Timbavati

Timbavati is much larger and slightly drier than the Sabi Sand, attracting large herds of elephant and buffalo and an extremely large lion population. It is famous for its white lions, which were first seen here in the mid-1970s. Although they have not been seen in the reserve for many years, they can occasionally be seen in the Kruger. However, the reserve is a good place to come to see tawny lions, as the prides here are very large.

Timbavati is not as good as the Sabi Sand for leopard spotting. It can often be hard to find this species, as the reserve is so large, especially after the wet season when the vegetation is growing. There are a number of private concessions on the reserve, offering a variety of accommodation and safari experiences.

Timbavati has a subtropical climate with rain in the summer season and thunderstorms. The best safari season is usually during the dry season (from April until September), when it is cooler. The rainy season starts in October and usually lasts through March. The bush normally comes alive after this, but game viewing becomes more difficult then, as the undergrowth gets thicker, giving the animals more cover.