Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp
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Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp

Parsons 18, Balule Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
Traveller (58)
Room & Suite (16)
Pool and river view from the deck
Pool & Beach (3)

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About

#1 of 1 campsite in Balule Nature Reserve
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.2 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp is situated on the Blyde and Olifants river in the Balule Nature Reserve.The camp is self-catering with a 4 en suite room houses with private access. An outside lapa on the banks of the river and catered breakfast on request. Swimming pool and big lawns where children can play safely. The Big 5 and birdlife can be viewed in the reserve. Game drives available.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Babysitting
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Airport transportation
Baggage storage
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Room features
Air conditioning
Desk
Fireplace
Clothes rack
Kitchenette
Microwave
Extra long beds
Bath / shower
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
3.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Family
Languages Spoken
Afrikaans

Location

Parsons 18, Balule Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
Getting there
Hoedspruit Airport
Phalaborwa Airport
33.1 km
See all flights

Reviews
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Detailed Reviews
rlvy976825 wrote a review Aug 2024
Harare, Zimbabwe
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Spacious rooms family friendly. My boys had a very comfortable stay away from home. The rooms ambience was in sync with the natural surroundings. Magnificent location along the Olifantsrivier. The staff was attentive and very friendly. Agnes made sure all went according to plan and offered informative tips which eased our itinerary. Oooh the meals were hearty😍👌
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2024
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep 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.
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
Mobiletuur wrote a review Oct 2024
Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A friendly and welcoming welcome by Agnes.
We had the Honeymoon Cottage. Freely located with large terrace right on the river.
Breakfast with tasty omelette, bread, marmalade and fruit with coffee or tea. Dinner in a small buffet shape with plenty of choice.
The food was excellent and fun game drives made with Steven. Also made a day trip with him to the Kruger Park on recommendation. Nice!
Breakfast and dinner can be booked as standard, lunch on request. Prices are neat and contact via whatsapp went quickly. We had booked directly with Agnes, this is cheaper than through booking sites. She has her own website. Google the name of the lodge.
We stayed there from 29-9 to 3-10-2024.
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Automatically translated
Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Ingang tot de Reserve ligt aan de R40, 33 km vanaf Hoedspruit. De naam van de resort staat op een...
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.
Kirsten E wrote a review Aug 2023
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The location is beautiful right on the river. Elephants bathe there, impalas graze in the meadow...
The lodge is very tastefully and authentically built and furnished. The beds are great and the food is delicious.
We will definitely be back!!
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Google
Date of stay: August 2023
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled 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.
Stacey Solomon wrote a review July 2022
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Our multi generational family holiday was made incredibly special by the attentive staff and exquisite location. Agnes and her excellent team had us feeling right at home, with incredible breakfasts, lavish boma meals, always a smile. We loved cooking in the boma overlooking the river- true African style.

Outstanding guiding from Drikus and Adele left us all in awe of the smallest fungus to the mightiest creatures. From Granny to the grandchildren, there was something for everyone to be entertained with. Everyone left with very special memories of the amazing time we spent there and a longing to return to the majestic river.
The lodge has wonderful facilities and the magic of the Olifants River will leave you gazing along the banks for hours on end dreaming with the wonderful wild.
A very big thank you to everyone at Rio Dos Elefantes who made this a magical family retreat.
A special mention for Scarlet, the bush dog, who kept the kiddies company and had us giggling at her crazy bush antics- she is a special member of the team and may her adventures be ever awesome!

A very big thank you from the Solomon Family....we would love to see you all again.
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Date of stay: July 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Room Tip: All the rooms look over the river- so you cannot go wrong with a choice here
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.
Karen H wrote a review Apr 2022
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Recently stayed at this venue and would NEVER return. Not sure which photo's you used, but was nothing as luxious. No cooking facilities in our accommodation so had to drive our food and drinks over to the shared fire every evening. Camp was at least 30 mins VERY bumpy road from main entrance. Host was RUDE and unhelpful - food was awful and "take it or leave" breakfast menu. Venue was advertised as self drive safari, but we were told we could not do this and have to pay a fortune per person. Would not recommend this venue to anyone - only saving grace was location!
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Date of stay: April 2022
1.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: Go elsewhere!
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.
Response from Agnes Van Vuuren, Owner at Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp
Responded 26 July 2022
Never advertised it as selfdrive, guests were utterly rude to staff and members. Wanted to cook inside their rooms, which we also did not advertise. Respect towards our staff earns respect! Being rude because of a road to our staff is unacceptable!!
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Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
678flower wrote a review Sept 2023
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4.0 of 5 bubbles
A unique experience in greater krugerpark esp Parsons area. Agnes is a wonderful host and makes you feel a really ‘wanted guest’ Her advice to take the gamedrive with Jessie was breathtaking! Certainly a ‘must go’ on behalf of the whole family
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2023
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep 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.
Eugen K wrote a review Apr 2023
Frankfurt, Germany
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed at a lodge right next door. However, we always had dinner here. And: it was incredibly delicious! The buffet was very varied, there was something for everyone and everyone was more than full! The view while eating on the terrace was breathtaking!
The hostess was incredibly warm and tried to read every wish from our eyes.
She also organised all the activities for us (bushwalk, gamedrive, safari in the Kruger, massages). We were then picked up directly at our lodge and did not have to worry about anything.
Even when our car broke down, she took care of it while we were on safari!
This woman is an angel! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled 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.
175britta wrote a review Aug 2024
Wiesbaden, Germany
4.0 of 5 bubbles
We loved it there. The quietness and the real nature was spectacular. Also the animal noise in the evening and morning were such a great experience. Agnes and her team made it to a real special stay for us - thanks a lot!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2024
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
3.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep 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.
Saskia B wrote a review Feb 2022
London, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Rio Dos Elefantes is situated in the most amazing location- right on the Olifants river. The lodge rooms are spacious and were very clean. We enjoyed the breakfast each morning and had incredible lion and elephant sightings during the game drives. 100% recommend, great value for money.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep 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.
Henco28 wrote a review Dec 2020
5.0 of 5 bubbles
You will not get much better locations. The lodge is built amongst magnificent old trees right against the river and the lodge itself and the surrounding bush bustles with all forms of life-great and small. From a magnitude of bird species, including a nesting vulture, to hippo's frolicking in the river right in front of the lodge and herds of elephant in the distance. Clear signs that the Ellies visit this area regularly(as indicated in the name), even on the lawns right in front of the lodge where you will be able to view them from the safety of your own deck in front of your very spacious unit. Great place for an authentic, non-commercialized bush experience. All the basics are there to have a very comfortable stay including aircon, swimming pool and very comfortable beds, but the camp still has a unfussed, non commercial bush camp feel. All this at very reasonable prices.
Really enjoyed our stay as a family.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled 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.
Henk F wrote a tip Aug 2023
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
"don't go without a email conformation its is very bad"
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Stacey Solomon wrote a tip July 2022
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"All the rooms look over the river- so you cannot go wrong with a choice here"
Read full review
Karen H wrote a tip Apr 2022
3 contributions1 helpful vote
1.0 of 5 bubbles
"Go elsewhere!"
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Maepayne wrote a tip Nov 2019
Maldon, United Kingdom28 contributions4 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"All the rooms have a view of the river"
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Elzabe D wrote a tip Feb 2018
Pretoria, South Africa82 contributions8 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"The new rooms should be move value for your money, it also has stunning views of the Olifants river (Elephant)"
Read full review
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Balule Nature Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$130 - AU$174 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkBalule Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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RIO DOS ELEFANTES RIVER CAMP (AU$130) - 2025 Prices & Reviews (South Africa/Kruger National Park) - Photos of Campground - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp
What are some of the property amenities at Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp have airport transportation?
Yes, Rio Dos Elefantes River Camp offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
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