Nambu Camp
A family-owned hilltop safari lodge in the Greater Kruger, where sweeping mountain views and heartfelt hospitality create a deeply soulful bush experience.
Starting from R5 550.00
per person sharing per night
- 6 LUXURY SUITES
- INFINITY POOL
- CHILDREN 8 +
- OPEN-AIR BOMA
- TWICE-DAILY GUIDED GAME DRIVES
- OLIFANTS WEST PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE
Welcome to Nambu Camp
The Nambu Camp property has been in the Drinkwater family for over 40 years, passed down through the generations. The name Nambu means ‘river’ in the local language of IsiThonga, and this unique lodge has many ties to the flowing waters of the Olifants River nearby. Tawny eagles soar above, and herds of elephants drink down below our hilltop lodge.
Wanting to share their piece of paradise with the rest of the world, Nambu Camp was created. The camp has a total of six luxury chalets, four of which have views of the wilderness beyond, while two have garden views.
During the heat of the day, relax at the camp’s poolside or bird watch from the lodge’s vast viewing platform before a mid-day brunch up at the main camp. There are two game drives per day, each taking advantage of the first and last light.
From morning coffee stops to sundowner stops with snacks, Nambu always goes the extra mile in terms of hospitality.
Nambu Camp at a Glance
Rates
Full Board
From
R5 550.00
per person per night
1 January 2026 – 31 December 2026
Full Board
From
R6 100..00
per person per night
1 January 2027 – 31 December 2027
Location
Nambu Camp is located within the Big 5 Olifants West Nature Reserve in the heart of the Greater Kruger, offering an exclusive safari experience in one of South Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. The reserve forms part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem, with unfenced borders to the Kruger National Park, allowing wildlife, including the Big 5, to roam freely throughout the region.
Situated just 30 minutes from Hoedspruit and only 45 minutes from Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport, Nambu Camp is easily accessible for both fly-in and self-drive guests. For those travelling from Johannesburg, the camp is approximately a scenic five-hour drive away.
For self-drivers, the route to Nambu Camp is straightforward. Upon reaching Hoedspruit, follow the R40 towards Phalaborwa and turn into the Olifants West Nature Reserve entrance.
Visitors will be required to complete a visitor’s permit and pay the applicable reserve entrance gate fees before continuing to the camp. Please follow our directions and not GPS or Google Maps, as they will not guide you all the way to Nambu Camp.
Lodge & Rooms
Perched on the gentle slope of an old anthill in the heart of the Big Five Olifants West Nature Reserve, this intimate hilltop lodge overlooks a seasonal riverbed and vast stretches of untouched bush, offering sweeping views to the Drakensberg Mountains and a front-row seat to the rhythms of the wild below.
The luxury suites are thoughtfully appointed with air-conditioning, plush king-sized beds, ensuite bathrooms, USB/USBC charging ports, and Nespresso machines. Rooms 1, 2, 4 and 6 feature front-facing verandas overlooking the surrounding wilderness, while Rooms 3 and 5 offer peaceful garden-facing patios. Natural tones, local textures, and modern finishes bring a sense of safari chic to each space.
Wildlife
Nambu Camp lies in the heart of Olifants West Nature Reserve, open to Kruger National Park and home to the Big Five. Overlooking a dry riverbed, waterhole, and natural springs, the camp attracts a variety of wildlife. The rolling landscape offers excellent game-viewing, with the Olifants River nearby drawing hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife. Highlights include sightings of Pel’s fishing owl, kingfishers, and a resident tawny eagle’s nest right at camp.
