Henkes family visit in April 2011

08 April 2011

With thankful regards to the endearing lodge staff at River Bend.

Our holiday was made even more enjoyable than we anticipated due to the elegant and special individual touches of each of you.  Our meals were delicious and served with attention to detail.  Our room was the perfect temperature and always tidy with an excellent view.

We felt at home in the comfortable surroundings of River Bend and greatly appreciated the opportunity to relax in the gorgeous grounds between the wonderful game drives.  Most importantly, everyone was extraordinarily polite and gracious.  Our children felt special and we were particularly impressed with the ease everyone assisted them (and us) or retrieved our little explorers. 

Thank you for the care and exemplary manner of truly gracious service for families with children of any age. 

We shall happily refer friends to visit you and hope to return ourselves.

kindest regards

Annie, Evan, Marc, Christine and Ian Henkes

Guest feedback from our visitors in February

14 March 2011

"Great stay, comfortable accommodation and plenty of game" - Merrett

"The stay was perfect.  Excellent surprise for the anniversary." - Markus

"A fantastic 2 days with first class service and a 5-star guide.  Meals all excellent, rooms very comfortable.  Would recommend to others." - Abdy & Goldsmith

"A superbly comfortable and well-run Lodge.  The interaction with the elephants was amazing and something we will never forget." - Paterson

"Great food, people, place and great animals.  Would call it Heaven's Lodge." - Moering

"Another wonderful stay at RiverBend Lodge.  We enjoyed Darlington's game drives enormously. Thanks, will keep in touch." - The Strubbes, Belgium

 

Guest Comments - February 2011

24 February 2011

Hello Riverbend Team

After a long journey, we have safely arrived at our home.  We wanted to write you this short note to thank you and the entire team for an incredible stay.  Please give our warm regards to Ruan and all your team members.

Best regards

Peter and Walti

Guest comments for visits during January 2011

18 February 2011

"Safari tours were fantastic.  Thanks to Darlington for taking such good care of us".

"Great location, excellent accommodation.  Sararis are a unique experience".

"Excellent, cannot fault in any way.  Food perfect, staff excellent and animals amazing".

"Fantastic place.  Even though the animals were phenomenal they were far out done by your staff, especially Chris our guide".

Compliments from Scotland

11 January 2011

Happy New Year to all at Riverbend,
 
We stayed with you in October, seems a long time ago now.
 
We had two of the best days of our lives at Riverbend, I have honestly never been so emotional when leaving a holiday destination (as an adult anyway)!
 
We had an amazing time in South Africa but Riverbend was everyone's favourite place.
 
The staff were absolutely fantastic without exception, have never felt so spoiled before.
 
My children learned so much in that short space of time.
 
We would love to return one day and I will recommend you to anyone I hear of who is going to South Africa.
 
Hope you are enjoying the sun, have enclosed a photo to show the kind of weather we've been having in Scotland, down to minus 17!!!
 
Best wishes and hope you have a great year, we are jealous of all the lucky people who will be staying with you,
 
Claire, Colin, Ryan, Megan and Sam X.

 

Elaine and Chris Shipp, UK : September 2010

28 September 2010

Dear Stef and and all at Riverbend Lodge,

I can’t think of any other occasion when we have returned from a holiday and felt the need to write and express our appreciation for the service we have received at a destination immediately but Riverbend is an exception. We have tried to analyse why we were both so emotional upon leaving and apologise that we were emotional but even in such a short stay the experience had a real profound affect on us. During our marriage we have often planned what we would do for our silver wedding and we suppose this fulfilled everything we had wished for and more.

By singling out individuals for praise seems grossly unfair when gardeners, chambermaids, waiting staff all treated us with such respect and friendliness, it was truly exceptional.

Obviously though we had direct contact with some more than others and therefore we would like to make some exceptions:

Kim for helping us make all the arrangements and her prompt replies to any questions we had.

Moses, he was the first person that met us with Steff and throughout our stay he waited on us more than most and personally at our anniversary dinner. He had such a gracious manner we felt we wanted to ask him to sit with us and have a drink rather than serve us.

Stef, we can't thank you enough for the organisation and the personal touches that set aside this stay from any other. We are still unsure who arranged the bedroom decoration on the night of our anniversary but it made a lasting impression along with the dining arrangements. The photos of the arrangements you made for our anniversary were the first we showed our close family. PS we also brought a copy of Freshly Grounds CD that was playing the night of our dinner as a reminder. Perhaps one day they will have a bigger fan base in the UK

Chris, not really sure where to start with the ‘Brad Pitt’ of Kruger but we will try not to embarrass him too much. It said on our welcome note host, Chris Stamper. I think host was a real under estimation of his part in our stay. We know Chris is quite a humble person and appears more than a little embarrassed by praise but unfortunately that is exactly what he is going to get. Both Elaine and I agree that we have never met anybody that has held our attention and been of such interest in all our travels. A rather large statement but the absolute truth. He made our stay in regards of the safari side more fulfilling than we ever imagined. His information was of huge interest and indeed some of his views were quite profound. His passion for his interest in nature is infectious. We cannot say a big enough thank you and you are a credit to your position.

To all at Riverbend we cannot thank you enough. I know we left emotionally and for that we were a little embarrassed but obviously you see guests come and go on a daily basis. For us it had been a dream for years and you leave home hoping your dreams won't be a disappointment. We feel that we have completed in that short stay all that we wanted and in truth a lot more.

THANK YOU

With very fondest best wishes

Elaine and Chris Shipp

 

Anne Kotze - RSA

20 July 2010

Dear Kim et al

Anne Kotze - RSA

20 July 2010

Dear Kim et al

Lindsay, Carl & Tristan - RSA

29 April 2010

Hi Marius, Steph, Wesley and all staff

I would like to say a huge thank you for having us to stay at your stunning lodge! I so appreciate your warm and generous hospitality to extend it for 2 nights. You looked after us exceptionally well and were very accommodating with our little Tristan – he had a superb time! It was great to be able to see Riverbend and how gorgeous it is in reality – so hard to get a clear idea from brochures. Having time to experience the area and scenery on offer was also a bonus – the lion cubs and Rhino sighting was definitely the highlight – thank you Wes for being such a fantastic guide! But Riverbend itself is a most peaceful, relaxing and tranquil place, I could have stayed a week! The food was great, staff unbelievably friendly, the décor lovely, the whole layout and atmosphere very welcoming. And of course brilliant with children in every respect – I was very pleasantly surprised at this, and how flexible everything is when it comes to the kids - thank you Steph for making it so easy for us with Tristan!

Thank you so much again!

Warm regards

Lindsay (and Carl and Tristan)

Mr & Mrs Hamilton - 22 April 2010

29 April 2010

River bend was awesome, lovely staff, the whole experience was great. The weather wasnt really on our side so we didnt see as much as we could have but loved it all anyway. We were sad to leave on sat morning. In retrospect we probably could have stayed for the sat am game drive and got the later flight as it was more organised than i thought. Would again wholeheartedly recommend this place. Joe our guide was great, he really knew his stuff.