Set in the very heart of Zululand, South Africa against a backdrop of the lovely Lebombo Mountains, our small and exclusive lodge offers a unique bush experience and guarantees personal attention from our experienced staff.
The reserve itself is part of 20 000 hectares which makes up the greater Zululand Rhino Reserve. We are privileged to be one of the few areas selected for the re-introduction of the rare and endangered black rhino. This project was a combined initiative of the World Wild Life Fund and KZN Ezemvelo. Twenty-one of these magnificent creatures have been released into the area and can once again be seen ranging their historical habitat. Most rewarding has been the birth of two youngsters in 2006 which have added enormously to our game viewing experience.

At a glance:

Accommodation:- Rhino River Lodge hosts attractive catered & self-catering log cabins under thatch. Each cabin accommodates 5 people and is constructed from locally sourced materials. With ironstone-tiled flooring, the well-appointed chalets offer comfortable respite from the heat of the day and a home-from-home base at the hub of the region’s tourist attractions.
We also have 4 en suite double/twin rooms. Each room has tea and coffee making facilities as well as a bar fridge and a private verandah overlooking the Umsunduze River where guests can enjoy an early morning coffee or an evening sundowner whilst contemplating their day. This block of 4 rooms is serviced by a fully equipped central kitchen/dining room and a private boma area. Being slightly set apart from the lodge and log cabins, these rooms are ideally suited to small parties of friends who would like some privacy.
All accommodation is equipped with linen, towels, crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils and is suitable for self-catered or catered guests.

The Lodge Facilities:- The Lodge itself is situated on the banks of the Umsunduze River in spacious grounds. The comfortable lounge, dining and bar area has a raised deck looking out through majestic Fever trees to the river below which is lined with ancient Fig trees. The boma area attached to the lodge is a popular gathering place in the evening where guests can indulge themselves in fire gazing whilst sampling our selection of South African wines, and regale each other with tales of the African bushveld. Our well-equipped facilities are ideal for small conferences and workshops, or just for that secluded holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Activities:- Game drives & guided walks can be arranged at a nominal fee at Rhino River Lodge, Zululand. Driving at different times of the day maximizes the variety of animals one may encounter. With this in mind we offer both morning and afternoon drives. We leave for the morning drive at a time agreed with our guests, stopping at a strategic point, either a waterhole or view site to enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee and a rusk. On the afternoon drive we usually try to find a suitable spot to view the sunset whilst sipping a cool sundowner, before wending our way back to the lodge and the welcoming boma fire. Our guided walks offer the more adventurous an opportunity to experience the wilds of Africa in the best possible way, on foot! A walking trail entails an interpretative guided walk with an experienced game ranger and a small group of guests. In the interests of safety, the group is limited to six persons. Walks are undertaken in the early morning or late afternoon and run for 2 – 3 hours. These walks afford the unique opportunity of exploring paths that have been traversed by wild animals for centuries and bring back the realization of human vulnerability in the face of the wilds of Africa. There is a great diversity of bird life in our "birder friendly" reserve and patience will be richly rewarded with interesting sightings.

Wildlife:- A wealth of wildlife including leopard, elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, blue wildebeest, warthog, bushpig and ostrich. Amongst our variety of antelope we are fortunate to have the red duiker, this shy creature is relatively rare and is only found in a small part of Zululand. Many fascinating smaller mammals such as jackal, porcupine, vervet monkey, tortoise, caracal, serval, and mongoose can also be seen.