Description
Exeter is situated within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which is renowned for having some of the best game-viewing in South Africa. Located near the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park, there are no restricting fences, enabling animals to roam freely. You'll get a chance to view the big five and the park is particularly famous for its leopard sightings. The Sabi River, which flows all year round, is a major source of water for the animals in the reserve and home to hippo and crocodiles while its thick reed beds are a haven for many species of water birds and weavers.
River Lodge sits in the shade of a grove of ebony trees right on the edge of the Sand River. Eight luxury suites are spread out along the shady bank with dramatic close up views of the river, all with generous spaces and elegant bathrooms. Cool off in the private plunge pool while enjoying the sight of a herd of elephant drinking or perhaps a hippo surfacing in the river below.
Magnificently positioned sitting and dining areas overlook the Sand River. A giant sausage tree provides shade for long, lazy afternoon lunches. Delicious Pan African meals, complimented by the finest South African wines, are shared in the open air boma around a blazing fire under a star-strewn sky. Romantic candlelit dinners in the African bush or on the deck of your suite, offer memorable dining experiences.
Accommodation
Exeter River Lodge offers 8 air conditioned suites featuring generous spaces, elegant en-suite bathrooms with twin hand basins, separate WC, bath and indoor and outdoor showers. Private plunge pools are surrounded by spacious decks that overlook the river.
Childcare
Children are welcome however children under 6 years cannot participate in game drives.
Facilities
Facilities at the lodge include the outdoor dining area serving sumptuous Pan African cuisine, lounge with comfortable sofas, private plunge pools in each suite and open air viewing deck overlooking the river below.
Activities
Game drives, family game drives, special children’s programmes and birdwatching are all included in room rates. You can also enjoy interpretive bush walks where an armed ranger will accompany you and share his vast knowledge of the local fauna and flora. Take in the intimate details of your surroundings, from the intricate patterns of a spider's web to the bright plumage of the local birds and the sharp alarms calls of a dozen small creatures.
When to travel
There is no bad time to go on safari in the Kruger National Park. The experience does, however, change from month to month. In the summer months (October to March), it gets very hot. The verdant vistas are all the more spectacular because of the rains, but this means that the foliage is denser, water is more abundant and game is therefore trickier to see. There are lots of beautiful migratory birds during the summer months. While the daytime temperature in the winter months (May to September) is ideal, it does get a little chilly at night and in the early morning.
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Location and directions
Exeter Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Exeter River Lodge is situated in the 65 000 hectare (160 600 acre) Sabi Sands Game Reserve which shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park, allowing African wildlife to move freely across the territory.
How to get there
You can easily access Exeter River Lodge by road or air from Johannesburg. Fly from Johannesburg OR Tambo International airport (ORTIA) to Ulusaba airstrip, followed by an easy game drive to the lodge. This direct flight is approximately 1.5 hours and generally scheduled for the morning or early afternoon to allow arriving guests to enjoy an afternoon game drive on their day of arrival. The distance between Exeter River Lodge and Johannesburg is about 500km (310.68 miles), a 6 hour drive.
