Ivory Wilderness River Rock Lodge

As a Travel & Safari Specialist for Africa, I had the pleasure of visiting this quaint and secluded property during a site inspection for potential clients. I only stayed one night, but that was more than enough to recognize the magic this place holds. Location This lodge is tucked away in a beautifully remote corner of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, which shares open boundaries with the Kruger National Park. Wildlife moves freely between the two, yet Klaserie offers a quieter, more exclusive safari experience with fewer lodges and vehicles. The setting is raw and unspoiled, ideal for those seeking full immersion in nature. Scenic Beauty and Privacy This area of the reserve feels quite distinct from the better-known regions of Kruger. It features rocky ridges, mixed woodlands, and elevated viewpoints. The environment is peaceful in a way that is hard to describe. The lodge's location deep within the reserve offers true privacy and silence. Given the rugged nature of the roads, I suggest booking a private transfer unless you’re an experienced safari traveler or local. Lodge Setting Positioned along the year-round Klaserie River, the lodge has been thoughtfully designed to blend into its surroundings. There’s a pool, a comfortable sala, and a variety of lounge areas that invite rest between game drives. Meals are privately served at your own table and there are various settings throughout camp, allowing for a new view each time. Accommodation The rondavel-style rooms are cozy and consistent in layout. Built in the traditional "cone-on-cylinder" African hut design, they include mosquito nets, air conditioning, dual sinks, showers, and bathtubs. While the rooms are well-appointed, most of your time will likely be spent out exploring the bush. Guiding Experience My guide, Wynand, was exceptional. His calm, intentional energy brought a grounding presence to each drive. With nearly a decade of guiding experience, he demonstrated deep knowledge and respect for the bush. He shared thoughtful insights that extended well beyond standard safari facts. Even with my own background in guiding and years of time spent in the wilderness, I learned things that were new to me. Francois, the other guide at camp, also brings experience and expertise, although I did not go on drive with him personally. Wildlife Sightings Despite being there for just 24 hours, the game viewing was outstanding. We saw a large herd of buffalo, including a solitary “dagga boy” enjoying a mud wallow. Elephants grazed near the river. A female leopard rested in a shaded drainage line. We also spotted several antelope species and an incredible variety of birdlife. For such a short visit, the sightings were truly impressive. Bush Walk After breakfast, I joined a guided walk and found it to be one of the highlights of the stay. We focused on the subtle wonders of the bush—tracks, insects, and ecological patterns that you might miss from a vehicle. I especially enjoyed observing a golden orb spider up close and learning about a nearby termite mound. This property has an excellent reputation for walking safaris, so if that interests you, be sure to mention it when booking so the team can plan accordingly. Hospitality The hospitality was warm, sincere, and personal. Danell, Prudence, and another kind woman whose name I can’t recall were all incredibly thoughtful and attentive. Although I arrived later than expected, the team ensured I was welcomed with a delicious lunch and great care. Meals The food was hearty and satisfying. Each meal had a comforting, homestyle feel and highlighted traditional South African flavors. It was simple and nourishing—perfect for the setting. Value for Money This is an excellent option for travelers who are a bit more adventurous and appreciate an authentic safari experience. The lodge offers meaningful comfort, genuine hospitality, and incredible value for what you receive. It is well suited to those looking for a more intimate and off-the-beaten-path escape. With Gratitude, Katherine Kuntz Hope African Adventures

We finished our 2-week South Africa trip spending 4 nights at the Ivory Wilderness Rock Lodge in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, which did not disappoint. Danelle and the team made us feel so special, the chef accommodated for my vegan requests and we felt incredibly grateful for the hospitality and care you all showed us. Wienand made every game drive (+ on foot) memorable, with his deep knowledge of the area, his humor and charm. What meant the most is his respect for this sacred land and all of the creatures that call it their home. It did not go unnoticed. We will definitely be back! Thank you so much for this experience.

Our stay at Ivory Wilderness was absolutely incredible! We spent four unforgettable nights there as part of our honeymoon, and the experience exceeded all our expectations. From the moment we arrived, the entire team went above and beyond to make us feel special. Their attention to detail and dedication to ensuring our comfort was exceptional. Whether it was meeting our every need or surprising us with thoughtful touches, their hospitality was truly outstanding. The food was delicious, and we loved relaxing in our traditional lodge, by the pool, or on the deck with its breathtaking views. One evening, as we dined outdoors, elephants wandered right up to the decking area — an unforgettable moment that felt like pure magic! Our game drives with Francois were both educational and exciting. His deep knowledge of the bush made every outing an adventure, and thanks to him, we were lucky enough to see the Big Five and so much more! We also enjoyed a memorable bush walk and an incredible bush dining experience, which has become one of our favourite memories from the trip. If you're looking for an extraordinary safari experience, we can't recommend Ivory Wilderness highly enough!

We just had a fantastic stay and experience @Ivory Wilderness with our 3 teenagers! Thank you for those amazing days and safaris! Sometimes words are no enough to describe our experience but everything was perfect thanks to your wonderful team! If you're looking for calmness, wildlife, generosity and want to be amazed everyday... experiment the Ivory Wilderness adventure!

Our favourite safari experience place. Thank you Craig for showing us the love to the animals and flora in Krueger! We’ve been here 5 years ago with one of our children, and returned with the smaller one to show him the real nature life. One can learn a lot from Craig and enjoy the beautiful views and animals. The houses and services are top, and whole team is very friendly. We even got food for our last day on the road. Thank you! We are recommending everyone the place and the experience. Our children can’t wait to come again :)

We had a wonderful time. The food was excellent, the service top and Craig was a great guide. We saw lots of animals. We'll be back.

Our staying at River Rock Lodge aka Ivory Wilderness, was fantastic. The team is so friendly and helpful. They will do anything they can to help you with everything and share stories with you, and they will feed you with tasty food. The location is amazing, offering spectacular views and getting so many animals near the camp - day and night. The rooms were lovely. Traditional rounded houses with everything you need and all facing to the amazing river/mountain side. We saw the big 5 but also wild dogs. Lots of animals are around and lucky enough to see cubs. We highlight recommend this accommodation for an authentic, private, lovely safari experience.

Spent three nights at this fabulous facility with my husband and 10 friends from work (we had the entire place (6 huts) to ourselves. It was truly a magical experience! Our guides ( Warren and Ian) were knowledgeable, fun and passionate about the animals- we tracked, spotted and walked thru park..an adventure of a lifetime! Staffing was like no other- Prudence and Andrew met us with each safari with towels to freshen up as well as catered to our every whim! Food was excellent, accommodations beautiful, you can’t go wrong when booking at this incredible facility!!