Fodor's Expert Review RiverBend Collection

Situated on a 34,594-acre private concession within the Nyathi section of Addo Elephant National Park, River Bend consists of two exclusive-use houses—Peppergrove House and Long Hope Villa—and RiverBend Lodge, which has eight superb villas. The atmosphere perfectly balances the feel of a sophisticated, comfortable country house with all the facilities of a game lodge. Plus there are views in every direction, and often animals to see, especially at the waterhole that lies just beyond the electric fence that surrounds the property. At the lodge, spacious public rooms, filled with antiques and comfy couches, are in a beautifully renovated farmhouse and outbuildings. The guest rooms are in individual cottages with private verandahs dotted around the lovely gardens; some have outdoor showers and each is uniquely decorated with a different color scheme. In addition to the usual game drives, you can tour the adjacent citrus farm. Peppergrove House is on the same grounds as the lodge, but it's completely self-contained, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Long Hope Villa is a short drive away and, having been built as a farmstead in the early 1800s, has a completely different atmosphere—it's full of authentic antiques, including furniture and fittings, and has its own outdoor area with a hide for viewing animals, a dedicated safari vehicle and ranger, and a chef who prepares meals in your private kitchen. Note that RiverBend specializes in family safaris—the lodge has a dedicated play-lounge with a TV and a safely enclosed playground for children.