Africa Wild

What is interesting to see in the vicinity of Tamboti Tented Camp?

This is a short overview of AW Flavours of the Month in the Tamboti Tented Camp area:

Nsemani Dam H7
S39 Timbavati Road & Timbavati Picnic Spot
H7 (Orpen - Satara)
S100 N'wanetsi River Road

Tamboti is a small tented camp on the western boundary of Kruger, about 2km east of Orpen camp. Its set deep in the bush, so one immediately gets that wild secluded feeling.

The tents all look over the Timbavati River, which is dry for most of the year and some have better views than others.

This is one of my personal favourite camps in KNP and the budget tents are very good value for money.



There’s no shop and obviously no restaurant, but Orpen camp is just around the corner and there’s a small shop available there.

There are 30 budget tents which all have a fridge, fan and bedding, but no utensils and one has to utilize communal ablutions and kitchens. Of the 30 tents, 14 are 4 sleepers (CTT4), 1 is a 4 sleeper for the disabled (CTT4Z), 14 are 2 sleepers (CTT2) and 1 is a 2 sleeper for the disabled (CTT2Z).

Tent number 1 is the most private as one doesn’t have a neighbour on the left, but it’s far from the ablutions. The ablutions on this side of the camp are behind tent number 10, so do the math. Personally I prefer the privacy, don’t mind the walk and have also found that it can get noisy next to the ablutions at night.

From about tents 6/7 one gets closer to the ablutions and these units have a fairly good view.

Unit 10 and View (CCT4Z)







My personal favourites are tents 21 and 22, with 22 having the best view. They are also far enough from the 2nd set of ablutions, but not too far.

Unit 22



View from the Veranda of 22



View from 23 to 22



View from 22 to 23



The 10 remaining units are luxury tents which all have a fridge, fan, bedding, utensils, hot plate, sink, shower and loo. All the luxury tents (LST3) have a double bed and a single sleeper couch. 1 of the 10 is a tent for the disabled.

I have never stayed in these units, because of the size of my clan, but having walked past them many times, tent 40 is definitely the best and then I would say 39.

The camp also has a hide, but honestly I have never found it worthwhile, although I do know someone that has spotted a leopard walking past it, but inside the camp.

There’s also a boma for small group gatherings.

Check in for Tamboti is at Orpen camp.

One of our favourite camps, if not the most favourite of them all!


Tents are relatively secluded as a result of the vegetation surrounding the tents.


The camp is divided in budget safari tents and luxury (kitchen and ablutions) tents.


Luxury tents





(with a view)


Standard tents







Bird hide (regrettably not with a view of the river)




View of the fence





Another photo of a luxury safari tent:






View from the tent's patio...

I can vouch for no 1. The walk is also not too bad, especially on a dark and cloudy night

Luxury tent 41 (or 38 )....can't remember!










I never new one could put bathrooms in tents!









And a big fat animal viewed from the verandah!











Wild dogs have also been spotted in the riverbed before!

Such a special gem this camp! Not for everyone, Kruger not for sissies!

View from famous nr 22...definitly worth requesting! Especially if your adrenaline junkie.....Try going to the loo 12 at night without a torch....


P1010847 by twigga2011, on Flickr

Hide in camp


P1010855 by twigga2011, on Flickr

Don't expect a Lake Panic view but you'll maybe get more than you bargained for....


P1010858 by twigga2011, on Flickr

Great video Toko...you were very brave! Is No. 40 the last tent? I seem to remember reading somewhere that this is the "wildest" tent and gets a lot of visitors.

It's the last one

Which CTT4 tent has the best position, and not too far from the ablutions?