Overview

The camp features a boma which makes it ideal for small groups of people to gather around the campfire and relive the animal sightings of the day. There is also a bird hide which is very popular with birding enthusiasts. Staying at Tamboti has a truly bush feeling to it as the tents are situated among natural bush, which also results in total privacy.

Guests will be coming back and back again to this area of the park which has become well known for its wildlife populations while also having a reputation for absolute peace and quiet.

Staying in any of the camps of the KNP is a top experience where you can be guaranteed to see the Big 5. It is one of the more affordable safari vacations that you can book in South Africa.

The camp offers only camp accommodation and day visitors are not allowed in the camp. Booking accommodation can be done online via the SANParks website, telephone, fax, e-mail or in person at a KNP bookings office. 

Why would you want to visit Tamboti?

Spending a few days in the Tamboti camp provides a true African experience like few others and is definitely something to add to your safari vacation.

Kruger National Park has a number of satellite camps which provide guests with a different style of accommodation and a unique way to see the park. These camps are usually close to a main camp and lack the conveniences of shops, fuel stations and restaurants.

Guests staying at a satellite camp do so as to enjoy its rustic, communal appeal. The camps only have a few buildings and usually offer limited accommodation types. In most of the satellite camps guests will have to bring along their own tent or caravan while some may have safari tents already set up. When planning on a trip to one of these types of camps, you have to be certain that you have brought along everything you need in order to make your stay as comfortable as possible. It offers the perfect stay for any guest wanting to get the most out of their stay in KNP.

Tamboti is a unique satellite camp as it is equipped with big, comfortable safari tents, which ensures a relaxed stay with fabulous animal sightings. All the tents look down onto the dry Timbavati River bed. It is the perfect destination for guests wanting a rustic camping experience without having to pack all the camping equipment.

The whole area in and around the camp is filled with Tamboti trees which most of the grazers eat. Especially kudu and the endangered black rhino can often be spotted close to the camp. If you are lucky you would spot porcupines feasting on the bark at night.

Going out on an open vehicle safari is the preferred way to see animals but the best way to spot animals in Tamboti is from the veranda of your safari tent.

The camp offers great bird watching opportunities as it provides a walking route on the inside perimeter of the camp. You will get a general offering of fauna and flora and being close to animals that you might catch a glimpse of on the other side of the electrified fence. 

Where is Tamboti located?

Tamboti is situated on the western border of the KNP, about 3 km from the Orpen entrance gate. The GPS coordinates for the camp is S 24 27′ 42″ E 31 23′ 54″. 

How to get to Tamboti

Travelling time from Johannesburg to the closest entrance gate at Orpen by car is at least four to five hours.

From Gauteng head toward Nelspruit on the N4 turning of on the R540 at the Belfast turn off. Head towards Lydenburg where you turn left onto the R36 towards Hoedspruit. About 30 km before Hoedspruit turn right onto the R531 and head to Orpen gate.

Tamboti tented camp is about 4 km away from the gate and you should allow about 10 minutes for the drive to the camp. Remember to first book in at the reception office at Orpen rest camp before you head towards Tamboti.

Tamboti tented camp can also be reached by flying in via Eastgate Airport which is situated about 68 km from Orpen Gate at Hoedspruit, and is served by SA Express with daily flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg.

A map of KNP can be bought at the entrance gates or any of the camps in the park.

Be aware of the gate times for entering and departing from the park. It is as follows:

Entrance gates:

• January, February, November and December – gates open at 05:30 and close at 18:30
• March and October – gates open at 05:30 and close at 18:00.
• April, August, and September – gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00.
• May, June, and July – gates open at 06:00 and close at 17:30.

Tamboti’s gates open and close at the same times as the entrance gates, except for January, November and December when the camp gates open as early as 04:30.

What to do while staying at Tamboti.

Being a satellite camp with no reception office means that Tamboti only offers guided bush walks and game drives that will ensure an exciting bush experience. All bookings and further details for these activities are available from reception at Orpen rest camp.

This is a popular area to spot kudu and black rhino and they can often be seen feeding among the Tamboti trees surrounding the camp. Trained guides know where in the bush to find these animals and going on a night drive will enable you to take part in the nocturnal activities of Kruger’s secretive creatures while in the company of experienced guides and trackers as well.

Guided bush walks will ensure a truly bush adventure accompanied by trained field guides with backup rifles. Groups are usually not bigger than 8 people walking in the bush for a few hours on their South African safari.

KNP safaris allow one to track rhino, elephant and lion on foot and learn and observe fascinating ways of the African bush. The Timbavati riverbed is an excellent place to find leopard and game can also be viewed at the Rabelais dam.

Various open vehicle safari operators are available to book a trip with. They offer affordable yet exclusive safari trips for singles, couples, families with children or small private groups. 

What to watch out for when staying at Tamboti

Staying at Tamboti is an exciting experience and guests will experience the flora and fauna that this area offers.

Animals to be seen in the vicinity of Tamboti tented camp on a KNP safari include giraffe, zebra, elephant, wildebeest, buffalo, cheetah, lion, hyena, baboon, vervet monkeys, warthog, impala, bushbuck, kudu, bushbuck, and many more. Guests have often spotted leopard at the nearby Timbavati riverbed from their safari tent

The surrounding area offers excellent opportunities for game viewing. On the drive from Orpen to Satara herds of zebra and wildebeest will be seen next to the road, while giraffe, impala, warthog and elephant are common sightings. Turning off and following the Timbavati River northwards onto Olifants rest camp will likely produce lion, cheetah and leopard.

The dry open plains of the area surrounding the camp are a typical characteristic of the bush veld. The area and camp is host to Tamboti, acacias and marula trees that attract various animals to feed on.

Being close to a river means you should probably see animals of all kinds.

What type of accommodation does Tamboti offer and what amenities/facilities are available at the camp?

Tamboti tented camp like its name states, only provides tented accommodation for singles, couples, and families with children.

Accommodation availability changes from day to day and all inquiries about general availability are subject to change without notice. Last minute reservations in less than 31 days prior to arrival date, are payable within 24 hours after receiving a confirmed provisional reservation via e-mail.

Your accommodation is only guaranteed once you receive a provisional reservation confirmation and to secure your reservation full pre-payment is required a.s.a.p.

Camping is the most affordable and the most rustic style of accommodation that Kruger offers. Guests booking accommodation at Tamboti have the option of either the budget canvas tents or the semi-luxury tents. The tents give extra privacy as they are spaced quite apart from each other and since the camp is small, it is never overcrowded.

Budget Safari Tents

Tamboti offer 30 budget canvas tents, 15 with 2 single beds in each and 15 with 4 single beds. Each tent has its own veranda, a standing fan, and a fridge. Some tents have a river view. Guests make use of a communal ablution facilities as well as a communal kitchen.

Semi-luxury Safari Tents

There are 10 semi-luxury tents that sleep 3 people. It is fully equipped and comes with a double bed and sleeper couch. These tents have their own showers and cooking facilities, a fan and fridge.

The camp is managed from Orpen camp and guests need to report at Orpen’s reception area to check-in.  Accommodation at Tamboti tented camp is ideal for backpacking and camping communities looking for a self-catering bushveld experience.

Tamboti is also wheelchair friendly and one of the 2-bed and one 4-bed tent has been adapted for disabled visitors with mobility difficulties.

All tents are supplied with linen, towels, and its own braai facility.

At Tamboti the following facilities are available:

• Two communal kitchens
• Two ablution blocks
• Boma which is a communal braai area in camp
• Bird Hide
• No shop or restaurant available
• No ATM facility available
• Tamboti offers safari-tented accommodation only
• No Reception office at camp

What do you need to know and bring for a safe and comfortable stay at the Tamboti?

If you plan properly for your stay at Tamboti, it will be a relaxed trip and stay. Bookings need to be done well in advance from your planned date of arrival. KNP is a popular game reserve and accommodation is not readily available, especially in the holiday season and during the winter months.

Tamboti does not offer any bed and breakfast facilities and guests must bring their own food and drinks. Meals can be bought at the restaurant at Orpen rest camp that also has a shop that provides most items that will be needed on a daily basis.

Most parts of the KNP is situated well within a malaria area. This is much more than just an unpleasant illness but can be fatal if left untreated. Since it is being spread by mosquitoes, the best way to avoid getting sick is to prevent the mosquitos to bite you.

You can avoid mosquito bites if you take the necessary steps, such as wearing long sleeves and trousers in the evening, using a reputable kind of insect repellent.

The best way to totally avoid a malaria scare is to get the necessary preventative medication prescribed by your doctor before journeying into the African bush.

Although it is basically impossible for larger, more dangerous animals to enter the camp, it is best to always be alert. Nocturnal animals like the civet, porcupines, and others are frequent visitors.

Ensure your stay is happy and safe by taking note of a few simple warnings. You will be sharing your stay with many unusual and dangerous creatures, such as bats, spiders, snakes, scorpions, to mention but a few, and without knowledge some of them could be dangerous.

If you must walk around at night, please do not do so without a torch. Although there is streetlights, it is not very bright and only along the footpaths.

Under no circumstances are you allowed to feed the animals. By feeding any wildlife, you are signing their death warrant as they become lazy and do not seek for food themselves which can cause them to starve. Some also become aggressive.

When to visit Tamboti

The best time of the year to make your trip to Tamboti in the KNP is either early spring or late autumn. Kruger is a summer rainfall area and such precipitation is usually convectional and can result in heavy downpours.

The hot summer months from October to April can make any safari tour unpleasant. Unfortunately, Tamboti does not come with swimming pool.

The winters are warm and mild during the day and can sometimes be quite cold at night. If you are planning a trip to KNP in the winter that include a night-drive be sure to pack warm clothing that include a warm jacket, beanie, scarf and gloves.

Even animals sometimes shy away from the heat. During the summer months they tend to look for shade during the hottest time of the day and is not always easy to spot, especially since the bush is very dense.

During the winter months, wildlife tend to stay in the vicinity of water sources and can often be seen at the watering holes, rivers and dams. The bush is also less dense, and animals are spotted more easily than during the summer months.

FAQs

Where is Tamboti located?

The Tamboti camp is located about 4 km from the Orpen entrance gate on the western border of the KNP.

What to expect and look out for when staying at the Tamboti camp?

There are only a few organised activities like morning, sunset or night game drives and guided walks offered from Tamboti tented camp. You can walk the perimeter trail of the camp spotting birds and wildlife.

From your own veranda looking down on the Timbavati riverbed you may see animals of all kinds, from elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and leopard, wild dog and hyena, to antelope and smaller mammals of all kinds.

What facilities are provided at Tamboti and what do you need to bring along?

All accommodation is equipped with linen and towels. Cooking utensils or crockery is provided in the semi-luxury tents. All you need to bring is your own food, insect repellent, camera, binoculars, and torch. Those staying in the budget tents need to also bring their own cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery.

The camp does not have a shop or restaurant on the premises but this is available at the Orpen rest camp which is close by. There is cell phone signal at the camp, but no petrol station, swimming pool, laundry facilities, or an ATM.

When is the best time to visit Tamboti?

The best times of the year to stay at Tamboti is during early spring or late autumn, when temperatures are mostly pleasant, and water is scarce in the veld, so more animals may come for a drink in the dam.

Is there a swimming pool in the Tamboti Tented Camp?

No, there is no swimming pool in the Camp. 

Is there a restaurant in the Tamboti Tented Camp?

No, there is no restaurant in the Camp. 

Is there a shop in the Tamboti Tented Camp?

No, there is no shop in the Camp. 

What is the closest gate to the Tamboti Tented Camp?