A Classic Safari Homestead on the Sand River
Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, South Africa
Nestled on 26, 000 acres (10, 500 hectares) of exclusive-use land, in the famous Sabi Sand Nature Reserve and overlooking the popular Sand River, is the historic Kirkman’s Kamp. The lodge was named after conservationist Harry Kirkman, who first lived on the property and was one of the original founders of the Sabi Sand.
It’s without saying that we love the feeling of almost stepping back in time to the 1920s, to stay in a safari homestead. Old definitely meets new here, with luxury cottages adorned with antique-style beds that seamlessly blend with modern comforts, and enchanting afternoon teas spent on the rolling lawns. Take some time to peruse through the library’s offering or unwind with a pre-dinner drink in the classical sitting room.
Highlights and Activities at Kirkman’s Kamp
ROOMS: 12 luxury safari cottages
BEST FOR: Honeymooner • Couples and Families
ACTIVITIES:
- Big Five game drives (excellent leopard sightings)
- Night drives
- Nature walks
- Birdwatching
- Shangaan village tour
- Pool Facilities
- Spa and Wellness
- Children’s Safari Program
Why We Love Kirkman’s Kamp
This is a lodge we know intimately. Ubuntu Travel’s Marketing Manager, Sean Messham, guided here for three years, and it is also where Kyle and Leah enjoyed their very first safari together. To say we know Kirkman’s Kamp well is an understatement.
Its rich heritage and conservation story, as the original homestead of Harry Kirkman, sets it apart from other safari lodges in the Sabi Sand. Combined with its classic design, exceptional guiding and genuine home-away-from-home atmosphere, Kirkman’s Kamp remains one of our most personally meaningful safari recommendations.
Insider Tip: Spend an afternoon playing croquet or tennis on the lawns and order Pimms with strawberries as a refreshment. For something more active, ask the guides to organise a friendly soccer match with trackers and butlers between game drives.
 FAQs About Kirkman’s Kamp
Where is Kirkman’s Kamp located?
Kirkman’s Kamp is located within the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve in South Africa, set along the Sand River on exclusive-use land known for exceptional Big Five wildlife viewing.
What wildlife can I expect to see at Kirkman’s Kamp?
Guests can expect outstanding Big Five sightings, with the Sabi Sand particularly renowned for its high density of leopards, alongside regular sightings of lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino.
Kirkman’s Kamp is also one of the better areas in the reserve for African wild dog sightings. The region is known for hosting a resident pack historically referred to as the Toulon Pack, named after the original farm on which the lodge stands. While wild dog movements are never guaranteed, their presence in this part of the Sabi Sand adds an exciting and dynamic element to the wildlife experience.
Is Kirkman’s Kamp suitable for families?
Yes. With its welcoming atmosphere, flexible accommodation and private reserve setting, Kirkman’s Kamp works very well for families travelling together. The lodge also offers a children’s program, designed to engage younger guests with the safari environment through age-appropriate, hands-on activities.
The program introduces children to tracking, nature walks, wildlife awareness and conservation themes in a relaxed and educational way, allowing families to enjoy a shared safari experience while ensuring younger travellers feel included and inspired.
Ready to start planning Your Safari?
Reach out and let’s start talking. We’ll listen and begin to tailor an experiential, private, luxury vacation based on exactly how you want to experience Africa. From adventure to relaxation—and everything in between—let us handle every detail of your unforgettable journey.
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South Africa offers exceptional Big Five safaris and diverse landscapes year-round. Explore our suggested itineraries below, or let us tailor one for you.
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What Ubuntu Travelers Are Saying
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We had the absolute best time on our trip all thanks to Ubuntu's attention to detail, and thoughtfulness that went into helping us plan our dream honeymoon in South Africa. We appreciated at the start of the process how we didn't feel pressured into anything, Smruti really listened to our vision for the trip and recommended the best options, while also bringing in perspective that we wouldn't have thought of. While we were in South Africa, we were connected 24/7 to Ubunto employees who were there to answer any question, help make last minute reservations, etc. Just an overall wonderful group of people to work with!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Our experience with Ubuntu was absolutely incredible from start to finish! They planned the most amazing honeymoon for us, taking us to Cape Town, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, and Benguerra Island in Mozambique. Every destination was unique and special, and the entire itinerary was perfectly curated to give us the best of everything—from beautiful scenery and incredible food to unforgettable safari experiences and a relaxing island escape. Our time in Timbavati and Sabi Sand was truly once in a lifetime, with unbelievable wildlife encounters and memories we will cherish forever. Ending our honeymoon on Benguerra Island was the perfect way to unwind and enjoy the most beautiful beaches. Every stop exceeded our expectations, and the combination of destinations made for the most incredible trip. Ubuntu made the entire planning process seamless, with thoughtful attention to detail and an itinerary that felt perfectly tailored to us. We were able to relax and enjoy every moment knowing everything was taken care of. We couldn’t have imagined a more perfect honeymoon and are so grateful to Ubuntu for helping us create memories that will last a lifetime. We would recommend them to anyone planning a special trip, especially a honeymoon. Truly the trip of a lifetime!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We had the most wonderful honeymoon thanks to the team at Ubuntu! From planning with Leah to logistics with Jenna to our team on the ground in Kenya and Tanzania - everyone was spectacular and beyond knowledgeable. We would certainly use Ubuntu for our next safari again! The team is truly wonderful and we didn't have to worry about a thing. If you are looking to go on a safari you should definitely use Ubuntu!!!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had some problems with airline cancellations and some other pre-Safari things I had to get out of the way such as vaccinations, a visa and an electronic travel authorization.Ubuntu was very helpful with any problem I encountered and helped me get it solved. They stayed in touch every step of the way, including when I was actually on my Safari. I was never alone, although I was traveling solo. I felt very safe and secure over there. Thank you.Ubuntu!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
From the very first zoom call with Leah to the detailed itinerary that Jenna put together to the boots on the ground communication from Jacinta, Mandie, Nyameka and the whole team we had the most incredible first safari experience in Kenya thanks to Ubuntu. They put us up in the most iconic tents with staff that went above and beyond to make sure we had a memorable experience. Our plane transfers from lodge to lodge were seamless and very easy to navigate. We had the absolute best safari vacation and we owe that to Ubuntu!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We worked with Ubuntu to plan our honeymoon, and throughout the entire process, we experienced such wonderful customer service. With so many things pulling us in different directions between wedding planning, our personal lives, and work, there were definitely times when our responses and decisions took longer than expected. No matter how long an email sat in our inbox, though, the Ubuntu team was always quick to respond. They patiently answered all of our questions, no matter how silly, and consistently provided helpful specifics, whether that was a direct link or step-by-step instructions. We really appreciated that the team focused on giving us the information we needed to make informed decisions without ever making the process feel like a sales pitch. They were respectful and realistic when it came to conversations about our budget while still making sure they were creating the best experience possible for us. Once we arrived in Africa, the experience continued to be top-notch. The accommodations were beautiful, and every staff member we interacted with was professional, welcoming, and went above and beyond to make our trip memorable. Having all of our airport transfers and domestic travel taken care of was such a relief and exactly what we needed after the chaos of wedding planning. We would recommend working with Ubuntu to anyone we know who is planning a trip to Africa. They made the entire experience seamless, stress-free, and incredibly memorable. We are so grateful for the role they played in making our honeymoon so special.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We just arrived home from a 31 day epic adventure in Africa. We covered SA (Cape Town and surrounds), Singita at Sabi Sands, Vumbura Plains in the Okavango Delta, Joburg, Vic Falls Zimbabwe, Tanzania (Nomad at Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks), Rwanda (Kigali and Singita at Volcanoes National Park). Ubuntu did an absolutely amazing job in arranging the trip. They were with us every step of the way. Excellent team and service! CDTTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Could not ask for a better safari firm. No stone is left unturned and you always feel like you can get answers, day or night! This is my second time using Ubuntu and I highly recommend them.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Absolute 1st class travel planning. We had the most amazing and memorable trip, and as a person who likes to travel plan myself, this trip had so many moving parts there's no way I could have tackled it. I'd give Ubuntu an 11/10 rating if I could. They made our travel seamless, relaxed, and delivered the most incredible experience. 100% we will use them again.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We had the BEST experience with Ubuntu planning our South Africa trip! From the beginning, they were so easy to work with and were amazing at communicating with us both before and during the trip. They put together the perfect itinerary for us with safari at two different lodges, time on Benguerra Island, and we even decided to add Franschhoek a couple of months before we left. They made everything so easy and somehow managed to make the entire trip feel completely seamless. One of the biggest things that stood out was how responsive they were when we had our international flight canceled. I literally just had to send them a WhatsApp message with our new flight information, and they immediately took care of rearranging everything for us. We never had to stress about figuring out transfers or logistics ourselves. They even had porters meet us at every airport, so we barely had to think about our luggage or where we were supposed to go. We truly felt taken care of every step of the way. It was honestly the trip of a lifetime, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We are already talking about when we can go back and will 100% be using Ubuntu again to plan our next trip. Highly, highly recommend them!