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Discover the heart of Addo Elephant National Park at RiverBend

Located in the private Nyathi Concession Area of Addo Elephant National Park

Embark on an unparalleled journey into the wild at Addo Elephant National Park, a place where nature’s heartbeat is the soundtrack of your adventure. The RiverBend Collection is your gateway to this vibrant wilderness, offering an immersive experience that connects you with the essence of the national park. Whether you crave adrenaline-fueled encounters or moments of serene introspection, the RiverBend Collection in Addo Elephant National Park crafts unforgettable experiences that will resonate for years to come.

Unforgettable Wildlife Experiences

The RiverBend Collection places you at the forefront of breathtaking wildlife sightings for which Addo Elephant National Park is renowned. Here, not only can you marvel at the majesty of the park’s elephants, but you also have the rare opportunity to observe all members of the esteemed Big 5: elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions, and elusive leopards. This game reserve is a sanctuary where these magnificent creatures roam freely, offering you an unparalleled wildlife viewing experience.

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Safari Sightings

Catch a glimpse of the powerful lion in its natural habitat, witness the formidable rhino grazing in the grasslands, and observe the stealthy leopard. Each sighting is a testament to the rich biodiversity and careful conservation efforts within the park. Our experienced guides, passionate about the park’s flora and fauna, are committed to providing safaris that not only showcase these iconic animals but also highlight the lesser-known, yet equally fascinating, species and the vibrant birdlife that thrives here.

Luxury meets Wilderness

In the embrace of Addo Elephant National Park, the RiverBend Collection’s accommodations are sanctuaries of peace, where elegance coexists with the wild. Post-adventure, retreat to your sophisticated suite, designed to blend seamlessly with the natural setting, providing luxury amidst the wilderness. Each suite offers sumptuous comfort and stunning views, ensuring a constant connection to the park’s vibrant life.

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Culinary Delights

Dining with the RiverBend Collection is a reflection of Addo Elephant National Park’s splendour, with meals that showcase the best of local produce and culinary craftsmanship. Our dining experiences, set against the park’s breathtaking backdrop, offer a feast for the senses, with every bite infused with the essence of the Eastern Cape. Enjoy dining under the stars, enveloped by the nocturnal symphony of the wild, enhancing your connection to this magical setting.

Tailor-Made Adventures

Recognising the uniqueness of each visitor, the RiverBend Collection offers personalised adventures that align with your individual desires. Whether you wish to explore the wilderness on foot, capture its beauty through photography, or stargaze into the vast African night, we tailor each experience to ensure your journey is deeply personal and profoundly impactful.

Commitment to Conservation

Join us in our mission to protect the natural grandeur of Addo Elephant National Park. The RiverBend Collection is a leader in conservation, striving to preserve the park’s biodiversity and beauty for future generations. Your stay supports these vital efforts, contributing to the legacy of conservation that defines Addo Elephant National Park.

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Embark on your Journey

The RiverBend Collection at Addo Elephant National Park awaits to envelop you in the awe of Africa’s wild beauty. Whether celebrating an occasion or seeking solitude, your adventure in Addo promises to be as remarkable as the park itself. Forge a deep connection with the wilderness and be transformed by the profound spirit of Addo Elephant National Park. Discover your journey, and let the wild call of Addo resonate within you.

meS6616IL
meS6616IL
22/04/2024
A very special and amazing experience 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!
Rainer S
Rainer S
05/04/2024
The perfect lodge for our family! The River Bend Lodge, which we found by chance on the internet, was the absolute highlight of our family's (2 adults, 2 children) Garden Route trip through South Africa. The lodge's extremely tastefully furnished houses with pool are located in a huge private area that borders on (and is part of) the Addo Elephant Park, where 200 of the park's 600 elephants live (as well as lions, buffalo, rhinos, antelopes, ostriches, etc.). Only the lodge's vehicles are allowed to explore the entire area - it doesn't get more exclusive than that. Game drives are offered twice a day (morning and afternoon). We went on 5 in three days (3-4 hours each, which seemed short). Each guest is assigned a ranger. Our ranger Micky was an extremely experienced, friendly, smart, knowledgeable and funny guide through the bushland, who kept us and our children (who were able to do a great mini ranger course with a certificate!) well informed and entertained with the most amazing details and anecdotes about the different animals - and very coolly even managed to change a tire in record time in the middle of a herd of elephants grazing dangerously close by. The entire staff at the lodge spread a great mood, served the best food and really left nothing to be desired. We can only think of one thing to describe these three days in the lodge: perfect and highly recommended.
RSPINNER
RSPINNER
12/03/2024
outstanding River Bend Lodge 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.
Triba
Triba
16/01/2024
A sneaky dreamy escape 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!
susieBirmingham
susieBirmingham
10/01/2024
Another fabulous stay 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!
Mathias_0468
Mathias_0468
09/01/2024
Great lodge in Addo What a great lodge! The lodge is in the non-public part of Addo. On the way there, we came across an elephant. We had the room with a small pool! Great! The staff is unique. Super friendly, attentive and helpful. The food was excellently prepared by the great cook Zuzu. We received a small gift on Christmas Eve. Many thanks to Debbie and her team.
mfranks911
mfranks911
03/01/2024
A true five star safari experience We have just moved on from a four night stay at River Bend Lodge. Very friendly and helpful staff and extremely well run by Debbie who puts her hand to everything. The property is like an English Country House Hotel in a private game reserve. The rooms are lovely and comfortable and very well furnished. Breakfast is nice although I would have liked to have seen a few more cold options on the buffet. Lunch and dinner are both very good with friendly service and the inclusive wine list was excellent. Game viewing is perhaps not the best you can experience but the star of the show for us was our Ranger Leo Herbst who was exceptional and possibly the best we have had in many years of safari. Highly informative with a lovely way and his interest in birds was a great benefit for us. He deserves to have a great career This is very much a luxury Lodge and we spent New Year there. Certainly one to return to sometime.
Nao186338
Nao186338
02/01/2024
Incredible Stay! This place is truly wonderful! We were here with our 2 year old son and they COULD NOT have been more accommodating. The rooms are gorgeous, the communal bar and dining areas are lovely and the pool is heavenly (it was very hot when we where there). Moses and Ntumbi where amazing! They made our stay so magical! Nothing was too much trouble for them and they made our son's food outside of the normal hours and were just brilliant. The food is excellent! Eating an incredible breakfast whist wanting a massive herd of elephants playing in the watering hole for a good hour is something we shall never forget. The safari was amazing - our guide Paul was perfect and so warm and friendly with our son, keeping him involved, letting him taste fruits and leaves and teaching him about tracking the footprints and just made it a wonderful experience for us all. A month after we left he still talks about 'Paul's truck' and all the animals we saw! THANK YOU.
calgcpl
calgcpl
03/12/2023
Fantastic Experience River Bend Lodge is a fantastic premium experience. The game accommodations and food were fantastic, the staff were friendly, knowledgeable and experienced. I can't speak highly enough of the whole experience from the welcome to the goodbye. The guides know the park and are able to deliver on the wide variety of flora and fauna to be found there. The kitchen staff are very accommodating and were able to cater for all our needs. Can't wait to go back.
Tripadvisor rating score: 4.5 of 5, based on 639 reviews

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Reservations:

reservations@riverbendlodge.co.za

Tel: +27 (0)42 233 8000
Fax: +27 (0)42 233 8028

Directions

Physical Address:

RiverBend Lodge
Addo Elephant National Park
Eastern Cape

Postal Address:

RiverBend Lodge
PO Box 249
Addo, Eastern Cape
6105, South Africa

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