Umlani Bush Camp - Timbavati Nature Reserve - Kruger National Park

Umlani Bush Camp allows one to experience the real magic of Africa. Their beautifully designed eco-lodge is both off the grid, and the beaten tourist track, offering intimate and thrilling wildlife encounters. Umlani Bush Camp provides to its guests award-winning meals and a chance to reconnect with nature in one of Africa's world-renowned, unspoilt wilderness reserves.

The Timbavati Game Reserve is situated on the Western boundary of the Kruger National Park and lies between the Klaserie, Umbabat, Manyeleti and Sabie Sands Reserves. In recent years, the fences separating Timbavati from the Kruger National Park were removed to form a pristine wilderness area of approximately four million hectares.

Umlani Bush Camp - Image Gallery

umlani bush camp images 4
umlani bush camp images 4
previous arrow
next arrow
umlani bush camp images 4
umlani bush camp images 12
umlani bush camp images 13
umlani sleepout treehouse
umlani bush camp images 15
umlani bush camp images 14
Umlani game drive 122
Umlani Game Drive
umlani bush camp room new
umlani bush camp room family
umlani bush camp room
umlani bush camp images 1
umlani bush camp images 2
umlani bush camp images 3
umlani bush camp images 9
umlani bush camp images 8
umlani bush camp images 10
umlani bush camp public area
umlani bush camp patio
umlani bush camp game drive leopard
Umlani Bush Camp 8
Umlani Bush Camp 1
previous arrow
next arrow
Shadow

Sabi Sands Reviews

Sabisandlodges has been amazing in…  

Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us


...read more
Author Picture
September 23, 2026 GB Website
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in…  
Annelize Taylor    September 23, 2026   GB    Website   
Author Picture

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!!!!

Thank you Max for your recommendation and great service.  

Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly

...read more
Author Picture
September 23, 2026 ZA Website
Thank you Max for your recommendation and great service.  
Andrew W.    September 23, 2026   ZA    Website   
Author Picture

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.

The best safari oasis  

We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see

...read more
Author Picture
August 19, 2026 Cardiff, UK Website
The best safari oasis  
Mandy H    August 19, 2026   Cardiff, UK    Website   
Author Picture

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

100% Recommended  

Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100%

...read more
Author Picture
July 26, 2026 CL Website
100% Recommended  
Sven Gysling    July 26, 2026   CL    Website   
Author Picture

Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100% recommended.

Best in the bushes  

What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone

...read more
Author Picture
May 6, 2026 ZA Website
Best in the bushes  
Candice Tehini    May 6, 2026   ZA    Website   
Author Picture

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.


Umlani Bush Camp – Timbavati Nature Reserve – Kruger Park

Stay at Umlani Bush Camp and explore the wonders of the Timbavati Game Reserve, a private nature reserve that shares an unfenced border with the legendary Kruger National Park. Timbavati Game Reserve was formed in the 1950s, when a group of conservation-minded private game park owners on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park decided to pool their resources for their mutual benefit as well as that of the wildlife in the area. The individual farms were consequently joined to form a wilderness area that is today privately owned by 48 individual members.
Umlani Bush camp in Timbavati accommodates guests in traditional African reed and thatch huts as well as an Eco Rondavel, which all blend naturally with the environment and provide pure comfort. There are 4 double huts, 4 family huts, and 1 eco hut, meaning that the camp can cater to a total of 26 people. All accommodation options have en-suite facilities including open-air bush showers for the ultimate stargazing experience. They also offer comfortable beds, crisp white linen, soft towels, mosquito netting, insect repellent and standard bathroom amenities. There is also complimentary bottled water, although the tap water is perfectly safe to drink.
The breathtaking Timbavati and Umbabat Private Nature Reserves form part of the Associated Private Nature Reserves region, which borders on the Kruger National Park. The Timbavati and Umbabat Private Nature Reserves share an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park, which allows animal species to move freely between these expansive parks. Guests can therefore look forward to exceptional game viewing moments. The region is easily accessible by air or road and is a 6- to 7-hour drive from Johannesburg. The climate in this area is subtropical and rains fall during summer. The warmer months of the year roll in from October to March, whereas winter is from April to September. Generally speaking, daytime temperatures are pleasant, but mornings and evenings can be cool.
Umlani Bush Camp allows children of all ages. There is a babysitting service that can be arranged if desired.
It is possible to self-drive or get a transfer to Umlani, organised yourself or through the lodge. Driving from Johannesburg to Umlani is between 6 - 7 hours, from Mbombela (Nelspruit) (KMI) to Umlani is roughly 2 - 3 hours, and Hoedspruit to Umlani is about 35 minutes. There is also a daily shuttle that offers round trips from OR Tambo and back, which would also be 6 - 7 hours and can be arranged. There is the option to take the scenic route which would add 3 hours to your travel time, but it would be worthwhile due to the gorgeous natural surroundings along the route. There are flights that go directly to the lodge and is a popular option for those that do not have lots of time, or those that want to get the most out of their time at the lodge. There are scheduled flights 6 times per week, and an airstrip for chartered flights. GPS co-ordinates: S 024 17' 824 x E 031 17' 197

RATE INCLUDES

All meals - Local drinks - Two game drives a day - Walking safaris (subject to availability) - Local Drinks

2025 Rates

R6,468.00 per person per night sharing

R8,712.00 per person per night single

R3,234.00 per child per night (under 12 years)

Rates exclude conservation fees & gate fees

Conservation fees: R620.00 per adult per night & R310.00 per child per night (under 12 years)

Gate fees: R320.00 per vehicle per entry

SPECIAL OFFER: 3-Night Stay

R6,226.00 per person per night sharing

R8,404.00 per person per night single

R1,078.00 per child per night (under 12 years)

Rates exclude conservation fees & gate fees

What to Pack:

- 1 light sweater in summer
- 1 lightweight, waterproof windbreaker
- 1 warm padded jacket in winter
- 1 pair good walking shoes
- Sandals
- Swimming costume
- Wide brimmed hat
- Torch & batteries (head torch preferable)
- Insect repellent
- High factor sunblock (the African sun is harsh most of the year)

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve - Wildlife Gallery

walkers river camp timbavati 36
walkers river camp timbavati 36
previous arrow
next arrow
walkers river camp timbavati 36
walkers river camp timbavati 35
walkers river camp timbavati 24
walkers river camp timbavati 22
walkers river camp timbavati 21
walkers river camp timbavati 19
walkers river camp timbavati 18
walkers river camp timbavati 17
walkers river camp timbavati 16
walkers river camp timbavati 15
walkers river camp timbavati 14
walkers river camp timbavati 10
walkers river camp timbavati 9
walkers river camp timbavati 8
walkers river camp timbavati 7
shindzela camp wildlife - zebra calf and mother
elephant herd at shindzela safari camp - timbavati private reserve
birdlife - timbavati wildlife reserve - shindzela safari camp
timbavati wildlife 19
timbavati wildlife 20
timbavati wildlife 16
timbavati wildlife 18
timbavati wildlife 15
timbavati wildlife 13
timbavati wildlife 8
timbavati wildlife 6
timbavati wildlife 4
timbavati wildlife 2
timbavati wildlife 1
timbavati white lions
previous arrow
next arrow
Shadow

Enquiry Form - Umlani Bush Camp