Timbavati Nature Reserve Safaris
Timbavati is a private reserve bordering Kruger. Combined with the Sabi Sands, Timbavati is the region’s second most famous reserve.
When to go to Timbavati Private Game Reserve
Best Time to Go
Adjoining Kruger National Park
Rare white lions
Home to the Big Five
Luxury lodges & bush camps
An Exclusive Big Five Safari in Kruger
Timbavati is much larger and slightly drier than the Sabi Sands, attracting large herds of elephant and buffalo and an extremely large lion population. It is famous for its white lions, which were first seen here in the mid-1970s, and can occasionally be seen in the Kruger. The reserve is a good place to come to see tawny lions, as the prides here are very large.
Timbavati Private Game Reserve Trips
Bordering Kruger National Park with no fences, the Timbavati offers world-class game viewing in a vast wilderness where animals roam freely. Known for its strong guiding, relaxed atmosphere, and excellent value compared to its southern neighbor, the Sabi Sands, the reserve is home to the Big Five but also the incredibly rare white lion. Its sense of space and warm atmosphere create a truly authentic safari feel, all while offering amazing Big Five game viewing.
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Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.
Good to Know
01.
Is Timbavati good for leopard sightings?
Timbavati is not as good for leopard spotting as other areas in and around Kruger. It can often be hard to find this species, as the reserve is so large, especially after the wet season when the vegetation is growing. If you are keen to see leopard, you would do much better visiting the Sabi Sands Reserve, where they are particularly plentiful.
02.
When is the best time to travel to Timbavati Private Game Reserve?
Timbavati has a subtropical climate with rain and thunderstorms in the summer seasons. The best safari season is usually during the dry season (from April until September), when it is cooler. The rainy season starts in October and usually lasts through March. The bush normally comes alive after this, but game viewing becomes more difficult then, as the undergrowth gets thicker, giving the animals more cover.
03.
What are the best accommodation options?
There are a number of private concessions on the reserve, offering a variety of accommodation and safari experiences. These range from prestigious Kings Camp and Ngala Safari Lodge, to simple bush camps.
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