Reviews of Timbavati (26 User Reviews)

DianeB –

US

Visited: August 2018 Reviewed: Sep 13, 2018

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

The review below is the personal opinion of DianeB and not that of SafariBookings.

Overall rating

3/5

Wildlife:

Bush Vibe:

Scenery:

Birding:

Small private

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Mary –

UK

Visited: October 2023 Reviewed: Nov 21, 2023

Email Mary | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Overall rating

4/5

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The River Lodge which we stayed in was very good, but overall we were surprised that there weren't more animals in the Reserve, yet we did see all the Big 5. At the Lodge, we had elephants walking by our tented suite and one even drank from our plunge pool. Also had hyenas and monkeys close by.

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guybaxendale –

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

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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.

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galago1962 –

CH

Visited: December 2008 Reviewed: May 2, 2012

Email galago1962 | 35-50 years of age

Overall rating

4/5

Wildlife:

Bush Vibe:

Scenery:

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

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Marleen –

NL

Visited: August 2007 Reviewed: Apr 11, 2012

Email Marleen | 50-65 years of age

Overall rating

4/5

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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.

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Yamada Clan –

NL

Visited: October 2011 Reviewed: Dec 6, 2011

35-50 years of age

Overall rating

4/5

Wildlife:

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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.

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Dominic –

UK

Visited: August 2023 Reviewed: Aug 30, 2023

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

Overall rating

5/5

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Winter safari, so the bush is dry and water levels are low. The bush is not beautiful but the animals and the setting is brilliant. Being a private game reserve means fewer vehicles who can go off track so you get a better safari experience. We saw pretty much everything on our wish list and so much more besides, combined with a brilliant guide and tracker in fantastic bush accommodation

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Atle Fossmark –

NO

Visited: November 2022 Reviewed: Dec 25, 2022

Email Atle Fossmark | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari

Overall rating

5/5

Wildlife:

Bush Vibe:

Scenery:

Birding:

Exceptional !!

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David Gryzick –

US

Visited: September 2022 Reviewed: Oct 9, 2022

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

Overall rating

5/5

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Timbavati strength was it had a lot of lion prides and it had rhinos with horns. It had an incredible amount of elephants and giraffes. It's weakness was it lacked hippos.

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Michele –

US

Visited: May 2019 Reviewed: Jun 12, 2019

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

Overall rating

5/5

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Bush Vibe:

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This area is a little dry so the landscape is more sparse than Sabi Sand. Loved our accommodations at Kings Camp, amazing service, trackers and guides. Saw all the big 5.

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