The Rukiya Safari-Style Tents - There are 6 canvas and timber tented suites, elevated on wooden stilts, beneath the riverine trees on the Blyde riverbank. Of the 6 tents, 2 can accommodate families of 4, while the rest can each sleep two people in twin or double beds. The family tents are subdivided and share a bathroom, so perfect to accommodate parents and two children under 12. All tents have en suite bathrooms, separated from the bedrooms by a zip-down canvas doorway, and containing a shower, vanity station, and toilet. Each of the standard tents extends onto a wooden balcony overlooking the river.
The Rukiya River House - This is a brand new accommodation type at Rukiya and offers guests a more exclusive safari experience. It can be booked out on a catered or self-catered rate, and is ideal for small groups and families. For larger groups, guests can book one or two of the tents at the main camp for a discounted rate.
Rukiya River House has a private verandah with a beautiful outside seating area overlooking the river below, and a wood-fired tub/pool with exceptional views of the wilderness. The house comes with internet access, DSTV, kitchen, dining area and lounge, air con, tea & coffee making facilities and a fully stocked bar.
The safari experience at River House is flexible. Guests will have access to all of the main camp's facilities, including the infinity pool and the sun-loungers, but can tailor-make their won experience. You can also book meals, or activities including but not limited to game drives (both in Wild Rivers and Greater Kruger) and bush walks with the main lodge. It's advisable to pre-book meals and activities.
Great care has been taken to ensure each bed offers the highest comfort, with excellent mattresses, and luxurious quality bed linen and pillows. All the beds and wooden furniture throughout the camp have been sustainably built and locally sourced to stay committed to Rukiya’s eco-friendly ethos.
- 6 Canvas safari tents elevated on wooden decking (including 2 family tents)
- Infinity pool with pool deck and sun loungers overlooking the Blyde River
- Boma with campfire and surrounding seating area
- Each tent has a balcony with chairs overlooking the river view
- Laundry service available at a charge
- 6 Canvas safari tents elevated on wooden decking (including 2 family tents)
- The Rukiya River House - A 2 bedrorom house ideal for families or groups of 4.
- Main camp area on extensive timber decking, and natural wooden outfoor furniture
- Infinity pool with pool deck and sun loungers overlooking the Blyde River
- Boma with campfire and surrounding seating area
- Indoor lounge and dining area at main camp area
- WiFi and electrical outlets throughout camp (However, guests must bring their own adapters to fit their appliances)
- Laundry service available at a charge
- Each tent has a balcony with chairs overlooking the river view
- Standard rooms sleep two people on double or twin beds; family rooms have 4 beds (standard room divider separating room into two)
- En suite bathrooms– showers only
- Standing fan in each room (2 in family rooms)
- Mountain bike trails in the reserve (5km family route, 10km, 20km and 30km)
The Rukiya Safari-Style Tents - There are 6 canvas and timber tented suites, elevated on wooden stilts, beneath the riverine trees on the Blyde riverbank. Of the 6 tents, 2 can accommodate families of 4, while the rest can each sleep two people in twin or double beds. The family tents are subdivided and share a bathroom, so perfect to accommodate parents and two children under 12. All tents have en suite bathrooms, separated from the bedrooms by a zip-down canvas doorway, and containing a shower, vanity station, and toilet. Each of the standard tents extends onto a wooden balcony overlooking the river.
The Rukiya River House - This is a brand new accommodation type at Rukiya and offers guests a more exclusive safari experience. It can be booked out on a catered or self-catered rate, and is ideal for small groups and families. For larger groups, guests can book one or two of the tents at the main camp for a discounted rate.
Rukiya River House has a private verandah with a beautiful outside seating area overlooking the river below, and a wood-fired tub/pool with exceptional views of the wilderness. The house comes with internet access, DSTV, kitchen, dining area and lounge, air con, tea & coffee making facilities and a fully stocked bar.
The safari experience at River House is flexible. Guests will have access to all of the main camp's facilities, including the infinity pool and the sun-loungers, but can tailor-make their won experience. You can also book meals, or activities including but not limited to game drives (both in Wild Rivers and Greater Kruger) and bush walks with the main lodge. It's advisable to pre-book meals and activities.
Great care has been taken to ensure each bed offers the highest comfort, with excellent mattresses, and luxurious quality bed linen and pillows. All the beds and wooden furniture throughout the camp have been sustainably built and locally sourced to stay committed to Rukiya’s eco-friendly ethos.
We have a variety of safari activity options for visitors to our camp. Tailor-make your safari to match our set-daily activities.
- Game drives in the Balule Nature Reserve / Pridelands (Opportunity to see Big-Five)
- Game drives in the Wild Rivers reserve, (Not a Big-Five area)
- Guided bush walks in Wild Rivers and Balule Nature Reserves (Upon request and availability)
- Bird watching from the comfort of camp
- Bush breakfasts during game drive
- Sundowners during afternoon game drive
- Activities available in the area include tours of the Kruger National Park, Panorama route, and other sought after South African Lowveld attractions
- Cultural village tours
- Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
- Hot-air balloon excursions near Hoedspruit
- Boat cruises on the Blyde and Olifants Rivers
- Spa treatments on site
- Voluntourism opportunities through Seeds of Light and Ingwe Leopard Research.
Where toFind Us
Rukiya Safari Camp is located in the Wild Rivers Private Nature Reserve about 10km outside Hoedspruit neighbouring the Greater Kruger region. Wild Rivers is a 3000-hectare area forming part of the 12000-hectare Blyde Olifants Conservancy. The camp itself lies on the banks of the Blyde River only 500m upstream from the confluence of the significant Blyde and Olifants Rivers.
From Hoedspruit, At the intersection of R40 and R527 in Hoedspruit, travel north on the R40 towards Phalaborwa. Continue for 10km until the Wild Rivers Private Nature Reserve sign appears on the left (directly opposite the gate for Mohlabetsi on the right). Turn left onto the Wild Rivers gravel access road, continue 600m to the entrance gate (careful crossing an active railway line). Sign in for nr. 21 (Rukiya) at the gate and then follow the signs to nr. 21 (roughly 10km).
From Johannesburg From Johannesburg/Pretoria continue on to the N4 Highway. Continue to follow N4 for 191 km. Take the exit toward R33. Continue onto R540 from Belfast to Dullstroom. Turn left onto R36 (Lydenburg). Continue to follow R36 to Ohrigstad, continue through the Strydom Tunnel and take the R527 to Hoedspruit.
Please Note: The Wild Rivers reserve gate is open from 6h00-18h00, so please plan to arrive and depart in this time frame. There is an out of hours gate service that can be arranged if you are going to arrive late but this must be done so prior to your arrival. This service runs from 18h00 - 19h30 but there will be no access granted after 19h30. The fee for this out of hours service is R250 per vehicle. Should you need a late gate entry between 18h00 – 19h30 this needs to be arranged in advance (before the gate closes at 18h00) and this can be done by contacting the lodge directly; [email protected] or +27 60 802 4229.
Should this arrangement not be made before 18h00 or should you arrive after 19h30 unfortunately there will be no access into the reserve.
Brochures
Find helpful information about rates, when to travel, wildlife you can expect to see and details about the accommodation.
- Reservations and Enquiries
- [email protected]
- +27 (0) 72 978 5577
- Lodge Owner & General Manager
- [email protected]
- +27 (0) 81 068 5591
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