Discover Your Safari Stay

Kambaku Safari Lodge

From ZAR 8,700 per night per person sharing

Discover Kambaku Safari Lodge in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, where family-friendly safaris, Big Five game drives, guided bush walks, and the Kambaku Kubs children's programme create unforgettable Greater Kruger adventures.

Location

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger

Located in the renowned Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Kambaku Safari Lodge offers an authentic Big Five safari experience within one of the Greater Kruger’s most celebrated wilderness areas. Famous for exceptional wildlife viewing, including the rare white lion, Timbavati shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park, allowing wildlife to roam freely across this vast natural ecosystem.

A Family-Friendly Safari Escape

Kambaku Safari Lodge is a welcoming four-star safari lodge where personalised hospitality, exceptional wildlife experiences, and family adventures come together. Designed with families in mind, the lodge is fully fenced for children’s safety and welcomes guests of all ages, making it one of the few safari lodges in the Greater Kruger that truly caters to young explorers.

Whether you’re travelling as a couple, family, or small group, Kambaku offers an intimate safari experience centred around genuine bush encounters and warm South African hospitality.

Comfortable Safari Accommodation

Accommodation includes eight traditional thatched chalets and three spacious family rooms, all designed to provide comfort while maintaining an authentic safari atmosphere.

Each chalet features:

Air conditioning
Ensuite bathroom
Mosquito netting
Comfortable king or twin beds
Private outdoor seating area

The family rooms provide additional space, making them ideal for guests travelling with children.

Lodge Facilities & Family Experiences

The lodge offers inviting communal spaces where guests can relax between safari activities.

Facilities include:

Swimming pool with sun loungers
Traditional outdoor boma
Indoor dining area
Complimentary Wi-Fi
On-site gym
Family-friendly environment

Evenings are spent around the fire in the boma, enjoying delicious meals beneath the African stars while sharing stories from the day’s wildlife encounters.

Big Five Game Drives & Guided Bush Walks

Morning and afternoon Big Five game drives are conducted at a relaxed pace, allowing guests to fully appreciate the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the African bush.

For a more immersive experience, guided bush walks reveal the hidden details of the wilderness. Accompanied by experienced guides, guests learn to identify animal tracks, interpret signs of recent wildlife activity, and discover the fascinating stories written across the landscape.

Kambaku Kubs Children’s Programme

One of Kambaku’s standout features is the Kambaku Kubs programme, specially created by owners Bryce and Nicole, who have raised their own children in the Timbavati.

Designed to inspire curiosity and a love for nature, the programme introduces younger guests to the wonders of the African bush through fun, educational, and age-appropriate activities, making Kambaku an exceptional choice for family safaris.

Rates

Per Person Sharing

From ZAR 8,700 per night

Children (Under 12 Years)

From ZAR 5,200 per night

What’s Included

Luxury accommodation
Morning and afternoon/evening game drives
Guided bush walks
All meals
Tea and coffee
House wines, local spirits, beers and soft drinks
Gym access
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Laundry service (one bag per day)

What’s Excluded

Spa treatments
Road transfers
Premium wines and spirits
Timbavati Conservation Levy (ZAR 660 per adult | ZAR 330 per child per day)
Timbavati Gate Fee (ZAR 400 per vehicle)

Why We Love Kambaku Safari Lodge

Kambaku Safari Lodge offers the perfect balance of authentic safari experiences and family-friendly hospitality. Its intimate atmosphere, exceptional Big Five game viewing, and thoughtfully designed children’s programme make it one of the best safari lodges in the Timbavati for families travelling with young adventurers.

With experienced guides, comfortable accommodation, and a genuine passion for sharing the African bush, Kambaku creates safari memories that every generation will treasure.

Customer Reviews

Crafted by People Who Know Safari Best

Judy and her team organized an incredible safari experience at Umlani lodge in February 2026 for my friends and I on our trip to South Africa. From start to finish, she was professional, responsive, and provided years of expertise which ultimately allowed us to book the perfect safari experience. They were always quick to respond to questions, provided clear communication throughout the planning process, and made the entire trip feel effortless, which allowed us to fully unwind and enjoy the trip without any stress. We couldn’t have asked for a more memorable safari experience and would highly recommend Wildlife Encounters to anyone planning a trip to the Kruger area.

Reviews “We booked our safari in December 2025 through Wildlife Encounters. We spent the first three days at Baobab Ridge, which was a wonderful lodge. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, and the ranger in particular organized the game drives with great enthusiasm. We saw all the animals, including the Big Five – all on the same day. We spent the next three days at Thaba Mati Resort – an absolutely fantastic, newer lodge set amidst stunning scenery. At night, you could even watch the hippos at the pond and hear them loud and clear. Judy from Wildlife Encounters organized the trip with great care and everything went wonderfully including the pick-up and all transfers.

When we decided to go to South Africa, we knew that a safari was on our list. What we didn’t know was how to narrow down the numerous options available to us. We sent enquiries to several outfitters, but as soon as we received Judy‘s email, we knew that she could plan the perfect trip for us. We stayed at Xanatseni Private Camp (in Klaserie Nature Reserve) and Umlani Bush Camp (in Timbavati Nature Reserve). In staying at two different camps, we had both a luxury and an eco lodge experience, and two different styles of safari to view the area wildlife. Judy also planned a perfect private tour of Blyde Canyon with an overnight stay at Moholoholo Ya Mati. From the moment we stepped off the airplane to the moment we returned to the airport, everything was seamlessly planned with knowledgeable and professional drivers. We couldn’t have had a better time on this once in a lifetime trip, thoughtfully planned by Judy to ensure we had the best possible experience.

Took our trip from a worry to an experience of a lifetime! Booking our safari experience was new and a little scary for us. Judy from Wildlife Encounters took all of our desires, gave us suggestions we would never have known to think of, and organized a trip of a lifetime! The communication was exceptional and clear, all of our questions were answered, and from the time we got picked up, to drop off - we didn't have a worry! You could feel Judy's passion, and as a result - our safari experience went beyond our wildest imaginations. nDzuti Bush Camp was one of our stops and a true highlight that we highly recommend experiencing! If you're looking for a communicative, helpful, kind, knowledgeable and a great, priced experience (who wouldn't) then look no further! Wildlife Encounters is truly for you! I have no doubt your experience with Wildlife Encounters will be as exceptional as ours was.

This was our 1st safari with Wildlife Encounters but it won't be our last! We knew from our first correspondence with Judy, when we were trying to figure out which camp was the right fit for our family, that we were in good hands. Because we were traveling with younger children, we ended up staying at the Tuskers Safari Camp and basically had the place to ourselves. The camp is situated above a watering hole, and we spent countless hours mesmerized by the various animals that came and went right below us. It was amazing! JD is an expert ranger and Vusi a very knowledgeable tracker. They not only found us a variety of wildlife (even the elusive leopard) but also spent time teaching our children all about the bush. From learning fun facts about the wildlife and terrain to stopping the jeep to look at different animal tracks, our kids had so many stories to tell their friends when we returned home. The camp itself was clean and comfortable. Every meal prepared by Victory and her team was tasty and memorable. The staff went out of their way to make sure all our needs were met. We can’t recommend Tuskers and Wildlife Encounters enough!

Exceptional Judy and Bruce are super attentive and welcomed us very well. Their campsite is stunning and during our stay elephants were nearby and we were able to watch them from the "balcony" of our tent. Sabre is an incredible ranger and we got to see a lot of animals and learn a lot about the savannah and how it works. We highly recommend it.

I felt like I was part if the family! If I could give more stars to Judy, Bruce, Sabre, and Justin, I definitely would! I picked the “Best of both worlds” tour and I dońt regret it! Even since de beginning, when booking the tour, I felt I was being taken care of, Judy was so kind and so patient, and she made sure my tour was as incredible as I could imagine. The second place I stayed at is Ndzuti Bush Camp, which is run my Judy and Bruce, and it was amazing, I felt so safe and so welcome there, it being a family business truly makes a difference! I even felt part of the family. And I can’t describe what it feels like to see the animals roaming free, it really changes your life. And Sabre does such an amazing job as a guide! She makes sure everyone is comfortable and happy and is always ready to answer your question. I don’t have enough words to describe what an amazing experience I had, I can’t wait to come back!