Average User Rating
Rating Breakdown
Write a User Review
Yamada Clan
NL
Visited:
October 2011
Reviewed: Dec 6, 2011
35-50 years of age
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.
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.
Large variety of birds and animals, pretty scenery, high level of hospitality.
guybaxendale
GB
Visited:
April 2011
Reviewed: Aug 14, 2012
Email guybaxendale | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Honeymoon in Timbavati
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
Read more
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.
Mary
GB
Visited:
October 2023
Reviewed: Nov 21, 2023
Email Mary | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
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.
Ben Johnson
SG
Visited:
August 2024
Reviewed: Sep 1, 2024
Email Ben Johnson | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Timbavati was fantastic from an accommodation and guest experience, however the animal population felt much more sparse than at Sabi Sand. Overall still a great experience and I would love to go back.