River Bend Lodge

RiverBend Lodge is a small safari lodge on a private concession within Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. It is roughly an hour by tarred road from Gqeberha airport and close to the R342, which makes it one of the easier safari lodges in the country to reach. The draw is private game drives without the self-drive traffic of the main park, plus a set-up that takes children seriously.

What to expect

There are eight free-standing suites, each with its own patio, a bath, an indoor shower and an outdoor one. Two can be linked for families, and the honeymoon suite has its own plunge pool and fire pit. Stays are full board with activities. Rangers run 4x4 drives on the concession and in the wider park, and there are guided walks and birding (more than 300 species are recorded). Elephant, kudu, zebra, eland and black rhino are among the animals seen. Meals lean French, with South African wines, and there is a pool and spa.

Practical details

• Children of all ages are accepted, with a mini-rangers programme, baking with the chef, babysitting and child seats on game vehicles.
• The pool has a shallow entry and can be gated.
• Rooms have air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, a minibar and satellite TV.
• For a group, Long Hope Villa in the same collection sleeps up to six with its own chef and guide.

Good to know

Addo is a malaria-free area, so prophylaxis is not usually advised, which is a real plus for families with small children. The park was set up in 1931 to protect what was left of the area’s wildlife, elephants above all, and they are still the main event here.

Last updated 6 October 2026. Sources: RiverBend Collection, Expert Africa.