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Coming from JHB puts a different spin on the thing.

Numbi Gate is the closest gate at 406 km from the big city. Melelane is the next at 426km.

From Tamboti, the distance to Satara on the H7 is about 100 km round trip. At about one third distance is Bobbejaan Krans and about ten km from Satara is Nsemani Dam.

From Satara, heading eastwards is the S100 which I have always found to be rewarding. A long trip from Tamboti, so if you're planning to take this route, leave camp early to give yourself enough time to get back.

Just after Bobbejaan Krans is the intersection of the S39 going North and the S36 going south.

The S39 will take you to Timbavati (agreat place for brekkie)and the Muzadzeni picnic spot to the south.

If you go to Muzadzeni then you can follow the S126 to the main Satara / Tshokwane road.

Hope this helps.

The s100 idea is great to yeah...but leave early morning and expect to be at home quite late 3 hours....lets see..

I personally would do the following: Take the H7, check Orpen waterhole, go back towards Satara. Turn in the s106 maybe, take this road slowly.... Join the H7 before bobbejaankrans, have a look there. The I would continue further towards N'semani. If the sightings were not so good, maybe give Girivana a shot. Not my favorite, but definately some of the other formites' favorite. Personally I prefer N'semani. Spend a while there, its an awesome place. I would then return to Tambotie on the tarroad, passing the riverpart of the H7 late afternoon....and hopefully arrive back at camp to put the firelighter on fire, get the braai smoking.......and watching all of this from your armchair on the deck...

Man, I can almost smell the braai, feel the peace of my favorite camp, watching the empty river with a satisfied eye.......is there more to say

Awaiting your trip report.....

Yes, each tent has its own braai.

Thanks.

Any advice on the best positioned safari tents (2 & 4 bed) ?

I stayed in Tent number 2 in October. If you want to be close to the ablutions, try rather for number 5 upwards.
I have also stayed in in 5 or 6 and that was extremely pleasant.

Nos 9 & 10 are the closest to the ablution blocks, I think.

Just to refresh the memories , pic taken from tent 40 , Dec 2007.

Large

21 and 22 were our favourite tents with view onto river and not too far from the ablutions. Watched a leopard playing around in the river from those 2 tents one afternoon for over and hour.

Hi All
Well, i'm afraid the secret is really out now... We stayed in tent 31, but my SO said 40 right on the end looked even better. He enjoyed the untouched bush in the camp and had a great time walking around camp. It was the first time that we stayed in one of the "luxury tents" and i must say they are really worth the extra cost. Now, if only they can wrap up the road works on the Satara road
LM

Hi Tamboti fans ( especially BB)
Looking for recommendations on best located Safari Tents (CTT4 - 4 sleeper)so i can request these for our trip in a few wks time. Ta.

Are you kidding? I'll need a lot more than a couple of pegs for that sort of courage.

Okay, we have CTT4 No 22 (thanks G@mespotter) - right on the bend in the river and close enough to the ablutions - when a mans gotta go.........a mans gotta go

Questions:
do the tents have individual brais?
Is it a wood or coal brais?
Do I/can I pick up wood/coal for the brais at a supermarket?

Rusky :
Tents have individual braais , they are wood and charcoal burning , I would recommend buying both at the shop at Orpen which is about 3 km away , as the wood supplied is very hard and difficult to light . Firelighters may not supply enough heat to get the wood burning , I have found charcoal to be a good woodfire starter .
You have made an excellent choice in Tambotie .

Well, further to my previous post I have to tell you that we stayed at Tamboti during April....and it was hot....the fan did not make much difference and although its my favorite camp we have now decided to change our celebrations from here to LSabie , huts with airconditioning.... but, for those interested in planning a celebration or family gathering at Tamboit here are a few pics of the boma ....(still wish we could do it here) but, SO must also be comfortable, not just me being in the bush its situated on the road as you come in through the gate on the right hand side...very quiet, out of the way and you feel like you are right in the bush

We stayed in tents 9 - 11 in February this year and had a nice view of the dry riverbed. Had the baboons walking past every morning and late afternoon. You can call Orpen camp with your reservation number.

The tents (9 -11) were also close the blocks but my brother (who stayed in no 9) said that people going to bathroom tend smack their car doors closed in the middle of the night. It very peaceful, heard lions and hyaenas. Pitty the "birdhide" view is overgrown with reeds with nothing walking or flying past even! Also look out for the bushbucks in the camp and I hear there is a honey badger that stays in the camp aera.

Over all it is great camp. Look out for the black-backed jackals that live on the roads leading to Orpen and Tamboti/Maroela. My brother saw Wilddogs the one morning so I geuss either it was a pack travelling through or that stays in the aera. I wasn't so lucky!

Yep, the river is dry.....but we still had giraffe and impala on the far bank, plus animals at night. Because it is dry there are great sightings near the waterholes - Leeubron, Rabelais, N'semani - just plonk yourself near one with you brekkie, binocs, book and it unfolds for you.
We stayed in tent 22 which was great. These r the ones without ablutions but they r just a stroll away. 18-22 according to me have the best viewing (in the non luxury section which is 31-40)- the bend in the river. I have some good photos of the tent which will be posted in my trip report eventually - see Ruskys Kruger Ramble.
2 pax tents : 2, 4, 8, 9, 12, 14-17, 20, 24,25,27,29
4 pax tents: the rest
Luxury; 2-3 pax 31-40
BTW all this is on the map on the website - do to the map section

We thought Tamboti was the best - quieter. secluded and yet conveniently located.