Notten’s Bush Camp

South Africa

Notten’s Bush Camp

Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

South Africa Holiday Ideas

An Authentic African Safari Experience

Located in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa, Notten’s Bush Camp is one of the country’s original private safari lodges. Family-owned and with just 9 private suites, it offers an intimate safari experience where traditional charm, warm hospitality and exceptional wildlife viewing come together. With limited electrical lighting, the camp takes on a particularly magical atmosphere after dark, when lanterns and candles illuminate the pathways and communal spaces.

Overlooking the surrounding bush, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the wildlife even when you’re back at camp. Whether you’re watching animals wander past from the lounge area, heading out on a game drive or spending an evening around the fire, Notten’s offers a wonderful balance of adventure and relaxation. Welcoming children aged six and over, it’s a lovely choice for couples and families looking for a more traditional South African safari.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your South Africa holiday today.

A team of real travel experts, brilliant at designing bespoke holidays that focus on boutique hotels and luxury hideaways

We had an amazing family holiday in South Africa and Mozambique thanks to the team at Sundowner. Each stop felt different and special, and the whole trip came together beautifully. We’ll be booking again.
The McGrath Family, South Africa & Mozambique
More about us
A shaded veranda with a wicker armchair and leather-topped footstool, candle holders on a dark wooden console, and a pole railing overlooking lush green trees.
A man in a blue shirt stands on the raised wooden deck of a safari lodge at golden hour, holding a cup of coffee and gazing out toward the bush, with a bar and lounge visible behind him.
A cosy lodge lounge at night with a log fire burning in a large fireplace, candle lanterns glowing on a wooden chest, African masks and a buffalo skull on the wall, and a stocked bar in the background.
A guide carrying a rifle points out something in the bush to a group of guests in sun hats, gathered on a sandy track during a guided walking safari.
A guide in sunglasses pours a hot drink from a flask into a mug held by a guest in a green jacket, beside a safari vehicle on a dirt track in warm early-morning light.
A covered wooden veranda with two wicker armchairs facing a pole railing, with hanging blue lanterns and a view over green bushveld and an open clearing.
An open-air shower with a rain showerhead and stone tiling on a covered veranda, beside sliding glass doors that open into an en-suite bathroom, with trees and bush beyond the timber railing.
An open-sided safari vehicle carrying guests along a sandy track through dry bushveld at dusk, seen from behind with a spare tyre mounted on the back
A swimming pool with clear blue water beside a covered open-air lounge with a green corrugated roof, wicker sofas and sun loungers, set among trees in the bush
A covered wooden deck at a safari lodge with wicker sofas and a rustic coffee table, a thatched pole-and-reed ceiling, blue lanterns on the posts, and dining tables inside, looking out toward the bush.
A covered wooden veranda with two wicker armchairs and a glass-topped side table, a reed screen and hanging blue lantern, and sliding glass doors opening into a bedroom with a canopied bed.
A lodge suite with a wicker sofa and round glass-topped coffee table in the foreground, opening through a wide archway to a canopied bed and a freestanding bathtub beneath a timber ceiling.
Sunlight filters through leafy trees over a garden at a safari lodge, with a stone-edged path, a lantern-lit suite entrance on the left and an open stretch of bushveld beyond the fence.
A safari lodge suite with a four-poster bed draped in white mosquito netting, a wooden bench at its foot, and open glass doors leading to a timber-railed veranda overlooking the bush
Notten’s Bush Camp
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
9 private suites
Wifi in the main lodge
On-site dining, open-air boma and bar
Outdoor pool
Nature Spa
Guided game drives, bush walks and cultural experiences
A swimming pool with clear blue water beside a covered open-air lounge with a green corrugated roof, wicker sofas and sun loungers, set among trees in the bush

Why we love it here

  • The intimate, family-run setting creates a wonderfully personal safari experience.
  • Candlelit evenings and lantern-lit pathways give the camp a magical atmosphere after dark.
  • Private decks provide the perfect spot to watch wildlife from the comfort of your room.
  • The Sabi Sand is renowned for its excellent Big Five sightings.
  • Open-air dinners in the boma bring everyone together beneath the African sky.
  • Guided bush walks offer a different perspective, allowing you to discover the smaller details of the surrounding wilderness.
  • The combination of traditional safari charm and welcoming hospitality makes it a lovely choice for both couples and families.
wildebeest

Talk to us about your perfect trip to South Africa

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your South Africa Holiday today.

Subscribe to our newsletter
A safari lodge suite with a four-poster bed draped in white mosquito netting, a wooden bench at its foot, and open glass doors leading to a timber-railed veranda overlooking the bush

Rooms

Notten’s Bush Camp has nine individually styled suites, each designed to blend traditional African character with comfortable furnishings. The open-plan bedrooms lead into en-suite bathrooms, with both indoor and outdoor showers, while private wooden decks overlook the surrounding bush, offering a peaceful spot to enjoy the views.

The suites have a wonderfully relaxed feel. Each has air conditioning, and the private decks provide a lovely place to unwind between game drives.

A person in an olive quilted vest and khaki trousers arranges a breakfast spread on a white-clothed table in a rustic wooden lodge, with a platter of cheese, grapes, strawberries and cured meats, sliced bread, and a white teacup.

Food

Dining at Notten’s is a sociable and relaxed experience. Hearty and homemade meals are prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Meals are enjoyed in the Summer House or outside on the deck, while evenings can be spent dining in the open-air boma, surrounded by flickering candlelight and the sounds of the African bush.

The communal dining experience adds to the camp’s welcoming atmosphere, bringing guests together to share stories from the day’s adventures. After dinner, you can settle beside the fire, enjoy a drink and listen to the sounds of the wilderness beneath the stars.

An open-sided safari vehicle carrying guests along a sandy track through dry bushveld at dusk, seen from behind with a spare tyre mounted on the back

Activities

Safari experiences are at the heart of a stay at Notten’s, with twice-daily game drives taking you into the Sabi Sand in search of its incredible wildlife. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you’ll explore the reserve in open safari vehicles, with opportunities to spot the Big Five and learn more about the animals and their behaviour. Evening game drives are enhanced with a stop for a sundowner to enjoy the sun setting over the open plains.

For a different perspective, guided bush walks offer the chance to explore on foot, discovering the smaller details that can easily be missed from a vehicle. From identifying animal tracks and birdlife to learning about the plants and trees, these walks provide a fascinating insight into the surrounding ecosystem.

Back at camp, there’s plenty of time to slow down between activities. Take a dip in the swimming pool, enjoy a treatment at Notten’s Nature Spa or spend an afternoon relaxing on your deck. You can also arrange a cultural visit to a local Shangaan community, offering an opportunity to learn more about the traditions and everyday life of the people who call this region home.

Our top inspirational South Africa holiday ideas

Aerial view of lodge roofs hidden in a coastal forest in the foreground and stunning golden beach stretching off in the distance.
South Africa
Special Offer

KwaZulu-Natal Highlights Holiday

15 Days
£5,410pp £4,750pp (incl. flights)

Discover the beauty and diversity of KwaZulu-Natal exploring majestic mountains, rich culture, incredible wildlife, and pristine beaches along the Indian Ocean.
a small girl and a safari guide watch a rhino grazing on grass during a safari holiday
South Africa
Great for families
Special Offer

Kruger & Mozambique Family Holiday

15 Days
£6,327pp £5,977pp (incl. flights)

Breathtaking scenery, incredible wildlife, heaps of activities and stunning beaches - perfect for making lifetime memories for the entire family!

The main lodge and infinity pool at Garonga Safari Camp at dusk, with the lodge's dramatic curved thatched roof and warm interior lighting reflected in the still pool water, tall pillar candles on the pool deck, and a sweeping view over the African bushveld and dry riverbed at sunset.
South Africa
Special Offer

Safari & Seychelles Special

14 Days
£6,940pp £5,824pp (incl. flights)

An idyllic safari & beach holiday packed with unforgettable moments.
Close-up of a leopard resting beside a tree in the African bush.
South Africa

Kruger Safari Highlights

13 Days
£6,147pp (incl. flights)

A thrilling Safari Holiday through the wildlife hotspots of the Greater Kruger!
Two people paddling away in a yellow sea kayak with still waters.
South Africa
Great for families
Special Offer

South Africa Family Highlights

16 Days
£4,355pp £3,837pp (incl. flights)

An adventure packed with unforgettable experiences for all the family.
a row of zebras standing in a dry grass
South Africa

Simply South Africa Highlights

11 Days
£3,537pp (incl. flights)

An adventure packed with incredible scenery, wildlife and South African hospitality.
Meerkats in the wild recently emerged from burrow in the early morning, sunning themselves and bonding before foraging. Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, South Africa
South Africa

South Africa Wildlife Highlights

15 Days
£5,737pp (incl. flights)

This itinerary showcases the incredible diversity of South Africa's wildlife in one seamless adventure.
a couple walking through Vineyard in Franschhoek
South Africa
Great for Honeymoons
Special Offer

South Africa Honeymoon Highlights

15 Days
£3,011pp £2,844pp (incl. flights)

A honeymoon packed with incredible scenery, wildlife and South African hospitality.
Two Elephants head to head with trunks and tusks interlocked.
South Africa
Great for families
Special Offer

South Africa Family Cape to Cape

18 Days
£3,589pp £3,379pp (incl. flights)

A family holiday with plenty of fun activities, amazing wildlife & lovely family-friendly places to stay.
A lush green hillside overlooks a curving train bridge crossing a river mouth that meets the ocean.
South Africa

South Africa Self-Drive Highlights

17 Days
£2,867pp (incl. flights)

Experience the highlights at your own pace on this incredible road trip!
A family of four enjoys a sunny beach walk. The parents, wearing casual clothes, hold two young children. One child sits on a shoulder, the other held closely. Waves crash gently nearby.
South Africa
Great for families
Special Offer

Madikwe Safari & Mauritius Family Holiday

13 Days
£3,797pp £3,697pp (incl. flights)

An adventure packed with unforgettable experiences for all the family.
Carana Beach, Seychelles
South Africa
Great for Honeymoons
Special Offer

Safari & Seychelles Honeymoon

14 Days
£4,494pp £3,994pp (incl. flights)

The ultimate Southern Africa honeymoon, combining thrilling Big Five safaris in the Makalali Conservancy with blissful relaxation on the stunning beaches of the Seychelles.

Boutique hotels and luxury hideaways

a view of a pool on a roof at sunset overlooking a sea in the background
South Africa

Amanzi Island Lodge

A tranquil island retreat offering lagoon-facing rooms and complimentary kayaks and bicycles to explore Knysna’s Leisure Isle.
a long pool with a white hotel building at the end of it, Tabletop mountain in the background
South Africa

2 Inn 1 Kensington

Tucked beneath Table Mountain, this chic ten-room hideaway pairs city energy with leafy tranquillity and a sun-drenched pool.
a front building of Blue Gum Country Estate on the lawn with loungers
South Africa

Blue Gum Country Estate

A country-style lodge set on the slopes of the mountains with beautiful views, great food, fantastic service & spacious rooms. A perfect place to relax or explore.
aerial view of a luxury safari lodge made out of wood and tached roof set in the middle of an african bush with a swimming pool in front of it
South Africa

Garonga Safari Camp

An exclusive six-suite safari camp offering bush baths, sleepouts, warm hospitality and first-class guiding in Makalali’s wild heart. A Sundowner favourite.
an elephant drinking from a waterhole with a safari lodge in the background
South Africa

Arathusa Safari Lodge

A relaxed, thatched lodge overlooking a busy waterhole in the heart of Big Five territory.
view of an outside with colorful buildings with a mountain behind it
South Africa

Rouge on Rose

A centrally located guesthouse with spacious rooms and welcoming staff.

aerial view of a pool from high above with two people swimming in at Kambaku Safari Lodge
South Africa

Kambaku Safari Lodge

A relaxed, super-friendly lodge with a mission to ensure you get up-close & learn all about the Big Five on safari.
a lake view from a wooden terrace from the Mosaic Lagoon Lodge
South Africa

Mosaic Lagoon Lodge

A beautiful coastal retreat on its own private sanctuary with stunning views.
a view of a pool with a hotel building behind it, with indoor lights on
South Africa

Derwent House

A chic boutique hotel blending vibrant style with stunning views of Table Mountain. A Sundowner favourite.
a lion
South Africa

Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Discover eco-luxury on safari at Shamwari, a conservation icon in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
a photo of a table set for breakfast with two hard boiled eggs in egg cups, yogurt parfait, orange juice, two bowls
South Africa

The Trevoyan Guesthouse

A centrally located oasis of tranquillity with a hands-on team keen to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
A covered wooden deck at a safari lodge with wicker sofas and a rustic coffee table, a thatched pole-and-reed ceiling, blue lanterns on the posts, and dining tables inside, looking out toward the bush.
South Africa

Notten’s Bush Camp

A family-owned safari camp offering an intimate and authentic safari experience, exceptional wildlife encounters and magical candlelit evenings beneath the African sky.

We have just arrived back after the most incredible road trip around South Africa. Jo organised everything perfectly for us, we didn't want to come home. We would even go to say it was our best ever holiday and we have been to some lovely destinations.

Cheryl Short, South Africa

This year we decided to take our kids to see as many animals as possible. Lucy at Sundowner made it happen for us with a magical holiday to South Africa. Everything about it was easy, from booking to execution, even adjustments to fit in a meeting with friends and an extra day due to airline complications. We've been back less than 48 hours and are already planning our next trip with them.

Iain Laurie, South Africa

We recently returned from the most unforgettable honeymoon to South Africa and Seychelles… From the moment we arrived, every detail felt like it had been perfectly crafted for us.

Mehru Raza, South Africa and Seychelles

It was an amazing trip from start to finish with so many highlights along the way, thank you so much for looking after us with the itinerary you produced and the accommodation along the way, there wasn’t a thing we would change

Aaron Harper, South Africa

We had an amazing family holiday in South Africa and Mozambique thanks to the team at Sundowner. Each stop felt different and special, and the whole trip came together beautifully. We’ll be booking again.

The McGrath Family, South Africa & Mozambique
Read more reviews on Trustpilot

Sundowner moments

Aerial panoramic view of Cape Town at sunset, Western Cape Province, South Africa.

Top 5 South Africa Experiences

Step into a land where each sunrise promises adventures that will reshape your understanding of what travel can be.
a herd of rhinos looking fierce. In the background bushes and red dirt while the setting sun is eclipsed by the rhinos

Tracking the Big Five in South Africa

Follow ancient tracks through pristine wilderness as Africa's most magnificent creatures reveal their secrets.
the luxury blue train in south africa riding through countryside

Journey on The Blue Train in South Africa

Step into a world of timeless luxury as South Africa's landscapes unfold beyond your window.
Huge humpback whale emerging from the deep sea waters

Walking the Hermanus Whale Coast

Watch southern right whales breach and play just metres from Hermanus' scenic coastal path.
lush vineyards covering the land for miles, with great rocky mountains in the background

Franschhoek Wine Estate Lunch

A long lazy lunch in a Franschhoek vineyard with incredible food, wine and stunning views across the valley.

a view of a road leading along a coast and mountains - Garden Route, South Africa

Driving the Garden Route

Embark on a breathtaking road trip through lush forests, coastal cliffs and charming seaside towns.
A serene infinity pool overlooks a dry riverbed and lush green bushveld under a clear blue sky. A wooden deck with lounge chairs sits beside the pool, offering an elevated view across the tranquil, tree-dotted landscape.

Staying at Garonga Safari Camp

Meerkats in the wild recently emerged from burrow in the early morning, sunning themselves and bonding before foraging. Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, South Africa

Best Time To Visit South Africa

wildebeest

Get In Touch With A South Africa Expert Today

Let's plan your perfect trip
christine-donaldson-I7KBqnjN9xM-unsplash

About us

More about us

The Sundowner way

about-us-woman

It's about you

We create exceptional holidays, unique to you, managed in a way that makes everything easy for you, with the aim of surpassing your expectations every step of the way.

Learn more
about-us-man

Real travel experts

Our travel expertise ensures authentic experiences, fantastic boutique hotels and outstanding guides that help create unforgettable holiday moments.

Learn more

Peace of mind

  • Unbeatable prices
  • Our price promise
  • A focus on owner-run properties
  • Ideas & advice from true specialists
  • Wonderful guides to steer the way
  • 24-hour emergency support
  • Financial protection from ATOL
  • Superb sundowner ideas!
Learn more