nThambo Tree Camp sits in the heart of the Southern Klaserie reserve on the edge of the Kruger. Since the wooden chalets are set at eye level with the trees, the camp provides a magical feeling of being enveloped by nature. As the camp is unfenced, elephant and buffalo sometimes rest under the stilts on which the chalets are built as they venture through the bush. There is a central lounge and dining area which offer lovely views across to a small waterhole and out across the grassy plains, as well as a small pool and decking area.
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Rooms
The treehouse-like chalets have wooden decking for floors, canvas walls and thatched roofs. They are rustic in style but very comfortable, with double or twin beds. Each chalet has an en suite bathroom with hot and cold running water, a shower (there are no baths) and a separate toilet. Each chalet also has a private veranda with views of the distant Drakensberg mountains. Lighting is provided by solar power but there is a socket in each tent for charging phones or cameras. All rooms have standing fans and mosquito nets. Guides escort guests to and from their rooms at night.
Location
The camp is situated in the Klaserie Reserve, one of South Africa’s largest private game reserves which is part of the Greater Kruger, adjoining the Kruger National Park. It is an hour’s drive from the airport at Hoedspruit (Eastgate Airport). nThambo Tree Camp hosts meet guests at the airport and drive them the rest of the way to the camp.
Food and Drink
The camp is offered on a full board basis. Food is a wholesome, home-cooked affair and includes traditional South African braaivleis (barbecues). Meals are communal with everyone seated around a large table in the dining room. There is an open air boma (an area where people gather around a fire) which provides a place to relax over an evening drink.
Families
Children aged 12 and older are welcome at nThambo.
Honeymooners
The intimate nature of this eco-friendly camp makes it ideal for honeymooners or those who are celebrating their anniversary and who would enjoy a rustic bush experience with some luxurious and personal touches.
Facilities and Activities
The daily program consists of morning and afternoon game drives with an optional walk after breakfast. If you'd prefer a longer walk, nThambo guests can also participate in the Africa on Foot three-hour game walk. Wi-Fi is available in the lounge and bar. There is a splash pool on decking with sunloungers and umbrellas – elephants occasionally visit the pool too.
Our opinion
A charming, rustic safari lodge that offers good value for money and a wonderfully intimate experience of the bush.
Suggested itineraries featuring nThambo
Mpumalanga self-drive & Kruger safari
Classic Kruger Safari & Mozambique by road
Cape Town, Kruger & Victoria Falls
Luxury Kruger Safari and Vilanculous Beach
Luxurious South Africa & Victoria Falls
Kruger safari & Mozambique explorer
Kruger National Park itinerary suggestions
Nearby accommodation
Places & hotels on the map
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
&Beyond Ngala Tented Camp
This is how safari should be done: under canvas in a remote and exclusive setting. Don't let the thought of nights under canvas put you off: the rooms are still superbly well appointed and comfortable.
Africa On Foot
Africa on Foot provides a great choice for those wanting a more rustic, adventurous safari experience. You also have the possibility of viewing the Big Five.
Arathusa Safari Lodge
Situated in the popular Sabi Sands area of the Greater Kruger National Park, Arathusa offers an intimate safari experience, excellent value for money and a chance to spot the Big Five.
Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp
Providing an authentic safari experience reminiscent of a bygone era, Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp is set in the heart of a private game reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park, allowing you to immerse yourself in the area’s superb scenery and wildlife.
Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge
The lodge has eight luxurious suites which are stylish and individually decorated to the very highest standard. The game viewing here is truly second to none.
Dulini Leadwood Lodge
Dulini Leadwood Lodge offers the perfect package for guests wanting to relax in privacy and luxury with a very exclusive safari experience.
Dulini River Lodge
Overlooking the Sand River, Dulini River Lodge offers a luxury stay in the Sabi Sands region of the Greater Kruger.
Dulini Safari Lodge
Set on the banks of the Mabrak River, under ebony and leadwood trees, Dulini Safari Lodge offers an sophisticated stay in the Sabi Sand Reserve. Guests travel to the lodge for the opportunity to see the Big Five, and treated to a luxurious, discerning stay.
Exeter Private Game Reserve - Kirkman's Kamp
Kirkman's Camp, with its spectacular views of the unspoilt wilderness and the Sand River, is regarded as one of the best loved lodges in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
Garonga Safari Camp
Garonga is the most relaxing and romantic lodge we feature. Within moments of arriving all your worries will have left you, and the unhurried pace of life in the camp will be hard to leave come the end of your stay.
Hamiltons Tented Camp
Set on their own private concession with in the Kruger National Park Imbali, Hoyo-Hoyo and Hamiltons have the best of both worlds.
Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge
Hoyo-Hoyo is set in its own private concession within the Kruger National Park. As with any lodge you have your morning and evening game drives but during the day you can easily go out and explore the Kruger by yourself.
Imbali Safari Lodge
Set on their own private concession with in the Kruger National Park Imbali, Hoyo-Hoyo and Hamiltons have the best of both worlds.
Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve
An intimate destination (perched on a small kopje in the western sector of Sabi Sands), Leopard Hills will cater for an exquisite stay in the African bush.
Lion Sands Private Game Reserve
Ivory Lodge offers an extremely luxurious and very private safari experience and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a very exclusive safari experience.
Little Bush Camp
Little Bush Camp is a warm and cozy, contemporary African retreat in the heart of the bush. With just six suites, the lodge is very exclusive and private, boasting all the features of an exceptional bush lodge.
Lower Sabie Restcamp
Found in the banks of the Sabie River in southern Kruger, Lower Sabie Rest Camp is a wonderful place where accommodation is in lovely old en-suite thatched bungalows.
Nkambeni Tented Lodge
Whilst Nkambeni is basic and large the layout and the activity structure make for a surprisingly personable experience. It also offers fantastic value considering it is within the world famous Big Five Kruger National Park.
Notten's Bush Camp
Set within Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Notten’s Bush Camp is a characterful base from which to explore the reserve’s wildlife. Owned and managed by the same family for four generations, the friendly, personal service makes you feel as though you’re staying at a friend’s home.
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Bush Lodge enjoys a stunning location and the discreet placing of the suites gives an intimacy and exclusivity that belies the relatively large number of suites.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is built in complete harmony with its surroundings, each enormous suite is sculpted into the earth, with rough mud walls reminding you that you are in wild Africa.
Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp
With just six suites, the lodge is very exclusive and private, boasting all the features of an exceptional bush lodge - beautiful setting, excellent cuisine and abundant wildlife.
Sabi Sabi Selati Lodge
Selati Lodge has all the atmosphere and trimmings of 'Yesterday'. The lodge's name commemorates the Selati railway line that used to run from the Transvaal to Mozambique, close to the site of the lodge.
Satara
Found in the central section of Kruger, not far from the Orpen Gate is Satara Rest Camp; it has great game around. The camp also has all the amenities required including daily servicing of bungalows.
Savanna Private Game Reserve
This characterful lodge is situated within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and provides comfortable accommodation to return to after game drives out in the bush, where the Big Five can often be spotted. Staff here are very friendly and help to create a relaxed atmosphere.
Serondella Game Lodge
Serondella Lodge is nestled in the heart of Big Five country adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park, and includes a huge diversity of mammal and bird species.
Shumbalala
Shumbalala is ideal for those seeking an exclusive luxury safari within the Thornybush Reserve. With a maximum of ten guests, your experience is certain to be very private.
Simbambili
Simbambili Game Lodge is renowned for copious leopard sightings as well as an abundance of other animals and scenic views. It isn’t unusual to spot the Big Five during a stay here.
Thornybush Game Lodge
Despite being a larger lodge, the quality of the rooms here, and levels of guiding and service are very high. The Audley team has thoroughly enjoyed staying here on their visits to Thornybush, and we highly recommend it.