About this hotel
General information
Silvan Safari is a small lodge in the private Sabi Sand reserve, set above the seasonal bed of the Manyeleti River in an old riverine forest of leadwood and jackalberry trees. The architecture is contemporary, bold and clean-lined with a bohemian streak, and the bushveld's trees set the theme: each of the six suites is named after one and dressed in its colours, while the bee-eater recurs as a motif throughout. The lodge is a member of Relais & Châteaux.
Its commissioned art is a point of pride. Seven emerging South African artists made large-scale works for the suites in media from oils and watercolour to wool and gold leaf, and three more collaborated on pieces tracing the bond between each tree and the animals that depend on it. A stay includes three meals a day, selected drinks, two game drives daily with a qualified guide, walking safaris, laundry and Wi-Fi. Children are welcome from the age of 12, and many of the team come from the surrounding communities. Silvan works with Wildlife ACT on protecting endangered species and supports the Good Work Foundation's digital learning campuses for rural students.
Location
In the private Sabi Sand reserve, which shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park; the suites line the bank above the Manyeleti riverbed. By road, the route from Johannesburg or from Hoedspruit runs via Acornhoek to Gowrie Gate, from where the lodge is about 13 km away. Silvan has its own airstrip, and road transfers between the strip and the lodge are included.
Spa
Ansellia Spa, named after the rare ansellia orchid, sits in the shade of indigenous trees a short walk across a bridge from the main lodge. It has two treatment rooms, one for couples and one for single guests, and its own pool; the menu covers therapeutic massage, Elemis facials and hand and foot treatments built on natural ingredients and tailored to each guest.
Sports & leisure
Days at Silvan are shaped by the game drives, at dawn and late afternoon, in open vehicles with a guide, blankets and Swarovski binoculars. As a private reserve, Sabi Sand allows off-road tracking, walks in the bush and night drives with a spotlight. Beyond that:
- Big Five viewing, leopards above all, which are seen here unusually often, and more than 500 bird species;
- an air-conditioned gym with windows onto the bush, open around the clock (a porter escorts guests after dark), with occasional fitness classes on the deck;
- the commissioned art collection across the suites and the main lodge;
- the Silvan Living boutique, with jewellery, leather goods and collectables sourced across Africa.
Restaurants & bars
The kitchen works with fresh local produce, matched with wines from leading South African estates, and personalised food and wine pairings can be arranged. Meals move between several settings: the Modjaji dining room, a lower breakfast deck beneath a great jackalberry tree, open-air gazebos and a clearing in the forest, or privately on a suite's deck or at a spot chosen for a group. Bush breakfasts, high tea and dinners under the stars punctuate the day. The bar's particular pride is a collection of more than three dozen gins from around the world, served as signature gin and tonics at sunset or by the pool.
Swimming
The main lodge has an unheated outdoor pool on its terrace, where elephants sometimes come to drink; every suite has its own plunge pool on the deck, and the spa has a pool of its own.
Pets
Pets are not accepted.
Rooms
Six suites run along the bank above the Manyeleti riverbed: five suites for two — Kierie Klapper, Cassia, Knobthorn, Blue Guarri and Tree Wisteria — and the two-bedroom Leadwood Family Suite. Each is devoted to a single bushveld tree, carried through its colours, embroidery and artworks.
Each suite has a bed beneath a hand-painted mosquito net, a lounge with a bar of fine spirits and homemade treats, a bathroom with a freestanding bath and double shower, a deck with a private plunge pool and outdoor shower, gowns and slippers, bath salts and an in-room workout kit with a yoga mat, skipping rope and resistance bands.
Suite
Five suites for two, each named after a bushveld tree and decorated in its colours and artworks, with a bed beneath a hand-painted mosquito net, a lounge and bar, and a bathroom with a freestanding bath and double shower. The deck above the Manyeleti riverbed has a private plunge pool and an outdoor shower.
Leadwood Family Suite
A family suite with two bedrooms linked by an open deck and two en-suite bathrooms with double showers; the main bathroom's bath faces the riverbed, and there is a secluded outdoor shower. Sleeps up to four; elephant herds often graze in the riverbed below.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.