Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is one of the great private reserves of the Greater Kruger ecosystem covering approximately 53000 hectares of pristine bushveld. The reserve gained international fame as the birthplace of the legendary white lions — a rare colour variant of the African lion first documented here in 1975. Timbavati’s unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park allows unrestricted wildlife movement and the reserve supports all Big Five species alongside an impressive array of predators including wild dog, cheetah, and spotted hyena. The traversing rights system means each lodge has access to vast areas of wilderness ensuring low vehicle density at sightings. Walking safaris are a highlight of the Timbavati experience with armed rangers leading guests through the bush for an intimate ground-level perspective. The reserve offers a more affordable alternative to neighbouring Sabi Sand while delivering equally impressive wildlife encounters.