Hotels & Lodges | Timbuktu Travel

18 On The Hill

Balule

9 Rooms

From $610 per person/night

Perched at the top of its own little world in the Maseke Game Reserve, this intimate five-star lodge enjoys some of the most commanding views in the Greater Kruger. The unfenced borders with the national park mean that wildlife wanders freely across more than 11,000 hectares of wilderness, including a riverfront traverse along the Olifants River where big cats come to drink and hippos bask in the shallows. The motto here is I matutu vana va tavasi – Tsonga for 'it is plenty', and the emphasis is on quality over quantity – exceptional guiding, beautifully considered design, and the kind of personal attention that larger lodges struggle to replicate. Wildlife wanders freely through camp, and the elevated position means sundowners come with views that stretch all the way to the Drakensberg.

Khanya Conservation Camp

Balule

From $330 per person/night

Nestled within the heart of the Balule North Reserve, Khanya Conservation Camp epitomizes the enduring charm of an authentic safari experience. Surrounded by the Greater Kruger’s Big 5 territory, this rustic-tented retreat beckons those seeking the essence of a classic safari amidst the untamed beauty of the African wilderness. Crafted for friends, families, and wilderness conservation enthusiasts, Khanya Conservation Camp strategically positions itself amid dense mopane woodlands, offering an immersive and genuine safari adventure. Embrace a rugged outdoor lifestyle beneath the sprawling African skies, revelling in uncompromised comfort.

Royal Ingwe River Lodge

Balule

From $690 per person/night

As dawn crescendos with birdsong, the morning sun awakens Earth’s creatures – big and small – that await you on game drives, guided walking safaris and private bird hide excursions. As you immerse yourself in Africa’s wilderness, each moment becomes a life-defining experience. Come nightfall, nature serenades you beneath its celestial canopy.

Bundox River Lodge

Balule

5 Rooms

From $650 per person/night

Views. They’re something that turn an ordinary safari experience into something extraordinary, especially when they involve the unique combination of permanently flowing water slicing through a pristine African wilderness. At Bundox River Lodge, the views over the omnipresent Olifants River create pure safari magic… This is unplugged Africa at its best!

Bundox Explorer Camp

Balule

4 Rooms

From $280 per person/night

The Explorer Camp tents are simplistic yet comfortably equipped with all the modern amenities required to add extra ambiance and comfort. The tents are placed in close proximity without encroaching on the other tents’ privacy.

Kwenga Safari Lodge

Balule

8 Rooms

From $340 per person/night

Kwenga, meaning ‘the lead buffalo’ is a refined and elegant lodge. The 8 thatched chalets at Kwenga are designed to create a delicate mix of elegance and simplicity. Dining under the African night sky is an exceptional experience where you hear the roar of a lion in the air. At Kwenga, meals are served in the ‘boma’ where you are wrapped in the intimacy of the galaxy of stars above. A stunning waterhole is situated close by and is frequented by all of the game species affording guests wonderful sightings whilst enjoying a cocktail on the terrace. This is a true African safari holiday spot where you are woken early for your guided safari tour or bush walk amongst the Big Five.

Bundox Safari Lodge

Hoedspruit & Surrounds

8 Rooms

From $90 per person/night

From the moment you arrive at Bundox Safari Lodge you can feel the outside world become more distant and muted. Perhaps it’s the breeze moving in the branches of the tall, riparian trees that surround you, or the birdsong that fills the air. Maybe it’s the sound of Africa welcoming you to a place where time has no meaning…

Tshukudu Game Lodge

Hoedspruit & Surrounds

From $870 per person/night

Get up close with nature. Be it a sunset game drive, a dip in the pool, a trip to the spa, or a delicious meal accompanied by an artisanal drink, Tshukudu Game Lodge is here to ensure you get the rest and relaxation you need… no, deserve! Tshukudu, meaning “rhino” in Sotho, borders the Greater Kruger National Park. This little piece of heaven provides a much-needed retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Isn’t it time you allowed yourself an immersive South African wildlife experience in the Lowveld, open savannah plains and dense treescapes of a 3800-hectare private game lodge?

Ngama Tented Safari Lodge

Hoedspruit & Surrounds

From $90 per person/night

Ngama meaning ‘place of the eagles’ is a delightfully intimate, family run tented safari lodge, that offers a true African experience. Where guests fall asleep to the sounds of the bush and are pampered with the warm hearted service that embodies the soul of Africa.

Phelwana Game Lodge

Hoedspruit & Surrounds

From $150 per person/night

Set in a private reserve, our guests have the chance to see some of Africa's most renowned plains animals up close, including hippos, zebras, buffalos, and giraffes. With game drives and bush walks available, opportunities are plentiful to explore the breathtaking landscape with one of our experienced guides and get up close and personal with the wildlife. For the fishing enthusiasts, catch-and-release fishing is offered on two magnificent dams on the reserve. Mealtimes are a decadent affair, bringing families and friends together. Delicious meals are made with fresh locally sourced produce and served with a warm smile by our friendly servers. Phelwana Game Lodge is an incredible destination that's sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

umVangati House

Hoedspruit & Surrounds

6 Rooms

From $110 per person/night

A handcrafted canyon retreat, 100% solar powered, with the Blyde River on the doorstep.

The name comes from the Swazi word for the Kiaat tree — and the owner, Giel, cut and shaped that same timber into every door, cupboard, kitchen, vanity and piece of furniture in the house. That detail tells you most of what you need to know about umVangati House: it is a place built with genuine care, by hand, in one of South Africa's most dramatic natural settings. The property sits on Swadini Road in the heart of the Blyde River Canyon — the third largest canyon in the world and the deepest of its kind — with the Panorama Route and Kruger both within reach. Entirely solar powered and adults only, it is a guesthouse that has worked out precisely what it wants to be. Quiet. Personal. Unhurried.

Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit

Hoedspruit & Surrounds

138 Rooms

From $170 per person/night

Safari luxury with Drakensberg views and proper Kruger access - fresh from the box.

Just outside Hoedspruit, this shiny new addition to South Africa's safari scene opened in February 2024 with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a modern safari hotel. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains, the property puts you within striking distance of Kruger National Park whilst offering all the contemporary comforts. With 138 rooms spread across manicured grounds, two swimming pools, a proper spa, and dining venues that showcase local flavours, it's designed for safari-goers who like their wilderness with a healthy dose of creature comforts. The location is spot-on for exploring both Kruger and the spectacular Blyde River Canyon.

Lion Tree Top Lodge

Hoedspruit & Surrounds

From $120 per person/night

Experience total tranquillity and true African hospitality at Lion Tree Top Lodge near Hoedspruit, they are situated in a private nature reserve in the heart of the game-rich area, bordering the Kruger National Park’s western boundary in Limpopo, this is Glamping near the Kruger Park at its best. They are a small exclusive lodge offering a unique African experience. There are five intimate and private, luxury tree top tents with sunken or corner baths, inside and outside showers, large decks, fans and bar fridges. All accommodation offers a choice of king or twin beds with canopy-style mosquito nets. There are also cosy sitting areas with tea and coffee stations in all our tents. Please email the lodge for more information.

Cape Vulture Lodge

Hoedspruit & Surrounds

9 Rooms

From $290 per person/night

Take flight and escape the ordinary.

Cape Vulture Lodge has been purposefully designed to immerse guests in the wonderful African wilderness that surrounds it while keeping its environmental footprint to an absolute minimum. The spacious main lodge building and its expansive viewing decks are where you'll discover the meaning of "escape" as you relax to the songs of a myriad birds, enjoying the breathtaking views of the mountains beyond. With its spacious indoor and outdoor lounge and dining areas, sunken boma for evenings around a crackling log fire and fully stocked bar, this is the beating heart of Cape Vulture Lodge.

Khaya Ndlovu

Hoedspruit & Surrounds

9 Rooms

From $390 per person/night

Khaya Ndlovu is situated in the Khaya Ndlovu Game Reserve, surrounded by nature, yet a stone’s throw away from Hoedspruit, gateway to the greater Kruger - wildlife haven of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Khaya directly translates to 'home' or 'haven' in the isiZulu language, one of South Africa’s eleven official languages. It could not be more appropriate for what they represent. They offer a true home away from home experience, where you set the pace of your own holiday, working only to a time-lapse deadline! Offering a variety of rooms to accommodate any African safari traveller. The Leadwood Honeymoon suite is perfect for the romantic couple looking for a luxurious option or travellers that enjoy the finer things in life. The Acacia Family Suite is suitable for a family of 4 or a group of 4 adults who don't mind sharing a bathroom. There are 2 other suites inside the Manor House. There are also garden units available which offers incredible spacious options for any traveller needing to get away from it all. Game drives are conducted on the 5,500 hectare Rietspruit Game Reserve which is home to a huge variety of wildlife with wide-ranging views of the beautiful Drakensberg Mountain Range and Blyde River Canyon.

Zulu Nyala Game Lodge

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi

Relax in the comfort of your beautifully appointed room, bask by the poolside in the African sun or enjoy a game-drive on the Reserve, then top off the day with refreshing cocktails from the comfort of the lodge’s balcony as a legendary African sunset unfolds. The spa and gym face onto the Reserve offering further relaxation and the opportunity to exercise during your stay.

Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi

The Heritage Safari Lodge was originally built in the 1940’s as a hotel and was a landmark pitstop for weary travelers between Maputo and Durban. Acquired in 1996, the gracious building was lovingly restored to its original colonial grandeur, enhanced with new accommodation, and tastefully themed to highlight Zululand’s unique cultural heritage. With buffet-style meals in the restaurant, the wide, welcoming veranda and the ‘human watering hole’ – the pub or thatched boma, warm and relaxing atmosphere is conducive to shared good times and conviviality.

Biyela Lodge

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi

From $490 per person/night

Biyela Lodge is named after local chief, Phlwayinkesi Biyela, a descendent of King Shaka. It is built into the hillside, perfectly positioned to maximise the sweeping views of the imposing plain of the White iMfolozi River below. Biyela Lodge consists of 12 luxury standalone suites all with their own private deck and most with their own private pool. Each suite provides unmatched views of the wildlife that traverse daily down to the river. The lodge is an oasis of privacy and eco-luxury. mFulaWozi and surrounds are home to a rich diversity of wildlife including the ‘Big 5’ – Black & Southern White Rhinoceros, African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. Other intriguing species you can encounter, include skilled hunting packs of African Wild Dog, curious Honey Badgers, cheeky and daring Spotted Hyena, graceful Giraffe, Nile Crocodiles faking somnambulance in the sun, and scurrying mongooses. As one of the last havens of large numbers of ungulates and the predators they support, this Big 5 game reserve is one of the most important conservation areas in South Africa.