Just outside Hazyview and 10 minutes from Kruger Park, is a friendly, affordable, four-star country lodge with long views over the Sabie River Valley.
Owner Chris Harvie is the perfect host, but, more than that, he’s got a great sense of humour. He has built up a wonderful team, and we must mention Melanie and Anton, who look after you extremely well. Our clients have passed many a happy evening in the friendly bar. Service is professional, informal and unobtrusive.
The surrounding gardens, with their brightly flowering trees, and indigenous bush contribute to the African feel. You can spot zebra, antelope, ostriches, monkeys and hippo around the property – on your first day in South Africa. Over 170 bird species have been spotted at Rissington.
Accommodation
There are 14 attractive, individual, air-conditioned rooms and suites with their own entrances and private verandahs. Garden suites have outside (as well as inside) showers; and are large enough to accommodate one or even two extra beds easily. In addition, two newly refurbished two-bedroom suites are ideal for families or small groups, and share their own small pool.
There are comfortable lounge and dining areas, and a thatched bar and terrace overlooking the pool.
Food
The restaurant is excellent and innovative; there is usually a sprinkling of locals in for dinner, as well as a few refugees from other lodges! Rissington Inn has been awarded the Coup de Coeur by Michelin South Africa. The kitchen will provide a luxury picnic for taking to Blyde River Canyon or Kruger Park. The menu includes vegetarian options.
The wine list is extensive and has been awarded a Gold in the Diners Club Wine Awards. You will probably find something new on it; we have found the advice sound.
Activities
Within an hours drive of Rissington Inn you can visit all the attractions of Blyde River Canyon: Bourkes Luck Potholes, Mac Mac Falls, Berlin Falls, God’s Window, the Pinnacle; the Sabie River (for trout fishing) and Horseshoe Falls; Shangana Cultural Village, to see something of traditional Shangaan tribal dances and customs; the Hoedspruit Cheetah Breeding Project; the old gold-mining village of Pilgrims Rest; and, of course, Kruger Park. You can go horse-riding, quad-biking and river-rafting. If none of that appeals, go up in a hot-air balloon, or have a game of golf!
Community
Thirty of Rissington's 32 staff members are drawn from local previously disadvantaged communities and trained in-house. All senior management staff received all their training at the lodge. Where possible, all fresh produce and furnishings are sourced from the local community. Leftover food and building materials, catering equipment and linen are distributed to a local AIDS orphanage for which Rissington does a considerable amount of fund-raising. Rissington was also instrumental in the founding of a pre-primary school in a nearby rural area.
