Rockfig Safari Lodge Review: A paradise Awaits!
Rockfig safari lodge is one of the newest additions to the South African safari scene aiming to delight guests in every way possible.
Set in the Northern region of Timbavati game reserve, Rockfig safari lodge consists of six suites and offers a modern layout captivating guests.
We had the opportunity to stay at Rockfig for almost a week to absorb and assess the overall experience!
Table of Contents
- First Impressions
- Daily Schedule
- Your Rockfig Game Drive
- Safari Game Highlights
- Back at Rockfig Lodge
- Back to the Game Drive
- Rockfig Accommodation
- Rockfig Food & Service
- Final Verdict
First Impressions of Rockfig safari lodge
Rockfig provides a warm welcome where safari guides, trackers and senior members of the service team greet you upon on arrival.
It’s no surprise that you feel a sense of belonging and that you’re at the beginning of a very special experience.
Walking through the distinctive entrance you get a glance of the spacious modern interior with open plan kitchen, locally produced sculptures and gorgeous outside view.
Rockfig safari lodge daily schedule
After settling into the new surroundings it’s good to get an idea of how the Rockfig safari schedule will look like for any new guest or someone new to safari.
| 5.00am | Wake up, shower and get ready! |
| 5.15am | Meet in main lodge reception to meet with guides and other guests. Also time for a quick coffee and a snack! |
| 5.30am | Morning Game Drive begins |
| 8.30am | Return to Safari Lodge for breakfast |
| 10.00am | Time to relax by the pool or head back to the room to rest and relax |
| 15.30pm | Afternoon Game Drive begins |
| 19.00pm | Sundowner drinks by the jeep with your tracker, guide and other guests on your Game Drive |
| 19.30pm | Back to the Safari Lodge |
| 20.00pm | Dinner with guests and staff |
Your Rockfig Game Drive
Morning game drives typically start from 5.30 am and last for 3 hours giving you plenty of time to take in the natural wonders of the wildlife.
It’s the perfect tonic to wake up and absorb the beauty of the bush where you hope to see a lazy leopard or an enthusiastic elephant!
Our visit was during the Summer (Wet Season) and you can expect consistent humid weather during this period.
Early morning game drives in Summer can still feel cold and so it’s recommended that you still wrap up.
My suggestion would be a light jacket or a fleece jumper as an extra layer which can make all the difference.
Once you hit the mid morning heat you can simply take your layer off and saves you having to feel too cold. Worth noting that the Rockfig safari jeeps do offer blankets also.
As you onboard onto your jeep you then get to meet your chosen safari guide and tracker.
We had Karel as our guide who exuded so much enthusiasm and friendliness. It’s a great opportunity to get to know your guide and build that all important rapport.
Safari Game highlights
The Timbavati region has so much to offer and here is a video clip of us capturing this stunning Leopard in its natural habitat!
Seeing a crash of Rhino in the field grazing is just spectacular!
An inquisitive baby Hyena starts to approach our vehicle during one of the many game drives from our week.
A much deserved break for a drink and to stretch our legs by the jeep before we head back to the lodge.
Back at Rockfig Lodge
Once your morning game drive ends you return to Rockfig for breakfast and can relax by the lounge and pool deck.
The communal outside space feels special and luxurious with staff on hand to provide drinks and food at your leisure.
Checking out the pool and absorbing the views. It’s also a favourite for elephants to come to this very pool when they need water! Sadly we didn’t get any daytime pics of this.
More of the Rockfig safari outside space with dining view of where breakfast, lunch and dinner takes place.
Lots of room to socialise with other guests and make the most of the stunning views.
A well deserved break for a snack and beverage after a morning of safari sightseeing! It really is a perfect environment to relax.
Back to the Game Drive
Enjoying one of the many afternoon game drives! You really have to pinch yourself sometimes with the sights, smell and sounds of South Africa.
It always makes for an exciting experience, you don’t quite know what you will see!
One of our evening game drives picked up pace where we were on the trail of two alpha lion brothers!
With the suspense building it was fascinating to watch the two young lions walking nearby so close to the jeep!
These sort of opportunities is really what the game drive is all about. They can’t be planned but allowing for the spontaneity of nature’s events to take their course.
Once the evening sets in get ready for sundowner drinks next with your guide, tracker and guests from the jeep.
The ideal way to finish your evening game drive in style each day with a beverage and sunset views.
The Rockfig safari game drive is a wonderful experience where seeing the African wildlife is a dream come true.
Rockfig Accommodation
The lodge consists of six suites with interiors providing an exclusive yet stylish design.
Each suite contains a stunning master bed with the décor consisting of safari neutral colours and a thatched rooftop.
The only thing to be mindful of are the occasional African bugs you might find in the evening!
Other elements include bathtub and an indoor and outdoor shower with the latter offering outside views of Timbavati.
If you’re lucky you might see a Zebra or antelope in the distance. Sensational.
The views from outside the suite with outdoor shower in the background. A perfect way to connect with nature as a guest during your Rockfig safari experience.
You can take a small walk just outside of your suite to capture more views and absorb your natural surroundings.
Rockfig Food & Service
Lodge dining is the chance to experience dinner at the lodge each evening with guests and staff. An opportunity to exchange stories of the day and discuss the best daily sightings!
Of course there is a choice to have a more private dining experience required however joining everyone makes it all the more special. It depends on what you’re looking for.
Dinner soon to be ready: Rockfig staff preparing for our evening meal with guests.
Bush dining is an absolute treat where lodge staff take guests out to eat in the outside area of Timbavati.
It really adds a new dynamic to ‘eating out’ where you become centre stage within such glorious natural surroundings.
It’s another chance to taste good food and mingle with other lodge guests alongside lodge butler staff and guides.
A quick video of our bush dining lunch experience!
The service is impeccable where the staff are always understanding yet efficient at all times.
You never feel like you’re waiting for anything as they are quite simply the friendliest proactive team. It truly is a paradise
Final Verdict
Rockfig is the ideal lodge destination for those looking to experience their first ever safari experience in my opinion.
Game Drives were exceptional, a tad slow in the jeep at times but seeing some incredible moments with the animals from the Bush
The staff are so warm and friendly making you feel comfortable from the beginning right through to the end of your stay.
It felt very sad to leave such a wonderful place and is testament to the people that work there along with the amazing life long memories you will make.
It truly is a paradise awaiting.
For more information about Rockfig safari lodge: https://www.rockfigsafarilodge.com/
