​User Reviews – Timbavati NR

Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 21-26 of 26 Reviews
Tommy   –  
United States US
Visited: August 2011 Reviewed: May 22, 2012

under20 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

The perfect experience for anyone wanting to experience the South African Bush.
Overall rating
5/5

The Timbavati Nature Reserve is truly one of the best places to go for safaris in South Africa. Its borders are massive thanks to collaborations between the previous owners of the land. Located next to Kruger National Park, it is easy to combine the two reserves on one trip for both safari experiences. I was 15 when I went to Timbavati in 2011 and stayed at the Umlani Game Reserve. My experience couldn't have been more incredible. The staff is incredibly friendly and the group is small so it is easy to get to know everyone there. Our guides were excellent as well and really seemed to have a strong knowledge of the bush as well as a passion for their jobs.
The food at Umlani was incredible as well- It was by far the best out of our month-long trip. Some of our meals included a delicious sweet potato and butternaut squash soup, casseroles, full english breakfasts, various meats, impala stew (try it!), and of course rusks. I was at Umlani during the Winter so the weather was nice although it had rained a few days before we arrived.
The wildlife was beyond anything that I had expected. We encountered all of the big 5 many times and saw a huge variety of animals. My group was fortunate enough to see a lion kill as well as enormous herds of Cape Buffalo. The elephants were everywhere and seemed to not care about our proximity to them.
Umlani is located next to a water hole so that viewing animals is still possible in between game drives. About a mile away is another water hole where interested guests can stay in a tree house for the night! Thanks to encouragement from the staff, I summoned my courage and spent one night in a tree house in the bush.
Overall, The Timbavati Nature Reserve and Umlani specifically is the best place to go to experience the South African Bush. There are friendly staff members, good food, knowledgeable guides, beautiful scenery, and of course lots of wildlife to observe. I don't often check 5 stars in all categories but Umlani deserves it. Too see videos from my trip, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/futbol7t/featured. Make sure to make Timbavati and Umlani part of your trip.


Colleen B.   –  
United States US
Visited: September 2008 Reviewed: May 21, 2012

Email Colleen B.  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

A fantastic, up close and personal experience in Africa -- a sense of adventure at every turn
Overall rating
5/5

Royal Legend Safari Lodge had beautiful accommodations, excellent food. Seeing animals up close and personal a thrill. Expert guides Fani and Rufus. The most awesome experience was when an elephant walked to our jeep, putting his trunk right in our faces! An experience no book or travelogue could ever duplicate.

galago1962   –  
Switzerland CH
Visited: December 2008 Reviewed: May 2, 2012

Email galago1962  |  35-50 years of age

Overall rating
4/5

Large variety of birds and animals, pretty scenery, high level of hospitality.

Marleen   –  
Netherlands NL
Visited: August 2007 Reviewed: Apr 11, 2012

Email Marleen  |  50-65 years of age

Overall rating
4/5

We were on a nightdrive, but saw only a few animals. The guide stopped at a fence where we could see the famous white lions.

Yamada Clan   –  
Netherlands NL
Visited: October 2011 Reviewed: Dec 6, 2011

35-50 years of age

Overall rating
4/5

I would recommend everyone to start your visit with a trip of a few days to a private gamepark. It is more expensive then Kruger, but the bush feeling is much higher as there are very few other tourists, no asfalt roads and lots of game to spot.

Trudi   –  
Netherlands NL
Visited: October 2011 Reviewed: Nov 15, 2011

Email Trudi  |  50-65 years of age

Overall rating
5/5

In Gomo Gomo Game Lodge we have seen them all: Lions, leopards, hyena's, elephants, buffalo's, rhino's etc.

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