Shindzela Tented Safari Camp

3.0 star property
Riverfront tentalow with free breakfast and a 24-hour front desk

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Photo gallery for Shindzela Tented Safari Camp

Front of property
8 bedrooms, free WiFi, bed sheets
Outdoor pool, sun loungers
Front of property
Lounge

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Breakfast included
  • Pool
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

Map
1 Jonniesdale Farm, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, 1380
  • Orpen Gate
  • Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate
  • Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre
  • Hoedspruit (HDS)

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Room options

f) Safari Tent with en-suite Bathroom

  • 6 sq ft
  • Water view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

b) Safari Tent with en-suite Bathroom

  • 6 sq ft
  • Water view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

d) Safari Tent with en-suite Bathroom

  • 6 sq ft
  • Water view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

c) Safari Tent with en-suite Bathroom

  • 6 sq ft
  • Water view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

h) Safari Tent with en-suite Bathroom

  • 6 sq ft
  • River view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

g) Safari Tent with en-suite Bathroom

  • 6 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

a) Safari Tent with en-suite Bathroom

  • 6 sq ft
  • Water view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

e) Safari Tent with en-suite Bathroom

  • 6 sq ft
  • Water view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

About the neighborhood

What's nearby

  • Timbavati Private Nature Reserve - 1 min walk - 0.0 miles

Restaurants

  • ‪Surprise Breakfast in the Ngala Bush - ‬109 min drive
  • ‪Gin And Tonic bar & Beyond - ‬106 min drive

About this property

Shindzela Tented Safari Camp

Riverfront tentalow with free breakfast and a 24-hour front desk
Guests of Shindzela Tented Safari Camp enjoy features like an outdoor pool, free WiFi in public areas, and a terrace. There's free parking, and an airport shuttle (available on request) for ZAR 1390 per person one-way. The front desk is staffed 24/7 to help secure valuables, and answer any questions about the accommodations. Additional amenities include laundry facilities, a water dispenser, and a garden.
Guests can stay connected with free WiFi. Furnished patios, ceiling fans, and free toiletries are also available.
Guests can experience the thrill of a safari, and take advantage of an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Languages

Afrikaans, English, Italian, Zulu

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge) from noon to 7:00 PM at scheduled times and on request
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Game drive
  • Game viewing
  • Outdoor pool
  • Safari

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Safe at front desk
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Turndown service

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In a national park
  • On a river
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Built in 2009
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Mosquito nets

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Partially-open bathroom
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

More

  • Ceiling fan

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: noon; Check-in end time: 2:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 15

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The property charges 4 percent for credit card payments
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 72 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Guests driving to the property should contact this property in advance (e.g., directions)
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Guests driving to the property should contact this property in advance. Safaris must be booked 30 days in advance of arrival.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets or service animals

Children and extra beds

  • This property doesn't allow children 10 and younger (only guests older than 10 are allowed)

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay these charges at the property:

  • Airport shuttle transfer per adult: ZAR 1390 (one-way)
  • Resort fee: ZAR 220 per person, per night

These are all of the charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

These fees and deposits will be charged at check-in, check-out, or the time of service.

  • Airport shuttle fee: ZAR 1390 per person (one-way)
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 4 percent
  • Facilities fee: ZAR 220 per person, per night

This list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits might not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Tax ID - 4130203856
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Air conditioning and heating are not provided
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
  • Check-in: noon
  • Check-out: 11 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 15
The front desk is open 24 hours a day. For convenient arrivals and departures, you can take advantage of the airport shuttle (available during limited hours), which is offered for a fee. Driving? This property offers free parking.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit for incidental charges and a government-issued photo ID may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Tax ID number is 4130203856.
  • This property accepts credit cards and cash.
  • Air conditioning and heating are not provided.
  • Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed in guestrooms.
  • There are no elevators.
  • No cribs or infant beds are available.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.
  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

Property is also known as

Shindzela Camp
Shindzela Tented
Shindzela Tented Camp Safari
Shindzela Tented Safari Camp
Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Hoedspruit
Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Lodge Hoedspruit
Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Bushbuckridge
Bushbuckridge Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Lodge
Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Lodge Bushbuckridge
Lodge Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Bushbuckridge
Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Lodge
Lodge Shindzela Tented Safari Camp
Shindzela Tented Safari Camp
Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Bushbuckridge
Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Safari/Tentalow
Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Safari/Tentalow Bushbuckridge

Frequently asked questions

Will I be able to park at Shindzela Tented Safari Camp?

Yes, self parking is offered for free at the tentalow.

Does Shindzela Tented Safari Camp feature a casino on the premises?

No, Shindzela Tented Safari Camp doesn't have a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at Shindzela Tented Safari Camp?

No, this tentalow doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is an outdoor pool.

What amenities will couples enjoy at Shindzela Tented Safari Camp?

This riverfront tentalow offers plenty of amenities for couples including an outdoor pool, a bar, and a restaurant.

Does Shindzela Tented Safari Camp have a hot tub?

No, there isn't a spa tub at this tentalow.

Does Shindzela Tented Safari Camp have a restaurant with a breakfast menu?

Yes, Shindzela Tented Safari Camp serves free buffet breakfast each morning from its restaurant.

Does Shindzela Tented Safari Camp allow pets to stay free of charge?

No, pets and service animals aren't allowed at Shindzela Tented Safari Camp.

Where is the closest airport to Shindzela Tented Safari Camp?

The closest major airport to Shindzela Tented Safari Camp is Hoedspruit (HDS), which is about 17.1 mi away.

Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Shindzela Tented Safari Camp?

Yes, every accommodation at Shindzela Tented Safari Camp comes with a furnished patio with some featuring river views.

Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 9 out of 13 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 13 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 13 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

HappyCamper, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Back to nature

Shindzela offers the type of safari experience that is sadly dying out, to be replaced by glitzy, costly options that separate visitors from the real bush. Our guide was excellent; calm & professional even when another group was shrieking and whooping (TIP, wild animals prefer quiet). Our tracker was keen-eyed, polite and focussed. The cooking/cleaning staff clearly took pride in their work. I feel Shindzela is excellent value for money and should form a part of many more travellers' trips. It is intimate and honest but not for people who expect a 5 star spa.

10/10 Excellent

Keith, Fakenham UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Animals and seclusion

Absolutely amazing place - great safari location

10/10 Excellent

Stuart, Leeds, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent Bushcamp experience

My wife and I spent 4 nights at Shindzela Tented Bush Camp and were extremely pleased with the experience. From the outset, Carolien was very efficient in providing all requested information before we arrived and the driving directions were faultless. Although having no previous experience of a safari, we chose this because we would be in a small group (8 tents) in a comfortable but basic environment with the focus on learning about the environment and the animals and birds living there. We had 4 morning safari drives, starting at about 5:45 am and 4 evening drives starting at about 3:45pm. Each lasted 3 hours. Andre was our Ranger for the first 6 drives and then Wiann and Raymond (tracker) for the remainder. (We overlapped with another reviewer Alan B). Each Ranger was very knowledgeable and we had a great time in their company. Raymond certainly was a skilled tracker! We were lucky enough to see the Big 5 and multiple times. The encounter with lions and elephants was at very close quarters! Shadrack was the chef de parti and he also showed his comedy side on announcing each meal. The food was wholesome and filling. During the day between drives, we took lunch and relaxed. This trip has been a highlight of our South African tour and is among the best of any of our travel experiences. The Shindzela team have the right balance, we feel, between comforts and being at one with nature. Don’t change anything! (PS Good WiFi signal was a bonus). Thanks, Stuart & Sarah

10/10 Excellent

Dan, Weymouth, Dorset, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

You can't get closer to nature. Great place!

Beautiful place. Friendly well informed staff. The place to go if you want to be close to the bush. In my opinion better than places that cost twice the price. Thumbs up!

10/10 Excellent

SteveAndRegina, Switzerland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Authentic safari experience

We had a fantastic 3 day safari in early January 2012. The staff and the service was excellent! We wanted an authentic safari experience and found it perfectly at shindzela. The half tent / half hut give enough creature comforts while allowing you to feel that you are in the midst of the bush! Everything is kept very clean in this very well organized and maintained camp. The staff provide excellent food and create a very relaxed atmosphere that allowed us to get the most from our safari. Morning and evening safaris were mainly in vehicles but with the staff readily organize walking safaris on foot with a a day or two's notice - something hat is well wealth doing! Our guides were extremely experienced and very knowledgable about the flora & fauna. They have managed to avoid a commercial feel and offered us a chance to really feel we were close to nature. Thank you to Mike, Sam & team - you gave us a wonderful experience.

10/10 Excellent

Anne, Alexandria, VA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

trip of a lifetime!

If you want to experience the real Africa, this is the place for you. This was our first trip to Aftrica. The staff make all the difference here. We saw so much in three days and learned so much more, even about the ones we didn't see. The "room" is a tent on a platform with a toilet and hot water showers. The food is outstanding. No electricity, but everything you need. Our travel arrangements from Johannesburg and back were made by the camp and timed perfectly. We thought it was a 'once in a lifetime' trip but we can't wait to go back! The sound of the lions at night, right outside the camp, is not to be missed!

10/10 Excellent

Donal + Laura, Ireland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Top Class

This is the first time I've bothered to review a hotel but Shindzela is deservign of all the praise it gets. Fantastic experience with great food, safari drives, rangers.... Could not recommend this highly enough.

6/10 Okay

Christian, Hamburg

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Gut aber nicht günstig

Vorweg muss man sagen: Wir hatten schlechtes Wetter. 20 Grad, Sturm und etwas Regen erwartet man einfach im Sommer nicht. Auf den Games Drives haben wir z.T. gefroren… Aber wir haben Löwen mit Jungen gesehenen, was absolut toll war, und ein Black Rhino, was wirklich sehr selten ist. Aber ansonsten muss ich sagen, dass wir doch von Timbavati Gebiet etwas enttäuscht waren. Wir hatten uns mehr Tiere versprochen… Und dazu kommt, dass das Essen (für den Preis) doch eher „überschaubar“ war (aber für mich wurde auch extra laktosefrei gekocht!). Die Zelte sind sehr dunkel und nicht wirklich gemütlich… aber das darf man bei Zelten i.d.R. auch nicht erwarten. Die Staff war sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit unser Guide und Sam als Tracker waren wirklich klasse und konnte uns viel (neues) über die Natur und die Tiere erzählen. Trotzdem (vielleicht lag es auch am Wetter) waren wir nicht ganz zufrieden – gerade bei dem Preis, der zwar im Vergleich zu anderen Lodges im Timbavati Reserve geringer ist, aber im Vergleich z.B. zu unserem Favorit Tshukudu Bush Camp doch trotzdem deutlich höher liegt. Und natürlich gibt es auch keine Garantie für Tiersichtungen. Vielleicht haben wir einfach Pech gehabt?!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Bien si pas si loin et difficile d'accès

Une horreur pour y arriver! Google map pas à jour qui fait passer pas une route privée que l'on ne peut en fait pas utiliser. Résultat, le camp est à 2h de route de Kruger Orpen gate et non pas 30min! Nous sommes parties de Kruger à 4h30 et nous sommes arrivés à 18h30 au campement après 1h de route de nuit dans le bush à voir des éléphants et des hyènes traverser le chemin de terre sur lequel ns étions. Horrible! Frais supplémentaires à ajouter au prix de la chambre: 140ZAR entrée de la réserve + 400ZAR conservation fees qui n'étaient pas prévu! Mis à part cela, tout était parfait une fois sur place mais il faut réellement arriver avant la nuit.

8/10 Good

Dagmar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Muss man erlebt haben.

Unvergleichliche Erlebnisse. Die Tiere, die Atmosphäre, duschen unter freiem Himmel...

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin, Schauenburg

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfekt - mitten in der Natur

Perfekte Übernachtung. Immer wieder gerne.

10/10 Excellent

Fredrik, N/A

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Fantastisk upplevelse

En safarilodge är mycket mer än bara ett hotell, så min recension och de betyg jag gav utgår ifrån vad jag tycker att man bör förvänta sig av en safarilodge. Detta är inte en av de lyxigaste lodgerna, utan ett "tältläger" där man offrar vissa bekvämligheter för en avslappnad stämning som jag tycker passar mycket bättre på en safari än ett "lyxhotell" (som många av lodgerna försöker vara). Oerhört duktiga och serviceinriktade spårare och guider, god och vällagad mat och en trevlig och avslappnad stämning. En helt underbar safariupplevelse med andra ord! Jag vill dock tillägga att detta var min första safari, så jag har ingenting att jämföra med. Huruvida den här lodgen är bättre eller sämre än någon annan låter jag därför vara osagt.