The staff were amazing,Lorna, Carolyn, my guide Kudos. We learnt a lot about the animals, tracks, poop, etc. I loved that there was a waterhole where we could watch the animals drink. We ate our dinner with our guide and sat with the people on our drive, which is a nice experience. The camp is small, only 8 tents, so it is an intimate experience.

Stayed in August 2025

sometimes water got extremely hot on shower but manager Lorna solved the problem. The tents doesn´t have heater and in winter time the temperature can reach almost 0°C but they have good blankets and I think it's part of experience of staying in a tent

everything perfect with shindzela. Staff very helpfull, answered all the questions after booking and during our stay. All the safaris started on time and our guide Sam did everything he could to give us the best experience always with a smile on his face. We saw 4 of the big fives on first safari and all in second one, but all experiences are different one from another and it also depends on how lucky you are. All the food were delicious and everything was very organized with clear rules. The tents are confortable with private bathroom and hot water. Water hole in front of shindzela attracted lot of elephants, antilopes and also hyenas, it's a good bonus on stay there

Stayed in July 2025

If I'm nitpicky, coffee wasn't great. But that's really being nitpicky.

Even better than we thought. The beds are super comfortable and the shower as well. It really feels luxurious, not at all like camping. The staff is amazing and the drives as well, it's clear the guides and trackers really know their stuff. Well be back again, it's an amazing place.

Stayed in July 2025

The tented lodge is an excellent place to stay, we are frequently staying in that lovely place. Rangers and staff are very competent, the chef preparing delicious food. Timbavati in general a great game reserve.

Stayed in May 2025

Very well maintained lodge. Comfortable tents - hot water in the shower wasn't consistent but seemed to improve over the days. Charging is in the main lodge for your gear. Wifi is a struggle, but to be expected in that location. Grounds are very nice, with a view over a waterhole (had visiting elephants during our stay). Staff are excellent. Thanks to Lorna, our guide Sam and the excellent housekeeping staff. Food is pretty good (you pre-order your choice for breakfast and dinner). No complaints. There is a nice curio shop and pretty well stocked bar to purchase drinks. Prices reasonable. Very nice main tent for relaxing. We had 6 drives with Sam. He was great. We got a leopard sighting on our very last drive, at that point Sam hadn't seen one for 8 days. We saw lions once on our first drive. There is no resident pride in Timbavati, the lion pride we saw came from Kruger. Lots of ele sightings, pups at the hyena den was awesome. We saw a big herd of buffalo drinking at the main dam, along with eles. Overall, pretty good if you keep your expectations at bay. It turned very cold almost overnight (early May) so bring your warm gear in Autumn. The tents can get quite cold. The drive to the lodge takes 1hr from the Enkhulu gate and is mostly on heavily rutted roads. Fine in an SUV and good weather. You could do it in a smaller car, but it won't be enjoyable.

Stayed in May 2025

Shindzela tented camp is an amazing stay in Timbavati private reserve, connected to the Kruger national park. The tents are perfect and the bed is very comfortable. The staff is amazing, friendly and very helpful. The food is tasty and big portions. The safari drives were amazing and we were lucky to spot many animals. Many thanks to our great guide Ruben, who made our stay unforgettable.

Stayed in February 2025

Amazing Safari experience. I was staying alone but felt very safe, cared for and made great friends. I feel the place attracts good people. The staff were friendly, the safari guides exceptional with their professionalism and humor. The meals were prepared with care and love. I would definitely recommend this place to family and friends.

Stayed in February 2025

What an amazing, all inclusive safari experience in the Timbimvati Private Game Reserve just outside Kruger near Hoedspruit. Small camp with only 9 tents (18 people) made very personal. Great service . Lovely little pool to cool off in, Green grounds. Amazing game drives with very experienced and informative guides Lovely boma dinner. Don't hesitate to book, you will not be disappointed.

Stayed in December 2024

food could be a little more varied but still good

View of watering hole, amazing staff

Stayed in December 2024

If I need to complain about something by force… maybe the coffee.

The property is just the perfect size in a great locations. The staff is amazing in general, but our guide Ruben was just the best. My dream was always to do a safari and shindzela lived up to my expectations or better!

Stayed in December 2024

Just the food could be improved: The breakfast was good but compared to other lodges/camps, the other meals were regular and missed often some taste and especially the beef was too tough to eat. But fortunately, we go not on safari for the food ... :-)

It is a beautiful, not too big, camp with lovely tents, a nice pool and tastefully arranged seating area. From the tent and the main building one has views to a little waterhole where regularly hyenas and diferent antilopes etc. come to drink. The tents are beautifully decorated, with an out of Africa feeling, and the beds are very comfortable. There is Wifi in the tents but charging possibilities only in the main building. The safari drives with our knowledgeable guide Johan were fantastic, we saw f.ex. 10 lions eating on a buffalo, a huge buffalo herd drinking in a dam, cheetah and leopard, etc. He placed the vehicle in the right angles to take good pictures and gave us interesting information.

Stayed in October 2024

The food could be better.

Loved the room. Comfortable, relaxing and clean. Loved the boma and eating under the stars Loved the watering hole and game watching. Loved the game drives. Very exciting.

Stayed in September 2024

There is absolutely nothing

Wow this is an incredible place to stay. We loved staying here the best of our whole self drive tour. The accommodation is outstanding the guides were superb in their knowledge and definitely focused on making sure we had the best experience in shindzela. The food was incredible and to get to sit with your guide and jeep buddies and share your experiences all around an amazing fire pit. I cannot recommend this place enough.

Stayed in August 2024

Shindzela far exceeded our expectations. The property is beautiful and much more of a glamping experience than a camp. The communal dining spaces are beautiful especially the candlelit dinners under the stars. The food was exceptional. Our safari guides Sam and Edward were extremely knowledgeable and we had the closest animal encounters on our Shindzela safaris. Watching the elephants visiting the river bed each day at the campsite is so magical! Would highly recommend Shindzela to anyone wanting an immersive safari experience that is still comfortable and amazing value.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing- it was lovely!

The property is in a far apart location from the entrance to the reserve. We were looking for a different stay and the rented camp fit the bill. It was a small oasis amidst the wildlife ! We enjoyed the remoteness and recommend a more than 1 night stay as it does take a long drive once in the property, to get to the camp. The set-up of the camp is very well thought out, and while not “luxurious” it is very comfortable and welcoming. The staff was also great and very attentive to the guests. This is a more intimate experience as there are few tents so few guests at a time. The game drives are also very interesting and purposeful. We were placed in the middle of the “action” and were able to stalk a lion as we walked through the bush at night. Quite a thrilling experience. Not to miss! The platform tents each come with an enclosed bathroom so the set-up is very comfortable.

Stayed in March 2024

No plugs in the room to charge cell phones or computers. They only have plugs at the front desk

Friendly staff, amazing game drive, personalized meals and amazing experience at the reserve

Stayed in March 2024

Too small swimming pool

It was very clean and comfortable! The staff were friendly and helpful and the tours were well organized

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing

A fabulous and we’ll maintained camp with amazing staff who are so obviously proud of it. A quite right too - they do a fantastic job.

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing ! There is no aircon- which was not an issue for us, it is an eco lodge after all, but something to consider if you can’t handle the heat.

Beautiful property in a great location, everyone was super friendly and helpful. Felt thoroughly well looked after and safe! Food was great, rooms and en suits comfortable and nicely decorated, pool area overlooking a waterhole which hyenas sit in all day:)

Stayed in November 2023

The dinner options were not the best and not tasty.

Amazing camp with a carrying staff The game drives were Profesional and very informative. The guide searched and delivered great sightings. I would definitely come back and recommend

Stayed in September 2023

They can put up to 9 people in a safari vehicle and as a photographer that is pretty crowded. For people just riding and enjoying the experience it would be fine as they have 3 rows of seats. Luckily we were never full.

Small, quiet, comfortable, way out from civilization.

Stayed in July 2023

Nothing

Great people, very well organized

Stayed in August 2023

Nothing.

Refer to my previous review, it’s lovely

Stayed in July 2023

The rooms were comfortable and clean. The staff were all very friendly and welcoming.

Stayed in June 2023