I'M 8 HOURS AHEAD

Have you been dreaming about a treehouse in the bush? Say no more! Today I’m bringing you the review of this beautiful lodge in the Kruger National Park.

Set in the Klaserie Private Concession sharing unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park, Nthambo tree camp is the place of wildest dreams for all of you treehouse and wildlife enthusiasts.

This lodge has a rustic style, is intimate and it is mostly made from canvas tents and wooden decks.

Quick facts:

• Good for: families, couples, friends
• Starting from: 4775 ZAR per person per night (253,60€)
• Location: Klaserie private reserve, National Park Kruger, South Africa

Arriving at Nthambo Tree Camp

nThambo Tree Camp is located inside a private concession in the Kruger National Park in South Africa. It’s closest airport is Hoedspruit Airport (HDS). Flights to the airport are expensive, so you can choose to arrive in Johannesburg and get a shuttle bus or hire a car to drive. You can access the lodge with the private car or transfer.

The drive from Hoedspruit to the lodge will take around 30 minutes. If you drive from Johannesburg, the drive will take around 5-6h.

First impressions of nThambo Tree Camp

The general manager sat us down with a fresh glass of juice in our hands and ran over the camp’s logistics, rules and considerations.

The main area comprises a living room with a bar, the outside wooden deck with some hammoqs and a little plunge pool. there’s always a big communal table for dining and a curio shop.

Treehouses in the Kruger: nThambo Tree Camp

The rooms are elevated on top of wooden decks, creating the feeling of treehouses in the bush. Each room has a double bed with mosquito net, ensuite bathroom, a desk, chair and closet.

The sides of the chalet are canvas tent, while the floor is wooden and there’s thatched roof. There is also a fan inside as well as two little stools to put your bags on top.

The lodge has 5 chalets, two on one side and three on the other. They have recently added a two bedroom chalet for families.

Food and drinks at nThambo

Like most lodges in the private concessions of the Kruger national park, the rate includes full board with activities. All our meals were catered for and the food was varied and tasty.

Every day they provide coffee, tea and rusks before the morning game drive. During the drive there will be a coffee/hot chocolate stop. On arrival back at the lodge there’s a hot breakfast.

Lunch is served around 2pm and there are sundowner drinks and snacks offered in the evening game drive while the sun is setting. Dinner is also served at the communal table.

Wildlife activities at Nthambo

1. Game viewing

We visited with my family during dry season, South African winter (from June to October). The leaves have fallen from most trees which makes it easier to spot the animals. It is also the high season for safari in South Africa.

They have a traverse area shared with other 4 lodges. Game viewing was amazing during our two night stay. We saw the big 5, plain games and were lucky enough to see a pack of wild dogs fighting with a hyena – a once in a lifetime experience!

The vehicle is an open safari vehicle 4×4, with 3 rows of 3, the driver, co-pilot and the tracker in the front. The seats are padded and comfortable. There is a blanket for you to cover yourself when it’s cold in the mornings and evenings, and there is also a rain jacket in a pocket in front of your seat in case of rain.

There is only one vehicle at this camp, so if the camp is full then the car will be too. Some other lodges limit the number of people to 6 so you all have a “window” seat.

2. Bush Walks

They offer Bush walks as part of their rate. Bush walks are walks around the camp area which last usually for 1 hour. They include an armed guard and the guide, just as a preventive measure.

It was an amazing experience and it let’s one focus so much more on little things like footprints and different types of poop (for real).

What makes this camp Eco friendly?

Nthambo tree Camp is implementing different policies day by day to strive to be an eco-friendly camp. The waste is separated and recycled, there are no more plastic bags: the food is delivered in boxes and they have paper bags for souvenirs.

They run on solar power and a generator using diesel. They are bringing new batteries for the solar to be able to store more energy. The generator runs on diesel during game drives to not disturb (it is a bit noisy) and also because if they wouldn’t, the battery wouldn’t last for the full camp during the night.

What I loved the most

Tree houses – DUH.

Of course when I picked my safari accommodation early last year I already knew I was going for the tree houses. If you want to complement your treehouse bush experience with an outside of Cape Town tree house head over here.

What could be improved

The only improvement I would point out is that at breakfast they don’t ask about how do you want your eggs done, and every day it is different. Eggs are a very particular taste (at least to many of us!), so not having an option felt like a waste of food.

Have you ever stayed in a unique accommodation? For more inspiration check Sweet Dreams