Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Big 5 Sibuya has more navigable river than any other game reserve in South Africa. The unique experience starts immediately with a 45 minute boat transfer from the village of Kenton-on-Sea to River or Forest Camp - luxury en-suite tented accommodation nestled in riverine forest and constructed in an environmentally conscious manner. Luxurious Bush Lodge, situated just outside the main Reserve in a pristine indigenous forested valley, is accessed the same way and then guests are transferred by game drive vehicle to the Lodge. All buffet-stlye meals & beverages are included - as are canoeing, fishing, swimming, birding etc. Add-on activities at a nominal extra rate include massages, horse riding on the beach and golf. An abundance of wildlife from Elephants to Otters and prolific bird life await you. Guests are hosted and guided by a team of experienced knowledgeable professionals who ensure a memorable personalised stay which will leave you saying 'Sibuya!' - 'We will return!'
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, Dutch
Location
39 Eastbourne Road, Kenton-on-Sea 6191 South Africa
Sibuya Game Reserve: Tented Camps and Lodge
548 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Truly a wonderful and exhilarating trip from the boat ride out to the trip home.
Rooms: beautifully appointed and spacious accommodation with a most luxurious bathroom. We were in the river lodge which is both child friendly and is serene with a relaxing atmosphere.
The central reception/dining/boma/sitting room was comfortable and welcoming with a variety of drinks available.
Game drives were absolutely the highlight of the trip. Our guide Matt could not have been more helpful and exercised necessary caution around the animals while imparting his knowledge. He endeavoured to optimise the experience, and certainly did well as we saw all the animals we wanted to and four of the big five, up close and personal, which is a rarity.
Staff were friendly and accommodating. Coming back from a cold game drive to a friendly smile, roaring fire, a glass of sherry and hot chocolate for the children was utterly memorable.
Downside: the food did not meet our four star expectations. It appeared to be cooked for bulk rather than a small group. They catered really well to a gluten intolerance - which was appreciated. A few issues that were notable: Calamari did not have the skin removed. Chicken and pork were overcooked and dry. Food and plates were not warm. Corn flakes were stale. Breakfast was excellent but the rest was underwhelming.
Despite our opinion on the food, the experience is unique and one I would repeat and recommend. It was a truly magnificent stay and we will forever treasure the memories we made.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â River lodge is child friendly
Take binoculars if possible
Worth having a warm jacket - the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from carol fox, Owner at Sibuya Game Reserve: Tented Camps and Lodge
Responded 09 Jan 2024
Greeting 'BeeTeeLondon' to you & the family It's great to hear that you made some fabulous memories at River Camp with Matt & the Team - thank you for the lovely Review & kind words which I'm sure they'll all appreciate. Sibuya's game viewing is generally pretty spectacular so I'm glad to hear that your sightings were good! Regarding your comments re meals: I'm sorry that you were disappointed by our fare as we try our best to serve unpretentious but fresh tasty meals with an African twist & general appeal. We've had many compliments but do of course realize that tastes vary! I would just like to say that I think you were mistaken about the Calamari as it doesn't come with skin - possibly you meant Prawns - which in our opinion are tastier if cooked in their shells. The lunch is a cold buffet but there is no excuse for cold plates or dried out meat at dinner - I'll certainly pass on your comments to the Camp Manager who I'm sure will want me to apologize on her behalf. We hope that one day you'll be back to experience the magic of Sibuya all over again! Wishing you happy days & great memories, Carol, Matt & the River Camp Team.
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In general very well organized Lodge. Good kitchen and plenty of food & drinks! Clean rooms Great service Game drive should focus more on the expectations of the customer... there are more animals then the big 5 which are interesting to discover. several times mentioned, but suggestion was partly ignored.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from carol fox, Owner at Sibuya Game Reserve: Tented Camps and Lodge
Responded 21 Nov 2022
Hello 'Wvlooy' Many thanks for taking the time to post a Review - we're very pleased that you enjoyed your 'Sibuya Experience'. In pursuit of excellence your suggestion is noted & I will pass it on to your Ranger, but I must say, I'm a little surprised at your comments as we pride ourselves in giving our guests personalized attention & all Nature including 'the birds & the bees' are critical aspects of the Reserve - 'all creatures great & small' - are significant! Best wishes from Carol & the Team.
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Just returned from a wedding at Sibuya and all I can say is that everything was absolutely perfect. 10 out of 10 for hospitality. The accommodations were as good as it gets in the bush and the food was fantastic. The game drives were great , the boat rides along the river were fantastic and the guides were fun, funny, knowledgeable, safe and made the experience what is was. I highly recommend Sibuya Game reserve.
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Date of stay: April 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from carol fox, Owner at Sibuya Game Reserve: Tented Camps and Lodge
Responded 01 May 2024
Hi 'NeilsW7612JH' Many thanks for the great Review - we all certainly appreciate the fact that you've taken the time to let us know that you enjoyed the diverse aspects which make Sibuya what it is. The Team do their utmost to give guests the best experience ever & hope they leave feeling like extended family with wonderful memories to share. It was a privilege to host Jason & Caty's guests during their joyful three-night celebration - culminating in the most beautiful & certainly memorable wedding. Great fun was had by all. Hoping that one day you'll be returning! Very best wishes from Carol & the Team. wedding!
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We stayed at the Bush lodge from Jan 22nd until Jan 24th, 2023. From the beginning of our trip, we were in the capable hands of the rangers PJ and Jared. Once in the Bush lodge, ranger Jared and coordinator Andy took care of us. What an experience! We were alone in the lodge, and received full attention of the personnel, outstandingly coordinated by Andy. The full board was 'really full', plenty of choice and good meals, welcome drinks each time we came back to the lodge, and a kind of coming home feeling as one would come back home. Ranger Jared is, despite his young age, experienced, has a tremendous knowledge and passion for his job. From animals to plants, nature conservation and animal psychology. He has shown the ability to communicate with the large mammals, allowing for our narrow contact with them while maintaining all security aspects under full control. We learned a lot (and I am a biologist!), felt very welcome and had a fabulous time. The Game reserve is private, game drives are individual - a place where you don't have a lot of cars around an animal - rather, you are alone, and able to observe natural animal behaviors. On top of that, the lodge offers all amenities, including a swimming pool to cool down during hot summer days.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nick Fox, Owner at Sibuya Game Reserve: Tented Camps and Lodge
Responded 02 Feb 2023
Greetings Patrick V It's wonderful to hear that you appreciated so many aspects of Sibuya through your Bush Lodge experience - thank you for the great Review! We do our best to give our guests a relaxed but informed personalized stay so it's very rewarding to receive your praises - Andy, Jared, PJ & Team are delighted at your kind words. We're always thrilled when our guests tell us they felt 'a kind of coming home feeling' - what a compliment because it means we've achieved what we set out to do!! Wishing you happy memories & hoping to welcome you back one day. Carol, Andy, Jared, PJ & the Bush Lodge Team.
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During our South Africa journey, we stayed at Sibuya. We can sum up our experience in the reserve in one word: EXCEPTIONAL! Our ranger, Nicolas, welcomed us and immediately created a magical moment from our arrival. The boat journey to our lodge on the river alone was a complete safari experience, a genuine paradise for bird enthusiasts! Subsequently, we explored the camp and our "tent" for sleeping – a timeless place where we dozed off to the sounds of the bush in a snug nest! The real adventure kicked off with the SAFARI! Sibuya is an extraordinary place with awe-inspiring vistas and scenes reminiscent of a wildlife documentary, all of which we savored thanks to Nicolas. He skillfully immersed us in this adventure, sharing his knowledge of the reserve's animals and flora – a genuine walking encyclopedia! All in all, our Sibuya visit will linger in our memories, not only due to the scenic beauty but, most importantly, owing to the passion Nicolas managed to instill in us!
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Date of stay: January 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from carol fox, Owner at Sibuya Game Reserve: Tented Camps and Lodge
Responded 12 Feb 2024
Hi '38camilles' - it's great to get such positive feedback & hearing that your 'Sibuya Experience' was 'EXCEPTIONAL' is like music to our ears - very rewarding indeed & I know Nicolas will be thrilled at the compliments - thank you!! Sibuya has many varied perspectives & it's great that you enjoyed all the aspects & had wonderful game viewing as well. We hope that one day you'll be back to make more happy memories. Best wishes from Carol, Nicolas & the River Camp Team.
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Wow, what a wonderful experience! We thoroughly enjoyed our 3 days there all thanks to the wonderful team looking after us. Yes the accommodation was a tent but very good and perfect for a great experience. The food was wonderful too and Lisa and her team made my wife feel very welcome by providing the best Gluten Free experience we had over our whole 2 week tour of the Garden Route area. And then there's the Game Drives. What a wonderful and personal service from Tarrine (Tarra), she was so welcoming, helpful and informative and made the drives we did very special. Her knowledge of the reserve and its inhabitants is excellent and her driving abilities made us all confident and relaxed no matter how challenging conditions got. That confidence in her was just as great when we were close up to the wildlife, Rhinos, Giraffes, Elephants and Lions alike and her interaction with them amazing so we never felt nervous no matter how close they got , which was pretty close at times, which made our experience even more special. Yes it is a smaller reserve but the team offer something really special and we totally recommend Sibuya Game Reserve for a truly memorable safari. Thanks Lisa, Tarra and the rest of the team for a wonderful visit.
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Date of stay: January 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from carol fox, Owner at Sibuya Game Reserve: Tented Camps and Lodge
Responded 01 Mar 2024
Greetings Tony Many thanks for the wonderful Review - the Forest Camp Team are thrilled & glowing with pride at your kind words. They're all passionate about what they do & their enthusiasm is infectious - guests arrive as strangers & leave as friends - members of the greater 'Sibuya Family' - something we pride ourselves in. We do our best to accept the challenge of catering to all tastes & dietary requirements so we're happy to hear that we came up to scratch with your wife's 'gluten-free' needs - the chef will be pleased to hear this news! It's good to hear your game viewing was spectacular - Tare will be delighted to hear. Yes, please do recommend us - we appreciate every bit of support! Wishing you happy memories. Carol, Lisa, Tare & the Forest Camp Team.
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Went to Sibuya for the second time! Did an internship at Sibuya's forest camp for half a year when I went the first time. Now I went solo as a guest for two days. Kind of a weird feeling to be a guest for once instead of working there, but I did not make the experience less wonderful! Sibuya employees are really focussed on creating an unforgettable experience for the guests. The nature is breathtaking, the animals are so so so cool and beautiful and the food is amazing! I can go on for so much longer, but you've got to experience it yourself. Thanks Jono for the great drives! miles, Lisa, great food and service in camps! Rest of the staff, thanks a lot! Will definitely visit again.
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Date of stay: September 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nick Fox, Owner at Sibuya Game Reserve: Tented Camps and Lodge
Responded 07 Dec 2022
Hi 'Timohulleman'! We appreciated you as an intern from Netherlands some years ago & recently we welcomed you back as a guest - thank you for the honour! We're so glad that the magic of Sibuya drew you back to see it all from a different perspective! The Forest Camp Team really appreciate the kind words & praises & can't wait to welcome you back! Please come say 'Hi!' to me next time around! We look forward to welcoming you back... Wishing you & your family a wonderful festive Christmas. Carol, Jono, Miles, Lisa & the rest of the Forest Camp Team.
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The sibuya game reserve has earned its name. Great landscape, wildlife worth seeing and a service that is second to none. If the hosts take care of everything lovingly and still remain discreetly in the background, then everything was right. Thank you PJ and Lisa!
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Date of stay: October 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from carol fox, Owner at Sibuya Game Reserve: Tented Camps and Lodge
Responded 25 Oct 2022
Greetings 'Feder806' We really love it when our guests give us such a great Review & hint that they would return because we've 'earned it'! 'Sibuya' means 'We will return' - so thank you for that! We look forward to welcoming you back to our little piece of paradise! Wishing you happy memories, Carol, PJ, Lisa & the Forest Camp Team.
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When Safari thrilled me, I was not only in the SAN Parks for the first time - but with my almost teenager for three nights at Sibuya and it was great!
The team - which already welcomes you to Kenton in the sea to the team at Forest Camp as well as everyone you met from the other two camps - a big family. The respectful and warm treatment in the team and with the guests was outstanding. The logistics behind the experience for us detailed and not noticeable to the guest. And the holiday starts with the drop-off of the suitcases, at the latest with the first drink on the boat on arrival to the camp!
Our tent reminded us of the tent at the Quidditch World Championship in Harry Potter - incredibly cozy, yet spacious - the showers a dream (especially the outdoor shower after a morning safari thrilled me)... the bathtub was tempting - but when it came to water shortages we ignored them. Coming to the tent in the evening, where a fire was already burning as desired, was perfect.
The safari rides were great - my highlight: in the jeep surrounded by grazing buffalo at sunset - pure nature. Have we seen everything - no! But that's not what Safari is about for me. It's about being in nature - and even if we gave everything, the lions just didn't want to be found this time. Luckily, it's nature and not a superfluous zoo!
What about my fast teen? He thought it was great! Is now a proud junior ranger (including oral and practical exam with the senior guide), enjoyed fishing with guide and chef in the evening and ate more new things than I had experienced in a long time. The food is also just great!!!
So great recommendation!
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I travelled to Sibuya solo and participated in their volunteer program and I can fully recommend it to everyone who is interested in learning about nature and animals, in having open discussion around various topics and broadening the horizon. Sibuya has a variety of wildlife in their game reserve and every day of the volunteer program was completely different. My personal highlight was definitely the Elephant monitoring and learning more about those amazing animals. I stayed there for 3 weeks and my friends and family were really impressed by how much I learned during this short period of time (and so am I). I could have definitely stayed for more weeks also due to the very positive atmosphere at the Intaka lodge with other volunteers, students and of course the full team there! I can highly recommend Sibuya to everybody who is interested in a real wildlife experience which is respecting animals and nature!
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from carol fox, Owner at Sibuya Game Reserve: Tented Camps and Lodge
Responded 10 Jul 2024
Hi 'Annakl1625JD' Many thanks for the lovely Review - we really appreciate the fact that you took the time to express your support of our Volunteer Programme & found it enriching. We're passionate about what we do & love sharing our knowledge so it's rewarding when we hear we've managed to infect others with our enthusiasm for the environment & all the creatures big & small that call it home. I'm sure you'll be interested to know that Laure, the latest treasure to arrive at Sibuya has settled well & joined the crash! Enjoy your memories & please share them - we're hoping that one day we'll be welcoming you back to make more! Warm wishes from Carol & the Intaka Team.
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Hi Jetmel
It's so difficult to predict weather with Global Warming - here we are in the middle of winter & the temp is in the high 20s & predicted to plummet tonight down to 2 degrees & back to 20 plus tomorrow!
All I can do is guestimate for October - Minimum of 15 & high of 27degrees....
My suggestion is that you have a warm jacket & perhaps a cap/beanie on hand - we do have fleece ponchos & blankets available for guests' use on game drives so you can wrap up if need be.
Beanies & caps are also on sale in our little shop if you would like to buy souvenir items when here.
I hope I've been helpful.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Best wishes, Carol.
There are more places to choose from in the Kenton-on-Sea area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 10,343 - RÂ 13,160 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
sibuya game reserve & tented camp hotel kenton-on-sea, sibuya game reserve and tented camp
LOCATION
South AfricaEastern CapeGreater AddoKenton-on-Sea
NUMBER OF ROOMS
16
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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