Singita Sweni Lodge

Singita Sweni Lodge

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Room & Suite (34)
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About

5.0
#110 of 183 lodges in Kruger National Park
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Location
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Value
Tucked into the banks of the Sweni River, this intimate lodge is a hidden jewel that provides a bold, new African context for contemporary design, architecture and cuisine. Exuding glamour and subtle sophistication, Singita Sweni Lodge’s seven suites are hidden among a canopy of trees, each featuring open-plan interiors, a generously stocked minibar, two bathrooms and an outdoor shower overlooking the river – adding to the feeling of being enveloped by an ancient forest. The suites include state-of-the-art amenities such as Bose sound systems and bean-to-cup coffee machines and floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto expansive wooden decks, where daybeds provide the option to fall asleep under the stars. Gold and bronze ore, polished mud and gleaming recycled timbers add texture, while splashes of vibrant colour are inspired by beetle shells, chameleons and birds’ wings. Neutrals draw in the light. The secluded Pool Suite with its shaded riverfront deck can be connected with the adjacent suite, allowing for a more spacious option with an added layer of privacy that’s perfect for families. Guests have private access to 33,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, ensuring unforgettable game-viewing experiences. With the lodge’s proximity to the river, guests are also treated to up-close sightings of numerous animals and birds frequenting the area to drink or wallow in the water.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Free breakfast
Hiking
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Free shuttle or taxi services
Parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Infinity pool
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Private pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Airport transportation
Business Center with Internet Access
Spa
Couples massage
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Massage
Neck massage
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
Butler service
First aid kit
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Coffee / tea maker
Extra long beds
Walk-in shower
Room service
Safe
Seating area
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Minibar
Refrigerator
Electric kettle
Electric blanket
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
5.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Modern

Location

Kruger National Park 1350 South Africa
Getting there
Arathusa Safari Lodge Airport
56.6 km•
See all flights
Londolozi Aerodrome
62.2 km•
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124Reviews2Q+A30Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
Tara C wrote a review Jun 2022
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I could not have imagined a better introduction to safari than Sweni Lodge. Beautiful location right on the river with extremely knowledgeable staff from the game drives to the wine to the food and property. This place is a gem. I will forever be grateful for my time at Sweni. Special shout out to our guide and tracker Sean and Given. Wow! I hope I am lucky enough to return one day.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
Response from Singita Traveller, General Manager at Singita Sweni Lodge
Responded Jun 3, 2022
Good Morning, Thank you so much for the kind words. We are delighted your stay was a memorable one. We are so honoured that you chose us as your first Safari, and hopefully we will see you soon for your next visit. In the meantime, we will pass on your message to Sean and Given who will be very happy to hear you had an amazing time with them. Kind regards, Dave & The Sweni Family
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lillibelle wrote a review Aug 2022
New York City, New York
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Singita Sweni was fabulous! So glad we stayed here. It’s charming & lovely & not as big as the others, which added to its charm & personal warmth. Rooms were beautifully decorated & we felt like we were at one with the outdoors … in a luxurious way! It’s on a river & while the views are not sweeping like some of the other lodges we felt like we were in the tree tops and had a good view of the river & a good view of the hippos & crocs hanging out in there.

The staff at Sweni was also wonderful . Lovely lovely people always ready to help & to make your stay perfect. At night they gave us hot water bottles to snuggle up to on the chilly evenings. They made up outdoor beds on the terrace for an added adventure! Very fun! To sleep out there & to listen to the hippos was a very special treat.

Our guides were Wess & Christoph… they were amazing! So fun, thoughtful & smart. We really liked them. Wess drove that Range Rover around going into nooks and crannies to get the best view of the animals. Those drives were an adventure in themselves & Wess was a great driver! Christoph was so sweet and caring… he remembered everything we liked from day to day from the hot water bottles to our drink preferences .

This was the trip of a lifetime & we are so grateful we were able to do this & so happy we stayed in the Singita Lodges.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
Response from Singita Traveller, General Manager at Singita Sweni Lodge
Responded Sep 7, 2022
Dear lilliebelle, thank you so much for the incredibly kind words. We are so lucky that we have such a beautiful place to live in and we feel privileged that we could share it with you. Warm regards, The Sweni family.
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Jason T wrote a review Mar 2022
Irvington, Virginia
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
What an incredible experience, for a family with 2 young daughters, first time experience in the wild! Such wonderful thought and care taken to present the African wildlife to kids in a fun, educational and inspiring manner. What amazing staff who will take care of you every second of your stay, who go above and beyond their normal extent of offering and continue to find ways to give more of themselves. Fantastic food and sensational wines! The hotel is extraordinarily well kept, the service is unbeatable, world class, genuine and anticipatory! Above all, you'll never want to leave, we certainly didnt.. Stunning, Superb, Sensational Sweni! Thank you all for a life changing experience!
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Date of stay: February 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Room Tip: Every room has a great view of the Sweni River, dont worry!
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.
Response from Singita Traveller, General Manager at Singita Sweni Lodge
Responded Apr 4, 2022
Hi There Jason, Thank you so much for the very kind words. We really enjoyed having you and your family stay with us and hope that you will visit us again sometime soon. Kindest regards, The Sweni Family
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Antoinet M wrote a review Oct 2021
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We recently visited Singita's Sweni Lodge in the Kruger Park and it was exceptional. The lodge is beautifully decorated and have an incredible team of staff who are professional, friendly and helpful. Our game viewing experience stands out specifically. We were fortunate to have Walter and Howard as our guide and tracker and they provided us an experience I have never had before and will never forget. They tracked the footprints of leopard and it was so incredible to watch - leading us to leopard cubs and other leopards we would not have seen on a normal game drive. It was incredible and mind blowing how they are able to follow and track the animals using their footprints. This was a stand-out unique experience. Amazing.
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Date of stay: September 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
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.
Response from Singita Traveller, General Manager at Singita Sweni Lodge
Responded Oct 11, 2021
Dear Antoinet, Thank you for the compliments. We are so happy to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed your stay with us. Walter and Howard really are an exceptional team, and it’s wonderful to hear that the whole team here had an impact on your experience. We hope that we will be able to welcome you back into our home sometime in the near future. Kind regards, The Sweni Family
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Shelby W wrote a review Jun 2024
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Singita Sweni was pure magic. I have been on other Safari’s and this one somehow felt wilder. Our guide (Brian) and tracker (Charles) made the whole experience absolutely seamless. They worked well in tandem and had us in stitches laughing at the commentary. The lodge was exceptionally comfortable (photos do not do it justice) and the staff went above and beyond to create a remarkable experience. I would highly recommend this lodge to anyone traveling to South Africa.
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Date of stay: May 2024
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
Trip type: Traveled with family
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.
Hugh Edwards wrote a review Sep 2
London, United Kingdom
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Not quite the same standard as other Singita lodges. Food and service not very good/sometimes bad on occasions, which is not really ok given the price point. Game drives were great and decor really nice if you like a more modern lodge. Logistics were a bit sloppy too.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
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.
Nancy S wrote a review Aug 2022
Boston, Massachusetts
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This is the only safari lodge to which we have returned. Sweni was even more spectacular than we recalled. Thank you to the unbeatable guiding team of Wes and Christof!! And to lodge manager Dave for setting a tone of the perfect balance of warmth and elegance. Beautiful, peaceful, perfect location- and wonderful cuisine. Sweni is perfect.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
davidwpatricia wrote a review Sep 2023
Houston, Texas
5.0 of 5 bubbles
What an absolutely wonderful camp. This is my 10th camp I have visited in Africa (SA, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia) and has moved up to reside with Chitabe as my favorites. The camp staff was wonderful. By the end of our visit we were ready to adopt our host, Andrew. I have always had incredible guides on safari but I have to say Amy was the most impressive guide I have ever had (an encyclopedic knowledge and wonderful teacher) and David was a wonderful tracker. The suites, food, wine, game drives were superb but most incredible was the hospitality.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
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.
loves2holiday wrote a review Oct 2006
Denver, CO
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Can't say enough about our experience at Singita. We stayed 3 nights at Sweni Lodge in the Lebombo concession of Kruger National Park. Lebombo Lodge was nearby, but we loved Sweni for its intimacy, with only 6 "rooms" along the Sweni River. Our accommodations were gorgeous, although we didn't use the third shower; there are two indoor showers, one outdoor, and one bathtub (a bit much for one couple)! The lodge is contemporary African style, yet comfortable. The service was wonderful, with great attention, yet casual (as a safari should be). Lots of retirees and newlyweds, some over-the-top (pearls on a game drive...really?) But the staff were warm and friendly. Would definitely return...tomorrow if we had the time & $$. The game drives were amazing & exciting. Overall, an absolutely unforgettable experience!
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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.
blueman2 wrote a review Apr 2018
SF Bay Area
5.0 of 5 bubbles
My wife and I spent five amazing days split between Sweni and Ebony (3 days and 2 days respectively). Every aspect of our visit we exceptionally well executed by the staff of both lodges. I had very high expectations for this trip given the strong reputation for Singita quality and service. My expectations were fully met.

The most memorable aspect of our visit was the team of people who work for Singita. The members of the Singita staff are without exception professional, kind and caring. We rarely had to ask for anything as the staff had already anticipated our needs. My wife and I were both struck by the genuine love the Singita staff showed for what they do. We never met any staff member at Singita who was anything less than excited to be there. No fake smiles anywhere on those properties; every staff member was clearly loving what they were doing. Their enthusiasm was infectious. If there is a ‘secret sauce’ for Singita, it is clearly their people: who they hire, how they train them, and the tools they provide them to ensure the customers are well taken care of. I would love to work at a place with such a great culture!

The most important people for us, not surprisingly, were our guide and tracker for the twice daily game drives. After all, we went to Africa to see Africa. All the pampering and great food are secondary to the scenery and wildlife. Jacques (our guide) and Sunday (our tracker) at Sweni were amazing. They were both very genuine people who we loved being with, yet were at the same time two of the most knowledgeable and skilled people I have met. Yes, the trackers have radios that help them locate animals sighted by others, but most of the time Jacques and Sunday relied on their own skills to locate wildlife no one else had yet located. They showed us how to spot different animal footprints, how to use smells (both from the animals and from their kills), and how to use knowledge of animal behavior to track where they might be. We really felt part of the process which was wonderful. There was a sense of true accomplishment when we located animals ourselves. Oddly, one of our most memorable activities was tracking a lion which we never found. We tracked it right to the border of Mozambique to where it had gone through the border fence. But during the process, my wife and I learned quite a bit about animal behavior and how to track them. After 6 game drives with Jacques and Sunday, each lasting about 4 hours, we had spent about 24 hours with these two in the space of just three days. Given the chance, my wife and I would have happily spent another 3 days with them! They were simply wonderful hosts and guides in every way. We were convinced that we had just gotten lucky by getting these two assigned to us. No way all the guides could be this good. And then we transferred over to Ebony and were assigned Andreas (our guide) and Martin (our tracker) and were just as impressed with the both of them as well. So unless we were incredibly lucky, my guess is that all of the guides and trackers they Singita employs are equally fantastic.

Since we stayed at both Sweni and Ebony, it is worth comparing the two. My bottom line recommendation is to do both. I do not think our trip would have been as good if we had only done one or the other. They are quite different both in terms of lodging and game drive experience. Sweni is a larger area which required the tracker and guide to really work hard to find the animals. Ebony is a bit more compact and the animals were generally much easier to find. Yet my wife and I both preferred the Sweni game drive experience. We felt we had accomplished something when we found an animal, whereas at Ebony it was almost like going to the zoo! Animals everywhere we looked! For us, the process of tracking the animals was as much fun as viewing them, and Sweni required more tracking. As for the lodging and food, we both thought Ebony was the clear winner. The rooms at Sweni were focused on form over function. They seemed to be too much ‘New York Chic’ rather than African Safari lodge. We felt like we were in a big city hotel room, with an admittedly amazing view of Africa though!! The Ebony lodge however had a true African Safari feel to it. It was more comfortable, useable and felt more like a home rather than a hotel room. We also felt the food at Ebony was a step above the food at Sweni both in terms of quality and variety. I still recommend staying at both lodges, however, because they complement each other perfectly.

The only place where Singita did not fully meet my expectations was in the booking process. We decided to go directly with Singita for our booking and the process did not go well. I think they must outsource this function because the people who we initially worked with were clearly not of Singita quality. They were rather slow in responding and puzzlingly rather rude when we requested adding an additional day to our trip. I almost cancelled our trip based on the poor treatment from their booking team, fearing that that Singita had a poor customer service attitude based on our initial interactions. But we were then connected with a wonderful person named Linda who really took care of us, so we kept our booking (really glad we did!!). I recommend that Singita reconsider how they handle bookings done directly with them. Initial impressions are important, and our initial impression of Singita was not good due to their bookings team.

Bottom line though is we loved our stay at Singita. We loved both locations we visited and thought they complemented each other well. The people were exceptional at both locations. If you can, definitely try to go to both Sweni/Lebombo and Ebony/Boulders. You will be very happy you did.
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Date of stay: April 2018
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: All are great rooms, though we preferred Ebony Lodge over Sweni Lodge.
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.
Response from SingitaTraveller, General Manager at Singita Sweni Lodge
Responded Jun 12, 2018
Thank you Bob for the great review! It was a pleasure hosting you both here at Sweni and we are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your time with us both at the lodge as well as out on adventures with Jacques and Sunday. We hope to welcome you back one day and look forward to meeting and hopefully exceeding your expectations once again. Kind regards, Lauren Crewe-Brown Lodge Manager - Singita Sweni Lodge
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…
Jason T wrote a tip Mar 2022
Irvington, Virginia8 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Every room has a great view of the Sweni River, dont worry!"
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chelastar13 wrote a tip Nov 2018
Palm Beach, Florida41 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Every room is perfection"
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barrybrucker wrote a tip Jun 2018
Los Angeles, California4 contributions6 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"All the rooms/cottages are private and overlook the sweni river.... only 7 rooms at the whole resort lodge..."
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blueman2 wrote a tip Apr 2018
SF Bay Area39 contributions42 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"All are great rooms, though we preferred Ebony Lodge over Sweni Lodge."
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CHR1515 wrote a tip Nov 2017
Jersey, United Kingdom633 contributions125 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"The pool suite is stunning, get it if you can."
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LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
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SINGITA SWENI LODGE - UPDATED 2024 Reviews (Kruger National Park, South Africa) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Singita Sweni Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Singita Sweni Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Singita Sweni Lodge?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Singita Sweni Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Singita Sweni Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Singita Sweni Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a fitness centre during their stay.
Does Singita Sweni Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Singita Sweni Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
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