Sweni Lodge, Sabi Sand Reserve Private Game Reserve

Expressing a distinctly African style, Sweni is a combination of dark wood, infused by the Colours of the earth… including deep greens and multi-shades of avocado. This lodge boasts six luxurious suites that offer the ultimate luxury in a wild setting that offers time for reflection in the shade of its many trees.

The essence of Sweni is elaborate simplicity, dictated to by the Singita philosophy of ‘touching the earth lightly’ – therefore every effort is made to preserve and celebrate this beautiful environment.

The Kruger National Park is one of the most famous game reserves in the world, renowned for its abundant wildlife and incredible diversity of landscape. Singita boasts two magnificent properties in an exclusive concession of the Kruger, namely Singita Lebombo Lodge and Singita Sweni Lodge.

Located in the Kruger National Park’s southeast region, on the border with Mozambique, the Lebombo concession is one of the most pristine wild territories in Africa. The majestic Lebombo mountain range runs diagonally across the expanse of the concession, intertwined with the N’wanetsi and Sweni Rivers. The area is renowned for the big five, abundant antelope and birdlife and an incredible diversity of smaller animals. Rangers attest to the fact that this region boasts a greater density of wildlife than anywhere else on the continent. In terms of scenic beauty and diversity, the Lebombo region is no doubt one of the most exceptional regions of the Kruger National Park.

SINGITA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA SABI SAND
Items to remember to bring for your Safari
Since we want your safari experience to be perfect and completely comfortable, we recommend a few items that we believe you should remember to bring along:From October to April, bring casual summer clothes. A warm jersey/sweater would be useful for the cooler morning and evening temperatures. From May to September, bring casual light clothing,but remember to bring a very warm, insulated or paddedparka/jacket for the very cold mornings and nights – a scarf and gloves are very useful too.Cotton clothing in neutral colours is recommended for game drives and compulsory for walks.

Keep whites to a minimum,as white attracts certain bugs at night. Comfortable walking shoes, track shoes or boots for the bushwalks makes life so much easier. Sandals to wear around at meals and within the lodge area. Shorts for the walks and the warm midday periods. Swimming costumes.Sun block/sun hat/sunglasses/lip balm.Extra pair of correction glasses (if you wear them). Contact lens solution and an extra set of contact lenses(if required).

Cameras, binoculars and your favourite film. We do sell all types of film at the lodge so if you run out, it’s not serious.Video camera and a spare battery. (Batteries can be recharged in your suite. Electricity voltage is 220v – Converters and spare video cassettes are available on request.)We hope that this little checklist will help with your packing.As this is a time for you to get away and escape your worries of the world, formal attire is not required. Warm regards from the Singita Team and have a fantastic bush and wildlife safari with us.

Accessing Singita Kruger National Park
By road

Recommended route from Johannesburg: N12/N4 to Nelspruit. R40 from Nelspruit to Hazyview. R536 from Hazyview towards Paul Kruger gate. Pay R30.00 (ZAR) per person + R24.00 (ZAR) per vehicle. Follow the H11 towards Skukuza (12 km) and then head north on the H1-2 towards Satara, until you reach the H6 (84 km). This turn-off is 3 km south of Satara. Turn right here and then follow the road to the N’wanetsi Picnic site (19 km). Turn left at the T-junction where you see the Singita signpost. Alternatively, you can take the gravel road S37 (Trichard Road) 13 km north of Tshokwane towards N’wanetsi. This saves about 40 minutes driving.

Please make sure that you have reached the lodge before the gate closure time. Approximate travelling time from the Paul Kruger gate will be three hours (speed limit 50 km/hour on tarred roads, 40 km/hour on gravel roads). Gates open: Jan, Feb, Mar 05:30; Apr to Sep 06:00; Oct to Dec 05:30 Gates close: Jan, Feb 18:30; Mar, Apr 18:00; May to Jul 17:30; Aug to Oct 18:00

Recommended route from Hoedspruit
Leave Hoedspruit, Eastgate airport and turn right onto the main road for approximately 6 km to a T-junction. Turn left onto the R40 for approximately 19 km to another T-junction. Stay on the R40 by turning left at this T-junction, but only for 2 km before turning left again onto the R531 (Orpen Gate Road). After 42 km (mind the cattle on the first 20 km of this bit, then elephants and bigger game later!) you will come to the Orpen Gate to the KNP.

Proceed straight into Kruger on the H7 for 41 km. (TIPS: 50 km/h speed limit PLEASE. This is a great game viewing area so if travelling at speed limit, with stops for sightings, this portion should take approximately 1 1/2 hours). At the T-junction turn right onto the H1-3 for 3 km before turning left onto the H6, clearly marked N’wanetsi. After 19 km on the H6 (allow 30 to 40 min) the tar ends at a T-junction and turn right for1 km to Singita Lebombo.

Distances by road
1. Johannesburg/Singita Kruger National Park (8 hours) 600 km
2. Hazyview/Singita Kruger National Park (3,5 hours) 156 km
3. Nelspruit/Singita Kruger National Park (4 hours) 216 km
4. Hoedspruit/Singita Kruger National Park (2 to 3 hours) 155 km
5. Skukuza/Singita Kruger National Park (2 to 3 hours) 110 km

By air
Federal Air also offers a daily return flight direct to Singita Kruger National Park from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport Federal Air provides air transfers to and from KMIA. Federal Air is Currently connecting all flights arriving and departing into KMIA that fall into the operating period for Satara, the airstrip in Kruger National Park that Singita uses, as set by the Parks Board. There are daily Scheduled flights currently operated by SA Air link and Nationwide into the new Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport situated between Nelspruit and White River.

Location
15 000 hectares (33 000 acres) in the eastern south central part of The Kruger National Park, along the N’wanetsi River

SINGITA PRIVATE GAME RESERVES

– Singita Kruger National Park need to know

One hour 15 minutes by air from Johannesburg, to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Approximately eight hours driving time from Johannesburg to Singita Kruger National Park (600 km).

Arrival and departure
Suggested arrival time is after 12h00 with check-in from 13h00. Rooms must be vacated by 11h00 for the convenience of arriving guests. Late departure times can be arranged at the lodge, subject to availability of rooms. Due the remote location in the heart of the African bush, there is always the possibility of telephone lines operating intermittently or not being available at the time of your check-out, which may result in a long delay in processing your credit card. To avoid this, and ensure a smooth check-out and departure, it is strongly advised that youconsider pre-paying as much of your visit as possible. We would prefer you to depart having had a perfect stay right to the very end.

Tariffs
Tariffs include
1. Luxurious all suite accommodation with sumptuous bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers and private wooden leisure decks.
2. Three delicious meals per day, dinners being in the open air boma, wooden dining deck or indoor dining area.
3. All teas and coffees.
4. Two open Land Rover safaris per day accompanied by personal game ranger and tracker team.
5. Walking and spotlit night safaris, accompanied by experienced trackers.
6. Drinks while on the Land Rover safaris.
7. All beers, spirits, liqueurs, wines, soft drinks and mini bar.
8. Laundry and valet services, subject to certain conditions and restrictions.
9. Return transfers from the Satara airstrip to the lodges.

Tariffs Exclude
1. Telephone calls and boutique purchases.
2. Champagnes.
3. Transfers to and from the lodges.
4. Health spa treatments.
5. Use of private Land Rover.
6. Certain special meal requests.

Health matters
Since malaria is present in the Mpumalanga region wherethe Singita lodges are situated, it is essential to ensure thatanti-malarial precautions be taken throughout the year.Please consult your doctor or pharmacist. Further information can beobtained from the Kruger National Park Malaria hotline on +27 (0) 822341800.

Private Land Rovers
All our safaris are conducted in open Land Rovers with a maximum of six guests per vehicle. However, should you want complete privacy it is possible to hire a vehicle on a private basis. Sole use of Land Rovers will need to be reserved well in advance.
Prices available on request.

– What you can expect to find at Singita Kruger National Park
Accommodation
The main lodge at Singita Lebombo comprises 15 cliffside suites. The satellite Singita Sweni Lodge has six riverside suites. All suites have their own en suite bathroom and shower, outside shower, mini bar and fridge, room mini-safe, air-conditioning, overhead fans, direct dial telephones and game-viewing deck. Hairdryers, insect spray, mosquito repellent, and Citronella wipes are available in all the suites. International adapters and converters are available at reception.

Facilities at each lodge Lounge and timber-deck dining areas overlooking the N’wanetsi/ Sweni Rivers, bar area and open boma, gymnasium and health spa, library with internet facilities, wine cellar and swimming pool. Lebombo Village Singita Lebombo features an art gallery, gym and health spa, wine boutique as well as an interactive ranger centre, and stocks an exclusive range of fashionable bushwear, jewellery and African artifacts. Basic necessities such as camera film and batteries are available forpurchase.

Activities
Early morning game drives; afternoon into spotlit evening game drives in open Land Rovers and guided bush walks.

Communication services
Internet, satellite TV and fax facilities are available to our guests at the main lodge.

Characteristic species
Lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, white and black rhino, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck, hippo, wildebeest, kudu, crocodile and manyother mammal, reptile and bird species occur.

Local culture
Shangaan

Temperature chart

The above temperatures are the average daily maximum and the average daily minimum, taken at Satara. The absolute maximum and absolute minimum recorded temperatures differ from these temperatures.

The seasons at Singita Kruger National Park

Our summer months are very hot and humid with either continual rains or very typically afternoon thundershowers which generally clear before the game drives depart. Lots of young animals are born during this time notably the impala lambs, which are beautiful but vulnerable to predators.

JANUARY TO MARCH

These are normally drier months with very hot days. There are lots of beautiful migratory birds during this summer period. Early morning drives with early returns to escape the heat, are typical. Please remember to bring hats, sunscreen and to take malaria
prophylaxis (see our note on malaria precautions, which we recommend be taken throughout the year) as well as rain protection gear (we do provide ponchos).

APRIL

The vegetation starts changing from thick lush green bush to a slightly sparser browning bush during this autumn period.
The temperatures start cooling down at night but daytime is still warm. Potential scattered thundershowers can be experienced in the afternoons.

MAY TO JUNE

Cold temperatures are experienced at night and at dawn during our winter months. Warm clothing is recommended such as gloves, scarves, beanies (knitted caps) and insulated jackets. Large herds of elephants start moving back into the area. The vegetation becomes totally brown and trees start losing leaves. Visibility during drives is enhanced due to sparser vegetation. The Sand River becomes a major game attraction.

JULY TO SEPTEMBER

This period is very dry in the bush with very cold night temperatures and therefore chilly during the early morning and late afternoon game drives. Visibility is good as game are concentrated around water sources.

SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER

Spring is the height of the dry season boasting hot dry winds and colourless, sparse vegetation. Because the rivers and dams are low, high concentrations of game can be viewed at these areas and game viewing in general is very good. The first rains may start towards the end of October and the signs of spring and a new wet season are evident.

SEASONAL SAFARI TIMING

For your safari planning purposes here is a timetable of our various activities available at the lodges. Kindly note that the actual safari times should be regarded as fairly flexible due to the prevailing weathe conditions and movement of wildlife.