Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge
An independent guide to Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge. Discover unrivaled lakeside wildlife viewing, eclectic luxury, and flawless itinerary planning.
Follow us:
Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge
A Masterpiece on the Water’s Edge
Located in the game-rich northern sector of the Sabi Sand, Chitwa Chitwa is a thrilling departure from the traditional, predictable safari aesthetic. It is a lodge that effortlessly blends the raw, untamed wilderness of the African bush with bold, contemporary European design and striking original artwork.
Originally a private family retreat for the Brink family, Chitwa Chitwa has retained that warm, welcoming soul while evolving into one of the most sought-after luxury lodges in South Africa.
Its greatest geographical asset is its location. The lodge is perched directly on the banks of one of the largest lakes in the entire Sabi Sand. While other lodges require you to go on a game drive to find animals, at Chitwa, the wildlife comes to you. It is entirely common to watch herds of elephants drinking and hippos wallowing just meters away from your private plunge pool or the main dining deck.
Ready to embark on your next adventure?
Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge
How to Experience Chitwa Chitwa
We design bespoke, logistically flawless itineraries around the unique character of Chitwa Chitwa. Here are our three most requested routes.
What to Expect
The Lakeside Location
The sheer size of the dam in front of the lodge creates a micro-ecosystem. You can spend an entire afternoon skipping a game drive and simply watching the continuous parade of wildlife coming down to drink from the comfort of the main deck.
Eclectic Luxury
If you are tired of standard “khaki and canvas,” Chitwa is your antidote. The interiors are bold, featuring dark woods, metallic accents, oversized mirrors, and vibrant original paintings that give the lodge a sophisticated, cosmopolitan energy.
Northern Sabi Sand Traversing
This sector is famous for its high density of leopards and large prides of lions. With strict limits on vehicle numbers and the ability to drive off-road, your photographic opportunities are world-class.
Family Welcoming
Unlike many ultra-luxury lodges that restrict children, Chitwa Chitwa embraces families. They offer an engaging children’s eco-program, making it a fantastic option for introducing younger generations to the bush.
Essential Planning Information
Getting There
The most seamless arrival is via a scheduled Federal Air flight directly into the nearby Arathusa airstrip, followed by a quick 15-minute transfer to the lodge. Alternatively, commercial flights into Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) require a roughly 1.5 to 2-hour road transfer.
The Vibe
Chitwa Chitwa is known for its warm, unpretentious hospitality. While the design is high-end, the atmosphere is relaxed, social, and deeply personal—a direct reflection of its family-owned heritage.
Best Time to Go
The dry winter months (May to September) force more animals to the permanent water source in front of the lodge, making the deck-viewing spectacular. The summer (November to March) brings dramatic afternoon thunderstorms, lush greenery, and excellent birding.
Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge
The Suites vs. Chitwa House
The Luxury Suites
Best for couples, honeymooners, and small families. There are only six individually decorated suites, each exceptionally spacious. Every suite boasts a private timber deck and a private plunge pool that overlooks the lake, ensuring you never miss a sighting.
The Charlsy Suite
A superb option for friends traveling together or a family. It consists of two interconnecting en-suite rooms with a shared living area and a massive deck with a pool.
Chitwa House
Best for absolute exclusivity, VIPs, or multi-generational families. This is a standalone, 2-bedroom luxury villa. It comes completely self-contained with its own private chef, butler, and dedicated open-air safari vehicle with a private guide and tracker. You never have to interact with the main lodge if you choose not to.
The Seamless Safari Experience
Book With African Wildlife Plains
Because Chitwa Chitwa is so intimate, securing a lakeside suite requires advance planning. At African Wildlife Plains, we utilize our direct relationships with the lodge to secure your preferred dates and expertly engineer the logistics of your journey.
We do not just act as a booking portal. We curate the entire trip, from coordinating your VIP meet-and-greet at OR Tambo and managing your bush flights, to seamlessly combining your Sabi Sand safari with Cape Town or Victoria Falls. With our founder-led concierge service, you have a direct line to our Cape Town team 24/7.
- Testimonials
Excellent, Phillip was incredibility nice and his work was really flawless.
Paula Arpon
Client
Our trip was unforgetable because we found a wonderful service with Phillip. He was so kind
that when we arrived in the airport he surprised us with some gifts that made us feel like home. On this trip my fiance proposed and Phillip helped with all the details. I recommend Phillip’s services with all my my heart.
Leticia Homes de francesco
Client
Very nice, by incident i bump in to your traveling agency. Ans Philip helped me marvelous. He was patient, transparant, honest and lovely.
Ben Van Elst
Client
- Get Started
Begin Your Journey
Availability is filling rapidly. Let our experts know your travel window and whether you require a Luxury Suite or the exclusive Chitwa House, and we will craft a tailored proposal.