On safari with small children? That tends to raise an eyebrow. And when I add that we're going to sleep in the middle of a game reserve, both eyebrows shoot straight up. Rhino River Lodge has it all and is a top pick for families with children!
A shame, because we tried it out and haven't regretted it for a moment. Safari, even with real little ones, is wonderful. The little ones thoroughly enjoy sitting close to you during the drives and spotting the big animals. Read here about all the different ways you can go on safari in Africa.
In the Manyoni Game reserve lies a beautiful family-friendly lodge without fences: Rhino River Lodge. In other words: not only on safari through the bush in a jeep, but also simply from your terrace.
Seeing animals from your lazy chair? A lion grinning while you bob around in your pool? Check! But that does mean you're staying in an open lodge. No fences! Simply at home in the animals' house.
Nerve-wracking? It actually wasn't so bad …
It was a warm spring day when we arrived at the southern gate of the Manyoni Game Reserve, but the warm welcome from the gatekeeper was refreshing. We were directed on to the lodge and although the bush is a labyrinth, thanks to the explanation and the signposting we found our way just fine. It was quite exciting to drive through the game reserve on our own like that. Right in the middle of the day we simply saw zebras, warthogs, wildebeest, giraffes and a handful of antelopes.
The mood was set!
So how does that work? In a safari lodge with children?
I have to be honest … I didn't quite know what to make of it. The programmes at safari lodges are fairly tight, whereas we are actually quite flexible travellers. I did know that I wanted to see the wild animals, but that often and for that long?
The only certainty I had was that many people who had already been on safari told me time and again: THAT is really something for you!
So what does it look like, a stay at Rhino River Lodge …
Your daily schedule is fairly fixed, but you are always the one who decides what you do and don't join in with.
So sometimes one of us would have a nice lie-in while the rest went out on a drive. But most of the time we were all ready and waiting to enjoy the bush.
Here is an example of a day at Rhino River Lodge
- 5:30 Wake-up call, and just before six a guide comes to pick you up
- 6:00 A cosy coffee or tea with a muffin or a piece of fruit
- 6:15 Morning safari; you usually start by looking for the big cats, which are still very active in the early morning. If you're lucky you might even see a hunt. After an hour or two of safari it's usually time for a toilet break, a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or tea and some tasty snacks.
- 9:30 Return to the lodge and time for breakfast
- 10:30 Time to relax or go on an excursion (e.g. a walk with anteaters or an elephant interaction)
- 13:00 Lunch
- 14:00 Time to relax
- 15:30 Tea with treats
- 16:00 Afternoon game drive. This continues until sunset, when it's time for a ‘Sundowner’, the African version of aperitif time; after that you carry on the game drive for about another hour (depending on what there is still to see).
- 18:30 Arrival at the lodge
- 19:00 The guide comes to collect you for dinner
Although this seems like a very tight schedule, it doesn't feel overwhelming at all. The lodge is also very relaxed, without too many stimuli. There are various seating areas, a lovely terrace, a swimming pool, games, … but you can't compare it to a busy resort; everything is geared towards peace and quiet.
The flip side is that in a wild resort like this you are also very isolated; someone who likes lots of stimulation (like me) might feel that it's too little. But it really isn't. Those safaris give you an incredibly complete feeling.
Words can barely describe what a sensory experience it is to see a lion walk right past you while zebras and giraffes stand a little further on.
But an open safari lodge with children? Is that really safe?
I can understand that it seems scary to let animals come so close, but fun fact: every year 22 people die at the hands of a lion. That's the same number as are killed by a cow.
On top of that, you get briefed as soon as you arrive at Rhino River Lodge.
A few simple safety rules: don't go near the animals. Should you see a lion, calmly stay close together and pick up the children. Don't leave children outside on their own, and from dusk onwards you stay in your chalet.
In the evening and the morning we were collected to eat and to go on game drives, but during the day there was complete peace and freedom.
Because the garden and the terrace were so spacious, the children could play safely while we could relax.
Our experience at Rhino River Lodge
Rhino River Lodge also went above and beyond to make your time at the lodge magical. A tailor-made breakfast, the most delicious cocktails, always a friendly word and the most atmospheric evenings.
In all honesty; nowhere have we experienced such magical evenings as at Rhino River Lodge. Dinner takes place somewhere different every evening and the set-up is different every time too. Candles, oil lamps and campfires are burning. On arrival you are immediately treated to a delicious cocktail or a good wine and you sit down around the campfire. The set-up invites you in a very pleasant way to talk to the other guests, and you have an instant connection. After an hour or so (or sometimes longer if it's really very convivial) you sit down at the table for a delicious three-course menu.
The chairs are provided with blankets and after dinner the staff gently bring you back to your lodge. After which, happy but exhausted, we usually slept like a log.
A dream at Rhino River Lodge
Rhino River Lodge is a pricey stay, but one you will never forget. Would you like to book a lodge like this yourself? Then don't count on 7 days but rather on 3-4 days. In about three days you will already take in so many impressions. It's also the perfect length of stay in Manyoni. You can book Rhino River Lodge at the best price via Booking.com.
This is a general rule for safaris, by the way. If you'd like to do more days of safari, you're better off going to another park for another 3-4 nights. That gives you a different view again too.
We were very happy to stay here with our family and to enjoy the wonderful game drives, the lovely swims among the animals and the beautiful evenings.
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