Simanya River Lodge

Stayed for a weekend at Simanya, wish it was for a week. The staff were very friendly and made you feel like family. Beautiful views of the Kuvango River where ever you stand. The rooms are very luxurious compared to what we have seen. The food at the restaurant was incredibly delicious. The boat ride was especially beautiful at sunset.

Great place, did not want to leave. Luxury rooms, the food was excellent, the staff were great and extremely friendly. The camping sites was the best we've seen so far.

Great gem to relax. Beautiful luxurious rooms, great food, fun activities and best of all tar road all the way from Windhoek. Campsites are large with private ablutions and scullery. The staff is very friendly, and go out of their way to let you feel at home. Will go back any time.

Simanya River Lodge is an incredible place with breathtaking river views, spotless rooms, and a beautifully clean lodge throughout. The service is amazing, and the staff are always friendly and welcoming. What truly makes the experience unforgettable are Ruan and Gerhard—they are outstanding hosts and absolute professionals when it comes to tiger fishing. Their knowledge, passion, and hospitality make you feel right at home. Highly recommended! Would definitely be back!

Simanya River Lodge is located at Road B10 near Nkurenkuru on the right bank of the Kavango River, a river that never reaches the sea. The other bank is Angola. The top-quality lodge opened in December 2024 and offers 16 twin rooms, 4 family rooms, 1 VIP room and 10 grassed campsites. There is a restaurant & bar, terrace & pool. Outfit and layout provide a charming river-safari atmosphere. Service is friendly and helpful. Our room had a good king-size bed, desk & table, wardrobe & fridge, tea & coffee facility, a good Wi-Fi, and a terrace with table & 2 chairs and view of the river. No mosquito-screens. The separate bathroom with shower, washbasin & toilet. All was super clean. Breakfast is a-la-carte and good. Simanya Lodge is a good place to see the river and go for boat tours or go fishing, and a fine choice for several nights. Highly recommended.

My wife and I just had a wonderful two nights at Simanya River Lodge, hosted by Ruan and his team. Room was lovely and spacious, verandah overlooking the river. The grounds and gardens were very nice, as was the pool, and the view onto the Kavango river unbeatable, especially as there was literally a young hippo in the river below the deck. The sundowner boat cruise with Thijs (knowledgeable adventurer from the Netherlands) is a must, with a hippo pod and crocodile up river and an amazing amount of bird life. I really enjoyed watching the villagers commute in their dug out canoes back to Angola, and mustering their cattle for a final drink before the night.
This is a newly opened lodge and I'd encourage you to try it. A final shout out to the chef — the food here was terrific. We've eaten at most of the better restaurants in Windhoek and Swakopmund over the last three weeks, but the food here was right up with it.
Thanks Ruan, Thijs and team, David Thiel (Australia)