The Cottage at Rhino River Lodge

Rhino River Lodge is a relaxed family-style safari lodge with a reputation for excellent customer service and superior value for money. The lodge is family-owned and operated Big 5 safari lodge located in the magnificent Manyoni Private Game Reserve. This 23,000-hectare private game reserve is situated in the very heart of Zululand, 30kms north of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The area is renowned for its African wildlife and rich cultural heritage.

The lodge grounds sprawl through an area of thick riverine vegetation, rich with bird and animal life, and filled with magnificent fig and fever trees. The grounds also include a reception with curio shop, dining room with bar, boma, WI-FI, lounge, and swimming pool.

Guests that desire a little extra space and seclusion can book this traditional thatched house. This private safari home is reminiscent of a British cottage with a nod towards African-inspired decor. The house can accommodate four guests in two en-suite bedrooms, complete with air conditioners, ceiling fans, mosquito nets and stunning views. There is also a loft-style room upstairs perfect for families with children. The Cottage features a cozy lounge and dining room as well as a fully functional kitchen. The covered veranda and private swimming pool overlooking the Msunduze River are the star features of this comfortable house-the perfect spot to enjoy family or friends while taking in the sights and sounds of the Zululand bush. Guests can choose either a self-catering option and enjoy meals in the privacy of the cottage or have all meals provided the lodge to be served in either the dining room or the boma.

While on safari at Rhino River Lodge you will have the opportunity to see lions, rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, and much more as you are guided through the Big 5 Manyoni Private Game Reserve by one of the lodge’s knowledgeable game rangers.

About The Manyoni Private Game Reserve

In 2004, 17 private properties in the northern Zululand area dropped their fences forming what is today known as Manyoni Private Game Reserve (formerly Zululand Rhino Reserve). The impetus for forming the reserve was to provide a home to a population of black rhinos as part of the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project. The joining of the properties created a 23, 000-hectare private game reserve in one of the most animal-rich and species-diverse areas of South Africa.

In addition to the black rhino, the reserve is now home to all of the Big 5 (rhino, elephant, buffalo, leopard and lion) and has seen the re-introduction of two endangered carnivore species, and cheetah. The reserve has become one of the premier wildlife-viewing destinations in Kwa-Zulu Natal and feature beautiful varied landscapes from acacia thornveld to open savannah to riverine forest. Game drives on the reserve are regulated by the reserve and coordinated by the ecotourism businesses to minimize the impact on the environment and the stress on the animals and to provide guests a better and more intimate game viewing experience.