Perched on the edge of the serene Sand River within the vast MalaMala Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s most abundant wildlife reserves, Khensani River Lodge is a brand-new, contemporary safari retreat. Inspired by the gentle flow of the ever-present river, life here is unhurried and thoughtful, be it spending time with the impressive concentrations of wildlife on game drives or walking safaris, or unwinding in the fabulous spa, complete with sauna and cold plunge. The camp itself is spread out along a series of cascading decks under a collection of willow wattle trees and nine guest suites will all have a private plunge pool and verandah with views tumbling down to the river.
Opening December 2026
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Khensani means "gratitude" in Shangaan, and the name honours the partnership with the community who are joint owners of the lodge.
Khensani River Lodge can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made South Africa trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended South Africa trips featuring Khensani River Lodge or get advice and suggestions from one of our South Africa specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Khensani River Lodge start from around $3.5K, or US$3.5K, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
A safari that surpasses every expectation awaits in this vast wilderness just west of the Kruger National Park.
