Kambaku River Sands

My husband and I stayed at Kambaku River Sands for our honeymoon in October 2024 and it was AMAZING. The entire staff was outstanding; we considered ourselves very lucky to be paired with our ranger Guy and our tracker Rene. Guy was South Africa's version of The Crocodile Hunter - incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about animals. Rene was the quiet force between the two, and it was impressive seeing how well he could spot tracks. We saw so many beautiful animals well beyond our wildest dreams. We were also very happy to have added the sleep-out deck on our bucket list - the weather was in our favor and we were able to enjoy it! Such a unique experience...especially waking up in the middle of the night to a hippo sloshing in the waters. You really become one with nature! The manager Codi also made sure our stay was extra special for our honeymoon - it was such a pleasure getting to know her, and I can't thank her enough for her thoughtfulness and hospitality. The food was delicious and I loved how the dinner set-up gave us the opportunity to get to know the staff and other travelers. Needless to say, I was so sad when we left, but I knew that my sadness was just a reflection of how wonderful our stay was. I HIGHLY recommend staying here.

This lodge was a great place to stay, with luxurious accommodation and plentiful good food. The staff were friendly and very attentive. We had an excellent viewing experience with a great guide, who, with the aid of an experienced tracker and radio contact with other guides, was able to show us a wide and exciting range of wildlife, as well as demonstrate tracking skills and inform about all aspects of the bush. We saw several leopards, many lions (including a pride devouring a kill!), elephants, wild dogs, giraffes etc. I've posted a small selection of photos to hint at what we saw. We had thought that the elephants drinking from the swimming pool might have been an advertising thing that rarely happened but we saw them nearly every day, sometimes more than once, which was great. We also enjoyed alfresco dining, with additional entertainment from the staff. It must have been hard work to set up a barbeque for ~20 guests in the wild! Thank you for a wonderful experience.

We were on a 2 week trip in South Africa, and stayed at 3 different safari lodges. Kambaku River Sands topped the experience for us, and set the bar so high that every other accomodation we stayed at pales in comparison to their service. Staff & service: - We were well-taken care of by the entire team, but the 10 star service from start to end were from our guide Phanuel (Phany), and Cordy the lodge manager. - On arrival and seeing my wife's injured ankle, Cordy promptly made arrangements to use their golf cart to transport us within the lodge (even though the walking distance is manageable). Phany ferried us before and after game drives without fail. - They also brought a small ladder along with game drives so that it is easier for my wife to climb up and down the land rover. - A nice touch: Staff members including Phany and Cordy also sometimes sat with us during meals, and shared their candid stories. Made the whole experience even better as it gave a sense of intimacy. - At no point in time did we ever feel that our needs were neglected nor overlooked. Other general staff were attentive and happy to assist with our requests. Game drives: - Generally good sightings. We saw all of the Big Five within 2 drives, but do manage your expectations on what you would see as every single drive is different and we are dealing with wildlife. The guide and trackers go out of their way to try to give you the best possible sighting. Jerry our tracker made a great team with Phany and was warm and approachable! - You can expect comfortable rides despite bumpy roads (unlike another lodge where we experienced the guide racing from point to point not necessarily with an objective, risking guests' injury). - Winter mornings are unbearably cold, made worse with the wind. They not only provide blankets but also hot water bottles! - Phany took the time to answer all our questions and share his knowledge; anything from the Big Five to animal dung! Rooms & Food: - Overall setting is beautiful and unfenced, but does have electric fences to keep out bigger game. If you are lucky like us, you can see elephants walking by the bush right outside your room or even outside the dining area. - Rooms are lavish, beautifully decorated and have all the amenities you need, even in-room wifi! (speed was good at that). The daily complimentary laundry service was the cherry on top. - Also no complaints with the food, wonderfully presented and they changed where we ate each dinner to keep things fresh. Thank you once again to the team at Kambaku River Sands, Phany, Jerry and Cordy! You made our experience unforgettable