Stay at a stylish, yet affordable lodge inside the private Timbavati Game Reserve of Greater Kruger Park and get to explore this world-famous wildlife area on open 4x4 game drives with experienced guides.
Escape the crowds on game drives in the Big Five Timbavati Reserve, sharing unfenced borders with Kruger Park. Spend four nights at a comfortable and intimate safari lodge tucked away in the exclusive Timbavati Game Reserve experiencing a genuine African wildlife getaway.
This high-quality Kruger Park Lodge Safari offers great value-for-money in the private Timbavati Nature Reserve!
On the first day of this affordable 5 day Kruger Park Lodge Safari you are collected from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Leaving the biggest city in South Africa, the shuttle transfers you to a popular bush pub near Kruger National Park, pausing along the six-hour drive to admire the scenery. From the bush pub, you are transferred to the nearby safari lodge, located inside Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
We have lunch in the natural setting at the lodge, followed by free time to relax and settle in. Later in the afternoon, we set off on our first sunset game drive in the prestigious Timbavati Game Reserve, sharing unfenced boundaries with Kruger Park. We stop in the middle of the bush for sundowners, before continuing our drive back to the lodge after dark.
After our exhilarating open-vehicle game drive we return to the lodge for dinner, which is served in the lantern-lit boma around an open fire (weather permitting). In the evening we relax at the stylish lodge, taking in the sounds of nearby wildlife and admiring the star-studded African skies.
Days two, three and four follow similar schedules, starting with an early morning wake-up call just before the sun rises. The day kicks off with coffee or tea and rusks in the main lodge area, where you meet up with your guide. Then we set off on a morning game drive in Timbavati Game Reserve, encompassing a variety of habitats that host a wide array of wild animals.
We spend about three hours game viewing in an open 4x4 safari vehicle, spotting wildlife and birds as we explore. Look out for the Big Five of Africa (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo), as well as a plethora of other wild animals, such as African wild dogs, cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, hippos, zebras and various antelopes. When the conditions are right, a guided walk can be arranged during our mornings in the bush. Bush walks are a thrilling way of exploring nature up close, enabling you to gain insight into the plants, animals and smaller details of the wilderness area from your skilled ranger.
Returning from our morning game drive we tuck into a scrumptious breakfast of hot and cold options, cereals, fruits and juices.The heat of the day is spent at the safari lodge where you can take a refreshing dip in the pool, nap, play board games and simply relax. Later in the afternoon, we have high tea in the main lounge area at the lodge, before heading back into the game-rich bush in search of more of the wildlife found in Timbavati Reserve.
Our late afternoon game drive lasts for about three hours and includes a scenic stop for sundowners in the bush. Then we continue into the night when spotlights are used to find nocturnal animals, such as civets and bush babies. Returning to the lodge there is time to freshen up before meeting in the bar for drinks and snacks, followed by dinner.
Day five starts with an early morning game drive - one last chance to enjoy the wilderness and sight the diverse wildlife of Timbavati.
Then we have breakfast at the exclusive lodge in Timbavati and set off for the bush pub, where we are met by the shuttle. Then we travel back to Johannesburg city where this budget Kruger Lodge Safari ends. You will be dropped off at the OR Tambo Airport.
Collection and drop-off are at the OR Tambo Bus Terminal Building. Transport to and from this pre-selected location is not included in the tour price.
Collection times on the first day:
Drop off times on the last day:
The safari lodge is located deep in the unspoilt bushveld that makes up Timbavati Game Reserve in Greater Kruger Park. This small lodge only accommodates 16 guests at most, providing an intimate and exclusive wildlife experience. The lodge is comfortable and friendly, combining simple luxury and home comforts to create a welcoming and pleasant environment. The lodge is family-friendly, yet stylish and tastefully decorated. The lodge has been carefully designed and constructed in order to blend in with the bush and reduce the environmental impact of the buildings and operations.
The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is home to all of the Big Five of Africa, the unusual white lions of the park being famous worldwide.
Timbavati Reserve covers 53,392 hectares of savanna bush, hosting over 40 mammal species, 360 bird species, nearly 80 reptile species, more than 80 tree species and even some fish species! The private Timbavati Reserve shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park and neighbouring private reserves, forming part of the Greater Kruger National Park. The unfenced boundaries between the reserves allow a wide diversity of wildlife to roam freely, including cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, impala, waterbuck and warthog; as well as hyena and the critically endangered African wild dog. Timbavati Reserve is ideally situated between Kruger National Park on the east, Klaserie Private Reserve and Umbabat Private Nature Reserves to the north, Sabi Sand to the south and Thornybush Private Reserve on the west.
One of the main advantages of visiting Timbavati Reserve is that access is restricted to guests staying at the few lodges in the reserve, ensuring a less crowded safari experience.
Special rates are applicable during the following period. See Full Pricing Info more information.
01 -30 June 2023
01 - 30 November 2023
Please note that we offer convenient pre and post tour lodge accommodation for before and after the Kruger Lodge Safari, which can be added to your tour booking upon request. The 4-star lodge accommodation is located 10-15 minutes from the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Follow the link for information on lodge rates.
This tour does take children.
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