I did my research before booking into which area we wanted to stay and which camp, so I knew what we expected , but what we got was beyond that.
From our collection at the airport to our return to the airport we had amazing service from all the staff, shout out to Wonder who picked us up from the airport and to Pell who greeted us as we arrived at the camp. We saw a few smaller animals on the drive from the airport to camp including bush McDonalds ( Impala - will explain later) we frantically took photos amazed at how close we were for Wonder to tell us first you will take and first you will delete as you will run out of space and have loads of them
Our luggage was taken to our lodge by Dale and the team (cant all them rooms as they were so much more) whilst we were given a quick tour and then told lunch was waiting for us.
What a lunch it was - my friend said it was the best steak pie she has EVER had - so much so that she asked Jann for the recipe, there is no shortage of food that's for sure. We said a quick hello to a few other camp guests and all were welcoming as were the team who served us, everyone introduced themselves to us. We had our first interaction with he camp monkeys (I now truly know where the phrase cheeky monkey comes from) we found it funny at first that they were trying to pinch food from the tables but we could soon see the nuisance they were for the staff (cute nuisances though) They really do work as a family
It was then a quick freshen up and out on our first game drive. Well that's when we got to the jeep as a warthog decided to pay us a visit blocking our path from the lodge, I love how the animals are free to roam. Jeff was our driver and Conrad was tracking , it wasn't long before we saw our first of the big five a leopard who was resting after a good feed on its catch which we could see some leftovers up the tree and the male hyena hoping for it to fall, I was rather nervous at first as we were close than I ever thought we would be but I also felt safe , That drive we saw loads of animals Rhino, Wildebeest, Elephants, Hypo, Dad Leopard with son and daughter Kudo to name a few and then we met the other guest out in the bush for sundowners.
Back to the lodge, we popped to our room to change and a lovely bath had been prepared for us with candles and a bottle of bubbly for our wedding anniversary, the oil lamps were lit and the ambiance stunning, of to diner and another amazing spread, we thought we were not hungry after the big lunch but we still managed to eat a fair amount. A nice few drinks then we headed back to our lodge as we knew we had an early start.
The weather took a bit of a turn whilst we were there but given we are English (and northern) we are used to it, but as we went out for the early drive Conrad had prepared the vehicle and our seats had nice blankets and hot water bottles to help with the early chill until sunrise - another great drive seeing lots and Jeff teaching us so much about the animals and general bush life.
The change in weather meant that we didn't unfortunately get to use the pool, we did though have a massage and that was fantastic and great value
There wasn't a single drive that we didn't see something that took our breath away and I can tell you about it and show you pictures but nothing can replicate the feeing. On talking to other guest that had experienced safari holidays in other camps or countries all said the same they saw more animals with Nottens easily than they had with others, this reinforced my research as A safari trip was always on my dream bucket list as a once in a lifetime - however I loved it so much I will be returning and hope to get my family from Australia to meet us there.
Jann and the team in the kitchen are hidden gems the food is all outstanding and wine keeps flowing as does Amarula (one of my new fav drinks)
For me Notten's was perfect it was natural and bush like, but we were treat like royalty without the pretence, the whole staff team are a credit from those very early wake up calls right through till the last person goes to bed nothing is too much trouble.
If you are thinking about booking then I can whole heartedly say BOOK IT, you honestly wont regret it, I can see why many of their guest are returning visitors as I for sure would not go anywhere else for my safari experience. There were extra touches too but I wont name them all as you will love the surprise.
PS - I am not the best photographer PPS - Jann - you are welcome to stop with us if ever visiting the UK
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:plan to layer up as its cold before sunrise, don't take tight fitting clothes as you will gain...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We had the pleasure to stay here for 3 nights and from the moment we arrived the magical staff made us both feel so special and very welcome. I cannot speak highly enough of them. Always smiling, always willing to listen and help. The lodge itself is fantastic and especially at night when all the candles and lanterns are lit. Each day there is a different option for breakfast and dinner. The food is fantastic and plentiful. Fruit, cheese, cereal, yogurt, salmon, juice and any drink you would need. There is also a few options for a hot breakfast. The safari experience is magical. Up at 5am, quick coffee and off we go at 6am for 3hrs.There is a bush walk available after breakfast and another game drive at 4 until 7. You will get to watch the sun go down on this drive. The drives are all different and the one you don't go on is the one you will miss something unbelievable. Our guide Geoffrey was so knowledgeable and so friendly. He knew exactly where to go. Where not to go and was always listening for the sounds of the animals and always telling everybody about each animal.His passion for his job is unique. Thanks to Geoffreys knowledge we got to witness 2 kills. We seen so many animals including the big 5. Our room was fantastic so big with a huge balcony and an outside shower( I did use it more than once).Just a fence between you and nature. Its a thrill. The room has Tea/Coffee facilties and AC unit. There are a few charging point's in the room. The pool is fab. There is also a gym and a spa. We had a 1 hour massage therapy and it was fantastic. The lodge is very close to Skukuza Airport about 35 min drive. At night the staff will accompany you to and from your room if your a liitle nervous about the walk to the main area. It's not far at all. You are in the camp but the fence is low and animal can roam freely. This Bush Camp surpassed all our expectations and we will return. Thanks to you all at Nottens. AMAZING.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
If you are traveling to South Africa to see wildlife, this is your place! It is a total bush experience and all of it is wonderful. Included is your separate well-furnished and spacious cabana (most with an outdoor shower in addtion to the standard modern bathroom), each with a private deck, delicious meals served in lovely open-air rooms, daily morning and evening game drives in open Land Rovers with an expert guide plus a sharp-eyed tracker, morning coffee and sundowners out in the bush, daily nature walks, a lovely pool and massage center (but who has time for those when there is so much wildlife to see?!) The staff is warm and welcoming, and the wildlife guides (we had Thomas and Riden) are gifted at finding animals. We joked that they must have a hidden button under the dash, that they could push to make any animal we wanted to see pop up in the next few minutes! We saw 4 of the Big 5 the first evening, and the remaining one (leopard) the next morning. The camp has been in the Notten family for many years, and they share a huge habitat area with just one other lodge. Their area adjoins Kruger National Park, with no fences separating them. I don't want to give away all the delightful aspects of the place, but I will say that you don't need a super-zoom lens on your camera, the animals aren't shy of the Land Rovers at all and you get closer than your friends at home will believe unless you show the edge of the Rover in your photos along with the animals.
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Date of stay: May 2013Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Most of the rooms have an outdoor shower, but only one also has an outdoor bathtub (don't...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
This is just a wonderfull experience from the time you stop and get out of your car and until you leave.The rooms are great and have everything you need ,the lanterns at night are great .The best is taking a bath and watching elephants eating outside,now that is a bath! To much wonderful food the chefs will win as you can not leave here on an empty stomach.The game drives were excellent Big Five and more.Thanks and if you have time take the wonderfull massage they offer,worth it.The staff are helpfull and friendly. thanks for agreat stay we will be back. Dave
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Date of stay: March 2015Trip type: Travelled on business
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
From the moment Sipol picked us up from the airport, to the sad moment when he took us back 4 days later, we experienced the holiday of a lifetime. The Nottens team are a wonderful group of people, who all go out of their way to make sure you want for nothing. Our children had booked us each a massage as a surprise and we were treated like honeymooners, even though we've been married for 36 years! Sumptuous breakfasts, lunches and dinners; drinks by the lovely infinity pool or looking out over the watering hole, where the first afternoon we were greeted by an elephant; fantastic safari drives, with incredibly knowledgeable and sensitive drivers and trackers; candlelit rooms (all lit for you while out on the evening drive); outdoor shower and verandah - I could go on and on. Dale and David who run Nottens have created a little piece of heaven here in Sabi Sands and their friendliness and knowledge is fantastic. Many of the staff have worked for them for years and their parents before them, which speaks for itself. Thank you to all at Nottens for a truly unforgettable time - we shall always remember our time with you and will recommend you to anyone we know planning a safari - particularly one that is quiet and relaxed and above all very African.
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Date of stay: March 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
