​User Reviews – Timbavati NR

Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 11-20 of 26 Reviews
pixpeeper   –  
France FR
Visited: April 2016 Reviewed: Aug 18, 2016

Email pixpeeper

Overall rating
5/5

We got to see the "Big Five" on our first drive, in less than 2 hours! It doesn't get much better than this...

marilyn jacques   –  
United States US
Visited: July 2016 Reviewed: Jul 12, 2016

Email marilyn jacques  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

amazing!!!!!!!!!!
Overall rating
5/5

we stayed in the tented lodge- the experience was beyond anything we could have dreamed of. The animals were terrific the guide and tracker JV and Glen were simply marvelous. We loved every second.

Wati MT   –  
Singapore SG
Visited: May 2016 Reviewed: May 16, 2016

Email Wati MT  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

National Geographic right in front of my eyes!
Overall rating
5/5

If only words can describe what my eyes see and if only words can justify the magical feeling I experienced when I was at Timbavati Nature Reserve amongst the animals and nature. We got to a fantastic start as we saw two cheetahs sitting under a tree. According to our ranger (Amos) and watcher (Andrew) they've not seen any cheetah since more than 6 months ago. From then on the animals showed us who's in the house - lions, lioness, white lioness, leopard, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, hippos, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, impalas and kudus just to name a few. We saw them all! We even had the rare opportunity of seeing lions mating.
I've not been to other parks but I have to say that Timbavati exceeds my expectations. I hope that they continue to preserve the Park and make sure that the animals are protected from poachers. I can't imagine a future without these magnificent and beautiful animals.

Massai_1 (Carsten M.) Visited: November 2014 Reviewed: May 25, 2015

Overall rating
5/5

Great accomodation, good sightings. A little bit more "bush" than the Sabi Sands.

Amy Visited: July 2014 Reviewed: Apr 20, 2015

Down-to-earth but comfortable bush experience! Amazing Wildlife!
Overall rating
5/5

We had an amazing time in Timbavati. It was our first introduction to the South African bush, and it was
truly amazing. We stayed at Shindzela Tented Camp. The small size of the camp makes for an intimate experience, and you have a chance to meet and make friends with the guides, as well as other guests from around the world. The tents are extremely comfortable, providing everything you need. Our guide, Eugene, and tracker, Guyane (spelling?) were outstanding. They were a great team, and their knowledge and skill resulted in some extremely close encounters with wildlife.

The game viewing at Timbavati was outstanding. During our transfer drive into the reserve, we saw a herd of elephants, including babies! During game drives, we saw lions on a recent kill, got very close to elephants, hyenas, giraffe, you name it. Being able to continue the game drives after dark is also amazing, hearing a lion roar after dark, spotting honey badgers and a jackal were all highlights once the sun set.

The overall experience and atmosphere at Timbavati was exactly what we were looking for, and better. If
you are looking for a rustic, yet comfortable, true bush experience, this is your place. We are already
talking about going back in the future, and staying more than 2 nights!!

Sue Visited: May 2014 Reviewed: Apr 20, 2015

A wonderful safari adventure was experienced and many cherished memories were made.
Overall rating
5/5

The Timbavati Nature Reserve safari was truly a magnificent adventure enjoyed very much by my daughter and myself. From the moment of our arrival at the airport, we were greeted and taken very good care by all whom we met. The Ngala Safari Lodge, which is part of &Beyond resorts, was most impressive! The individual thatched cottages were quite charming and we were beyond satisfied with every meal. With our remarkable ranger and tracker, we did see all the big five animals and so much more. Having the open jeep made the animal viewing much easier for all of us to see the animals. The highlight of the game rides was the breakfast in the bush! The staff managed to surprise us as we were out on a morning game ride when suddenly we came across a gorgeously laid out breakfast with table and chairs for all of us. Having been on several safari, I would definitely recommend the Timbavati Natual Reserve for a safari.

Jonathan Visited: October 2014 Reviewed: Apr 11, 2015

Tanda Tula Private Game Reserve a unique and simply wonderful life experience
Overall rating
5/5

My family and I all enjoyed a holiday of a life time during our 5 day stay at Tanda Tula game reserve within Timbavati Nature reserve. The tented accommodation exceeded expectations, with wonderful views of the wildlife from our own veranda. A real family atmosphere amongst the Tanda Tula team is evident, the food simply amazing, the local music and dancing truly captures the essence of the mood of wild Africa. The attention to detail and customer service from the team within the camp is simply world class. The guides (Foremen and Given in our case) are wonderful people, friendly, extremely knowledgable and are willing to tailor the drives to your individual requests. We completed a total of 12 drives during our time along with a number of short safari walks. I am sure some luck was on our side as we were privileged to witness a number of rare sightings, such as honey badgers, african wild cat and a leopard stalk which ended in a successful kill. Weather was fantastic during our time not too hot during the day and comfortable during the evening. Overall an amazing experience!

jfcall1   –  
United States US
Visited: September 2011 Reviewed: Oct 24, 2012

35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Timibavati is an amazing place!
Overall rating
5/5

I have been to the Timbivati on two occasions as well as Sabi Sands. They are both spectacular. I stayed at Motswari in Timbivati and really was amazed at how close you get the animals. No review can really explain what it is like to be so close to these majestic creatures. Rare white lions (3 or less in the entire world which are wild), Elephants, Leopards, Rhino, Giraffe, Cape Buffalo the list goes on and on! The only way you can really experience this amazing place is by going there. It is something you will never forget!

Bill Siviter   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: May 2012 Reviewed: Oct 8, 2012

50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

An amazing experience
Overall rating
5/5

I had a one day safari with a very experienced guide. I saw every animal I expected to see and more besides. I wasn'r realistically expecting to see cheetah in the southern part of the park and would have been fortunate to see leopard on my first visit. The highlight for me was not one but two separate packs of African Wild Dog which I wasn't expecting to see at all.
The animal and bird life I saw in one day was profuse and I took over six hundred photographs.
The Rissington Inn Hotel in Hazyview where I stayed was excellent. The accomodation was of a high standard as was the food.
Altogether a great experience which eclipsed all my other adventures in the Grand Canyon and Tokyo or Hong Kong.
Visitors to the southern part of the park must expect the heavy cover which is commonplace and not expect the open grasslands of say Kenya.
We hired a car from the airport at Joburg and the drive though tiring after our flight was easy even though some SA road signs are ambiguous or non existant in places. It is my second time in SA I loved my visit to the Cape and the wine tour I took but big game close up is an experience I wouldn't have missed for the world.

guybaxendale   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: April 2011 Reviewed: Aug 14, 2012

Email guybaxendale  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Honeymoon in Timbavati
Overall rating
4/5

My wife and I stayed at Tanda Tula Safari camp in Timbavati nature reserve for our honeymoon last April.

To give you some background as to what I benchmark Timbavati against i worked in a Safari lodge in Kenya in the past and have been on Safari in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The abundance of wildlife in Timbavati is exceptional and we saw the 'Big Five' twice over during our four day stay and plenty of plains game and birdlife. The food at Tanda Tula was excellent, particularly the bush breakfast. Our guide spoke perfect English and was extremely knowledgeable about the area and its wildlife.

For safari first timers that want to see the 'big five' this is without a doubt the best area I have ever been to. However, for people who have seen a bit of Africa you may feel that you are slightly part of a 'machine' and that the guides feel an obligation who need to 'tick off' the big five for each and every guest. The guides radio to each other constantly when they find game which means that you absolutely will get to see the animals. They have a 'queuing system' to see them as they maintain a policy of only two jeeps viewing at any one time to minimise stress on the animals (an excellent policy). This is not true true African wilderness and so i suppose the bush vibe cannot be expected to be 100% authentic but it was the only slight negative for me. My wife had been on safari once before and i think felt it slightly less than me.

Average User Rating

  • 4.7/5
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star 20
  • 4 star 5
  • 3 star 1
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 0
Write a User Review