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Okidokie

Incredible wildlife experience in ‘home away from home’

5.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 02 Jun 2024
River Bend Lodge has it all. It’s situated in a large private concession of Addo elephant park and is home to not only the big five, but also a stunning amount of birdspecies - one even more spectacular than the next. You don’t even have to leave the lodge to get up close and personal to many bird species, because the lodge’s garden is a birders paradise. Barbets, hornbills, bee-eaters, wood hoopoos to name a few all frequent the garden, giving spectacular photo opportunitites. There is a waterhole right outside the perimeter of the lodge that attrackts herds of elephant, kudu, zebra, buffalo and eland. You can admire them while being spoiled with a lavish breakfast or lunch.

But the best thing is you get to go on undisturbed gamedrives with awesome guides without any disturbances or pressures. If you want to stay a lottle longer (to take photos in my case) you can just ask. If there’s something you want to see or a place you want to go, just ask and they’ll domtheur utmost. That makes a world of difference while out on safari!

The staff in the lodge also all go out of their way to make you feel at home and pampered. Even when travelling alone, I felt welcome and cherished. The lodge really feels like a ‘home away from home’ and makes me want to return again and again. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable (I love the bed, the view and the airo!) and the food is fantastic. You can sit on the terrace and enjoy the night sky and the sounds of the bush while having all the comforts (and more!) of home. I love this place, can’t wait to be back!
Date of stay: May 2024
Room Tip: Do take a walk around the grounds, there are so many beautiful birds to observe just in the garden.
Trip type: Travelled with friends
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
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Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this review
Responded 05 Jun 2024
Dear Okiedokieyeah,

Wow, Thank you so much for taking your time to write such a phenomenal review on your stay with us.

We are so, so delighted that your stay with us was all and more than you expected, and that you were well looked after and got to enjoy your time in this most beautiful wild bush, that is the Addo Elephant National Park.

As to the birding and photography that you got to do as well, that is such a lovely extra value add that is a part of RiverBend Lodge and I am just delighted that you were given the RiverBend Lodge attention to make it so special for you.

We cannot wait to Welcome you back 'home' to RiverBend Lodge. Until then do travel safely.

Sincerely,

Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge Team
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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    9 - 14 of 650 reviews
    Reviewed 22 April 2024

    Although we probably experienced the worst weather in 6 years, our experience of Riverbend Lodge was amazing. Leo, John, Moses, Debbie, Micky, Mike and many others made our stay very special and we were lucky enough to have seen very close up 4 of the big 5 - This was only because there are not a giraffes at the reserve. We look forward to seeing you again!

    Date of stay: April 2024
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    Thank meS6616IL
    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.
    Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 24 April 2024

    DearmeS6616IL,

    Thank you so much for your review and can I just say that the weather, which was just about non-stop rain did not put a dampener on your positive approach to each day.

    I am so delighted that you had a great time and Thank you for your mention of Team, I will be sure to pass on your comments as it does mean the world to them.

    We look forward to seeing you again in the future and until then take care.

    Sincerely

    Debbie & The RiverBend Team

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    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 13 March 2024

    I have been lucky enough to do over twenty safari holidays in South Africa, Kenya and Namibia and without doubt the food at River Bend is among the best I have had anywhere. The service from all the team and quality of accommodation also ranks amongst the best I have ever had. However game viewing left a lot to be desired. On the Lodge’s website it states “River Bend Lodge is one of the few game reserves in the Eastern Cape where you can view the Big 5 all in one wilderness area.” I have to question this as Micky, our guide, made it clear that there are no leopards on the property. Another point to note is that although the Lodge is in the Addo National Park it is separated from the main Addo Elephant Reserve by a road and railway track. Within the area covered by the game drives from the Lodge there are, according Micky who did know her stuff, two hundred elephants as opposed to four hundred in the Main Reserve. Even those two hundred elephants were elusive enough although we did have a couple of good sightings of a couple of elephant families. There are only three lions which we did not see, the fact that off road driving is not permitted means that even though the lions are fitted with GPS trackers they are going to be very hard to get close to. There are no cheetahs, or giraffes. We did see rhino, zebra, kudo, mongooses, meerkats, warthogs, vervet monkeys, baboons, leopard tortoises and hartebeest.

    Room tip: If it is wildlife you want check out Sabi Sands or Madikwe.
    Date of stay: March 2024
    • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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    Thank Z4417UNjohna
    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.
    Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 29 March 2024

    Dear 4417UNjohna,

    Thank you for your time in writing your review.

    We are delighted that our food rated as some of the best you have had and that our accommodation and service also was amongst the best. Yaay this really means the world to us as we are really passionate about what we offer at RiverBend Lodge.

    However, we are devastated by such an awful score. And I feel I need to give clarity to a few of your incorrect comments, and please I do this respectfully. As a regular safari person, you know that animals in the wild are NEVER a guaranteed sighting and upon chatting to Mikky there seems to have been a bit of confusion to which I need to give 'clarity'.

    1.We definitely do have Leopard on the property and in fact it was a previous Guide of RiverBend, that spotted the previously seen Leopard with Guests on his vehicle. Since then, SANParks has placed trails cameras at that site and have happily reported that there are frequent photos on the cameras for the Leopards on that trail and that they have even had photos with cubs at their side. So apologies for that confusion.

    2. Also being a SANPark Addo is held to very ethical standards. Nature is a balance, and the land must provide for the animals on the property hence there is no 'feeding' of prey species to habituate them for the benefit of humans and as such our Leopard will continue to be shy and when spotted and absolute moment to treasure.

    3. Yes, we do have fewer elephant on our concession area, but then our area is smaller than main camp. We are 14 000ha, they are
    24 000ha.

    With our terrain covering 5 biomes, which main camp doesn't, there are times that animals will go into unreachable valleys. With this point in mind, I do stress that this is why we have the best of both worlds at RiverrBend Lodge, the exclusivity of our 14 000ha as well as access to the other 24 000ha, which other Addo Guests not staying at RiverBend Lodge don't have.

    The saddest thing is, for all these negative comments, in the last week we have had the lion at the lodge, and the full breeding herd of over 200 elephants, with the cutest of tiny brand-new babies. But that is the luck of the bush and the Guests have been just delighted.

    4. No, we don't have cheetah and we don't have giraffe as SANParks is incredibly ethical and will only introduce wild animals which are endemic to the specific area and have never said we do have.

    Having said all this, I am still so happy that you were well looked after and managed to some of our beautiful reserve.

    Sincerely

    Debbie

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    Reviewed 12 March 2024

    This was our second stay at River Bend Lodge. The first trip was ten years ago, Each trip was a unique experience. The accommodations, food and especially Leo, our guide, was first class. We hope to bring another generation of grandchildren in the future.

    Date of stay: March 2024
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    Review collected in partnership with this hotel
    Thank RSPINNER
    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.
    Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 29 March 2024

    Dear RSPINNER,

    Wow wow and just WOW.

    Thank you so much for coming back to your Home from Home and taking the time to write such wonderful review.

    It is the most special thing to be able to share such a beautiful spot with Guests and have them fall in love with the beauty that is RiverBend.

    We so look forward to your next visit and to grow a love and respect for conservation with your next generation of family.

    Trave and stay safe until we see you again.

    Sincerely

    Debbie

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    Reviewed 16 January 2024

    We had decided last-minute dot com, to head to Addo. The park's accommodation was full and so we started searching elsewhere, but in the park. We found and booked River Bend Lodge and had the most amazing time. The attention to detail, the friendliness, the willingness to please...was all above expectations! Our daughters saw a magnificent lion on their morning game drive, which was a highlight, and came back bursting with excitement and information. Special mention must be made of the food and restaurant service...both were exceptional! Compliments to the chef!

    Date of stay: January 2024
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    Review collected in partnership with this hotel
    Thank DaleK562
    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.
    Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 29 March 2024

    Dear DaleK562,

    Thank you so much for your review, it is greatly appreciated.

    We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us and that your last minute.com brought about a stay with us at RiverBend Lodge.

    I will pass on your wonderful comments to the Team, again Thank you.

    We look forward to seeing you again in the future.

    Sincerely

    Debbie

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    Reviewed 10 January 2024

    Had a lovely stay over Christmas even though the weather wasn't as hot as expected! This was our 4th visit but the 1st over Christmas and we have already booked the same rooms for Christmas 2024!
    It was so nice to return and be greeted like friends and family. Debbie and all the staff work so hard to make your stay as pleasurable as possible, they get really disappointed when you don't have lunch as you ate too many snacks on the morning Game Drive and then had a massive breakfast!
    The guides are excellent, we had Ryan this time, ask what you're interested in and what you'd like to see on your drives. We managed to find Jess! Recommend staying All Inclusive as this includes 2 Game Drives a day at times to suit you. The scenery in this section of Addo Elephant NP is stunning, so different to the main sections of the park. Only River Bend vehicles allowed so you feel as though you are the only ones there!

    Date of stay: December 2023
    • Trip type: Travelled with family
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    1  Thank susieBirmingham
    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.
    Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 11 January 2024

    Dear Susie Bimingham,

    We just loved having you back with us, your appreciation for nature in its balanced environment is such a pleasure to behold, as is your appreciation for the efforts made by the Team.

    We look forward to Welcoming you back into your Home from Home, and until then all the very best for 2024 travel safe and see you soon.

    Sincerely,

    Debbie and the RiverBend Lodge Team

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