Discover Your Safari Stay

Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp

From ZAR 11,628 per night, per person sharing

Experience Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, where luxury safari tents, Big Five game drives, mountain views, and personalised hospitality create an unforgettable Greater Kruger escape.

Location

Situated within the renowned Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, part of the unfenced Greater Kruger National Park, Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp offers an exclusive safari experience surrounded by pristine wilderness. Overlooking a tranquil dam with breathtaking views of the Drakensberg Mountains and the distant Blyde River Canyon, the camp combines spectacular scenery with exceptional Big Five wildlife viewing.

The Lodge

Meaning “Mountain Water”, Thabamati is an intimate, family-run safari camp designed for travellers seeking luxury, tranquillity, and an authentic connection with nature. With just four spacious luxury safari tents, the camp offers an exclusive and highly personalised safari experience where comfort blends seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness.

Its peaceful setting, contemporary design, and low vehicle density make every safari feel private, immersive, and unforgettable.

Accommodation

Accommodation comprises four luxurious Java-style safari tents, each elevated on wooden platforms overlooking the water.

Each suite features:

Super king-size four-poster bed with mosquito net
Private lounge area
Airy open-plan design
Freestanding bath
Indoor shower
Outdoor shower
Luxury bathroom amenities
Writing desk
Private furnished deck with water views
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Blending nostalgic safari style with modern comforts, each tent offers a peaceful retreat where guests can relax while enjoying uninterrupted views of the surrounding bush.

Facilities & Dining

The beautifully designed thatched main lodge is built around natural timber and warm ambient lighting, creating an inviting space to relax between safari activities.

Guests can enjoy:

Swimming pool overlooking the dam
Expansive wooden viewing deck
Indoor lounge
Fully stocked bar
Reception area
Curio and gift shop
Outdoor dining area

Whether enjoying a leisurely lunch overlooking the water or relaxing beside the pool after a game drive, every space has been designed to embrace the tranquillity of the African bush.

Safari Experiences

Twice-daily Big Five game drives explore one of the most wildlife-rich areas of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Purpose-built open safari vehicles ensure every guest enjoys an uninterrupted view, while experienced guides share their extensive knowledge of the area’s wildlife, ecology, and conservation.

Guests also enjoy a guided bush walk after breakfast, offering a fascinating perspective on the smaller details of the African wilderness. As evening falls, traditional sundowners and guided stargazing complete an unforgettable day in the bush.

Rates

Per Person Sharing
From ZAR 11,628 per night

Single Traveller
From ZAR 12,883 per night

Children (10–11 years)
From ZAR 9,918 per night

What’s Included

Luxury safari tent accommodation
All meals
Tea, coffee and bottled water
Morning and afternoon/evening game drives
One-hour guided bush walk
Sundowner drink
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Guided stargazing experience
VAT
Emergency medical and evacuation insurance

What’s Excluded

Road transfers
All additional beverages
Gratuities
Timbavati Gate Fee (ZAR 350 per vehicle)
Conservation Levy (ZAR 660 per person)

Why We Love Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp

Thabamati offers an intimate luxury safari experience where breathtaking mountain views meet exceptional Big Five wildlife viewing. With only four luxury tents and a peaceful location in a low vehicle-density area of the Timbavati, guests enjoy a quieter, more exclusive safari.

Family-owned and operated alongside its sister property, Shindzela Tented Camp, Thabamati combines personalised hospitality, outstanding guiding, and spectacular scenery to create an unforgettable Greater Kruger safari.

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!