: This is fall and winter and the temperature will be mild during the day, but colder in the mornings and evenings. We recommend casual light clothing and a very warm parka/jacket for the extremely cold mornings and nights.
How to get to Singita Sweni Lodge
We can arrange scheduled flights or private charters. Singita’s airstrip is located at the Satara airstrip about 45 minutes from the lodge. Guests are collected from Satara by Singita staff and transported to the lodge. On these flights, the weight of luggage is restricted to 15kg (33lb) for checked baggage and 5kg (11lb) for hand luggage. Only soft-sided luggage is permitted. The flight from Johannesburg – Satara is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes The short hop flight from Nelspruit – Satara is approximately 45 minutes Private aircraft pilots may land at their own risk and are advised to broadcast their intentions on frequency 124,8 Mhz. Please note that only a small number of companies have permission to land at the Satara airstrip as it is run by the National Parks Board. Please contact us for a list of recommended charter companies. All charters are to be aware of the operating guidelines for pilots in the park and are to obtain prior permission before landing. Planes that can land at the Satara airstrip: King Air, Cessna and PC12.
Alternatively, we can arrange road transfers from Hazyview, Nelspruit, Skukuza or Hoedspruit.
The drive from Johannesburg is approximately 8hr drive (+/- 600km). Or from Hazyview, it is approximately a 3hr30minute drive (+/- 156km). The drive from Nelspruit is approximately 4hr drive (+/- 216km). From Hoedspruit, it is approximately 2-3hr drive (+/- 155km). Skukuza is approximately 2-3hr drive (+/-110km).
Singita Sweni Lodge Accommodation Rates per person per night
Suite
Pool Suite
Double/Twin
Per Child
Double/Twin
1st September – 31st October 2023
R45,142
R22,571
R115,170
1st November – 14th December 2023
R41,417
R20,709
R107,486
15th December 2023 – 5th January 2024
R48,475
R24,238
R121,822
6th January – 30th April 2024
R45,560
R22,780
R118,235
1st – 31st May 2024
R49,655
R24,827
R126,690
1st June – 31st August 2024
R53,325
R26,662.50
R134,005
1st September – 31st October 2024
R49,655
R24,827.50
R126,690
1st November – 14th December 2024
R45,560
R22,780
R118,235
15th December 2024 – 5th January 2025
R53,325
R26,662.50
R134,005
The Pool Suite includes a private game drive vehicle, guide and tracker.
Rates Include: Accommodation All meals and beverages (including premium wines, spirits and liqueurs, but excluding French Champagne) Twice-daily game drives in open game-viewing vehicles, walking safaris (accompanied by experienced guides and trackers) Return road transfers between the Satara airstrip and the lodges Laundry service WiFi access where applicable
Rates Exclude: Tourism Levy and Conservation Contribution Carbon Offset Levy Purchases from the Singita Boutique & Gallery French Champagne Massage treatments Any additional activities not mentioned above Transport to and from the reserve.
Single Supplement
A single supplement will apply if 3 or more single rooms are booked in a reservation. A supplement of 25% of the adult rate will be added from the 3rd single room on wards.
Singita Sweni Lodge Special Offers
Stay 4, Pay 3
Book 4 nights at Singita Sweni Lodge and receive 1 night on us.
Valid until 14th December 2023 and 6th January to 14th December 2024
Stay 6, Pay 5
Book a combination of 6 nights at any Singita Sabi Sand and Singita Kruger National Park Lodges and receive 1 night free! The lodges include: Singita Castleton Exclusive Use Lodge, Singita Ebony or Boulders Lodges (Sabi Sand), Singita Sweni or Lebombo Lodge (Kruger National Park) Valid until 14th December 2023 and 6th January to 14th December 2024 A minimum 3 nights in each region required The complimentary night applies to the lowest-rated night Promotion excludes Singita Castleton
Singita Long Stay Combination Offer
2024
Book a combination of 10 nights at any 3 x Singita lodges in any 2 regions and receive 1 night per region on us. Valid: 6th January to 14th December 2024 A minimum 3 nights required per lodge in any of the following properties: Singita Castleton Exclusive Use Lodge, Singita Ebony or Boulders Lodges (Sabi Sand), Singita Sweni or Lebombo Lodge (Kruger National Park), Singita Pamushana (Malilangwe in Zimbabwe) OR Serengeti (Tanzania): Singita Faru Faru and Sasakwa Lodges | Mara River Tented Camp | Sabora Tented Camp | Singita Explore Mobile Tented Camp. And exclusive-use villas, Serengeti House and Singita Milele. A minimum 4 nights required at Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Singita Kataza House (Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda) The complimentary nights apply to the lowest-rated night per region
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