Luxury Hotel · South Africa
Rhino River Lodge
Tailor-made, always
Every trip built from scratch around your dates, pace and preferences.
Your own specialist
One named person and a 24-hour number while you travel.
Hundreds of five-star reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot across ten years of LGBTQ+ luxury travel.
At a glance
Located in the heart of the Zululand Rhino Reserve in South Africa, Rhino River Lodge offers a luxurious and intimate retreat for guests seeking a sumptuous escape in the midst of the region’s captivating wilderness.
With its stunning location along the tranquil banks of the Msunduze River, this exquisite lodge seamlessly blends modern comforts with the allure of the African bush, creating an unparalleled experience for discerning travelers.
Each suite is thoughtfully furnished with a plush king-sized bed, en-suite bathroom complete with a deep soaking tub and rain shower, and a private wooden deck overlooking the stunning landscapes of the reserve.
For an extra touch of indulgence, the honeymoon suite features a secluded outdoor shower and a private plunge pool, perfect for a romantic getaway under the African sky. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel welcomed and pampered at Rhino River Lodge.
Highlights
- Morning and evening game drives
- Dinner served under the stars
- Luxurious spa facilities
- Attentive service
- Luxury lodges
Accommodation
En Suite Luxury Rooms
There are four En Suite Luxury Rooms. Decorated in a rustic style, each comes with elegant bathrooms, separate sitting areas, a veranda and a king sized or two double beds.
Family Chalets
Ideal for a small family or if you want extra space, the Family Chalets has two double bedrooms – one in a second-story loft. They also have a boma, shared bathrooms and spacious living area.
The Cottage
The Cottage is, quite literally, a thatched cottage such as you’d find in Britain. The interiors have a classic African style. There are two double bedrooms, a private veranda and even a private pool. An ideal place to dine under the stars.
The Homestead
The most exclusive option is the Homestead. Each of the two bedrooms has an en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower. The lounge opens onto a spacious deck overlooking the bushveld. It has an open place kitchen and private plunge pool overlooking Msunduze River.
Further information
Dining
All meals are included. The main lodge keeps its lounge, bar, and dining room on a raised deck above the Msunduze River, shaded by fig and fever trees, with kudu often grazing the lawn at lunch. Cooking is hearty, traditional South African fare, paired with local wines. After the afternoon drive, dinner moves to the boma, served around a log fire beneath the stars.
Wellness
Wellness here is relaxed and low-key. A large swimming pool, set apart from the dining areas under a thatched gazebo, is the main place to cool off in the midday heat, and the two private safari houses, the Cottage and the Homestead, each add their own plunge pool above the riverbed. Spa treatments can be arranged on request, and a small fitness room is available for anyone keeping active.
Activities
Game viewing leads the day, with morning and afternoon drives in open 4x4s across the 57,000-acre Manyoni Private Game Reserve, tracking lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino, cheetah, and wild dog. Guided bush walks and night drives can be added. Manyoni means “place of the birds,” and its 415 recorded species make for strong birding straight from camp. The reserve grew from a black rhino conservation program, and that work continues.
South Africa
South Africa occupies the southern tip of the African continent, bordered by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and sharing land borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini. The country spans eleven official languages and an extraordinary range of landscapes, from the winelands of the Western Cape to the bushveld of Limpopo and the dramatic coastline of the Garden Route. Most itineraries begin in Cape Town, one of the world’s great cities.
Our Experts
There's no better way to appreciate the natural world than by taking part in a South African safari. You'll have the chance to see the Big Five whilst never compromising when it comes to luxury.
The cosmopolitan hub of Cape Town is often overlooked as a fantastic travel destination. It has a palpably vibrant character and a flourishing food scene. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to experience something completely different.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first inquiry to homecoming. No call center, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.