Vincent recently enjoyed a Klaserie & Timbavati, Kruger Park Safari where he visited nThambo Tree Camp in the Klaserie Game Reserve and Simbavati Camp in the Timbavati Game Reserve. Natasha created his Kruger Safari, where it seems he had a lovely time judging by his pictures!
I don’t know if you accept postings on the Sun Safaris page on Facebook but posted my best pics on that page.
And here my idea on both lodges. Please take in consideration that these are just my snapshot opinions and could be different depending on other guests etc.
Stayed there for 5 nights and was kinda love at first sight. The small setup is appealing with cosy lodges.
During my stay I met very nice people from US, India, UK and New Zealand.
Staff wise there was Lilly, a UK person acting as the hostess of the camp and working there for a few months now (you probably all know all this but write it anyway) and you see she is changing things for the better. Prepping a brand new wine list, branded toiletries for the bathroom, … and expect to see more changing in the coming months.
Leopard by night in the Klaserie by Vincent
Matt, ranger, and Isaac, tracker, are both formidable guys. Matt is sort of new to nThambo and during the drives I couldn’t help but feeling a little tension between the 2 but were professional not to get it to the open. That feeling was also the impression of another guest as we were reviewing the lodge among the 2 of us.
Prices for bar drinks etc were very reasonable priced with a good selection of drinks available.
Food was also good but would rate it a little above average. Fresh products made well! A few meals were perhaps a little too “basic” but I am easy as long the food is good and save to eat.
Baby Elephant in Kruger by Vinceny
Concerning the drives. Klaserie is no doubt a nice area and is very beautiful to what I have seen of it but the area that nThambo is allowed to cover seems a little small, at least to what Simbavati can cover. While we are comparing, Simbavati also seems to have more eye candy areas, more diverse with a huge dam, hill view, dry river bed, … The safari vehicle is definitely a second hand car with wiring exposed, missing doors, … Exactly the same cars were used in Simbavati but these were cleaned daily, proper working 2-way radio’s, …
In short: love the place despite the shortcomings. Pretty sure if there was somebody working there with an eye for detail that lost can be resolved fairly easy (call it a female touch 🙂 ).
Getting to the place was already hinting that it would be a more upscale camp and was proven so upon arrival. Staff in uniform, cold towel, open reception area that is well maintained, …
The number of staff working in this lodge per guest is must more compared to nThambo. That gives you a more personal approach but yet also a more formal feeling of things.
Tents were exactly like advertised and are spacious with everything in good working order.
Food was excellent with a broad and good choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner and nobody could ask for more. Bar has an extensive range of drinks but apart from my G&T before dinner and sparkling water during the rest of the day could I care less for the various whiskies, port, vermouth, …. J.
Owl by Vincent
As written before are their cars clean and in good working conditions. Their 2-way radios are of a fixed model where the ranger wears an ear piece so guests are not disturbed by radio chatter. The domain is very nice and had variation in view. Most probably a coincidence but there was at that moment a bigger variety of animals but have seen also some rare sightings at nThambo so I can’t say that one is better than the other on animal sightings. The ranger (Gregory) and the tracker (Collins) were both very good and gave nice details on the various animals that were spotted.
In short. Had a fantastic time in both places and for me is the prime objective to be in contact with nature and the wonderful wildlife that inhabits it.
Sun Safaris did well as there were no problems with transportations, reservations, … Job well done!
