Welcome to Sunbird Lodge
Highly recommended, family run Guesthouse
Opened in 2006 we are located in Phalaborwa the “town of two summers” and the gateway to Mozambique.
Situated just 2 minutes from the town centre with its shopping malls and local businesses, we are also less than 5 minutes from the Kruger National Park, making us the ideal choice for the business or leisure traveller.
Set in 2.5 acres of tropical gardens, Sunbird Lodge is the perfect place to relax and let your stress melt away.
Laze by the swimming pool or sit under one of our Lapa’s with a beverage of your choice and take in the gardens with the abundant birdlife on show, you can do as much or as little as you want. Light a braai, sit by the firepit, watch the stars in the sky at night time and just unwind from life’s hectic pace.
We are a family run business with the emphasis firmly on good quality and friendly service.
Perfect for an overnight stop on your way into or out of the Kruger National Park or stay longer and take in some of the other attractions in the area, we can give you all the help and advise you need to make the most of your time in this beautiful part of South Africa.
If you are visiting us for work, both the two big mines are around 5 minutes away, the town is 2 km’s and the industrial area is also very close by, so you won’t have far to travel to wherever you have to go.
“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa.” John Hemingway.
Accommodation will be provided in either one of 5 twin/double rooms in the main house (all with private access from the gardens), 2 twin rooms beside the swimming pool or 3 rooms situated further down in the garden one of which can be used as a family room sleeping up to 2 adults and 2 kids.
Styled with minimalist decor all the rooms are of good size, en suite and have TV’s with satellite channels, air conditioning and ceiling fans, tea/coffee making facilities, fridges, work desks, private patios and are non- smoking. Free WIFI connection is available in rooms. Smoking is permitted on the patio areas. Secure parking is available close to the rooms with access via remote control. The rooms are serviced daily by our housekeeping ladies.
“One cannot resist the lure of Africa.” Rudyard Kipling
Set in over a hectare of tropical gardens with abundant birdlife, facilities at the lodge include a unique African honesty bar , a good size swimming pool for those hot summer days, lapa’s, a large braai area, secure car parking and a safe to store your valuables.
There is free high speed WIFI available throughout the lodge, so you wont miss any of those important meetings or chats to friends and family whilst you are travelling.
“It was wildest, untouched Africa, and it was magic.” Jane Goodall
Our breakfast room is open from 0600 during the week (0700 at weekends) and closes at 0900 with last orders for cooked breakfast at 0830.
Breakfast consists of a buffet selection of cereals, fruit salad, yoghurt and fruit juices plus assorted tea’s and coffee and you can also order a cooked English breakfast with toast and jams.
We can also arrange for a takeaway breakfast if you are planning on leaving early but please give us at least 24 hours notice.
Lunchpacks can also be arranged, but again, please give us 24 hours notice.
Dinners are available between Monday – Friday. It’s a set 2 course menu and must be booked in advance. We bring dinners to the room in the early evening and is typically healthy nutritious home cooked meals.
We can also help with recommendations and bookings at one of several good eating places close by which will cater to a variety of tastes and palates.
“I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy.” Ernest Hemingway
There are many exciting trips and activities you can do whilst you stay at Sunbird Lodge and we are ideally situated to explore this beautiful area of South Africa. Here we will list some of the various activities available and we can help you plan your days with advice and reservations where required. There are plenty of other activities available, feel free to ask us if there is something in particular you fancy doing
The jewel on our doorstep so to speak, No trip to Sunbird Lodge would be complete without visiting the world famous Kruger National Park. The Kruger Park is South Africa’s most exciting African safari destination.Steeped in legend and history, the iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa is waiting for you to explore its vast landscapes and spectacular African wildlife.
We are located less than 5 minutes away from the Phalaborwa entrance gate and you can choose to explore the park either with your own vehicle or on one of the organised game drives or walks with one of the experienced and knowledgeable game rangers.
We can help you with bookings for any of the organised drives and also with ideas on routes to take in the park if you are exploring yourself.
The best way to visit the Kruger Park is on an organised game drive.
Kick back and relax and let the experts guide you through the drive and learn all about the animals, birds, vegetation and so much more.
There are different types of drives available ranging from short 3 hour morning drives to full day drives, night drives in the bush and even walking or mountain biking options.
There are several local operators to choose from, some will take up to 10 people and others can offer a more private experience.
Just let us know what you would like to do and we can either book for you or put you in touch with one of the experts who can help.
Spend a relaxing morning or afternoon meandering up and down the Olifants River looking at hippo’s, crocodiles and whichever other animals are down by the river. The trip lasts around 3 hours and we can book for you and give you the directions to get there from Sunbird Lodge ( around 30 minutes away).
Just 5 minutes away from us, is the well known Hans Merensky Golf Course where you can experience golf like no other on the challenging former championship 18 hole par 72 course. As well as the usual challenges a round of golf entails you also have the added bonus of game viewing on the course in the form of giraffes, warthogs, impalas, hippos, crocs, monkeys. baboons amongst others. Playing a round of golf is a definite must for any type of golfer.
No visit to Phalaborwa can be considered complete without a visit to the Qualito Craft Distillery.
Here, where spirits are meticulously coaxed by hand from grain to glass, just one sip of any one of our meticulously crafted creations will assure you that you have embarked upon a truly delicious and remarkable journey of discovery.
The Distillery has come a long way since the founders began pouring their time and passion into crafting infused vodkas, whisky, brandy, gin and boutique cocktails of uncompromising character and quality. We invite you to come and take your taste buds on a tour through the Distillery.
And don’t forget to take home a selection of our handcrafted creations to pour with pleasure at your leisure.
An hour away from Sunbird Lodge in Hoedspruit you will find 2 animal rehabilitation centres:
A home for many of South Africa’s abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife and a highly regarded contributor to wildlife education in our country.
The management and staff of Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre are a group of dedicated conservationists committed to the preservation of our wildlife. Their intimate knowledge of the animals they so lovingly care for and protect is nothing less than impressive. We invite you to come and share a unique experience with the animals of Africa.
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at Moholoholo contributes to the conservation of endangered species and the rehabilitation of injured and poisoned wildlife. Moholoholo also facilitates a number of successful breeding programmes.
The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre focuses on the conservation of rare, vulnerable or endangered animals. Cheetah Conservation is one of their core disciplines.
The HESC is a must on any visitor’s itinerary. Not only does it present a fascinating insight into rare and vulnerable animal species and animal conservation efforts at large, it offers fun and interactive tours, drives, and excursions.
Explore the Panorama Route on either a full day trip from Sunbird Lodge or travel via the route on the way to your next destination from Phalaborwa.
On the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga, with its breathtaking vistas around every mountain corner, waterfalls plunging down faces of sheer rock, memories of the gold rush following you as you meander down an endless river canyon, and eagles hovering above your head – you can’t help walking with your head in the clouds.
One breathtaking view after another – that’s South Africa’s famous Panorama Route, where you’ll experience mountains, sky, forests and the truly impressive Blyde River Canyon, one of the world’s largest canyons.
The small town of Graskop is the gateway to the Panorama Route. It’s a good place to set up base. Scenic landmarks with evocative names like God’s Window, Wonder View, the Pinnacle, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondawels beckon. The awe-inspiring Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls and Mac Mac Falls are also just a short drive away. Adding some historical romance into the mix, half an hour’s drive from Graskop, the goldrush town of Pilgrim’s Rest gives you the chance to relive the 1873 goldrush in surroundings of unparalleled beauty. You can even try your hand at panning for gold.
From Graskop, head on to the Blyde River Canyon Reserve. Thread your way along the cliff tops 800m above the Blyde River Canyon, and at God’s Window, be sure to walk in the thick, indigenous mist forest that’s often among the clouds.
The Bourke’s Luck Potholes are also well worth a visit. These giant potholes have formed at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur rivers and mark the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon.
This area is also rich in birdlife including eagles that might well look you in the eye.
Some of the Panorama Route’s lesser-known but no less fascinating attractions are clustered around Ohrigstad. Echo Caves extend for 40km into the rock, a limestone fairyland. At Ohrigstad Dam Reserve you can fish for yellowtail or carp on tranquil waters surrounded by mountains, an ideal refuge from the crowds in peak season.
We are sure you are going to enjoy your stay with us, but don’t take our word for it, read what our past guests have had to say.
You can also look at our Tripadvisor page where there are plenty more
Another great stay at Sunbird Lodge, it’s our go to for our night before going into Kruger. Once again regretted it was only one night as we feel so at home here, especially with Dave’s hospitality. Cosy rooms with everything you would need and a lovely breakfast. Hopefully we’ll stay longer next time. Would recommend tonanyone as a perfect stop off after a long drive from Jo’burg to stop, and chill beside the pool looking out for birds.
Very nice location on peaceful area, still so close to shopping – preparing a week inside Kruger.
Room was nice and clean. We enjoyed evening meal and breakfast, both really tasty and really enough!
Besides ordinary service, Dave was extremely helpful with our tire puncture problem, by ourselves it would have taken lot of time to get the contacts!
Dave and Sam were extremely welcoming and made sure we were well looked after. They were very helpful with suggestions for both safaris and eating out. The lodge is just 5 minutes away from the Kruger gate. Would definitely recommend to friends and family.
Having found Sunbird Lodge via the internet, we were worried as we did not have recommendations. What a surprise. Lovely Accommodation and the best was we did not have a problem parking our Mobi Lodge in secure parking in the enclosed garden. Dave and Sam were lovely hosts and we highly recommend this lodge.
We are so happy to be able to visit again after the last 2 years of covid travel restrictions. For us arriving at Sunbird and the always friendly welcome from Dave signals the start to our vacation. We love to visit Sunbird, it is very comfortable and conveniently located for our Kruger visit. We always appreciate the time and attention Dave gives us, he is so very genuine and we always enjoy catching up with him.
Sunbird Lodge is a great bed & breakfast run by a very friendly family man. This is a home away from home with great breakfast options and comfortable, cozy, clean rooms with a much needed aircon to shelter you from the Palabora heat. Just 2 minutes from the town, everything is super close. Much recommended!
AMAZING
honestly don’t just take my word for it, book up and see for yourself!!
This place has everything you need! It’s close to Kruger national park, restaurants and town center round the corner and the hosts of this place are amazing! They will literally go out of there way to help you with anything! Thank you so much for our amazing stay! We will be back 🙂
They have a pool, bar, lounge areas, gardens, car parks, breakfast dining area!
Love love love this place
We stayed at Sunbird lodge overnight on our way to the Kruger Park. It is a beautiful setting with lovely gardens and comfortable accommodation with everything you need. The host is very friendly and accommodating. We had breakfast before we left and they packed us a lunch. All the food well prepared, tasty and value for money.
Sunbird Lodge is the ideal place to stay if you want to visit the Kruger National Park.
We were a group of 13 who stayed in Sunbird Lodge for 3 nights and drove into the Kruger National Park every day. This is an excellent place – very good facilities, very tidy and the host, Dave, treated us like royalty. Sunbird Lodge is highly recommended.
Brilliant Service
We spent a night on our way into the Kruger and Dave couldn’t have been more obliging and friendly if he tried!! Thank you.
Situated in a lovely big garden in a quiet part of town . A great start to our holiday.
Set in beautiful and expansive gardens, this is a great destination for an overnight or weekend stay. The owner, Dave, is hospitable and welcoming and nothing is too much trouble for him. The accommodation is very comfortable and well appointed. The rate includes an extensive full English breakfast. Unfortunately we were there in Winter and unable to use the swimming pool, which must be a very pleasant way of cooling off in Phalaborwa’s Summer heat. Strongly recommended.
