Kambaku River Sands
Enkhulu Gate, Arygle Road, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
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Full view
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Room & Suite (117)
Pool & Beach (45)
Travel safe during COVID-19
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What you can expect during your stay
- All linens sanitised in high-temperature wash
- Face masks required for guests in public areas
- Face masks required for staff in public areas
- Hand sanitiser available to guests & staff
- Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
- Staff required to regularly wash hands
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Updated 21/02/24 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
A note from Kambaku River Sands
Updated 21/02/24 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
About
#3 of 16 Specialty lodging in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
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
Babysitting
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Airport transportation
Parking
Wifi
Outdoor pool
Sauna
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Special diet menus
Meeting rooms
Spa
Concierge
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Shared lounge / TV area
Shops
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Room service
Safe
Minibar
Complimentary toiletries
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Luxury
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans
Location
Full view
Contact
Enkhulu Gate, Arygle Road, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
Getting there
See all nearby hotels
431Reviews15Q+A79Room tips
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Three couples enjoyed 3 nights at Kambaku River Sands with Nathan and Rennie as our guide and tracker. They worked very hard and showed us great animals on our safari rides in the mornings and afternoons. We were greeted after our rides with hot towels and drinks to welcome us back. The brunch and dinners were great and we never had an empty glass! The rooms were comfortable and large for each couple with great housekeeping. We had a couples massage which was definitely worth it during our safari naps each day (11-3 pm). Thanks, Kambaku!
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Date of stay: July 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.
Helpful
Response from Nicola Naude, Owner at Kambaku River Sands
Responded 1 week ago
Thank you so much for the lovely review - we are so happy that you had such a great time here with us ! Travelling with a group of friends is very special !
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We stayed at Kambaku River Sands for 3 nights and had a wonderful stay. The hospitality there is top notch. You are truly treated like family. Our group had Nathan and Rennie for our guide/tracker and they were phenomenal. Nathan was very knowledgeable about the animals and Rennie had great eyes to see the sights. We had wonderful massages by Irene and Realize kept our drinks full at night. Palence took our group on a bush walk which was also just superb. The food was wonderful and we loved dining under the stars. It was a trip and stay of a lifetime. Thank you for the wonderful stay! -Andrea Rando
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Date of stay: July 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.
Helpful
Response from Nicola Naude, Owner at Kambaku River Sands
Responded 1 week ago
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us !I am so happy to hear it was a stay of a lifetime !
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+1
We recently stayed three nights at Kambaku Riversands as part of a seven week around the world trip. I was a little apprehensive at first given the hotel is listed as a four-star property. We’re only at five star properties on this trip, and I’m not sure why this hotel is not included as a five star property. It had all the necessary accompaniments amd facilities and the property itself is stunning and the rooms are luxurious. The food and wine experience is top notch and I really enjoyed the dinners. Cordy Who is the general manager really takes care of you and makes sure you feel welcome, she was like having a personal concierge. We had juju and rainy As our guides and they were fantastic. Saw the big five and the Bushwalk with juju was a highlight. Both of their knowledge and abilities were impressive.We also use the spa quite extensively and that was also very good. There are some hotels that charge significantly more, I’m not sure how it gets better than this, We definitely would return. …
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Nicola Naude, Owner at Kambaku River Sands
Responded 1 week ago
Thank you so much for the lovely review - We will pass on all your compliments to the staff - and we definitely hope to see you again !
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+1
We were a group of 7–2 couples and 3 college aged kids that stayed at Kambuku for 3 nights. It was wonderful! Very comfortable and nice accommodations, great game drives, wonderful food and a wonderful staff that is kind, caring and looks after your needs and safety. I loved that each dinner that we had was very different—a nice dinner with other guests, by firelight down below in the sandy area and the last night special dinner with singing and dancing and wonderful local food that was just delicious! I also loved that the host (Cordy) and our game guide and tracker (Fani and Rufus) would sit and have meals with us so that we got to know them better and learn a bit about how they came to have their current jobs and more about their personal lives. Fani is wonderful at his job and a natural entertainer—informed us, but also kept us laughing. He also gave us an amazing experience with seeing “the big 5” multiple times and much more beyond that—baby animals, birds, zebras, giraffes. It was wonderful. I would recommend this place without reservation to any kind of traveler.…
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: We went in the winter and, to me, it was perfect. The mornings and late evenings were cool, but...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Nicola Naude, Owner at Kambaku River Sands
Responded 1 week ago
Thank you so much for the recommendation - it sounds like you had a fantastic time here, both in the lodge and out in the bush ! We hope that you have many happy memories of your time with us!
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I was privileged to have stayed at Kambaku for 5 days on safari. The location, game viewing and accommodation were excellent. Cordelia, Irene and the lodge team were exceptional, nothing was too much trouble. My Ranger Palence and tracker Kenny were very experienced which provided for fantastic, informative and fun game drives. I would definitely recommend a stay.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Nicola Naude, Owner at Kambaku River Sands
Responded 30 May 2022
Thank you so much for your lovely review on your stay with us. I am so proud to hear that the staff treated you so well and that nothing was too much trouble. We hope to see you again one day !
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My husband and I just returned from 4 days/3 amazing nights at Kambaku River Sands. The owner/host, Bryce is phenomenal, as is his team. Every detail of our stay was perfect, every meal, every morning and afternoon game drive, and the amenities of the lodge. Our guide Palance, and tracker Kenny, were awesome....the local experts for sure. On a scale of 1 to 5.....this was a 6!
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Date of stay: April 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Nicola Naude, Owner at Kambaku River Sands
Responded 30 May 2022
Wow - thank you do much for our 6 / 5 rating !! We are so glad that every detail of your stay was perfect ! We will definitely pass on to the staff !
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We were very happy to be able to return to Kambaku, which we first visited in 2018. We have been on numerous safaris in different countries, and Kambaku remains a favorite. The staff are friendly, professional, and full of good humor. We were spoiled by being the only guests for 3 nights, having a “private” experience. Our guide Palance and tracker Renius were brilliant! Tracking lions on foot an impressive sight… And a thrilling rhino encounter; can they ever run! Always a pleasure to be out in the bush , and we highly recommend Kambaku. Lovely rooms, great food and a really special place. Many thanks
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Date of stay: March 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: All rooms are gorgeous. Those facing the dry riverbed with best views. Cooler rooms on opposite...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Nicola Naude, Owner at Kambaku River Sands
Responded 10 Mar 2022
Thank you so much for returning to Kambaku - we love it that the Kambaku Family is growing every year :) We are so happy to hear that your stay was as magical as eve!
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This was our first safari and we weren’t sure what to expect. Traveling from the US to SA was much easier than we expected. We went to another camp after in Botswana that we were more excited about on paper and honestly Kambaku River Sands blew it out of the water. Our game drives with Fanni and Reafus (not totally sure on spelling) did a wonderful job on all of our drives. We didn’t see Lions but everything else in the big 5 and more including a cobra with it’s hood up. The food was amazing and catered to our needs…we loved having a staff member eat dinner with us every night to tell us more about the camp, South Africa and their own personal lives and stories. The rooms were nicely done and had outdoor showers and AC (which I learned was a luxury after going to the other camp). Realise,Johann and Irene were willing to help in anyway needed. This is a camp to for sure check out if going to the Timbavati.…
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Date of stay: February 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Nicola Naude, Owner at Kambaku River Sands
Responded 10 Mar 2022
Thank you so much for the amazing review - and commenting on the ease of travelling at present. Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to see you again soon !
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Everything was amazing about our stay at Kambaku. The game drives and guides were unbelievable. The food was so delicious. The rooms were so beautiful with fantastic views. It was honestly one of the most incredible places my fiancé and I have ever seen. Can't wait to come back one day!
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Date of stay: February 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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Nicola Naude, Owner at Kambaku River Sands
Responded 06 Feb 2022
Hello there and thank you for reviewing your stay with us - we are so happy that you had such an amazing time here :) Looking forwards to seeing you again one day .
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What an amazing experience. Was worried about traveling from the United States into South Africa, but everything went so smoothly. I could not have been happier with the lodge, staff, food, and safari! We were able to interact with most of the staff and had a great time listening to their stories. I cannot say enough about the food! We visited Cape Town and did another safari and I can honestly say the food and presentation at Kambaku was 5 star and outdid every other place. We were there for four days and made sure to take advantage of the safaris every morning and night. Never a dull moment! Overall, it really exceeded our expectations.
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Date of stay: December 2021
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Nicola Naude, Owner at Kambaku River Sands
Responded 18 Jan 2022
Thank you so much for the lovely review - and for mentioning how easy it was to travel. Great to hear the food was delicious and that all in all we exceeded your expectations ! We hope to see you again one day :)
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PRICE RANGE
US$887 - US$1 214 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkTimbavati Private Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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Claim Your Listing 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 a mosquito net.
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.