Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp, Kruger National Park

5.0 (4 reviews) · Luxury
Intimate safari camp with luxurious tented accommodations, dam and mountain views, and daily opportunities to see the Big Five

Overview

Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp, located in the renowned Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, is part of the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa. The owners named the lodge Thabamati, which means "mountain and water," as the camp overlooks the nearby dam and the Drakensberg Mountains. The location is ideal for daily game drives and optional short bush walks, where you can observe wildlife, including the Big Five (elephants, lions, rhinos, buffaloes, and leopards) and numerous bird species. This camp accommodates only eight guests in around five spacious safari-style tents, making it a good choice for an intimate safari experience. 

Each of Thabamati's tents is modern and luxurious yet offers an authentic safari experience. The interiors are open-plan, furnished with a writing desk, seating area, bedroom, and bathroom with a free-standing tub and indoor and outdoor showers—all with views overlooking the dam. The spaces are calming with mixes of creams and whites, elegant chestnut furnishings, warm area rugs, and mosquito nets. Outside, you can observe the views of the animals drinking at the waterhole from the comfort of your raised deck. All tents are eco-friendly, utilizing only solar power and gas.

Thabamati offers two safari game drives per day and short morning bushwalks where you can learn more about smaller animals and vegetation. Back at camp, the central area features a spacious reception and lounge area with high wooden ceilings and a curio shop, library corner, and bar to enjoy a drink. Outside, relax on the viewing deck with seating areas, take a plunge in the infinity pool, or discuss your day around the sunken boma. If you want to indulge, plan a massage in the comfort of your safari tent. When you're hungry, you can enjoy South African cuisine, prepared fresh daily by a passionate chef.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +27 823079493
Hotel address icon Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

Traveler Reviews

4 total ratings, 4 with reviews
5.0
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
5.0
Location
5.0
Staff
5.0
Cleanliness & Comfort
5.0
S
Supriya M.
Cheektowaga, NY | Reviewed on Dec 11, 2023
Outstanding facility. Warm hospitality and Great game viewing really up close. Read more

Outstanding facility. Warm hospitality and Great game viewing really up close.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in December 2023
mike
mike p.
Pittsburgh, PA | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2023
This place is amazing. The food, the staff, the accommodations are all first class. We only spent four nights here but my wife cried on our last dinner as she never wanted to leave. Courtnee, Brett, Mish, Sips, Oscar, Caswell, Zona (I know I’m misspelling this one) and all others were so great and helpful throughout. Read more

This place is amazing. The food, the staff, the accommodations are all first class. We only spent four nights here but my wife cried on our last dinner as she never wanted to leave. Courtnee, Brett, Mish, Sips, Oscar, Caswell, Zona (I know I’m misspelling this one) and all others were so great and helpful throughout.

Authenticity & Character
Just an amazing place
Location
It has its own watering hole that is always vibrant with wildlife!
Staff
If I could give them 10 stars we would
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean, comfortable, luxurious
Stayed in September 2023
David
David B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2023
Overall fantastic experience, luxury accommodation, excellent setting,service, safari’s, staff friendliness .The experience surpassed our expectations. Read more

Overall fantastic experience, luxury accommodation, excellent setting,service, safari’s, staff friendliness .The experience surpassed our expectations.

Authenticity & Character
Excellent quality of accommodation. Really friendly feel to the camp. The staff are all great
Location
Timbavati game reserve offers a lot of spotting from start to finish.
Staff
All helpful with everything
Cleanliness & Comfort
Extremely high standard in communal and private areas
Stayed in March 2023
Charlotte
Charlotte Z.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Nov 14, 2022
The best stay of our whole trip. Send everyone here. The lodge, the tents, the food, the staff - all stunning. Read more

The best stay of our whole trip. Send everyone here. The lodge, the tents, the food, the staff - all stunning.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. You can feel the love that Mich and Charlie have for the lodge and the area overall. They really set the tone for the whole place, and it's amazing. They knew it was our honeymoon, so they arranged a lovely meal at our tent for our first evening's dinner. They had also drawn the bath and strewn the bathroom with rose petals. Made us feel very special.
Location
Not a far ride from Hoedspruit, which is nice after a busy morning of travel.
Staff
The place is so small you know all the staff by name/sight. All very friendly and ready to pour you a drink at the drop of a hat. Left them all hefty tips.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in November 2022

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

Get started

Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +27 823079493
Hotel address icon Timbavati Private Nature Reserve