Rafiki Safari Lodge
16 Km from the Coastal Highway Savegre River Costa Rica
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About
#1 of 50 Specialty lodging in Perez Zeledon
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.9
Value
4.8
Travelers' Choice
GreenLeaders Platinum level
Rafiki is a sustainable adventure lodge located in the Savegre Valley of Costa Rica. The lodge sits on 840 acres of tropical forest. Rafiki specializes in custom white water rafting, horseback riding and hiking trips. Guests sleep in imported luxury Safari Tents which feature hydro electric fans and lights. Each tent sits on a raised hardwood platform, has a deluxe bathroom with glass showers heated with solar power. The units also have a private porch with rocking chairs looking over the Savegre Valley.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Free breakfast
Hiking
Horseback riding
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Shuttle bus service
Electric vehicle charging station
Internet
Hot tub
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Plunge pool
Shallow end in pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Fishing
Waterslide
Massage
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Convenience store
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
First aid kit
Express check-in / check-out
Laundry service
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Room features
Air purifier
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Seating area
Separate living room
Clothes rack
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Private bathrooms
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Room types
Mountain view
Landmark view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish, Afrikaans
Location
Contact
16 Km from the Coastal Highway Savegre River Costa Rica
Getting there
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Incredible experience off the beaten path! Prepare yourself for a bumpy, windy drive up the mountain (4x4 an asset). The kids loved the waterslide (note that it is very fast) and we had some great meals as well. Highly recommend the horseback ride with Kenneth - he was a fantastic guide and showed us wild cinnamon, allspice and a perfect spot to return to for a swim in the river. Kenneth helped our kids (ages 4, 7, 9) feel comfortable and in tune with their horses and gave them an experience that they definitely won't forget!
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: There is a mid point spot on the waterslide that can be a bit gentler :) Make sure you bring...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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+1
Spending three days at Rafiki Safari Lodge was the perfect way to begin our two-week adventure in Costa Rica. The platform tents provide an authentic, immersive jungle experience complete with the 5:45 am jungle birds alarm clock. A reasonable level of physical fitness is helpful to fully enjoy the offerings, though even families with small children found plenty age-appropriate activities. The guides, who are mostly raised and trained locally, are highly knowledgeable and eager to joyfully share the secrets of their beautiful bit of paradise. The “waterfall hike” has several options from rigorous to easy, so you can tailor your experience to your interest, experience, and level of fitness. Our mountainous 9 km hike was much more than just a waterfall experience; we loved it. The long, rough, and winding access road to Rafiki ensured extreme isolation for our time there, and made us thankful that we had hired an expert driver (using Costa Rica Vacations) to navigate the road. We went in February during the dry season; during the rainy season that road would be even more daunting. …
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Be prepared to haul your own baggage here. The bellman services are limited. Take advantage of...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
We spent 3 nights here and absolutely loved it! The owners have created a very authentic safari style lodge nestled perfectly in a lush secondary rainforest- part of a UNESCO biosphere. The management staff are all amazing and come mostly from the nearby village of Santa Domingo, giving the whole camp a very pleasant family vibe. Food was tasty, varied and filling with lots of fresh local options- I loved the mahi mahi steak and huge salads. The cakes each night were a real treat- chocolate, pineapple and coconut. Yum! The tents are very high quality - we’ve done lots of African safaris in several countries and these are up there with the best - and comfortably appointed (hot showers, comfortable beds, fans, walk-in wardrobe, safes etc). There are several self guided hikes around the lodge - including to the river Savegre but the lodge also runs a range of guided activity such as white water rafting, night hikes, waterfall hike, bird watching etc. We highly recommend the guided horse trek with Randol for his expert local knowledge! Overall, highly recommend this place for a relaxing get away to enjoy nature and fall asleep to sounds of the jungle! This is a very green and sustainable hotel without losing any of the luxuries- their organic products are wonderful.…
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
This was a great addition to our costa Rican stay. You are literally in the heart of the jungle. The tents are somewhat private, though if your neighbor is loud as we experienced we could hear them at night if you know what i mean. The tents are clean with very nice bathrooms and amenities. The food was great quality for lunch and dinner, breakfast was basic but good enough. Loved that rafting and night walks were right on sight as you are quite deep into the jungle from a bumpy road out which was part of the adventure. Kenneth, and Allan were awesome on our rafting excursion and the night walk by Roland was also top notch and paced at our pace, cant say enough about these guides. Grizzly as called by his friends, our evening bar tender was also amazing. There is no AC obviously as you are in the wilderness which we didn't mind as the nights got slightly cooler. The only negative i have to say, is that if you have ever gone to a luxury camp in Africa, which is what i expected since the owners are from South Africa, the experience is not quite the same. I was hoping on arrival for a much warmer welcome, with information about what and what not to do regarding our tents to keep insects etc out, opportunities of what is around the camp to do etc. but all in all i definitely would recommend, you cannot appreciate the views or stars in words, it was quite spectacular from the deck of the lodge…
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Date of stay: February 2023
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: if you have mobility issues request a tent closer to the main lodge
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
PARADISE! My favourite place I’ve ever visited. A place to be in the middle of nature. We stayed 3 nights with two children 6 & 10. The tents were great and very comfy beds. We overlooked a lake where we saw iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards and toucans. All the food was amazing. You get limited choice but the portions are generous and everything was very tasty. We did the night walk with Rolando and it was an amazing experience. My son said it’s the best thing he has ever done. We saw so much wildlife and the Rolando explained so much about each animal. We also did the white water rafting. Again, an amazing experience. It was very calm as the river was low but perfect for our kids. Kenneth started the day with a walk through the forest and we learnt so much in a short space of time about various plants, animals, trees, etc. Alan was a great guide in the raft. A must do activity if you visit! The place is small with just 14 lodges, a small bar area, small pool and slide. But there is a big trail where you can see a lot of wildlife. Photos attached are from our night walk - all of this was 2 mins walk from our tent!…
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Go on the night walk. Go white water rafting.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Rafiki is truly an amazing place. It is at the end of the road (16km for which you need 4x4 but isn’t that bad in daylight). Location is amazing but the staff are what makes it the best. Kenneth led a great rafting trip that had amazing facts from the forest pointed out all the time and had a stop for a waterfall swim. Roland led a great night walk. Our kids (age 12 and 7) loved the rafting. The meals were great! 2 nights seemed too short (but worked well). 3-4 May be better. Good hiking trails with reasonable challenge and waterfalls around the property. There is benefit to pay cash for some things (no atm anywhere nearby so plan ahead). Also double check bill as our deposit was mistakenly not applied a checkout (was remedied).
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We loved Rafiki Safari Lodge. The tent had comfortable amenities combined with the fresh air, sounds of the forest, and sunrise each morning. The vibe is casual with morning adventures and afternoon relaxing in between delicious meals. We can’t say enough about the staff from the proprietor to the adventure guides to the massage therapist who came right to our tent. They somehow combined the easy, casual vibe with meeting the needs of each guest in exquisite detail. The waterslide was a highlight for our son. Highly recommend.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I highly recommend a stay at Rafiki Safari Lodge. My extended family of 8 stayed there for 2 nights, and we all thought it was the best part of our week visit to Costa Rica. It's very different from staying in a beachside resort. You're in the jungle and sleeping in comfortable tents. The proprietors and staff couldn't have been nicer, and the same can be said for the other travelers staying at the lodge. The activities we did there (rafting on the Savegre River and hiking to a waterfall and horseback riding) were the best activities of our trip, and the guides they employed couldn't have been more helpful or informative. If (when) I go back to Costa Rica, I will definitely include another stay at Rafiki.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Be prepared for an interesting ride on dirt roads to get to this marvelous spot.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We had the most wonderful experiences during our stay at Rafiki Lodge Safari. The accommodations were superb as well as the quality of our dining experience. The highlight of our stay was the white-water rafting accompanied by our wonderful and knowledgeable guide Kenneth.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: all rooms were equally wonderful.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We had a magical and exhilarating time at Rafiki Lodge, white water rafting and nature hike! We saw sloths, chameleon, monkeys, macaws and many varieties of flowers, plants and trees. We learned a lot about the rainforest and Kenneth showed us how nature was all connected and responsive to its surroundings. White water rafting was so exciting and fun and professional… safety first. The scenery was breathtaking and the swim at the waterfall was refreshing and a hidden paradise! Kenneth, Alan and staff were exceptional and were a highlight of our trip!
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
$168 - $265 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
rafiki safari hotel province of puntarenas
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of San JosePerez Zeledon
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
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Claim Your ListingRAFIKI SAFARI LODGE - Updated 2023 Prices & Reviews (Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica)
Frequently Asked Questions about Rafiki Safari Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Rafiki Safari Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Villa Vanilla Spice Tour & Shop (4.9 miles) and Los Campesinos Reserve (1.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Rafiki Safari Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Rafiki Safari Lodge?
Top room amenities include a view of a nearby landmark, a mosquito net, and a view of the mountains.
What food & drink options are available at Rafiki Safari Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Rafiki Safari Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Rafiki Safari Lodge have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Rafiki Safari Lodge offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Rafiki Safari Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Afrikaans.
Does Rafiki Safari Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.