Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge combines romance with adventure with 3 Luxury Suites with private decks plunge pools and 3 Luxury Chalets with unadulterated views of the surrounding bushveld. Game drives introduce guests to the plethora of species found in this exclusive Greater Kruger Reserve, while the unique skywalk and viewing deck add an element of thrill to watching the wildlife surrounding the lodge.

This luxury lodge is located in the Riverine Forest, which boasts the magnificent Olifants River–largest in all of the lowveld.  It also features two of the largest trees in South Africa, a sycamore fig (with a diameter in excess of five metres), and a leadwood (with a diameter exceeding two metres). This region is home to hippos, crocodiles, elephants and other massive Riverine trees. River Lodge is the venue for any avid bird watcher.

Ezulwini River Lodge has an entertainment area including a lounge, bar, and gorgeous swimming pool, all housed under a traditional thatched roof. Our elegant dining deck is set in riverine vegetation, and our skywalk allows you walk above the animals grazing on the riverbank . Four luxury chalets, four ultra luxury suites and a new river deck, overlooking the Olifants River, and our elevated thatched viewing deck overlooking the local water hole, adds an intimate ambiance to this lodge, which accommodates 16 guests.

Twice daily game drives and 3 scrumptious meals a day allow just enough time for guests to settle down at any one of the lodge’s relaxing lounge areas, or in their exquisite bedrooms, and absorb the ambience of the Balule bushveld.

Standard rooms

All 3 standard rooms at Billy’s Lodge are en suite and equipped with insect-proof window screens, mosquito nets, air-conditioning, overhead fans, and a hot beverage station. Mini fridges are also installed in the rooms for cold drinks, and there are cupboards for clothing storage.

One room opens up onto the main swimming pool, while the other two are thatched rondavels with tiled floors and a veranda each. Each en suite bathroom is equipped with a shower, but no bath.

Luxury suites

There are 3 luxury suites at Billy’s Lodge, each of which enjoy private plunge pools, wooden decks and sun loungers, as well as en suite bathrooms. Suites are thatched and spacious, including a private indoor lounge area, and walk-in cupboard space. Bathrooms include free-standing bathtubs with an open-air shower outside. Large glass sliding doors allow for great views, while mini-fridges, hot beverage facilities, air conditioning and overhead fans offer comfort.

Big 5 Game Drives

One of the main features of a safari is a 4×4 game drive. On game drives you are able to get a lot closer to big game than on a self-drive safari, as you are guided by experienced rangers and in appropriate vehicles. The animals are generally habituated to the vehicle. This enables to you to get within 5 to 10 metres of the large animals – and safely!

All game drives are conducted in open 4 x 4 Land Rovers; which are perfect for photographic and video opportunities. The afternoon game drives generally leave at 16:00 and include late afternoon game spotting, a sundowner stop and a game drive that continues into the night.

Wine tasting

The Billy’s Lodge wine cellar is very unique in that it is built in a rocky cave underneath the deck. The wine cellar is cosy and sophisticated, as well as having a good variety of wines up for tasting. A glass-topped knob thorn display table adds an element of nature to the underground cave, while soft lighting and long stories told by owner, Laurence, add to the wonderful ambience.

Sundowners in the bush

Every game drive includes a leg-stretch at sunset, at which point, guides unpack a cooler box containing refreshments and snacks. A safari tradition known as ‘sundowners’ is an opportunity to set foot on the African soil and admire the surrounding bush as the sun sets, while sipping on an ice-cold G n T!