Enkhulu Gate, Argyle Road, 1360 Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa
#4 of 11 hotels in Timbavati Game Reserve
Guests' ChoiceBased on 33 hotel reviews
9.5Cleanliness
9.5
Comfort
9.6
Location
9.5
Facilities
9.4
Staff
9.8
Value for money
9.2
Free WiFi
3.8
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Showing 1 – 25
Reviewed: 23 April 2024
Kimberley
AustraliaShindzela far exceeded our expectations. The property is beautiful and much more of a glamping experience than a camp. The communal dining spaces are beautiful especially the candlelit dinners under the stars. The food was exceptional. Our safari guides Sam and Edward were extremely knowledgeable and we had the closest animal encounters on our Shindzela safaris. Watching the elephants visiting the river bed each day at the campsite is so magical! Would highly recommend Shindzela to anyone wanting an immersive safari experience that is still comfortable and amazing value.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 31 March 2024
Gabriella
United StatesNothing- it was lovely!
The property is in a far apart location from the entrance to the reserve. We were looking for a different stay and the rented camp fit the bill. It was a small oasis amidst the wildlife ! We enjoyed the remoteness and recommend a more than 1 night stay as it does take a long drive once in the property, to get to the camp. The set-up of the camp is very well thought out, and while not “luxurious” it is very comfortable and welcoming. The staff was also great and very attentive to the guests. This is a more intimate experience as there are few tents so few guests at a time. The game drives are also very interesting and purposeful. We were placed in the middle of the “action” and were able to stalk a lion as we walked through the bush at night. Quite a thrilling experience. Not to miss! The platform tents each come with an enclosed bathroom so the set-up is very comfortable.
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 22 March 2024
Luiz
BrazilNo plugs in the room to charge cell phones or computers. They only have plugs at the front desk
Friendly staff, amazing game drive, personalized meals and amazing experience at the reserve
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 22 February 2024
Paula
CanadaToo small swimming pool
It was very clean and comfortable! The staff were friendly and helpful and the tours were well organized
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 2 February 2024
Joanne
United KingdomNothing
A fabulous and we’ll maintained camp with amazing staff who are so obviously proud of it. A quite right too - they do a fantastic job.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 30 November 2023
Leslie
United KingdomNothing ! There is no aircon- which was not an issue for us, it is an eco lodge after all, but something to consider if you can’t handle the heat.
Beautiful property in a great location, everyone was super friendly and helpful. Felt thoroughly well looked after and safe! Food was great, rooms and en suits comfortable and nicely decorated, pool area overlooking a waterhole which hyenas sit in all day:)
Stayed in November 2023
Reviewed: 22 September 2023
Sara
United KingdomThe only thing I can say is just that there are 18 km off road to get there but we managed with a normal car - Once you get there you will be paid back I promise
This place is just amazing. The staff is incredible, very welcoming, friendly and helpful. One of the best game drive I ever done. If you are in any doubt book it straight away! 100% recommended
Stayed in September 2023
Reviewed: 22 September 2023
Bernardo
GermanyThe dinner options were not the best and not tasty.
Amazing camp with a carrying staff The game drives were Profesional and very informative. The guide searched and delivered great sightings. I would definitely come back and recommend
Stayed in September 2023
Reviewed: 6 August 2023
Mary
United StatesThey can put up to 9 people in a safari vehicle and as a photographer that is pretty crowded. For people just riding and enjoying the experience it would be fine as they have 3 rows of seats. Luckily we were never full.
Small, quiet, comfortable, way out from civilization.
Stayed in July 2023
Reviewed: 4 August 2023
Mikkel
ItalyNothing
Great people, very well organized
Stayed in August 2023
Reviewed: 18 July 2023
Ben
United Arab EmiratesNothing.
Refer to my previous review, it’s lovely
Stayed in July 2023
Reviewed: 1 July 2023
Jacques
South AfricaThe rooms were comfortable and clean. The staff were all very friendly and welcoming.
Stayed in June 2023
Reviewed: 23 June 2023
Lilla
South AfricaThey need another vehicle and the one we had definitely needs refurbishing. The back seat had no suspension. So, although the game drives were done very well by Johan, they were not comfortable. The tents are a little close together. The coffee was fine but they gave us Ouma rusks- this I couldn 't believe! Why cut costs this way?
The food was good but we didn't expect anything exceptional. The rooms were good and the bed very comfortable. Nice shower. The guide, Johan, was exceptional and the game viewing was very good.
Stayed in May 2023
Reviewed: 2 June 2023
Jessica
Germanyonly a tip for future travellers: I was lucky to still be able to do my game drives but make sure the organised transfer guarantees you don’t get dropped off too late/picked up too early so game drives are missed!
everything was perfect. the place, the safaris were much better than in Kruger, the food was good and plenty, the service was excellent, the guide and tracker highly experienced, got a lot of help for the transfer from Joburg
Stayed in May 2023
Reviewed: 1 June 2023
Brigitte
United StatesThe lunches 👀
Of course, the animals, but that is to be expected! What, or who rather, truly made our trip special were Ruben and Oxide, our guide and tracker. I felt that they had a wealth of knowledge to share and were truly passionate about their work. Moreover, they are both funny and sweet guys who I felt went above and beyond to make all of their guests enjoy each moment. Thank you so much for everything ❤️.
Stayed in May 2023
Reviewed: 27 April 2023
Maya
PortugalSam and Edward were great!! Thank you.
Stayed in April 2023
Reviewed: 13 April 2023
David
United KingdomAccess road to it was ropey at times.
location, service, staff, food accommodation, game drives.
Stayed in April 2023
Reviewed: 9 March 2023
Luca
SwitzerlandGreat Lodge with excellent staff! Definitely worth to stay 2 nights or more.
Stayed in March 2023
Reviewed: 28 November 2022
Melanie
South AfricaThere is nothing to dislike.
fantastic people and great atmosphere, great location and a superb tented camp
Stayed in November 2022
Reviewed: 8 June 2022
Nicole
South Africano tea/coffee station in the room
layout and pool
Stayed in June 2022
Reviewed: 5 April 2022
Vanja
GermanyThis was one of the most beautiful places we stayed in while in South Africa. The camp is so peaceful and quiet, with amazingly furnished and immaculate clean tents. Both bedroom and bathroom in the tent looked amazing! We arrived - hours before lunchtime and had such a nice afternoon next to the pool outside - and then an elephant came to drink water just a couple of meters away (the camp is not fenced). The game rides with Sam and Caswell were also the best safari rides, they are so experienced and interesting. We manage to see so many animals so closely, cause they knew how to find them. Sam (the guide) provided us with so much interesting information about the different animals that live in the area. All the meals served at the camp were very delicious, and the host Johan was also super friendly and hopeful. It is by far the best value for money if you want to do amazing game rides and after enjoy a beautiful stay!
Stayed in March 2022
Reviewed: 11 November 2021
Anne
South Africacomfy rooms nice pool great waterhole views
Stayed in November 2021
Reviewed: 21 April 2024
Alexandra
Germanyan other guest got stolen all his cash out of his room; lodge refuses to take action, they just send rude disrespectful mesages if you try to talk to them about it. so, its not safe to keep your belongings in your room. i got it over to the reserve management and the police in town. shindzela is refusing to say who the owner of the camp is. there was an other tourist from cape town, an older dude, Herald, who was kind of rude and destroyed every game drive. as a photographer, i wanted to shoot a bit and also take a few videos, which was not possible because of him. i dont know why people can not be silent on a game drive for 10 seconds. you do not want to enjoy the bush? you do not want to respect the other guests? so, why you come? to make sure other people have not even 1 peaceful second with a lion? i wish Johan would have said something. i tried twice, but that dude was too arrogant to respect other humans. And then you have to sit with disrespectful people like this on one big table listening to their nonsense, breakfast, lunch, dinner. so, you are not allowed to have even 1 peaceful meal. food was burned one evening. also the high consume of alcohol by many people is a bit difficult i would say and serving alcohol on game drives to alcoholics is not a good idea in my opinion. but sadly every lodge does that. there was a bigger french group which was very loud and did yell all over the place. if you did not book the whole lodge for your private use and if there are other guests, just behave a bit. EVERYONE wants to enjoy their vacation, which means: respect each other. respect the other guests. in the lodge. on game drives. i regret that i was way too nice and did not say something. now, i need a vacation from the vacation. other guests and their behavior is NOT the fault of the lodge. but they could have said something.
the lodge itself is very cute, rooms are nice. beds are comfy. lot of lions on the game drives. all together around 45 i would say. we had thm on a wildebeast kill also. which was amazing to picture. elephants in front of my tent every day greeting me and i got amazing pictures of them. Oxide is an amazing tracker. food was very good on one evening. Loana is amazing. and very nice. Johan gives you enough time to take pictures, while other guides from other lodges don t. and as a photographer i like that. some other guests were nice and respectful.
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 19 April 2024
Sandravsmith
South AfricaThere are no comments available for this review
Stayed in April 2024
Showing 1 – 25
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