Rissington Inn is an award-winning, affordable, family-friendly country lodge in the heart of South Africa’s Lowveld in the north-east of the country. Relaxed and informal, the inn makes the perfect stopover en route to the game reserves and an easy base from which to explore all that Mpumalanga offers.
Twenty individual rooms and suites are surrounded by 20 acres of colourful gardens and offer comfortable, spacious, airy accommodation. All have air-conditioning, ceiling fans, bar fridges, en-suite bathrooms, verandahs and private entrances. All have televisions. The rooms and the charming, thatched farmhouse are shaded by magnificent trees and have breathtaking views down the valley. The popular garden suites and hillside suites all have hammocks/daybeds and outside showers.
Outstanding breakfasts, lunches, light meals and table d’hôte dining, seven days a week. Extensive choices including child, vegan and African options. Welcoming licensed bar. Complimentary High-speed WiFi throughout.
Rissington’s easy-going hosts ensure cheerful, attentive hospitality allowing guests total freedom to unwind and enjoy the peace of the bush, to lie by the sunny pool or to walk, enjoying spectacular birds and small game sightings. Activities are on offer for children.
One kilometre through indigenous bush on a good gravel road off the R40, south of Hazyview. Ten minutes from Kruger National Park. Close to attractions of the Escarpment and Panorama Route. Golf, horse-riding, elephant interactions and numerous adrenalin activities nearby.
Rissington – the perfect balance of friendly, unobtrusive personal service. Everything you need and a little more than you expected.
Within a short drive of Rissington Inn are the Numbi, Phabeni and Paul Kruger Gates of the world’s largest Game Reserve. The Blyde River Canyon, the third largest in the world, with magnificent views and drops as deep as 3000ft (1000m) is half an hour away, as are God’s Window, a sweeping view over the Lowveld from high up on the escarpment, Bourke’s Luck Potholes - where the Blyde and Treur rivers meet, causing fascinating rock foundations - and Pilgrims Rest, the restored gold rush town, home of Jock of the Bushveld.
THE LOWVELD - IT’S IN OUR NATURE
Wondrous wildlife, thrills and spills, leaping and laughing, wet and dry, ancient history, warm hospitality, exploring cultures, making memories. Few parts of the world can match the Lowveld for its natural and cultural diversity or for the genuine warmth of the welcome given to each and every visitor to the region.
Please visit our What To Do page for other spectacular places to visit and activities to undertake, all within a short drive of Rissington Inn.
SELF-DRIVE OR ESCORTED TOURSAll of the following “What to See” options are available as self-drive tours and escorted tours.
Obviously, the freedom of driving yourself has its advantages, but with the benefit of a qualified guide you are likely to see and learn more. If you have a special interest or if there is a venue or site that you particularly want to see, please tell us, so that we can be absolutely sure that it is included in your itinerary. Please also check with us which meals are included so that we can pack you a picnic if required. (Breakfast picnics are included free of charge for residents).
For escorted tours, we have a small and select number of preferred operators with whom we will book for you. We strongly advise against booking on the Internet with unknown operators. Costs of guided tours vary from operator to operator. Please discuss the options with the front of house team. The more notice you can give us, the better.
SCENERYFor a full day out amongst some of the finest African scenery, we suggest a Panorama Tour (or a shorter Panorama Highlights Tour) with an expert guide, taking in all or some of the following:
Additional extras include:
Sabie River Golf Course (5 km)
The Sabie River Golf Course was originally built 57 years ago by the local farmers for their own use as a nine-hole golf course. In 1992 it was redesigned by Golf Data and is today, what Duncan Cruickshank of Compleat Golfer magazine refers to as ‘a user-friendly’ 18-hole golf course. Trees and water both play important roles as hazards on this course. At least 14 holes have water hazards. There are five dams and they all play a role.
Kruger Park Lodge (5 km)
A product of the Gary Player Design Company, this course offers a refreshing balance between challenge and playability. It is not an ultra-tough course (designed to torment the average player), but it is also not so easy as to make a mockery of par. The accent is on relaxation and enjoyment, allowing for just enough ‘bite’, to come away with a sense of achievement after playing to one’s handicap.
Pilgrims Rest Golf Club (58 km)
Excellent facilities amid mountains and large trees planted years ago by the Transvaal Gold Mining Estate. The magnificent sandstone clubhouse was once a school in Rustenburg. Each stone was carefully numbered when it was dismantled, before it was transported (some 500 km) and re-erected in Pilgrim’s Rest in 1985. The clubhouse sports an old Victorian bar.
Skukuza Golf Club (56 km)
The course (located in the Kruger National Park) is not fenced, so wildlife is a common sight. The course winds around a large central lake, which flanks several of the holes and provides the most challenging hazard. There are no bunkers, but many trees which provide an interesting test. There are two par-3’s over water, the final being over the hippo-filled lake.
Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sites - this is real Africa. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Rissington Inn is only 15 km away from the Kruger National Park Phabeni Gate and 54 km from the Paul Kruger Gate.
The largest game reserve in South Africa, the Kruger National Park is larger than Israel. Nearly 2 million hectares of land that stretch for 352 kilometres (20 000 square kilometres) from north to south along the Mozambique border, is given over to an almost indescribable wildlife experience. Certainly, it ranks with the best in Africa and is the flagship of the country’s national parks - rated as the ultimate safari experience.
GENERAL INFORMATIONMost of these activities are available as self-drive tours and escorted tours. We have tried them out ourselves on team visits to the various sites and activities, so we recommend them all!
Obviously, the freedom of driving yourself has its advantages, but with the benefit of a qualified guide, you are likely to see and learn more. If you have a special interest or if there is a venue or site that you particularly want to see, please tell us, so that we can be absolutely sure that it is included in your itinerary. Please also check with us which meals are included so that we can pack you a picnic if required. (Breakfast picnics are included free of charge for residents).
For escorted tours, we have a small and select number of preferred operators with whom we will book for you. We strongly advise against booking on the Internet with unknown operators. Costs of guided tours vary from operator to operator. Please discuss the options with the front of house team. The more notice you can give us, the better.
WILDLIFE TOURSRissington’s proximity to the world-famous Kruger National Park is one of its greatest assets and there are numerous different ways for you to enjoy some of the best game-viewing available anywhere in the world:
All guided tours in Kruger may be undertaken in Open Safari Vehicles or air-conditioned Minibuses.
In addition to the Kruger National Park itself, there are numerous other wildlife experiences and animal interactions available including the following:
Around Hazyview, we also recommend the following:
For the adrenaline-seeker, the area also offers many exciting thrills and spills. Choose from the following:
Health and Safety
We have put specific measures in place to ensure the safety of our employees and our guests. On a daily basis, we are working to ensure that we meet the latest guidance on hygiene and cleaning.
SYMPTOM PLANWe have a plan in place around procedures to take care of any guest or staff member displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
STAFF TRAINING AND PROTOCOLOur staff members have been briefed about the nature and severity of COVID-19 and related viruses to ensure the safety of themselves and our guests.
SIGNAGE AND INFORMATIONClear signage or other forms of information are present to educate and inform guests about our health and safety protocols.
PPE (PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT)The use of Personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory at our premises. This may include the use of face masks, face shields and gloves.
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PROCEDURESWe use cleaning products and protocols which are effective against viruses in all areas accessible to staff and guests. This applies to all areas including guest rooms, public areas, dining areas and staff quarters.
CHECK-IN PROCEDUREOur check-in procedure may include specific health and safety protocols such as completing a health questionnaire, having temperature taken and sanitising of hands.
FOOD AND DININGWe prepare and serve food and beverages in a clean and safe manner. We have adapted our dining facilities and protocol to promote social distancing and minimise human contact.
VEHICLES AND SHUTTLESOur vehicles are sanitised on a regular basis. We may limit the number of passengers per journey and require the use of PPE by all passengers during transfers.
LAUNDRYWe have adopted an in-house laundry protocol to ensure the efficient disinfecting of bedding, re-useable face masks and garments.
We require that bookings be pre-paid in full. Cancellation charges are as follows:
FROM NELSPRUIT/MBOMBELA (45 MINS)
Take R40 North to White River/Witrivier (passing straight through Rocky Drift). In White River, at the first set of traffic lights in the town itself (with White River Toyota ahead of you on the left), turn left, following signs to Hazyview and Wildtuin/Kruger National Park. At the next lights, turn right - with the playing fields on your left and, further on, an open park with a pond on your right. Cross over the next set of lights and then at the final set, with a Caltex garage on your right, turn left on the R40 for Hazyview, signposted to Phalaborwa. (The R538 to Hazyview via the Numbi Gate is a slow, busy, potholed road and not recommended.) Continue on the R40, straight over the Casterbridge circle, for about 45km, where you will come to a T-junction. Turn left to Hazyview and travel a further 1km exactly. You will see the entrance to Rissington Inn on your left. Rissington is 1km down this gravel road. Follow the signs.
FROM KMIA KRUGER NELSPRUIT AIRPORT (45 MINUTES)
Turn right out of the airport in the direction of White River/Witrivier on the R538. Continue on this road for 12km (there is a quick left and immediately right turn at the Plaston intersection – do not turn right to Kabokweni!) to the first set of traffic lights in White River, with the mosque on your left. Turn right and travel towards Hazyview on the R40 (signposted Phalaborwa). After approx 45km, at the T-junction, turn left, staying on the R40 and following signs to Hazyview and the Paul Kruger and Phabeni Gates. The entrance to Rissington is exactly 1km from the T-junction on the left. Follow the signs.
FROM SKUKUZA (1 HOUR) AND PAUL KRUGER GATE (30 MINS)
Follow signs from the camp or the airport to the Paul Kruger Gate (about 12km). Travel through the gate and continue on the R536 to Hazyview. After crossing the North Sand River (some 50km from the Gate), go straight across the first 4-way stop and straight across the next two stop streets. Continue over the traffic circle / roundabout to the traffic lights. Turn left in the direction of White River on the R40. Cross the next lights and travel just over 1km (over 3 x 3-way stops), where you will find the entrance to Rissington on the right hand side just after the Total garage. Rissington is a further 1km down the gravel road from this turn-off. Follow the signs.
FROM PHABENI GATE (10 MINUTES)
From the gate, follow the road to the T-junction. Turn left onto the R536 to Hazyview. After crossing the North Sand River (some 10km from the Gate), go straight across the first 4-way stop and straight across the next two stop streets. Continue over the traffic circle / roundabout to the traffic lights. Turn left in the direction of White River on the R40. Cross the next set of lights and travel just over 1km (over 3 x 3-way stops), where you will find the entrance to Rissington on the right hand side just after the Total garage. Rissington is a further 1km down the gravel road from this turn-off. Follow the signs.
FROM SABIE (45 MINS)
Take the R536 to Hazyview. Pass the Sabi River Sun on your left and at the T-junction, turn right to Hazyview. Go straight over the next stop street and continue to the lights. Carry straight on, in the direction of White River on the R40. Cross the next lights and travel just over 1km (over 3 x 3-way stops), where you will find the entrance to Rissington on the right just after the Total garage. Rissington is a further 1km down the gravel road from this turn-off. Follow the signs.
FROM HOEDSPRUIT / EASTGATE AIRPORT (75 MINS)
Take the R40 southwards towards Hazyview, turning left at Klaserie to stay on the R40. Be especially cautious about speeding on this road. Pass through the towns of Acornhoek, Bushbuckridge and Marite, following signs to White River and Hazyview. Cross the next lights and travel just over 1km (over 3 x 3-way stops), where you will find the entrance to Rissington on the right hand side just after the Total garage. Rissington is a further 1km down the gravel road from this turn-off. Follow the signs.
FROM JOHANNESBURG/PRETORIA (4 HOURS)
Take N12 or N4 Highway respectively to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg’s O.R.Tambo Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12) and then follow N4 Highway through Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp/eNtokozweni. After the Machado Toll Plaza follow the Schoemanskloof option on the N4 towards Nelspruit (lunch at Old Joe’s Kaia is recommended). Turn left where you re-join the main N4 at Montrose and continue towards Nelspruit/Mbombela. At Nelspruit/Mbombela, follow the Hazyview/White River R40 signs from the N4 and around two subsequent roundabouts / traffic circles until you meet the R40 alongside the Mercedes dealer. Turn left and follow instructions from Nelspruit/Mbombela above. SCENIC ROUTE (4½ hours) - Take N12 or N4 Highway respectively to Witbank/eMalahleni and then follow N4 Highway to the Belfast/eMakhazeni turnoff. Take the off-ramp and head into Belfast/eMakhazeni, then right, following signs to Dullstroom/Emnothweni. Pass through Dullstroom/Emnothweni and carry on to the T-junction, turning left to Lydenburg/Mashishing. In Lydenburg/Mashishing, turn right following signs to Sabie over the Long Tom Pass (the highest tar road in South Africa). In Sabie turn right and follow directions as above.
TOLL PLAZAS
There are two toll plazas on the N4 at Middelburg (±R66) and Machado (±R99). There is an additional toll at Diamond Hill between Pretoria and Witbank/eMalahleni (R40) for those not using the N12 from Johannesburg.
