River Bend Lodge
Zuurberg Road, Addo Elephant National Park 6105 South Africa
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About
#2 of 4 lodges in Addo Elephant National Park
Location
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Service
Value
Situated on a 14,000ha private concession within the Addo Elephant National Park, RiverBend is a mere 45 minute drive from Port Elizabeth. Home to an abundance of wildlife including elephant, lion, hyena, buffalo, black rhino and a variety of antelope and over 300 bird species, RiverBend is an ideal malaria-free safari addition to a Garden Route holiday. Children of all ages welcome. Pampering treatments are available at Plumbago Spa. Personalized game drives are led by enthusiastic and experienced guides, who will ensure you have a truly memorable safari experience.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Canoeing
Game room
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Spa
Secured parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Horseback riding
Evening entertainment
Massage
BBQ facilities
Baggage storage
Concierge
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
24-hour front desk
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Room service
Safe
Seating area
Minibar
Flatscreen TV
Complimentary toiletries
VIP room facilities
Wake-up service / alarm clock
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Room types
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Luxury
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
Location
630Reviews7Q+A82Room tips
Reviews
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My friends went to the Lodge for a special occasion - it was his birthday. A big bottle of Graham Beck and a phantastic bday cake as a surprise - that's what I call - going the extra mile! A biiiig Thank you for being so sweet and generous 👍
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Date of stay: March 2023
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.
Helpful
Response from Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge
Responded 10 Mar 2023
Dear Sightseer007199459031 Thank you for choosing to celebrate with us at RiverBend Lodge, and we love nothing more than hearing of a special occasion so that we can spoil our Guests a little bit more. Also Thank You so much for such a wonderful review, we are delighted that you loved RiverBend as much as we do. Sincerely Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This property enjoys sole use of an enormous and stunning piece of land making a visit a very special experience. Sole use by river Bend lodge means you can go the entire day without seeing another vehicle. While you also have access to the public areas of Addo as well the concession owned by river bend Lodge is so much more special and varied. Also excellent service, some of the best gluten free food my wife has had anywhere in the world (thank you for dealing so well with this dietary requirement), and great wildlife sightings including the scarce black rhino and over 190 birds (example of special birds: Narina Trogon). Thanks for making this a special stay
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2023
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.
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Response from Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge
Responded 21 Feb 2023
Dear NickandLucy, Thank you for your most wonderful review but mostly, for taking the time to write it. You enjoyed one of our best attributes, an authentic PRIVATE safari. Nothing more special than being alone out in the bush, far away from little cars and rude drivers that want to push into sights. I love so much, that you experienced this. I will pass onto our Chefs your compliments with regards to the gluten free meals, I know my Chefs will be so proud. Thank you Do take care and hopefully we will see you again at RiverBend Lodge, where we would be so happy to Welcome you back home'. Sincerely Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We loved our stay. The staff are very attentive and the accommodation is perfect. Our ranger, Salomon was the highlight of our stay. He was most informative and very interesting. His passion for nature and his knowledge on the subject, including history, was a treat.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2023
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.
Helpful
Response from Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge
Responded 18 Feb 2023
Dear ilovetobe spoilt, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I will pass onto Salomon your compliments; he certainly is fast becoming an integral part of our guiding team. We can't wait to get things in place to do walking trails with him. Also, just to share some news we are starting to work on going off the grid, by using Solar, and find this an exciting chapter to look forward to. Take care and wishing you a wonderful year ahead. Regards Debbie and the RiverBend Lodge Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Well if you want an exclusive experience this is the place for you. Hotel is set in its own private range of Addo national park We had our own wonderful guide Christiaan who’s knowledge is outside standing , he can call to the birds and they answer him , a memory I will never forget . Lots of wonderful Elephants which we had two up close experiences with the herd. the hotel is like being transported back to colonial times. Rooms are beautiful individually set chalets. Moses is wonderful host in the bar and restaurant. An part of the Eastern Cape you must visit . Well worth the drive and money .
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Date of stay: February 2023
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.
Helpful
Response from Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge
Responded 18 Feb 2023
Dear eganlucy1, Thank you so much for your review. We are delighted that you loved your stay with us, and I will definitely pass onto Moses and to Christiaan your special mention. it is aways so rewarding when Guests fall in love with RiverBend Lodge as much as we have. Thank you again for taking the time to write your review, and hopefully we will see you again when you next in South Africa Sincerely Debbe & The RiverBend Lodge Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We found the dining very expensive, and the Game drives are more than double the normal prices. The personnel were very helpful and friendly, but the buildings need maintenance and is way too expensive for what it offers.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2023
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.
Helpful
Response from Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge
Responded 18 Feb 2023
Good Morning geeden659277, Thank you for your review. I am so sorry your stay with us, left you feeling disappointed, as this truly does not happen often at RiverBend at all. However, every review is appreciated and taken note of and to us is very important, and taken seriously. I initially started noting our game drive rate of R1750 vs the BB up the road, where they have to drive for over 30 minutes just to get to the main camp gate, on a district gravel road and they pay R1450 per person for a game drive in the general public area vs our drive inside an exclusive private concession where the Lion sighting is an experience with your game viewer and the lions without all the other cars, but I realize this would just be academic, as would be comparing our 4 course dinner at R560 per person to the steak house where item for item there is a total of about R30 difference at the end of the meal price, and that R30 is before you have a cup of tea or coffee, which I did not factor into the price, let alone a complimentary bottle of champagne which you would never get at the steak house, and all of this in the most beautiful 5 star setting overlooking the big 5 reserve and the opportunity at any given time to see the wild animals stroll past your area. Be that as it may, i respect your time taken to write your review, and am again sorry that we did not hit the spot for you. Wishing you all the best Debbie Carinus General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Situated at a bend in the long-dry riverbed, the lodge has gorgeous gardens, a sizeable swimming pool and delightful reading spots with clear views of the water hole. Staff catered to our every whim, and our rooms were extremely comfortable - with the largest beds I've ever seen. Our game drives were equally special. As Riverbend is situated in the Nyathi private concession, we were able to access areas unavailable to most Addo visitors - meaning that when we had a sighting, it was ours alone. In comparison, when we drove through the main park, it was less "spot the animal" and more "spot the parked up cars". Our guide, Leo, was informative, enthusiastic and generally just a nice guy. During our trip we saw lion, zebra, elephant, warthog, mongoose and a range of antelope. We…
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Date of stay: January 2023
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.
Helpful
Response from Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge
Responded 18 Feb 2023
Dear Aislinnvdw, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I am so sorry that you were not 'heard' by Leo when he discussed or suggested times for the drives, we really do try everything we can to give Guests their safari drives at a time that is suitable to them. Often, a guide will do an early drive and then once back ready his vehicle and go out again with the next guests as they didn't want such an early drive. I will definitely ensure that the guides are again reminded of the phrase 'luxury of choice'. Again, thank you for taking the time to do a review, it is appreciated and noted. Sincerely, Debbie & The RiverBend Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Beautiful older Lodge near Addo Elephant National Park’s Main Camp( Northern Gate) River Bend offers safari’s with their own guides within their “private portion of Addo National Park. We did an early morning drive and a night drive with their Safari leader Leo. Leo is a new guide and gaining experience. He is very knowledgeable and wants to help you learn . The night drive is highly recommended, you’ll see many different animals than u see on the day drives. You can also go to the Main Addo Camp about a 20 minute drive and either do self drives or do guided safari’s with Addo staff or possibly with River Bend staff. We like doing self drives so that’s what we did in Addo. We saw lions on River Bends area but none of the black Rhino’s in either area. The food was…
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Date of stay: January 2023
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.
Helpful
Response from Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge
Responded 18 Feb 2023
Dear David C Thank you for taking the time to put pen to paper and to write your review. I am delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us at RiverBend Lodge, and yes you were lucky to see the black rhino, as well as the lion. I have been to Kruger and many times never saw a rhino or a lion, it all depends on the day and your luck at the time, but the best of it all is that we are also further away and don't have any Malaria here. A big plus. Yes, unfortunately with the load shedding that the Government has implemented, over which we have no control, we have at times experienced, and obviously while you were here, 4 hour load shedding sessions, thank goodness that was only for a week and we are back down to 1 hour and at times 2 hour sessions. But the good news is that we are in discussions with regards to solar, and to going off the grid. Cannot wait. Wishing you a wonderful year of travel. Sincerely Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
For us it was e very nice experience, to see the animals in the nature. The guide gave us a lot of interesting information about the behaviour of the animals and about the plants. Food and living were exclusive and we were spoiled by the whole staff. A beautiful place to enjoy. Thank you very mach.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2023
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.
Helpful
Response from Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge
Responded 23 Jan 2023
Dear mfischerhegglin, Thank you so very much for your most wonderful review. We are so very delighted that your stay with us was everything , and more. Do take care and hopefully we will see you again at your 'home from home' RiverBend Lodge. Sincerely Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My family and I got to participate in a birding package at River Bend Lodge in October 2022. It was an incredible opportunity to share our passion for birding with likeminded people, and we jumped to do it. This was our first time in the Inyati section of Addo, and our first time at River Bend Lodge - WOW!!! We were blown away by the literal Oasis in Addo. The Lodge itself is fabulous, a garden oasis full of birds and well laid out with walkways, bird baths, garden and pool that the kids loved. The Food was simply amazing, and the lodge manager and staff literally go out of their way to ensure you are well taken care of. The lodge has three rangers who are an absolutely near perfect team, complimenting each others skills and forming a formidable set of expertise that ensure you…
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 2022
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.
Helpful
Response from Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge
Responded 05 Nov 2022
Dear MarkBrownSA, Thank you so very much for your wonderful review. We are so delighted that you and your family had a great stay with us. Tis Nyati section is a true gem for Birders as we cover over 5 biomes within our private concession, and as you say the bird life is phenomenal, and inbetewwn the birding are the Big 5 sightings that are always a thrill. Again, Thank you so much for your time and for your review, I will pass on your comments to the Team. Sincerely Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
What a wonderful experience we had during the annual birding week! Safaris were very good, the food was very tasty and the service and staff were welcoming, warm and professional!! Staff deserves a 5/5! The talks during the week included experts from Addo and an Ornithologist! We learnt so much. The practical bird ringing experience was our highlight! Thank you Riverbend lodge! P.S. The only reason why I gave 4/5 and not 5/5 was because the towels were very old and tatty and the Safari vehicles can do with rain protection.
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Date of stay: October 2022
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.
Helpful
Response from Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge
Responded 31 Oct 2022
Dear MOSLang, Thank you so much for your review and for taking the time to do it. We are delighted that you had a wonderful stay with us, and we are delighted that our birding getaway is now becoming an annual event. I understand and accept your reasoning behind the 4/5, and am very happy to say we are in the process of ordering our new linen and towels, I cannot wait for them to arrive. COVID really delayed a whole lot of spending. Then with regards to the vehicles and the canvas roof, at the moment 2 of them do have the roofing but when driving on our Private concession side the busy is so dense that the covers do create a limit on where we can drive with them on, however even having said that I must mention that 2 of our vehicles are off site and have been with a company for the past 4 months, who is also refurbing our vehicles for us as, and they will all have removable canvas roof covers and new everything else from chairs to storage boxes. Again, thank you for taking the time to write an open and constructive review. Sincerely, Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$477 - US$610 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
river bend hotel addo elephant national park
LOCATION
South AfricaEastern CapeGreater AddoAddo Elephant National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
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