Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp  Verified Listing

The small, intimate Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp is situated within the world-renowned Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. Here you can relax under canopies of canvas and enjoy views of the dam below your feet, the bushveld beyond and the Drakensberg mountain range on the horizon. Accommodating only 8 guests in 4 luxury safari-style tents, Thabamati offers a timeless safari feel with some modern elegance.

Arriving at Thabamati, you will find a spacious open-plan reception, lounge, dining and bar area designed with nature in mind. The library provides tranquillity, whilst the curio shop will satisfy your African souvenir needs.

The infinity pool and viewing deck with seating areas can be enjoyed overlooking the water and mountain back drop. Elegant dining in the sunken boma with the stars above and water below to end of a perfect day in Africa.

Each luxury safari-style tent is situated next to the water with amazing views. The tents comprise of a writing desk, fan, seating area, bedroom, en-suite bathroom with a wardrobe, WC, bath, inside and outside shower. Luxurious amenities with the scents of Africa are provided for your enjoyment.

The following is Included in your stay: Accommodation, three meals per day, sundowner game-drive drinks (local beers, local soft drinks, local spirits and house wines), bottled water, tea, coffee, laundry, morning and afternoon game drives, optional morning bushwalk of approximately 1 hour after breakfast, emergency medical assistance and evacuation, VAT, unlimited WI-FI, star-gazing after supper and room turndown.

The Timbavati forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park and lies nestled between the Kruger Park to the east, the Klaserie and Umbabat Private Nature Reserves to the north and the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve to the west. As there are no fences between the Kruger National Park and the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, the reserve boasts a wide variety of game species, including the Big Five.

The Timbavati lies within the Savanna Biome of South Africa. This biome covers 32% of the country. In essence, savanna is classified as a vegetation type consisting of both a tree and a grass layer, with complex interactions between these two structural layers.

Thabamati offers a great experience for individuals or small groups and can also be booked out as a villa option, complete with your private guide, vehicle and chef.

A typical day on safari

Upon your arrival at Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp, you will be met by one of the guides or front- of-house staff members and proceed with your check-in procedures. After check-in, you will be shown to your tented accommodation. Enjoy high tea, before embarking on your safari game drive.

Summer Times
05H00 Wakeup Call & Coffee
05H30 Depart on AM Safari
08H30 Return from Game Drive
09H30 Brunch
15H00 High Tea
16H00 Depart on PM Safari
19H00 Return from PM Safari
19H30 Dinner

Winter Times:
05H45 Wakeup Call
06H15 Depart on AM Safari
09H15 Return from AM Safari
09H30 Brunch
15H00 High Tea
15H30 Depart on PM Safari
18H30 Return from PM Safari
19H30 Dinner

Children in camp

Regrettably, we do not accommodate children younger than 10 years old at Thabamati. Children who are 10 years and older are welcome to go on game drives. There is no upper age-limit on the game drives. There is one family tent, which can accommodate a maximum of 3 persons. Confirm with reservations when making a booking if this suite is available.

Getting to Thabamati

The closest airports to Thabamati are:

o Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS), approximately 1 hour 15 minutes’ drive away
o Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP), approximately 3.5 hours’ drive away
o Phalaborwa Airport (PHW), approximately 2 hours’ drive away

There are daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to the above airports. Thabamati also offers private transfers from any of the above airports, using a local transfer company. Please enquire about the costs.

Self-drive

Guests who opt for a self-drive experience can easily reach us by following the written directions on the website. PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW THE GPS.

When self-driving to Thabamati between the months of September and April, it would be better to hire a 2x4 or 4x4 high-clearance vehicle, because this period is our rainy season. In our winter months (May to August) a normal sedan will suffice.

Remember ALWAYS enquire about the self-drive directions to camp. We do not recommend following GPS/SATNAV, because these will lead you on to the wrong roads.

Reputable car-hire companies in South Africa

a. Europcar - www.europcar.co.za
b. Avis Car Hire - www.avis.co.za
c. Budget Car Rental - www.budget.co.za

Important: If you are self-driving, please allow adequate time to reach Thabamati – you must try to be in camp by 14:00 at the latest, as the first game drive departs around 15:30/16:00, depending on the season.

Driving duration

Driving times may vary for individual road-users, but these are estimates:
Johannesburg or Pretoria to Thabamati: 6.5 hours
Timbavati Gate to Thabamati: 1 hour
Nelspruit to Thabamati: 3.5 hours
Orpen Gate to Thabamati: 2.5 hours