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Notten's Bush Camp

Notten's Bush Camp

Shaws Gate, Sabie Park, Kruger National Park 1242 South Africa
Nothing more special than a giraffe outside of your room!
Traveller (1280)
Room & Suite (182)
une belle table nous accueille après le safari
Dining (91)
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About

5.0
#20 of 37 lodges in Sabi Sand Game Reserve
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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
Concierge
Gift shop
Internet
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Special diet menus
Massage
Mosquito net
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun terrace
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Seating area
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Complimentary toiletries
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
4.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans

Location

Shaws Gate, Sabie Park, Kruger National Park 1242 South Africa
Getting there
Arathusa Safari Lodge Airport
17.2 km
See all flights
Skukuza Airport
866Reviews28Q+A100Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
wil H wrote a review Apr 2022
Saint-Brieuc, France
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
From the welcome drink when we arrived to the beautiful bedrooms we got with an outstanding view on the animals which were passing every days, everything went perfect.
The meals are excellent with a huge breakfast and a super dinner everyday.
The game drives were so Nice, we saw the big 5 in only 2 days!
Great swimming pool (a bit chilly by the end of April), a very special place.
Thanks a lot to Mr Notten, Kim, Joe, Medion and all the others employees who took care of us.
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Date of stay: April 2022
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.
JonathanXYang wrote a review Jun 2021
Los Angeles, California
5.0 of 5 bubbles
My partner and I visited for 5 nights, and our expectations were exceeded across every dimension. We will definitely be coming back in the future.

The staff is world-class, and created a very welcoming, family-like environment. They were very kind, attentative, and personable.

The food was also delicious. The head chef did a wonderful job preparing multi-course dishes for each meal. She is extremely creative, displaying an ability to cook a wide array of cuisines and dishes. In addition, she has an excellent eye for detail, as most dishes were plated beautifully. All in all, the food was excellent and we were always satisfied.

Finally, the game drives were wonderful. Our driver showed great experience in the bush, able to share his knowledge of the game as well as high proficiency in tracking and finding them. We saw all of the big 5, as well as the ugly 5.

Notten's is a 5 star experience and you will not regret visiting!
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Date of stay: May 2021
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.
teresa18 wrote a review Jun 2022
Germantown, TN
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A lovely, well cared for lodge within Sabi Sands that goes above and beyond with service, food, game drives and comfort. Each room has A/C, heat, indoor and outdoor shower and balcony views of the savannah and frequent visitors. The staff was outstanding and we felt so comfortable and welcomed. Highly recommend!
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Date of stay: June 2022
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.
Kris E wrote a review Mar 2024
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
What a place......start to finish on our very quick two night stay we we're looked after so well by the whole team whilst in the lodge with a special thank you to Jan for the added surprises when she realised it was our anniversary.
They feed you so much fantastic food 3 meals a day which all felt like 5 star dining and the flavours were unbelievable.
Rooms overlooking the wild bush have chance to see any animal passing by...we were lucky enough to get an Elephant and worthogs at ouf balcony!
The game drives daily led by our fantastic driver Wonder & our tracker Joe were crazy...we we're lucky and saw everything including multiple leopards, lions, elephants, rhino, giraffes, hyena and even a very rare cheetah plus many more. With Wonder getting us closer than we'd thought possible his and Joe's knowledge of the bush is great and was always willing to stop for any personal interests made it for me.
I really can't say enough about this place having booked during covid in 2021 the wait was worth it and far exceeded expectations, I'd recommend this lodge over some of the other luxury ones nearby as the cost here is a fraction of the price and still has the luxury feel with a rustic charm that i feel is very important with a safari trip.
Thank you Nottens we'll be back!
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Date of stay: March 2024
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.
Joanna Bell wrote a review Oct 2020
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I was supposed to spend 6 nights at Notten’s and had to extend my stay by another 3 nights. I just couldn’t stand to leave. It was the most unbelievable experience I’ve had. The rangers were outstanding, the game was incredible, the food was exceptional, the accommodation was relaxed luxury and the staff were friendly, full of humour and the vibe between management and the rest of the staff was relaxed and respectful. I never felt alone and was made to feel like I was included at all times. Thank you to everyone at Notten’s for giving me the best holiday ever. I can’t wait to return.
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Date of stay: October 2020
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.
Angela Mackay wrote a review Nov 2020
Simon's Town, South Africa
5.0 of 5 bubbles
What a pleasure to spend three nights at Notten's Bush Camp. It is supremely comfortable, the service attentive and the food plentiful and delicious. But the real reason one would go there is for game viewing which was great. From watching the passing trade visiting the waterhole which is in full view from all the bedrooms and living areas to the morning and evening game drives i could not have asked for more. We saw leopard on three occasions, cheetah, elephant, plentiful rhino, all manner of buck - the list goes on and on especially if one were to start listing all the birds as well. The game ranger was knowledgeable and so good at spotting sightings. Notten's is a happy place. Despite the difficulties of the year everyone was cheerful and working hard to keep the camp going despite the drastic drop in international tourists. I was most impressed and deeply appreciative of the opportunity to experience such a special place.
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Date of stay: November 2020
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.
skukusa wrote a review Nov 2022
Horsham, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nottens bush camp is a great way to visit the Kruger Park. The guide, Tinyiko, who led us for our two days (four game drives and a walk) was knowledgeable, experienced and helpful. This being our second visit, it was good to see some staff again.
Food was very plentiful and delicious.
Everything except spa or curio purchases is included in the price.
Though the website says that rooms are lit by candles and paraffin lamps, as had been the case on our previous visit, the bedrooms are now fully electric.
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Date of stay: October 2022
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.
Andrea K wrote a review Jan 2022
Cape Town Central, South Africa
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Just returned from 3 nights at Nottens. Not sure where to even start to describe our experience. Staff were incredible. Nothing was too much for them to do make our stay special. With a fussy 11 year old eater they made sure he had other bits and bobs to eat. The rest of us at like kings. So much delicious food.
Tinyiko took us on all our drives which I loved. He was amazing but also a familiar face each day as he arrived to collect us and we knew he would treat us to new amazing sightings every day whether leopard, bird or dung beetle.
The family room was excellent and we were super comfortable. We all loved the pool in the heat. So grateful that it wasn't a small dipping pool!
Not sure I can fault anything. It was beyond 5 star for us.
Thank you and we cannot wait to come back again.
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Date of stay: January 2022
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.
Jules wrote a review Nov 2022
Durban, South Africa
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed for three nights at Nottens in October. As regular bush travellers, we have had the privilege of staying at a few lodges. Nottens, hands down, was one of the best we have experienced! The food was outstanding. Jan, the chef, went above and beyond to make sure it was all perfect. My husband is gluten and nut intolerant, and from the moment we arrived, they were aware of this. Not once was he served anything, containing these ingredients. The staff, again, superb! Attentive to our every need, discreet, always happy to help us. Our ranger Thomas was one of the best we have been with. He has been with the Nottens family for 38 years, and his loyalty and commitment to their brand is evident. We had unbelievable sightings. A wild dog kill was one of them. Thomas also took us on a bush walk which is a must. We arrived on our last night, in the middle of the bush to a candle lit sundowner stop. Wow! This was incredible. Such attention to detail. The soft glow coming back to the lodge after game drives, was magical. They always light all the candles in the evening. We were in room 1 on the end, which was private and peaceful. We asked to have our lunches served on our veranda each day, which was so amazing. We could watch the game at the waterhole from our room. The pool has recently be renovated and is a lovely way to cool off on the hot summer days. There are plenty sun loungers for all the guests. All the rooms have airconditioning. I cannot recommend this lodge highly enough. We will definitely be back next year. Well done Nottens, you have created an unbelievable safari experience and for us, South Africans, we are proud to recommend you.
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Date of stay: October 2022
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.
Travel Junkie wrote a review Jul 2022
Brenham, Texas
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nottens and Sabi Sands was our final stop on our amazing safari and needless to say we left the best for last. While we had been staying in tents at our other camps, staying in a luxurious lodge at Nottens did not lessen the experience of being on safari in the bush. So so many animals, everywhere you looked, even around the camp. The ambience of the candles and oil lanterns at night continued the old time safari feel. Dale and his staff always had a big smile of welcome and the lounge/seating areas were so relaxing while you discussed the day/s events.

was our guide and worked diligently to find the animals. We were lucky enough to see 2 leopards (separately) on the hunt and caught up with one of them later feeding her kill to her cubs. We saw the Big Five while at Nottens in multiples!! JUst on our drive out of Sabi Sands to the airport, we saw male lions laying beside the road, a large herd of nyalas, water bucks, kudus in addition to the usual cast of characters- elephants, impalas, giraffes, wart hogs

We were lucky enough to be at Nottens the evening they had their outdoor barbecue and that was magical event with the best steaks we have ever eaten!!!! Then the next night, we arrived at a Sundowner campfire in the bush with Dale cooking sausage and ribs. Thanks to Joe for the lessons on animal calls, I was able to identify the animal sounds that night.
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Date of stay: July 2022
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.
hghillis asked a question Nov 2019
Atlanta, Georgia6 contributions1 helpful vote
What is the easiest airport to fly into? Does anyone have an estimate for airport transfer cost?
Answer from pebbles2_13
Bundoran, Ireland84 contributions226 helpful votes
if you fly into Skukuza airport one of the drivers from Nottens will collect you their and take you the short distance to the lodge. I did see some elephants on this route. You will have to arrange this with Nottens. Nespuit airport is approx 3 hours drive from the lodge and you will have to arrange a taxi. I believe I paid around €50.00 each way for the transfer. You will see a lot of the African countryside from nespuit to nottens.
Answer from Michael186565
Perth, United Kingdom40 contributions8 helpful votes
I don't know. Best to ask the Lodge direct by email. They are VERY helpful.
rltoller asked a question Sept 2018
San Francisco, California25 contributions12 helpful votes
Do any of your rooms have single beds?
Answer from Terri G
Rockville Centre, New York119 contributions50 helpful votes
My first visit I was there with my daughter. They placed a bed in the room for her. So, I had a King bed & she had (I think) a double.
Jane17_72 wrote a tip Oct 2024
Preston, United Kingdom70 contributions9 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"plan to layer up as its cold before sunrise, don't take tight fitting clothes as you will gain weight with all the food (and drink) "
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Pam M wrote a tip Oct 2024
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Bring your camera, your appetite, plus bathing suit for the beautiful pool and schedule a massage at the Spa!"
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TravelPrincess69 wrote a tip Aug 2024
Dayton, Nevada390 contributions115 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Bring a portable charger/extra batteries if you like to take a lot of pictures. They offer reasonably-priced laundry service. "
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Eric Grube wrote a tip Aug 2024
Boston, Massachusetts17 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Perfection across the board! If you're on the fence about going to South Africa, book at Notten's, & you'll have the trip of your life!"
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Jenny S wrote a tip May 2024
Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia147 contributions13 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"If you have mobility issues triple check Nottens haven’t put you in the back lodges as they are not suitable, especially at night."
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Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
notten`s bush camp hotel sabi sand game reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkSabi Sand Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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NOTTEN'S BUSH CAMP - Lodge Reviews (Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa)

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