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Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Family
Languages Spoken
English
Property amenities
Free parking
Pool
Bar / lounge
Babysitting
Car hire
Meeting rooms
Gift shop
Shared lounge / TV area
Secured parking
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
24-hour front desk
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Housekeeping
Safe
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Location
Orpen Road R 531, Hoedspruit, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
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Staff were very friendly and helpful. Porters available to carry luggage. Lodging is in individual brightly coloured huts with straw roofs and a patio with 2 chairs and a table. The room and bathroom were clean. The beds and pillows were comfortable with clean white linen. The shower nozzle had low flow but had hot water. Needs updated shower head. Lighting was fair to good. There was no A/C but there was a ceiling fan and a portable vertical fan. The temperature for the 3 days and nights spent here was 37-38 deg C. Despite the fans, the room was very hot and uncomfortable for sleeping. The internet worked at the bar and pool area. Our hut was close to this so we had internet in our room. The included breakfast had hot and cold items. The dinners were absolutely delicious, and included many different dishes. The chef is truly talented. There is an onsite gift shop, bar and pool
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The accommodation is basic as expected in the bush. The beds were comfortable & clean. The staff were helpful & friendly on the whole. The rooms would be more comfortable with a small fridge to keep some cool drinks as would be very hot in summer. No air-conditioning but 2 fans provided in the room. The food was very good & breakfast boxes provided for early safari starts.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our second visit to Timbavati Safari Lodge. We love that the units (rondovals) all have a front porch to sit on and watch the on-property animals. The units are rustic, yet comfortable and feel like a more "African" experience. We saw wildebeest, zebra, warthogs, monkeys and baboons from our porch. Had a wonderful guide, Vusi, who met us at the airport and took us on amazing game drives. Also did their Cultural Walk with a different guide, also named Vusi. He took us just across the road to visit his village. Very interesting! Food is exceptional and staff all very friendly and helpful.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Overall Timbavati was a huge (2 night) disappointment The accommodation was old with very poor upkeep. Old towels in bathroom, neatly folded into a swan.
The owners son ( we were informed) was initially welcoming and pleasant then became insulting and aggressive on our final night due to his drinking.
A rondavel played excessively loud music until after 7am , that we realize we should have complained about around 2am but just kept on thinking they would be considerate and switch off.
The early travel breakfasts were not eaten, as the sandwiches were squashed in cling wrap. Plus even after saying that we do not eat pork , ham was included in the sandwich.
The evening game drive at R850 per person is a huge over charged compared to more upmarket resorts with more knowledgeable game drivers .
Huge disappointment overall.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:will not comment
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed here for 2 nights, I booked a 3 day safari trip with MoAfrika Tours. After I arrived I went on a sunset safari in the Kruger park, this was absolutely amazing. The next day I went on a full day safari, I was supposed to go with the same guide as the day before. However since I traveled alone they decided to put me together with a group of 24 American girl scouts. This has completely ruined the experience for me, they were rude, loud and not to mention racist. I understand that their behavior has nothing to do with the lodge, but I think the Timbavati management should have thought about not putting one single female traveler together with such a loud and obnoxious group. The next day I should have been able to do a morning safari, as was stated in the MoAfrika tours itinerary. However the Timbavati lodge said they were fully booked and didn’t offer an alternative. I believe it was the hotel manager(?) I spoke to at the reception, he was very rude to me. He even laughed at me while I was in tears and then disappeared, not offering any help with looking for an alternative safari for the next day.
I also didn’t like the way this place was run, I could sense that Apartheid still exists at the Timbavati lodge.
Side note: the people who worked at the bar were very kind. Just the management at reception was extremely rude and unhelpful.
I paid over €500 for this 3 day Kruger experience, absolute waste of money due to the management of the Timbavati lodge
I would recomment staying at a lodge inside of the Kruger park and driving your own vehicle or booking a private game drive.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:This is next to the road, lot of noise. If you want to have an authentic safari experience I...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
To like: • Cool style lodges/rooms • Pool and bar available • Regularly wild animals on the premises • Good diner, real effort in presentation
Not to like: • Not very experienced bar staff • Not a very clean pool • Visibly dirty towels were places back on the rack, no new towels provided • Quite big holes in the mosquito net (takes away the function ;)) • Two days no hot water in the room • Breakfast and Lunch disappointing. Definitely in comparison to diner
Note! No airco in the rooms. So it can get quite warm.
Everything considering I would probably go back in the future. Hoping they will use my feedback to improve :)
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We were here with a group tour. Very outdated rooms with stale air. And very expensive food for what you get. Nice swimming pool. Although it didn't look very clean. A walk around the house park alone cost €20 per person. For a family €100. That didn't make any sense. Guide for Kruger Park was very expensive.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wonderful time at Timbavati Safari Lodge. Opening the hut to see Vervet monkeys in the trees was so fun. The grounds had resident baboons, wildebeest, zebra , warthogs, and kudu. All staff were friendly and helpful. Alain and Ernest in the bar provided excellent lunch and pre dinner cocktails. Chef Sean’s breakfasts and dinners were very good. The bototie was excellent and a new item in my experience. The fresh made rolls were delicious. The standout of all staff was our safari guide and driver Vusi. His ability to maneuver the safari truck thru “traffic” enabled us to see 4 of the big 5 and the ugly 5. The leopard viewing was amazing. Having both a male and female lion stroll across the road and lay down was thrilling. As he said, “there are no dumb questions “ and he answered all of ours. He was so genuinely kind to all. I highly recommend requesting him as your driver.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just amazing...beaut accom in a gorgeous location. Check for wild animals at sunset and sunrise as they are roaming around the park accom and its only a 30 minute drive from Kruger National Park entrance gates. Excellent food and beverages...love the R and R!! Thanks Paul and staff for a wonderful few days 😀🦓🦌🐆
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed 2 night in this lodge and it was great experience. The rooms are so cool and very clean. Having privet showers and ceiling fan makes the room very comfy. There is a very nice bar and food was awesome, Professional staff and we took the small five search in the nature which was great. Thanks.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ommen, The Netherlands136 contributions59 helpful votes
You need an South African plug. There are adapters which you can buy almost everywhere from European to South African. So when you have an adapter from USA to European you can add this to the local Eur/ SA adapter and you are fine. But be aware voltage in South Africa is 220V!!!!
There are more places to choose from in the Hoedspruit area.
PRICE RANGE
$213 - $249 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
timbavati safari hotel hoedspruit
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkHoedspruit
NUMBER OF ROOMS
35
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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