Kambaku River Sands
Enkhulu Gate, Arygle Road, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
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Room & Suite (120)
Pool & Beach (48)
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About
#30 of 113 lodges in Kruger National Park
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Travellers' Choice
Kambaku River Sands is an unfenced camp perfectly situated on the banks of a dry river bed allowing animals to roam freely around and through the camp. The suites are set spaciously apart, allowing for secluded views of the unspoiled bush. The main lodge has a spacious lounge with two enormous open fireplaces, a pool and bar overlooking the waterhole, and well stocked wine cellar. This more exclusive lodge offer a bush spa and gym, spa baths and outdoor showers. Come and experience classic luxury in a pristine setting…with traditional Kambaku style and hospitality.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Free breakfast
Entertainment staff
Babysitting
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Sauna
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Special diet menus
Airport transportation
Spa
Massage
Concierge
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor fireplace
Shared lounge / TV area
Shops
Sun terrace
Private check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Room service
Safe
Seating area
Minibar
Extra long beds
Complimentary toiletries
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans
Location
482Reviews16Q+A91Room tips
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+1
Wonderful stay, excellent staff, all very helpful, amazing games drives with our experienced ranger and spotter, enchanting encounters with lots of animals including lions, waterbuffel, rhino’s and elephants coming to drink out of the pool, spa treatments to relax you to the max and great food. We will definitely love to come back🥰
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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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
My wife and I stayed at Kambaku River Sands for 4x unforgettable nights. This was the highlight of our honeymoon with an amazing team of staff who are all so welcoming and knowledgeable. Every staff member made us feel welcome and attending to any and every request we had. The food on offer was outstanding and I would love to go go back and do it all again. 10/10 experience
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
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
My wife and I visited Kambaku River Sand on our honeymoon and we absolutely loved it. We did game drives everyday and saw the big five and six of the magnificent seven. Food and service were fantastic and we also had a great massage at the spa. Shareen and her team did a great job making our time for our honeymoon really special. Brandon and Rinney were fantastic guides and passionate about what they do. Elephants come right up to the pool and drink which is incredible. We also stayed one night in the Hide and highly recommend. This is a small family owned lodge (family lives on premises) and it was nice to stay at a place where the people love the owners and are all passionate about conservation.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Be prepared for early wake ups but it is so worth it. Massage was great. Don’t miss elephants at...
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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
I LOVED this lodge. Open to the wild so don't go wandering around at night!! They walk you to and from your lodge for dinner. The path is raked every night so you can see what came through the night before. Super cool!! Driver and Tracker are excellent and very knowledgable. I learned a lot from them during the drives. Food was outstanding and exactly what I wanted from a Safari lodge - Impala, Kudu, ostrich. Excellent wine selection as well. I loved that they did dinner family style - meaning every one sat together so you could meet the other guests. Perfect for a solo traveller. Full mini bar for the offering and free laundry service which I made full use of. The deep tub was wonderful. Bed was very comfortable and the turn down service was sweet. I didn't want to leave, I met some wonderful travellers during my stay and the staff was very warm. I would definitely book again - no question…
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
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Room Tip: Schedule a spa day - pure luxury
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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
WOW - an amazing honeymoon - full of extraordenary experiences and surprises. The KRS team really made our dreams come true ❤️ We will never forget you, and Kambaku River Sands will allways have a special place i our ❤️ Love A & C
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
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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Kambaku River Sands was my first safari experience and it somehow exceeded expectations. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better place to stay for a safari in South Africa! The staff was so attentive, thoughtful and friendly. Our guides, Phanny & Rifose, were top notch and found us not only the Big 5, but the Big 7! They were so knowledgeable and patient—answering all of our questions before, during, and after our game drives. The room was immaculate—so much space, an incredible bathroom set up (indoor shower, outdoor shower, and soaking tub), comfortable bed, stocked mini-fridge, A/C and a window to wildlife (we saw nyalas, zebras, and elephants pass within view). The common space was amazing—comfortable seating, expansive views with wildlife constantly passing through (including elephants taking a drink from the pool!), and a full bar. The food was delicious and plentiful (I'd recommend taking advantage of the biscuits in the red box). We got 2 game drives per day—1 early morning (5:30am wakeup), 1 in the evening (3:30pm to dark). Brunch and plenty of downtime in between (we took full advantage of the spa—massage, sauna, cold plunge). Dinner and an early evening afterwards. An idyllic vacation schedule. Not always the case, but we saw everything we could've asked for. Lions, elephants, cape buffalo, white rhinos, leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs, a ton of eagles (Wahlberg's, Tawny, Martial) and other bird life, zebras, hippo, honey badger, mongoose, antelopes (impala, kudu, etc.), giraffes, etc. Kambaku somehow made the experience both relaxing and adventurous. When I come back to safari in South Africa, Kambaku will be number 1 on my list.…
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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
Our fifth visit to the wonderful KRS. All the staff, without exception, are so so friendly, always smiling. There’s a real family atmosphere at KRS which is one reason my friend and I can’t stay away! Oh, and the amazing wildlife in and around the lodge. Wonderful!
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
Service
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
Disclaimer: Our reviews are solely based on our experiences, not on other readers' experiences or influenced by other readers or entities. You will rarely read "like other reviewers…" from our posts since we practice not to read reviews and visit with virgin eyes untainted by what others may have experienced. Overview: Kambaku River Sands is a luxurious safari lodge located in the heart of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in South Africa. The club offers a unique and authentic African experience that will surely not disappoint. Guests can enjoy game drives and bush walks led by experienced guides and see the Big Five and other wildlife up close. The lodge also offers luxurious accommodations, delicious meals, and a range of activities and amenities to ensure a comfortable and unforgettable stay. Overall, Kambaku River Sands is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty and wonder of the South African bush. Staff: 5/5 When we stayed, we enjoyed being surrounded by amazing people. Rufus, Fani, Shareen, Cordy, and Brandon were incredibly friendly, professional, and welcoming. They went above and beyond to ensure we had everything needed and were always available to answer any questions. As hosts or as our Ranger/Tracker, we were also left feeling safe and secure during our stay. Hotel Room: 5/5 The rooms at the lodge are spacious and beautifully decorated, with comfortable beds and all the amenities you could need. The private outdoor shower was an added highlight, and the views from the room were terrific. Since we had an unfortunate/fortunate experience with sewage in our initial room, we were able to have an opportunity to see other rooms. The best room by far is 10. Though Room 10 was amazing, the more entertaining rooms were Rooms 5 and 8. They were closer to walking paths of wildlife. So, if you are lucky, you will see random wildlife walking by your room on hot days. Hotel Grounds: 5/5 The lodge is in the heart of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, surrounded by stunning scenery and wildlife. The food at the lodge was exceptional, and the semi-outdoor dining area was a great place to relax and enjoy the view. The pool was small but more like a place to relax and greet our unexpected guests. We were welcomed daily by a herd of elephants who enjoyed drinking the water from the pool (natural water). (Fun Fact about this reserve: It has a self-sustained water filtration system that connects to an underground source.) Looking to work out? There is also a Fitness room with enough gym equipment to get your fitness goals between bountiful meals and game rides out of the way. You can also schedule time for various Spa treatments that would allow you to truly unwind during your stay. Location: 5/5 The location is perfect for anyone looking to experience the beauty of the African Bush and wildlife. There were plenty of game drives and safari activities, and the knowledgeable guides ensured we saw all the animals we wanted to see. We could see the entire Big Five list and more by the time we left! Conclusion: 5/5 Overall, I highly recommend Kambaku River Sands to anyone looking for an unforgettable safari experience in South Africa. The staff, accommodation, and location all exceeded our expectations. YTF Suggestion: Plan at least 2-3 days here. Flights are minimal, so you will have your first game drive after check-in. Game drives are early morning and Evening, so you can expect to experience 5-7 Game drives based on a 2-3 day stay. You will likely see the entire Big Five if the weather is good (not too cold). Pack lighter: They offer laundry service here, so we recommend having this be a second stop if traveling to multiple locations in South Africa. You can have your clothes washed, folded, and dried for your next leg since most clothes you wear will be merely for the game drives. …
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
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
Excellent first safari. Brandon and Rinnis ( spelling?) were a great guide/tracker team! We saw 3 of the Big 5 during our short stay Plus wild dogs! The big windows in our cabin let us come face to face with a nyala! Great staff, great food, amazing experience!
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
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
Wonderful safari in Greater Kruger with exciting off-road driving including following a lion hunt in thick bush in the dark; excellent guide and 'hawkeyed' tracker; great staff, location and accommodation Our tracker spotted a small green chameleon in a bush in the pitch dark in a moving Jeep using only a flashlight; incredible !!!
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: Make sure you take a decent warm jacket with you as it can get deceptively cold at 6:00am and...
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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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PRICE RANGE
US$1,016 - US$1,228 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkTimbavati Private Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kambaku River Sands
What are some of the property amenities at Kambaku River Sands?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Kambaku River Sands?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and extra long beds.
What food & drink options are available at Kambaku River Sands?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Kambaku River Sands?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness centre, and a sauna during their stay.
Does Kambaku River Sands have airport transportation?
Yes, Kambaku River Sands offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Kambaku River Sands?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at Kambaku River Sands?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Kambaku River Sands?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans.
Does Kambaku River Sands have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.
Is Kambaku River Sands accessible?
Yes, it offers reduced mobility rooms and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.