Notten's Bush Camp
622 Hazyview, Kruger National Park 1242 South Africa
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#41 of 113 lodges in Kruger National Park
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Notten’s Bush Camp is a jewel within the heart of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in Mpumalanga, which means “the land of the rising sun” in the locally spoken language, Shangaan. Notten’s is an exclusive and private safari lodge personally run by the Notten family. This beautiful, intimate safari lodge is situated within one of South Africa’s finest natural sanctuaries the Sabi Sand Reserve and Greater Kruger National Park. It is a destination that will truly touch your heart and soul.Each private suite is elegantly styled, spacious and cooled by ceiling fans. A magical atmosphere is created with the purposeful absence of electric lighting; the ambient candlelight and lanterns capturing an enchanting spirit of romance. With splendid panoramic views, this private game lodge is the perfect place for peace and relaxation while watching animals meander past.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Free breakfast
Airport transportation
Spa
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Internet
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Special diet menus
Massage
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun terrace
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Private balcony
Safe
Seating area
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Complimentary toiletries
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Non-smoking rooms
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Family rooms
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HOTEL CLASS
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Great View
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans
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labellavitachartering.com wrote a review Nov 2023
Wilmington, North Carolina1 contribution1 helpful vote
This was so much more than I expected. I was already excited to see the animals but the people at this camp were so wonderful I cried leaving. (I do not cry often!) The drivers, wait staff, room service were all spectacular. They treat you like family and will do whatever it takes to make EVERYONE happy. We saw every animal we could think of, what an experience! Now the food....OMG, 5 star! We had the most romantic night in our luxury villa. Rose peddles, champagne, dinner on the terrace, WOW. The only thing I wish I did different, was to stay longer. I will be back.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: Please don't forget to tip well. They truly work non stop and always have a smile.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We relied on a local travel agency to pick the sarari camp, and they suggested Notten's. We had some trouble getting there because of a flooded bridge, and missed the beginning of the afternoon drive. But they told us to have our lunch and then catch up to the truck later. That worked well, and we were able to enjoy a full lunch, and be comfortable for the game watching. That drive we saw four of the Big 5! We only missed out on lions, due to the long grass. We returned to the lodge for a wonderful supper with our truck mates, and a comfortable bed. Early start after after coffee the next morning, and another wonderful drive, with our driver Jeff. We spent two nights at Notten's and never did see lions. But as we were transferring to the airport ( and avoiding flooded roads), our truck mates forwarded photos of the lions they saw just after our car left! Moral of the story: stay 3 nights or more!…
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: Plan for 3 nights, because the morning drive after the 2nd night is missed if you're heading for...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
In celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary, my wife and I decided once again to go on safari in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, and this time to stay at Notten’s Bush Camp. Our suite with a comfortable king size bed was extremely spacious and clean, with a relaxing lounge area, en-suite bathroom with an indoor and outdoor shower. Our suite had its own large private wooden deck with beautiful views of the bush. Notten’s has appealing facilities, including a lounge, library, bar, and a lovely rustic open plan dining/deck area, also with spectacular views of the bush. Both my wife and I had full body massages at the Spa, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Although the only pool was the secluded private spa pool, a large pool with a large undercover area was being built and was almost complete. Jan the “manager” and chef was brilliant, ensuring that everything was handled perfectly, going out of her way to ensure a memorable stay. The staff were also very attentive, efficient, and friendly, to ensure that we were well looked after at all times. The food was superb, and our specific dietary needs were well catered for. A special mention must be made of the tomato and carrot soup, the chicken salad, the beef fillet with pepper sauce, and the pear with red wine, all of which were absolutely divine. A real treat and surprise was that for our anniversary, Jan arranged a scrumptious lemon cake which was presented to us at lunch by the staff who also sang for us. A special turndown with bubble bath, candles and champagne was also arranged. The tasty braai/barbeque that was arranged for one of our evening meals, in the open-air boma with a roaring fire in the centre, with lanterns and candlelight adding to the ambiance, was also a great experience. Our ranger Thomas was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and entertaining. During our stay we shared our game vehicle with a couple from America and another couple from the United Kingdom, who were excellent company, and we had lots of fun and shared many laughs. The refreshments and drinks provided on the game drives were enjoyable. We had fantastic sightings and saw plenty game, including leopard, lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, wild dog, hyena, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, baboon, monkey, warthog, dwarf and white-tailed mongoose, squirrel, crocodile, chameleon, and vulture. We also saw lots of antelope, including, kudu, nyala, waterbuck, impala, bushbuck, and steenbok. Besides being fortunate to observe the “big five” on our game drives, we were lucky to experience a cheetah kill involving an impala. We also went on a walking safari which was fascinating, whereby we learnt more about the flora and fauna of the area. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and had an incredible safari at Notten’s and definitely hope to be back again. …
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
My wife and I have been together for 38 years and it has been both our lifetime ambitions to visit Africa and go on a safari. So in December 2022, we arranged through a UK based luxury travel company a 2 week trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe. The trip included a 4 night stay at Notten's bush camp in the Sabi Sand game reserve between Saturday 16th September and Wednesday 20th September 2023. I am struggling to find the right superlatives to describe our stay and experiences at this absolutely amazing venue located right in the middle of the African bush. We arrived just after lunch on our first day but we were still provided with a really delicious and plentiful meal which we ate whilst looking over an unbelievable vista where we could see a variety of wildlife including elephants, warthogs, baboons and wildebeests wandering past to a local watering hole. There was just time after our meal to get changed in our beautiful suite with a view over the African bush into our 'safari gear' before heading off on our first of seven game drives. Open top land cruisers provide the transport which are expertly driven by local guides. Our guide for all our game drives was simply a magician and had an uncanny ability to find wildlife almost at will. Within 10 minutes of our first drive he stopped along side one of the literally thousands of small bushes where two magnificent male Lions were enjoying their long afternoon nap! As Lions are one of my obsessions, if we had not seen any other wildlife throughout the whole of the visit I would still have been overjoyed at getting so close to these two boys! However little did I know that this experience was just the aperitif. On this very first game drive and when the bush was enveloped in complete darkness, our magician of a guide not only spotted a chameleon on a bush but then picked out a female leopard crouching behind some bushes eyeing up a herd of impala for her early evening dinner! The leopard was also only 50m from Nottens! Throughout the next 6 game drives we went into sensory overdrive as we had encounters with a one eyed tough old Lion and his pride of four gorgeous lionesses, a group of 4 and another group of 6 white rhinos, a pack of African painted wolves, a beautiful young female leopard, an amazing family of giraffes, a huge herd of feeding elephants of all ages, two adolescent bull elephants one of which nearly sat on my lap in the jeep, a herd of over 200 buffalo, one absolutely magnificent and huge 50 year old bull elephant, a hippo family, a bull rhino taking a mud bath, countless types of antelopes, herds of wildebeests and zebras, a python high in a tree (thankfully), numerous species of birds including several eagles and vultures and to cap it all a mother rhino taking her one month old baby to a watering hole! We encountered the painted wolves on two other occasions. On the second occasion we witnessed a hunt of a duiker and arrived and at the kill site just as the pack were arguing over the spoils. The morning game drives started at 6:15am so it meant an early get up time of 5:30am but it was well worth it! On returning after the 3 hour drive we were treated to an enormous African bush breakfast before retiring to our suite to catch up on some sleep. Lunch is served at 2pm and the afternoon drive commences at 3:30pm. There is also an option of a morning bush walk after breakfast but neither I or my wife had the energy reserves to go on one. A superbly cooked dinner is served around 7:30pm in the candlelit and atmospheric dining area where the days drives experiences can be shared with the other guests. The whole ambience around Notten's is one of complete relaxation where the staff really make it their mission to ensure your stay is as enjoyable as possible. My wife certainly appreciated arriving back at our suite after the afternoon drive to find a hot bath waiting for her. This once in a lifetime trip into the African bush has actually not become once in a lifetime as my wife and I are already planning to return Notten's in 2024! …
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: Just immerse yourself in the whole experience
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
It’s hard to do Notten’s justice in words. We stayed for for 4 nights and wished we could have stayed longer. What a fantastic lodge! We have been lucky enough to stay in a few private reserves in Southern Africa and Notten’s is by far one of the best. The staff are all so friendly and it’s clear it’s a family orientated business with some staff having been there for 30+ years. The rooms are very spacious with excellent facilities and views. The communal area had stunning views of wildlife. The food was excellent with a great variety serviced across breakfast to dinner. The team catered for dietary requirements very well. Our guide Thulani was exceptional and very knowledgable. Not only did we learn a lot about the animals and the bush, but we had a lot of fun doing it. All the staff, guides and trackers were amazing. Outside of driving we had the option of relaxing by the pool in the afternoons, having spa treatments or experiencing the bush on foot with Tiniyko and Ben - highly recommend! We cannot recommend this place enough. Thank you for making our honeymoon so special! Serk & Zoë…
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
My wife and I enjoyed a memorable 4 night stay at Notten's in June this year and found it the perfect safari experience to end our 3 week trip on a real high. Having stayed at 3 lodges prior to arriving at Notten’s, we had been fortunate to have a wonderful time at each. However, Notten's somewhat unsurprisingly and yet all so subtly, offered an elevated experience throughout. Without going into great detail and spoiling the surprises in store for prospective guests reading this, suffice to say, guests want for nothing and are privy to personalised, slick service throughout but one which manages to exude and retain an air of genuine air of warmth throughout. The game drives were spectacular at times with Leopard sightings particularly prominent. However and without downplaying this aspect, there was a degree of expectation around the sightings being fruitful given Notten’s location, the area of its sole traverse and the fact it also shares a large portion of Sabi Sabi's traverse. What I will say is that the game viewing certainly lived up to our expectations with us spotting 6 of the magnificent 7 over 8 drives with only the enigmatic Wild Dogs eluding us despite best efforts made. Two separate cheetah sightings, the first of our trip were the undoubted highlight for us. What we did not expect or fully appreciate until we experienced it in person was the ambience of the camp yes during the day but by goodness especially in the evenings when the camp is quite incredibly lit throughout by cleverly placed and positioned candles and paraffin lanterns. I genuinely cannot imagine a more magical, romantic out of Africa setting is I tried and it was this, along with the warmth and excellence of its staff that will stay long in the memory of how I will recall our first ever Notten's experience. Having experienced a safari at Notten’s, I can easily now understand why they receive such a high rate of return guests for all facets and walks of life. Once you have experienced Notten’s of an evening, it is difficult to not crave a repeat of the wonderful ambience it creates for guests to experience. Add in the unpretentious nature of the camp itself, its staff, the facilities, accommodation and game viewing then you have what is for me, the perfect mix. For our relatively modest safari budget, Notten’s is priced higher than we would normally be comfortable stretching to as part of our 3 week trips to the bush. However, as annual safari pilgrimage seekers, there is no doubt we will soon once again blow the budget and return to Notten’s for a second stay. It is simply too good to miss out. …
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
This felt like a home away from home in the best way possible! The Nottens family is incredibly warm and welcoming and the whole camp has a classic safari aesthetic (love the oil lamps and candles at night) but enough modern luxury for those of us who still might want WiFi. Plus a great spa if you need a massage after a long flight/day in the bush! Our guide Thomas had been with Nottens for 39 years (as of this review) and it clearly showed - he was incredibly knowledgeable and informative, and we saw all of the big 5 including a once-in-a-lifetime evening with leopardess Golonyi. Thank you to the team at Nottens!
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: The nyalas and other animal friends may walk right into camp to "meet" you!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
+1
Not a lot to add to the already rave reviews! Having a bath waiting and drawn for us HOT in the tub after night safari! WHAT??!!!!! It was AMAZING! The food, the guides, the rooms, the smell of the rooms (loved the diffusers). We saw all the big 5 plus lion PLUS two cheetahs on the way to the airport!! HOW does that happen! It’s the magical Nottens!!
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
This was by far the favorite place our extended family stayed on our recent trip to South Africa! From our arrival, where we were warmly welcomed by the manager Dale and the staff, to the day of our departure, the service, hospitality, accommodations and amenities were all first rate. Combined with thrilling, twice-daily safari game drives lead by friendly, personable, knowledgeable guides, the overall experience was delightful. Upon arrival were welcomed and offered drinks while room assignments and luggage were sorted out. We noticed warthogs visible right off the balcony/viewing platform overlooking the bush and would soon find out that monkeys were frequent visitors to the lodge as well. Beware, though, because the monkeys will snatch food right off the table if you let down your guard! Our 13-member family group would occupy 7 of the 9 total rooms/cabins for three nights. I didn't visit every room of every member of our party, but all that I viewed were extremely nice. My cabin may have been the nicest of all with a huge bedroom/living area with comfortable seating, a spacious, modern bathroom with glass shower and free-standing tub, an outdoor shower and tub, plus an outdoor sitting area which all combined to create a feeling of rustic elegance in the bush. One slight complaint by me that the heater wasn't working was quickly addressed by the Manager, Dale and my room had space heaters delivered the next night, along with a hot water placed in my bed. Throughout our stay, Dale was quick to inquire about our comfort and address any needs, of which very few existed. Safaris took place daily at around 6:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. and lasted about 3 hours. As we convened in the main lodge we were quickly offered coffee and rusks to start the day. At the start of the morning drive we were offered hot water bottles and blankets to ward off the morning chill. Our guide/driver, Thomas, was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The wildlife viewing was exceptional and we were all thrilled with the animals we saw. Each morning's drive would include a coffee stop at about 2/3 of the way, and each evening drive included a similar stop for cocktails or "sundowners" and a light snack. Thomas seemed to be able to conjure up any animal we wished to see. When we hadn't yet seen lions or leopards, Thomas made sure we did. When we asked to see a hippo, we saw a hippo. The same was true for a crocodile and a male lion when we had only seem females! Species we saw included: Elephants, African Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Rhino (the Big 5), Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra, Warthog, Wildebeest, Hyena. Numerous Antelope species included Impala, Nyala, Kudu, Springbok, Steenbok, Eland & Duiker. We were well fed throughout our stay. After returning from the morning drive, we would have a breakfast/brunch meal with fresh juice, smoothies, energy smoothies, fresh fruit, breads. muffins, croissants, eggs cooked to order, etc. Lunches would include fruits, breads, crackers cheeses, charcutier, salads, etc. Dinners were elegant, multi-course and akin to what you'd receive in a high-end restaurant. All-in-all, meals were delicious and plentiful. When we booked our stay we had mentioned that the trip was provided by the matriarch of our family as gift to the family in honor of her 80th birthday. On our next to last night, Nottens provided us with a surprise birthday party in the bush! We arrived at a clearing to find the area lit by torches and a roaring bonfire in the center. At one side was a full bar with snacks, while nearby the staff offered up freshly grilled beef short ribs and sausages for hors d'oeuvres! There was even a (gluten-free) birthday cake for grandma, complete with candles and sparklers! Our final night's stay included a celebratory braai. Manager/host Dale handled the gilling of beef and prawns as we dined overlooking the viewing balcony surrounded by candlelight and a warm fire, plus heaters o ward off the chill. Following our final safari the next morning, we returned to the lodge for breakfast, before showering and packing for departure. Once again, Thomas was our driver and we enjoyed a mini-safari on the way out to Skukuza airport. This place will live on in my memory forever. …
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Notten's Bush Camp was the first lodge on our first trip to Southern Africa and proved to be an awesome start to our trip. Looking back over our entire trip where we stayed at 2 other lodges in other areas, I have to say Nottens was our favorite lodge of the trip. With there being only 9 rooms, its a more intimate experience than bigger lodges. Everyone was welcoming and friendly from the managers Dale and Jan through the staff like Guest and especially the guides. Our guide Jeffrey was outstanding. He was knowledgeable about the animals and the environment, got us to all of the best animal sightings. Not only did we see all of the Big 5, several times, but we got to see a cheetah two days in a row! I celebrated my birthday at Notten's and they made it very special from the bottle of champagne waiting in our room through the special sundowner bonfire and dinner on the boma with singing and birthday cakes for me and the other guest celebrating a birthday that day. One of the things that impressed me before we even arrived was their concern for our experience. I had wanted to book their optional tour of Kruger National Park even though it meant I would miss the morning and afternoon game drives. When our booking agent contacted them to book it, they said that it was high season for Kruger and it would undoubtedly be busy. So they were recommending a shorter tour that could be accomplished between the morning and afternoon game drives. To me this was the best of both worlds. It also proved to me that they were more concerned about our experience than the economics. I would highly recommend anyone considering a safari trip. If we ever get the chance to travel to South Africa again, Notten's Bush Camp will be at the top of my must go list.…
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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Room Tip: Just go!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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ALSO KNOWN AS
notten`s bush camp hotel sabi sand game reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkSabi Sand Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
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Frequently Asked Questions about Notten's Bush Camp
What are some of the property amenities at Notten's Bush Camp?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Notten's Bush Camp?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Notten's Bush Camp?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Notten's Bush Camp have airport transportation?
Yes, Notten's Bush Camp offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Notten's Bush Camp?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans.