Ivory Wilderness River Rock Lodge, Kruger National Park

5.0 (7 reviews) · Luxury
Luxury riverside lodge with hut-like rondavels offering wildlife viewing, safaris, outdoor dining experiences, and a pool

Overview

You'll find Ivory Wilderness River Rock Lodge in the Greater Kruger's Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. This vast, unfenced wilderness sits along the Klaserie River and offers plenty of wildlife viewing, including the Big Five. Enjoy the serenity and beauty of nature with authentic walking trails, comfy accommodations, and modern amenities. Getting there is part of the experience, though you'll only need to journey about 1.5 hours from Hoedspruit East Gate Airport. You can coordinate a pick-up/drop-off with the property for an additional fee. 

You'll stay in a Kruger-style, hut-like rondavel, known as a "roundhouse," each overlooking the Klaserie River and offering expansive views of the bush. These rustic yet modern accommodations feature en-suite bathrooms with showers and bathtubs, Egyptian cotton linens, overhead fans, and power sockets. You can unwind in the tranquility of the African bush while staying connected with WiFi available in the main lodge and lounge areas. The lodge also offers a pool overlooking the Klaserie River, perfect for relaxing and spotting wildlife.

At Ivory Wilderness, your room rate includes exceptional service, delicious cuisine, and a range of activities to immerse yourself in the African wilderness. Enjoy morning and afternoon walking or driving activities, bush picnics, and game viewing from the lodge's deck overlooking the river. The lodge also offers healing Africology Spa treatments, bush sleep-out activities, and unforgettable dinners, providing an unforgettable wildlife experience.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +27 791791799
Hotel address icon Klasserie Private Game Reserve

Traveler Reviews

7 total ratings, 7 with reviews
5.0
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
5.0
Location
4.8
Staff
5.0
Cleanliness & Comfort
5.0
E
Elizabeth C.
Four Corners, FL | Reviewed on Sep 30, 2023
What a wonderful place to stay and experience our safari drives. Everything was first rate. We loved the lodge rooms and the outside areas. Food was fabulous. Andrew was so very gracious and saw to our every need. We can't say enough about Shain. He spoiled us for all other game drives and guides for the rest of our vacation. His smile and laugh were so joyful and he was super friendly and knowledgeable. Thank you to everyone at Ivory Wilderness for our wonderful stay! ALL GOOD!! Read more

What a wonderful place to stay and experience our safari drives. Everything was first rate. We loved the lodge rooms and the outside areas. Food was fabulous. Andrew was so very gracious and saw to our every need. We can't say enough about Shain. He spoiled us for all other game drives and guides for the rest of our vacation. His smile and laugh were so joyful and he was super friendly and knowledgeable. Thank you to everyone at Ivory Wilderness for our wonderful stay! ALL GOOD!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2023
L
Lauren L.
Nixa, MO | Reviewed on Aug 24, 2023
There really are no words! When I messaged friends back home to tell them about our days and game drives, they simply could not believe the experience we were having...because they had all been on safaris and not had the personal touches, care, and intimacy with the animals that we were having! We saw so many animals very up close and got to observe their habits and routines. Our guide Craig went above and beyond to answer my constant questions and educate us on the conservation, flora,... Read more

There really are no words! When I messaged friends back home to tell them about our days and game drives, they simply could not believe the experience we were having...because they had all been on safaris and not had the personal touches, care, and intimacy with the animals that we were having!

We saw so many animals very up close and got to observe their habits and routines. Our guide Craig went above and beyond to answer my constant questions and educate us on the conservation, flora, fauna, and animals from birds to buffalos! I felt like I not only saw the animals but truly understood them after our drives.

Prudence, Xoli, Origin, Craig, Warren, the maids and the gardener were outstanding hosts, I really cannot emphasize enough how kind and attentive they were. This is an intimate lodge with only 6 rondavels, so it was perfect to experience the authenticity of the area and really gave us a chance to get to know the staff well. Origin made the most delicious and nutritious meals for us and Xoli and Prudence somehow always knew what you needed and wanted. I am so incredibly grateful that Deb and her team chose this lodge for us as it really was magical!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in August 2023
James "Frank"
James "Frank" J.
Medina, OH | Reviewed on Aug 05, 2023
This place is simply Awesome!! The Best guide in the universe works here!! SHANE! IF YOU WANT A SAFARI, You found the place!!! Andrew the server, was excellent as well!! You won't regret visiting here!! Read more

This place is simply Awesome!! The Best guide in the universe works here!! SHANE! IF YOU WANT A SAFARI, You found the place!!! Andrew the server, was excellent as well!! You won't regret visiting here!!

Authenticity & Character
Nice lodging in the Bush!
Location
The Guide Shane!
Staff
The Best Guide Ever, the great service
Cleanliness & Comfort
The whole place!
Stayed in July 2023
M
Maureen G.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 04, 2023
We had an unbelievable experience at Ivory Wilderness. The accommodations were beautiful and authentic yet luxurious. Food was plentiful and delicious. The highlight was Craig, our guide who has us out at the crack of dawn and was relentless is making sure we saw amazing animals but also taught us about the flora, birds and how they are all interconnected with life in the Savanna. Read more

We had an unbelievable experience at Ivory Wilderness. The accommodations were beautiful and authentic yet luxurious. Food was plentiful and delicious. The highlight was Craig, our guide who has us out at the crack of dawn and was relentless is making sure we saw amazing animals but also taught us about the flora, birds and how they are all interconnected with life in the Savanna.

Authenticity & Character
The long history of the proprietors in the region
Staff
Great food and service
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beautiful sheets, lovely showers
Stayed in February 2023
A
Adam S.
Sunnyside, NY | Reviewed on Dec 06, 2022
We loved our stay at Ivory Wilderness. The grounds were beautiful and overlooked a river where we saw plenty of wildlife, the staff was incredible, and the guides were so knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating we couldn't have asked for more. The pool looked like it needed some service, but fortunately it wasn't too hot while we were there so we spent our downtime lounging on the deck chairs and in the hammock. Our rondavel was clean and comfortable and was perfect for our stay. Read more

We loved our stay at Ivory Wilderness. The grounds were beautiful and overlooked a river where we saw plenty of wildlife, the staff was incredible, and the guides were so knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating we couldn't have asked for more. The pool looked like it needed some service, but fortunately it wasn't too hot while we were there so we spent our downtime lounging on the deck chairs and in the hammock.

Our rondavel was clean and comfortable and was perfect for our stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
We loved that this location was farther into the park than many others, since it meant that we didn't see too many other jeeps while we were out on our game drives, but the drive out from Hoedspruit Airport was a bit long (1.5 hours) and bumpy.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in November 2022
M
Marc F.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2022
Ivory Wilderness was the highlight of my trip. The night tours, early morning treks, and being able to walk around the bush on foot was incredible. The food was delicious, the accommodations were perfect, the setting is unbeatable, and the crew that put the experience together treated me as though I was one of their life long friends. I could not have wished for a better time. Thank you so much! Read more

Ivory Wilderness was the highlight of my trip. The night tours, early morning treks, and being able to walk around the bush on foot was incredible. The food was delicious, the accommodations were perfect, the setting is unbeatable, and the crew that put the experience together treated me as though I was one of their life long friends. I could not have wished for a better time. Thank you so much!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in April 2022
K
Kathy C.
Austin, TX | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2022
Great accommodations, *impeccable* hospitality, and Craig was an amazing safari guide! It was 100% the highlight of our trip. Read more

Great accommodations, *impeccable* hospitality, and Craig was an amazing safari guide! It was 100% the highlight of our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Private reserve, and can view so many animals right from the lodge deck.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in April 2022

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

Get started

Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +27 791791799
Hotel address icon Klasserie Private Game Reserve