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.
Parsons Hilltop Safari Camps is situated in the Greater Kruger, unfenced and connected to Kruger National Park. We offer you three camps:
1. Parsons Hilltop Safari Camp, with 4 luxury tents, unfenced with private pools or jacuzzi,
2. Parsons House, a private villa for 4-10 guests, with a big private pool,
3. Parsons River camp, 2 charming cottages right at the Olifants River exclusive use from 4-10 guests.
Private pools.
For all our guests, all meals and one game drive per nightly stay are included in the rate. Check more info:
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
Great View
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans
Location
Parsons Nature Reserve Plot 36, Hoedspruit, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
Insane starting point for your safari discoveries. Reception is super friendly and you really feel like a special guest. Luxury tent was really fully equipped, including outdoor shower and splash pool with views over Krugerpark. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are really excellent. The people who work here are really all top performers with the quality to pamper you. The accompanying game drives are excellent and the rangers really take the time to show you everything and explain. During these game drives, everything is taken care of and you take a drink of your choice during a sunset in the middle of the game reserve.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip 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.
A few of my close friends and I had an amazing time during our four-night stay at Hilltop. Mirjam, the manager, was incredibly kind and attentive to all our needs, which made a real difference. The staff was friendly and always greeted us with a smile, ready to assist.
The accommodations at Hilltop had a warm and inviting atmosphere, with tasteful decorations that added a nice touch. And let's not forget the food – it was absolutely fantastic. Tapelo and Patience, the talented chefs, consistently served up delightful meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The game-drives were a standout as well, and credit goes to the skilled ranger Ras for making it all the more enjoyable.
One of the highlights of our stay was spotting lions right by the lodge. Picture this: my friends and I were on the balcony of our tent when we heard the sounds of animals drinking at a watering hole just ten meters away. When we shone our flashlight, we were treated to the sight of two serene lionesses enjoying a drink. This moment will stay with me forever.
I want to express my sincere appreciation to the entire Hilltop team for creating such a wonderful experience for us. Without a doubt, this has been the best place I've ever had the pleasure of staying at.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
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 Maria Busink, Owner at Parsons Hilltop Safari Camp
Responded 01 Sept 2023
In one word WOW! Thank you very much for this review. it really makes us smile from ear to ear. We are very happy that we were able to give you this great experience. Hope to welcome you back next year! Warm regards, Parsons Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Everything during our stay at Parsons Hilltop (what a view!) was right: beautiful and luxurious lodges in a private and intimate setting, delicious food and drinks, and that's why you are there after all, unforgettable gamedrives in the early morning and the dark of the evening. Stunning sunrises and -downers, including food and beverages. Small summary of what we saw: elephants, giraffes, monkeys, hippo’s, zebras, impala's, chameleons and dun beetles. And cherry on top, a lion pride with young cubs! We felt very special to be a part of this all and thanks to the rangers, we always felt safe. Mirjam, Ras, Steffan and staff, thank you so much for giving us the best experience of our life.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
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 Maria Busink, Owner at Parsons Hilltop Safari Camp
Responded 09 May 2024
Oh wow! This sounds amazing. THANK YOU!!!! we appreciate this very very much. All the best, Parsons Team
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If like us you were sceptical that the reviews wouldn't live up to reality, fear not...they do in abundance and I myself will add to them. We were greeted by Ras, Patience and Andrea on arrival and each and every on one of them made us feel so welcome & part of their safari family. Ras took us on a number of game drives where we saw lions, giraffes, elephants and many more animals stopping for a sundowner in fabulous spots around the reserve. His passion for the animals, birds, flora and fauna were clear to see and this came through on each drive making the whole experience come to life. Patience took care of the food which tasted amazing sat looking over the wonderful views on offer across the reserve from their hilltop location. The 5 course Christmas dinner listening to the lions roaring in the background was a particular highlight along with the amazing tents sleeping under the stars and watching colourful birds whilst having a shower & enjoying a glass of a wine in the plunge pool whilst watching an elephant take a drink from the watering hole below. Ras, Patience and Andrea were an absolute credit to the lodge & I truly hope they remain there when it comes to visiting once again. We arrived as guests but left as friends after 5 amazing days.
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:All the tents offer something slightly different but are all fabulous....we stayed in the only...
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 Maria Busink, Eigenaar at Parsons Hilltop Safari Camp
Responded 10 Jan 2022
THANK YOU!!!! A Smile from Ear to Ear from all of us as our reply to this awesome review. We are all not going anywhere so Please just come again:-) Parsons Hilltop Team
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This was our first safari experience, we loved it and we'll come back here for sure ! We spend 7 unforgettable days here . It's a safari camp in the middle of the bush with all the luxe we are used to in Europe. Very comfortable tents with all the comfort like in a high standard hotel in Europe and that in the bush !! The staff is very friendly and professional and will do anything to make your holiday an unforgettable experience. The day of arrival the hole staff was welcoming us with a drink and some towels to refresh ourselves. You feel welcome ! The food took us really by surprise ! Haute cuisine, ( even vegan or vegetarian ) served in a beautiful environment. Above standard. Like your were have a dinner in a michelinstar restaurant but then on a hill with a beautiful view over the wilderness and this beautiful wheater. Chapeau !! There was even board on which your can read what will be served. Breakfast , lunch. Delicious ! Tapsy, the cook, deserves all credits. I almost forget to mention the braai, a delicious meal around a campfire prepared by the staff. We would say bbq but this a braai ( never make the mistake I made by calling this a bbq -:). What about wakening up in the morning, open your tent and see elephants eating leaves from the trees a few meter infront of you. What an experience ! There a two professional rangers, Ras and Andrea ( thank you again ). We went with Ras and Andrea on a morningdrive and evening drive to see the wild animals. We saw all the animals you only see in films. We had beautiful encounters and with Ras and Andrea telling us all about the bush life. Wow! Lions roaring in the night, see animals drinking water at the waterholes. Giraffe crossing the lodge. Unbelievable experience and when you came back from such a morning or eveningdrive ( safari ) there is al delicious lunch of dinner waiting for after you get yourself refreshed. Awesome ! Mirjam, the owner of the lodge. A very friendly woman. We felt and saw that she does this with her heart otherwise it would be impossible to provide this level of service on a safaricamp. No details are missed ! In a nutshell. Great experience, highly recommended ! If you are looking for a great safariexperience but still want comfort, don't look further. We'll come back for sure
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Date of stay: March 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
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 Maria Busink, Owner at Parsons Hilltop Safari Camp
Responded 21 Mar 2022
Dear Herve, We feel very humble to receive a review like yours. Thank you very much for this and we are glad you have experienced and enjoyed our service and hospitality in the way how we feel it should be done. Please do come back, it was such a pleasure to have you and to share the passion for the bush; we made you bush wise!! You will not be scared of wildlife around camp anymore after having seen the elephants (on your own) from your deck! Till soon. Parsons Hilltop
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Luxury paired with incredible wildlife sightings and safari experiences in the balule nature reserve without borders to the kruger national park. I can highly recommend staying here. Service, luxury tents, experienced guides and amazing game drives which result in lion and elephant sithings from close distance (among others) - all make this stay just amazing. Mirjam and the team are very friendly and welcoming. The tents are luxurious with own pool, outside showers, stylish/classic interior and views into pure nature. Very worth the money!
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Date of stay: January 2023
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
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 Maria Busink, Eigenaar at Parsons Hilltop Safari Camp
Responded 18 Feb 2023
Thanks so much Max for your wonderful review. We hope to welcome you back one day. super! Parsons Team
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With our family of 5, we had 3 unforgettable nights at Parsons Hilltop. The game drives & early morning coffee & afternoon snack during the game drive with stunning views. A big thank you to ranger Ras and his colleague Lex (on training) for the excellent drives and his knowledge and great sense of humor. The main lodge feels like a home and with a plunge pool on the deck with views over Balula and Kruger, you feel the most spoiled person on earth. The food was diverse and nice and all staff was helpful and service minded.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Maria Busink, Owner at Parsons Hilltop Safari Camp
Responded 09 May 2024
Thank you very much for your awesome review!!!!!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What a wonderful place and wonderful experience! Hospitality at its best in a small-scale and luxurious environment. We enjoyed the peace and quiet, the luxurious tent with a beautiful view of the wildlife within the camp; last morning even 2 lions at the watering hole in front of the tent! Beautiful game drives, especially with the enthusiastic guidance of Ras and Lars. Our 12-year-old son also found it a unique experience, thanks for the extra pancakes made in the morning. Definitely a place to come back!
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Date of stay: April 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.
Me and my husband have been very lucky to have stayed at parsons before, and wanted to bring my sister and her friend as it was their 1st time here in SA and wanted then to experience the hospitality , attentiveness to making your stay special from the game drives to the attention to detail to making your stay feel as though you are part of their family nothing is too much trouble, the meals are absolutely delicious perfectly made by Precious the chef who I could easily bring back to the UK with me, the tents are absolutely breathe taking from the interior to the views to the parsons hill top house . So this visit we stayed at parsons house , what can we say absolutely stunning we heard the lions roaring on site to finding them on our game drive the view from the house was to die for. It was a stunning and beautiful luxurious lodge we definitely the lord and ladies of the manor. We can not thank Mirjam and Lex, Las the game drivers and all the staff for going above and beyond making our stay so memorable and so excited to be coming back with my sister in law in 5 weeks . 5 stars most definitely
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Date of stay: May 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.
We went for our honeymoon to Parsons Hilltop, were we had of the most amazing experiences of our lives. First of all, the location is incredible, surrounded only by nature and by the sound of birds, leaves, wind, (and some wild animals!). To continue, we must congratulate Miriam, Ras and all the staff for their hospitality and perfect service that made us feel like part of the family they form at the lodge. We stayed for 3 nights and during the day we could do some amazing safaris in which we were able to see elephants, impalas, kudus, gnus, and a big family of six lions! As this is a wordless experience, I really recommend you to visit and live the experience by first hand. You will never regret!!
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Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
Service
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.
Dear Amie788,
We can absolutely arrange transfers for you, it is an extra cost of R500.00 per person per way.
We look forward to hosting you at the beautiful Roamers Rest Safari Lodge,
Warm regards,
Charlotte
Dear Hannah,
Thank you very much for your question. We would love the opportunity to host you at Roamers Rest Safari Lodge.
We can collect from Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa airport. If you need a transfer from Joburg I would suggest using the Ashtons shuttle service they are excellent and then we can collect you for R250.00 from the drop off point.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any other questions.
Warm regards,
Charlotte
Dear surfdive,
Thank you very much for your question. It is really up to you, you are welcome to fly into Hoedspruit if you would prefer. For some people it is a bit too expensive so self-driving is the reasonable option. For other people they prefer to fly in and then we collect them from the airport.
The drive is about 5.30 hours, it is a beautiful scenic drive. It really depends on what you would prefer.
If you are landing in SA and it has been a long flight then you may not fancy driving.
I hope this helps and please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions.
Dear Kerri C,
Thank you very much for your message. Included in our main rates is two game drives daily. We do also have rates that include one safari daily should you prefer.
Also included in our rates is the following:
Luxury styled tented accommodation
Welcome drinks on arrival
3 meals daily (breakfast, light lunch & 3 course dinner)
Housekeeping daily
Teas & Coffees
Free wifi
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.
Warm regards,
Charlotte
Hi Steffen!
Please have a look here or send us an e-mail. Our game drives are 520 ZAR. We have a list under Activities on our homepage where you can find all the prices.
Thanks!
Parsons Hilltop
There are more places to choose from in the Hoedspruit area.
PRICE RANGE
R 7,067 - R 8,090 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Roamers Rest Safari Lodge
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkHoedspruit
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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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