Time to put down your cell phone, switch off the computer and head into the wilderness for a real African bush experience!
Escape to a comfortable eco-camp surrounded by unspoilt nature, a secluded haven in the Big Five Timbavati Private Nature Reserve of Greater Kruger Park. This exclusive Kruger Bush Camp Safari offers superb game viewing with outstanding guides, coupled with delicious food, comfortable rondavel accommodation and top-notch service.
The perfect crowd-free place to soak up the wild beauty of Africa!
This Kruger Bush Camp Safari starts with collection from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The shuttle travels from Johannesburg, the commercial heart of South Africa, to Greater Kruger Park, in the Limpopo Province.
We head into the leading safari region of the country, stopping to admire the views en route to Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The shuttle takes us to a well-known bush pub where a team member from the bush camp collects us and transfers us into the exclusive game park.
A delectable lunch awaits us at the remote bush camp, located inside the private game reserve. Then you can relax, settle in and rest up before we embark on our first sunset game drive in Greater Kruger Park.
Today we rise early and have a morning coffee or tea and some light snacks, like muffins or pancakes. By 5:30 (6:00 in winter) we are on our way into the bush in the cool morning hours when the animals begin to move about. The morning game drive is conducted in a 4x4 safari vehicle with an expert guide and tracker. Alternatively, a game walk can be arranged, subject to weather conditions and a group decision to walk instead of driving. The rangers and trackers at the bush camp are exceptionally skilled at finding wildlife and birds, ensuring that you get the most out of your time in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
Returning to the bush camp at about 9:00 (9:30 in winter), we have a scrumptious breakfast. Then there is leisure time to enjoy being in nature and rest at the comfortable camp in Greater Kruger Park. Retreat to your rondavel or dip into the lovely pool and sit on the deck overlooking a nearby waterhole. At about 13:30 lunch is served in the dining area and then the rest and relaxation continues. Time for a siesta or daydreaming in a hammock, maybe a refreshing drink in the bar.
Feeling rested and relaxed, we venture back out into the unspoilt bush on a sunset game drive at about 16:00 in summer (15:30 in winter). The ranger and tracker take you in search of the Big Five (buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and rhino) and other wildlife, birds and marvels of this crowd-free wilderness area. On the afternoon game drive, we stop for sundowners and watch the changing colours of the sky. As the day fades new sounds emerge and nocturnal animals begin to rustle around in the growing darkness.
Back at the eco-friendly camp, we tuck into a hearty dinner in the open-air boma under starry skies. Then you can sit around the campfire swapping tales of adventure or unwind in the bar. Enjoy the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere - listening to the calls of hyena and other nocturnal animals and birds nearby. The camp is lit by lanterns, solar lamps and candles, creating an intimate ambience - ideal for tuning into the magic of the African bush.
The itinerary is subject to slight variations based on weather conditions and any extraordinary wildlife sightings that warrant extra time.
Waking up to the sights, smells and the sounds of a fresh new day in the bush is a really special experience. We start day three with an early cup of coffee or tea and snacks, before embarking on our morning game drive in Timbavati Game Reserve.
The guides use their finely attuned senses and honed skills to search for wildlife, especially the animals that may have eluded us so far. After our last exciting game drive in the exclusive Timbavati Reserve we return to camp for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, we make our way out of Greater Kruger and back to the bush pub to catch our return shuttle to the city.
Arriving in Johannesburg the shuttle takes you to OR Tambo International Airport, where our real African bush adventure comes to a close.
The eco-friendly bush camp is tucked away deep in Timbavati Game Reserve, forming part of Greater Kruger. Staying at the eco-camp is an exclusive African bush experience for those wanting to escape the crowds and get away from it all. The camp uses renewable and alternative energy, including solar power and wood fires for hot showers. It's an ideal place to take a break from all-pervasive modern technology and enjoy some peace - there is no TV, no cell phone reception and no electric points in the rooms. There is WiFi available during the day and a place to charge phones and cameras in the gift shop.
The bush camp is committed to responsible tourism and is Fair Trade certified, extending its ethical practices to local social upliftment and wildlife conservation.
This authentic bush lodge set in a wild part of Greater Kruger, has an excellent reputation for its outstanding wildlife guides, service and food. The game viewing drives are conducted by highly skilled rangers and trackers in 4x4 safari vehicles. The guides are experts at finding and spotting game, and also offer a wealth of knowledge on the flora, fauna and cultural heritage of the region. Game walks can be arranged, when the weather cooperates and group consensus is favourable. The longer nature walks replace a game drive and the shorter walks entail walking back some of the way from one of the morning game drives. Rangers are armed to ensure your safety as Timbavati is home to wild predators and some potentially dangerous large herbivores.
Accommodation is in twin- or family-sized reed rondavels, based on the traditional design of African huts or eco-huts. The rondavels are en-suite, with open-air showers for refreshing stargazing. The rooms feature insect nets, comfortable beds, crisp linen and towels, and complimentary bottled water, insect repellent and bathroom goodies. The interiors are tranquil, simple and inviting - natural tones and materials with vibrant splashes of colour. A private treehouse is available, that can be booked in advance. The treehouse is a real back-to-nature treat - set about 2,5 kms from the camp, in a quiet spot looking out over a dam. At night oil lanterns, candles and solar lamps light the camp and the rondavels, creating a cosy atmosphere. A campfire is lit in the outdoor boma (reed enclosure) at night and there is a thatch-covered dining room and bar. The camp features a pool and the bar leads out onto a deck overlooking a nearby waterhole.
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park, enabling wildlife to roam freely between the wilderness areas. Timbavati is one of the oldest and most acclaimed private game reserves in Greater Kruger, offering world-class game viewing in the unspoilt African bush. The reserve covers some 53 392 hectares (534km²) of open terrain - mostly grasslands, riverine bush and woodlands. There are more than 40 mammal species, 360 bird species and a rich array of other creatures and plants found in Timbavati.
Timbavati is home to Africa's Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo), with elephant and buffalo herds being a common sighting. Timbavati is world-famous for the rare subspecies of white lions originally found here. Timbavati Game Reserve is home to other predators too, including cheetahs, jackals, caracals, wild cats, spotted hyenas and endangered African wild dogs. On the herbivorous end of the spectrum, there are plenty of different antelope species to be seen; such as kudu, sable, roan, nyala, eland, reedbuck, klipspringer, waterbuck, wildebeest and impala. Other herbivores range from giraffes and zebras to hippos, with some of the oddest looking creatures including the bushbaby, pangolin, aardwolf, porcupine and honey badger.
Access to Timbavati is restricted to guests staying at the small selection of reputable lodges set in different areas of the game reserve. This restricted access keeps visitor numbers low, maintaining an exclusive and more private game viewing experience. Game drives are conducted by the professional guides based at the private lodges, ensuring that superb safari etiquette and respect for nature are the norm in Timbavati.
Pick-up and drop-off are at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. For more details and times please enquire. Transport to and from this location is not included in the tour price.
Collection times on the first day:
Drop off times on the last day:
Please note that we offer convenient pre and post tour lodge accommodation for before and after this Kruger Bush Camp 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. For information on lodge rates, follow the link.
This tour does take children.
Children of all ages are welcome at the lodge and must be accompanied by parents on game drives.
Children under the age of 12 are not allowed on bushwalks due to safety reasons.
Babysitting services and baby cots can be arranged, with prior notice, at an additional cost.
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