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Timbavati Private Nature Reserve - Kruger National Park
Timbavati Private Reserve is located in the Kruger National Park - South Africa and is considered to be one of the best places in Africa to view the big five (Lion, Leopard, Elephant. Rhino & Buffalo) up close. The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve has a collective total of 18 all-inclusive lodges and 4 self-catering camps. For every night you stay in the Timbavati, you contribute to the conservation of our wildlife and to the support and development of our surrounding local communities.
The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve has embarked on an initiative to increase conservation revenue through sustainable tourism. This strategy was developed through a joint effort of the commercial operations within the Timbavati, as a means to provide the reserve with greater income from commercial tourism. This comes at a time when our wilderness areas are under greater threat than ever before, with exponential increases in security costs to combat wildlife crime.
The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve lies within the Greater Kruger National Park open system, and within the internationally declared Kruger 2 Canyons UNESCO Man and Biosphere System. These systems, in turn, fall within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), a truly visionary landscape of reserves and habitats working together under a common agreement signed between 3 countries (South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe) in 2002.
Conservation Fees and Gate Entry Fees
Conservation Fees for 2026
Every visitor to Timbavati pays a conservation levy to help cover the significant and imperative costs of managing Timbavati as a world leading wilderness area. Rates are charged per person per night as follows:
Accommodation Type | Adults (12 years & older) | Children (under 12 years) |
Fully Catered Lodges & Camps | R660.00 | R330.00 |
Self-Catering Camps | R255.00 | R255.00 |
Day Visitors | R127,50.00 | R127,50.00 |
Please Note:
The reduced levy for South African and African citizens and residents will remain in place for
2026, aligned to the Self-Catering Camp rate of R 255.00 per person per night (Adults and
Children).
GateFees for 2026
R400.00 per Vehicle (subject to change)
The only access gate to Timbavati is Enkhulu Gate, which is at the end of Argyle Road, the main road into Timbavati that runs east from the R40 road.
Open: 05:00 | Closes: 22:00
If your arrival is outside these times, please contact your travel agent or lodge to arrange special permission with the gate security staff.
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve - Accommodation
Simbavati - Wildlife Gallery
Enquiry Form - Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Sabi Sands Lodges Reviews
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us in great detail!!
Thank you so much for arranging all our travel - Ulusaba, amazing. The pick ups were great - through vumba tours!!
The La Rochelle tours were fantastic too. Drivers were helpful, friendly and professional.
Really enjoyed our experiences and everyone involved made it even better!!!!
Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly
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Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly recommend booking with Sabi Sands Lodges as it saved us time & effort. Experience counts and Max's knowledge was invaluable.
We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see
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We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see the big 5 and a lot more animals. The game drives were amazing. The Knowledge of the tracker (Donald) and our guide (Helen) was exceptional and they ensured we were able to see everything. We seen leopards, cheetahs and lions. You stop for a morning coffee out in the bush and sundowners in the evening, this was also excellently organised. The rooms are absolutely stunning with the biggest mini bar I’ve ever seen. The drink options are fantastic. Super comfortable rooms and luxurious. Food was superb. Each evening there was a different location for dinner excellently curated by the team at the hotel, with food prepared to a very high standard. We also used the gym facilities which were great. The service and operational standards at this hotel are exceptional. I would 100% stay at this lodge again it was such an incredible experience
Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100%
...read moreRecommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100% recommended.
What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone
What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone for the stress-free bush experience.
From the vanilla scented towels, to the delicious food, exciting game drives and phenomenal staff, our stay at Shiduli was magical from the second we arrived and lives in our hearts long after we left.
Your helpful staff greeted us as we arrived and and were with us every step of the way... literally. We were escorted to our private villa by Gary, who my children absolutely adored. Richard, in the bar was on form and Gogo Dorris had faith that we would see lions... which we did.
Thandy and Karen were friendly, professional and made us feel like old friends. We will definitely be back and will bring our friends and family so they can share in this beautiful gem.