We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

River House Lodge

27 Visarend Street Kruger National Park, Malelane 1320 South Africa
avatar-imageavatar-imageavatar-image
Traveler (211)
Room & Suite (47)
Pool & Beach (24)
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

View prices for your travel dates

Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.

About

#3 of 6 B&Bs in Malelane
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
4.4
Service
4.5
Value
4.3
Travelers' Choice
We are situated on the border of the Kruger National Park which ideally situated to view and explore the Big 5 Game . We are close to the borders of Mozambique and Swaziland. The KMI airport is only 40 minutes drive from our property. Our property is quirky decorated with personal collections offering old fashioned hospitality. From our furnished covered deck it overlooks the Crocodile river where you can view game drinking and bathing right in front of our lodge. Twitchers can also explore the huge array of birds that frequent our area and on the river. Enjoy a cocktail watching the sunset over the Khandizwe Hills. Open Safaris/ game drives into the famous Kruger National Park can be arranged directly at our lodge or on self drives from Pestana Kruger Lodge (Malelane Gate). Our Twin and Double furnished with en suite bathrooms, air conditioners, tea and coffee facilities and private balconies. Golf can be arranged at the famous Leopard Creek Golf course situated 7 km for our lodge.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Free breakfast
Diving
Hiking
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Shuttle bus service
Parking
Wifi
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Breakfast available
Complimentary tea
Horseback riding
Squash
Darts
Fishing
Car hire
Massage
Baggage storage
Chapel / shrine
Currency exchange
Express check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Show more
Room features
Air conditioning
Fireplace
Housekeeping
Safe
Seating area
Coffee / tea maker
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Clothes rack
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Hair dryer
Show more
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Smoking rooms available
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
4.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Dutch

Location

27 Visarend Street Kruger National Park, Malelane 1320 South Africa
River House Lodge
291Reviews5Q+A23Room tips
Traveler rating
  • 190
  • 44
  • 22
  • 16
  • 19
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
  • More
Selected filters
  • Filter
  • English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Most Recent
avatar-image
rsnelg783715 wrote a review Mar 17
1 contribution
unique historic decor almost like a museum. Romantic river setting with wildlife on your doorstep during sundowners or early morning coffee. Unfortunately after we checked out we were hijacked on the road by local black drivers who tried to murder and rob us by ramming into our car from the back to cause us to have an accident then when I recovered chasing us at 180 km/hr until we approached a police check area. I will never drive to the Kruger Park again in my life. Fortunately I am an expert driver. We are lucky to be alive.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep 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.
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
TAO37 wrote a review Mar 15
Wales, United Kingdom22 contributions7 helpful votes
Hello - a last minute stop after travel delays. Just called in as it was getting dark and needed a room, and secured DBB. Dinner was a tasty set menu. Breakfast was simple but tasty too. Rooms were dark and rather dated but i believe they are working on bathroom upgrades soon. Comfortable. The decking area views were fantastic! So many animals and birds without even setting foot (or paying entry fee!) into Krueger!! Johan was welcoming and kind. Hotel is close to a big spar and small Woolworths.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Nothing extra to add
See more room tips
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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Share
Response from Johan Daffue, Owner at River House Lodge
Responded 3 days ago
Thank you for taking the time to review River House Lodge. It was a pleasure to be your host for your short unexpected arrival. Yes, you are correct. We are in the process to upgrade the rooms and other areas on the premises. This will take time and good planning. Looking forward to your next visit. Best wishes.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
avatar-image
Stay17702562732 wrote a review Mar 9
1 contribution
Location of the hotel is wondeeful! The hotel is located on the banks of the crocodile river and from the hotel terrace you can watch animals all day in the river and on both banks of the river. I advise you to take binoculars with you:). From the terrace we are lucky to see crocodiles, elephants, antelopes, buffaloes, monkeys, hippopotamuses. The interior of the hotel is a little tired. But the attention of the hotel staff to me and to my family blocked all the very minor shortcomings of the hotel. Especially many thanks to Johan Daffue, who solved all the issues with which we addressed to him: excursions, currency exchange, transfers, etc.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep 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.
Helpful
Share
Response from Johan Daffue, Owner at River House Lodge
Responded 3 days ago
Thank you for taking the time to review River House Lodge. Thank you for your support and kind words. It was a pleasure to be your host. We are looking forward to your next visit. Best wishes.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
avatar-image
fschne533030 wrote a review Feb 2024
1 contribution
View from the terrace on the Kruger Nationalpark on the other side of Crocodile River unbeatable. Spent most time there. The lodge itself desperately needs renovation and above all new mattresses. Lies in a calm and safe area.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep 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.
Helpful
Share
Response from Johan Daffue, Owner at River House Lodge
Responded 2 weeks ago
Hi Franz, Thanks for the review and support. We are currently in the process of doing upgrades in the rooms and on the premises. Since your stay, we have repaired the fence and replaced all the rooms' mattresses with new mattresses. The rooms' decor and bathtubs will also be upgraded. Unfortunately, this can take time and good planning. Hope you continued to enjoy your holiday in South Africa and we hope to host you again in the future.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
avatar-image
Hugo wrote a review Jan 2024
Porto, Portugal18 contributions14 helpful votes
Too bad to be true: it should be closed by authorities! Very dirty, the owner disconnects the air conditioning power supply during the night and the heat becomes unbearable, the food is lousy both quantity and quality, there is something very sick and wicked regarding this owner…
Read more
Date of stay: December 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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Share
Response from Johan Daffue, Owner at River House Lodge
Responded Jan 28, 2024
This review of yours is unacceptable. You continue to rate River House Lodge on Tripadvisor 6 years (December 2018) after using our accommodation. We have 286 reviews on Tripadvisor with an average of 4.5 / 5 which are rated as excellent. Your comments that you made that the owner intentionally turned off the power are false. In South Africa we get daily load shedding during the day. We have no control over it. We do not get complaints about the food's quality or quantity. You were asked 4 times if you enjoyed your food and if you wanted more. Not once did you complain about it, but the cowardice of voicing your dissatisfaction on Tripadvisor. We have also read your other reviews on Tripadvisor. It seems to us that you are more dissatisfied and take pleasure in criticizing other institutions. It seems to us that you are the sick and wicked one. We are going to report you to Tripadvisor and request that they block you on Tripadvisor.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
avatar-image
Roam57151 wrote a review Nov 2023
Howick, South Africa1 contribution
The room was v good and had a super view of the Crocodile River. Lots of hot water good towels. The doors were difficult to open. Bed very comfortable. Food...home style cooking. The bar cost for housewine R272 per bottle a bit costly in my opnion. The garden and swimming pool excellent and a great viewing deck in front of the River. We hope to return soon.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep 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.
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
klauswilhelmb wrote a review Nov 2023
Durban, South Africa10 contributions1 helpful vote
the location for viewing game is unbeatable , but you need to tolerate some drawbacks. Our room was dark , the materials old. The hotel and rooms are very dated. the dinner and breakfast were also very basic.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled on business
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.
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
ludwig799 wrote a review Nov 2023
1 contribution
An excellent break away from it all in the bush. Awaken to the sounds of Hippos in the river and with the park a stone's throw away the lodge is ideally located. The hosts and staff are suberb and very accomodating!
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep 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.
Helpful
Share
Response from Johan Daffue, Owner at River House Lodge
Responded Nov 30, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review River House Lodge. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us. It was a pleasure having you as a guest. We will recommend you to any guest house/lodge. Hospitality greetings.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
avatar-image
Caroline77 wrote a review Oct 2023
Weybridge, United Kingdom27 contributions15 helpful votes
Have just stayed again here. We fly in from U.K., pick up a car and drive from J’burg - we’re always worried about flight delays and not making the gate time for Kruger. This works so well for us, we stay for a couple of nights - the Spar is pretty good so we get our shopping done and have an easy entry to the park. River House now feels like coming home. Clean, comfortable, all staff very friendly and helpful. Food is very good - set dinner and thanks to the chef for his excellent chicken dish on our second night and breakfast you have a choice of what’s available that day which is freshly cooked unless you are leaving early when they will happily pack one for you. Yes, it’s quirky but that’s its charm. When we were there in February the weather was awful (lots of Kruger closed) and we spent the day wandering round the house looking at everything. Thanks again Johan and see you in February - and the hippos
Read more
Date of stay: October 2023Trip 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.
Helpful
Share
Response from Johan Daffue, Owner at River House Lodge
Responded Nov 30, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review River House Lodge. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us. It was a pleasure having you as a guest. We will recommend you to any guest house/lodge. Hospitality greetings.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
avatar-image
pkusem164517 wrote a review Sep 2023
1 contribution
It's located along crocodile river, and gives an opportunity to view game from the deck. A herd of hippos is living in the river just in front of the deck, crocodiles and waterbucks not forget impalas roaming around 😊. We saw a big herd of elephants drinking water just in front of the lodge.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep 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.
Helpful
Share
Response from Johan Daffue, Owner at River House Lodge
Responded Nov 30, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review River House Lodge. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us. It was a pleasure having you as a guest. We will recommend you to any guest house /lodge. Hospitality greetings.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Previous
123456
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Malelane area.
PRICE RANGE
$105 - $138 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaMpumalangaMalelane
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Claim Your Listing

RIVER HOUSE LODGE $92 ($̶1̶0̶9̶) - Updated 2024 Prices & B&B Reviews - Malelane, South Africa

Frequently Asked Questions about River House Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to River House Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Malelane Gate, Kruger National Park (2.8 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at River House Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at River House Lodge?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a fireplace, and a seating area.
What food & drink options are available at River House Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, a lounge, and complimentary tea during their stay.
Is parking available at River House Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to River House Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Deck, Hamilton’s Restaurant, and Duck 'n Dive Saloon.
Are there opportunities to exercise at River House Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Is River House Lodge located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.8 miles away from the center of Malelane.
Are any cleaning services offered at River House Lodge?
Yes, laundry service and self serve laundry are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at River House Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Dutch.
Does River House Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.