Tanda Tula

TIMBAVATI NATURE RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA

With a mission to celebrate Africa, explore wild places, inspire change and connect our people

Tanda Tula is a leader in conscious travel offering a modern and connected safari experience at their luxury Tanda Tula Safari Camp.  

TO LOVE THE QUIET

Tanda Tula, meaning to love the quiet, is inspired by the people and wildlife-rich region of the Greater Kruger National Park. This is a safari business that has been around for more than 30 years and thanks to committed owners and a strong team is regarded as one of the best camps in South Africa. 

Strategically positioned on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River, Tanda Tula Safari Camp provides awe-inspiring views of the surrounding wildlife and natural landscapes. The camp features nine hybrid off-grid suites, including two family suites, designed by renowned safari architect Nicholas Plewman. These suites incorporate contemporary elements such as glass, canvas, and steel, seamlessly blending modern luxury with the environment. Each suite boasts a private deck with an eco-plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers, and stylish furnishings inspired by the traditional designs of South Africa’s Tsonga people, who were the original custodians of the land.

The Timbavati Nature Reserve is regarded as one of the top safari destinations in South Africa. The reserve comprises of individual landholders who together have formed a protected area of over 53 000 hectares (131 000 acres) of unspoilt natural wilderness adjoining the Kruger National Park in an open eco-system. The Timbavati is a highly professional and well managed reserve, that protects sustainable populations of many endangered species such as black and white rhinoceros, pangolins, saddlebilled storks, southern ground hornbills and many others.

Founded by Don and Nina Scott, Tanda Tula is an owner-run company alongside the Jackson and Mathebula families. This family feeling is ever present throughout each and every staff member and it continues on to every guest that passes through their doors.

FAST FACTS

RATES

Safari Camp:

From R 28 750
per person per night

ACCESS

FLY:
Daily flights into Hoedspruit Airport from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Daily scheduled charters into Timbavati Rockfig Airstrip from Johannesburg.

Drive:
45 minutes from Hoedspruit Airport, 15 minutes from Timbavati Rockfig Airstrip

 

CHILDREN

Safari Camp 
6+ years

Family suites are perfectly suited with 2 en-suite bedrooms, shared lounge and a private pool.

Classic Portfolio Since 1993

What we love

Classic Portfolio Since 1993

celebrate AFRICA

Offering a distinctly authentic and immersive safari experience, Tanda Tula is proudly committed to Africa and sharing this passion with all guests.

explore WILD PLACES

Responsible tourism is the foundation of an authentic safari experience that protects habitats and keeps wild places for wild animals.

Inspire CHANGE

Telling Africa’s story in a new and honest way inspires guests to be part of a conscious journey and a movement of change.

Connect OUR PEOPLE

Authentic moments of connection inspire real relationships and new friendships between the team and guests at Tanda Tula.

Tanda Tula

The impact of your stay

IMPACT: HIGH

Tanda Tula has always been committed to strengthening communities, empowering individuals and conserving wild spaces. Through responsible business practices and people-facing programs, they enable change immediately and provide growth for years to come. Tanda Tula are focused on community development and conservation. 

Their community development programs are largely associated with education, but also provide support for small business development, the establishment of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and encouraging environmental awareness. Through support from guests they contribute to various important projects in the Timbavati and Greater Kruger National Park.

Every stay contributes through:

  • When staying at any of the Tanda Tula camps, you actively contribute to the Tanda Tula Education Foundation and Greater Kruger National Park conservation initiatives within the Timbavati Nature Reserve.
  • Responsible tourism is the foundation upon which Tanda Tula’s conservation efforts, community programs, and research projects have been built. Guests pay a Sustainability Levy of R 1,650 (2025) / R 1,815 (2026) per person per day and R 825 (2025) / R 910 (2026) for children under 17 years, which includes the Timbavati Conservation Levy, Tanda Tula Foundation Contribution, Land Management Fees, and the Bushbuckridge Community Levy.
  • The Foundation Contribution made by each guest plays a vital role in sustaining the scholarship program, supporting education for the next generation, and empowering them with the knowledge to build a stronger future.
  • Additionally, 100% of the Conservation Levy fee is allocated directly to the Timbavati Nature Reserve, funding Greater Kruger National Park conservation projects, including anti-poaching efforts, security, and sustainable community development.
  • Finally, every stay at Tanda Tula contributes to a monthly fuel donation and supports ongoing research by the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology through feedback on endangered ground-hornbill sightings.

Document
Downloads

Classic Portfolio Since 1993

IMAGE LIBRARY

Tanda Tula
CAMPS

Safaris for Connection

TIMBAVATI NATURE RESERVE

Safari Camp

Safari camps shouldn’t just be beautiful. They should be designed to immerse us in nature and feed our senses. Newly rearchitected Tanda Tula Safari Camp takes full advantage of its position on the Nhlaralumi River in South Africa’s Timbavati Nature Reserve to create intimate guest experiences across the breadth of the camp.

After 27 years of operation, Tanda Tula Safari Camp has undergone a complete revamp (literally from the ground up), modernising the infrastructure and, by doing so, protecting the wilderness for generations to come. Guests are welcomed back to a more ecologically sensitive camp with a lighter footprint. The new design embodies the essence of Tanda Tula and continues to connect guests to the African wilderness.

7 spacious tented suites and 2 family suites are dotted amongst the majestic trees, each with their own private deck and pool overlooking the dry riverbed. All tents are en-suite with an indoor bath and outdoor shower.

At the heart of the camp lies the central area, featuring a split-level lounge and bar that opens onto decks through expansive sliding doors, offering breathtaking views.  

SEASONALITY: Open all year

CHILDREN: 6+ years

CLASSIFICATION: Premier

Safari Camp

7 Suites
2 Family Suites

R 28 750 per person per night
All meals and house drinks.
Guided morning and evening game drives in open 4x4 vehicles.
Guided walking safaris.
In-room A/C.
Laundry.
WiFi.

Tanda Tula
Featured Offer

Stay Longer, Pay Less

Stay 3 nights and only pay for 2.

VALID:
9 Jan – 31 Mar 2025 & 2026

Extend the adventure—stay 4 nights and only pay for 3.

VALID:
1 Nov – 15 Dec 2025 & 2026

Suggested Itinerary

Cape, Bush, and Beach

We call this our "slam-dunk" combination as it offers fantastic diversity, easy access and is available all year round. It is also well suited to couples and families alike.

Tanda Tula
Location

Getting there

FLY

There are two daily flights into Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) from O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB), and one daily flight from Cape Town Airport (CPT) operated by Airlink & CemAir.

In addition, there are daily scheduled shuttle flights from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Timbavati Rockfig Airstrip operated by Federal Air.

NOTE: Only Federal Air has landing persmission for Rockfig.

DRIVE

45 minutes’ drive from Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) to Safari Camp, and 15 minutes’ drive from Timbavati Rockfig Airstrip to Safari Camp.

Availability

Contact

Email:
reservations@tandatula.com

Tel:
+27 15 793 3191

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. Based in Hoedspruit.