This Greater Kruger Safari has several unique features that make it a special African wildlife experience and an excellent deal. Including:
An affordable Greater Kruger Safari offering an ideal mix of game walks and 4x4 drives based the permanent tented accommodation immersed in the African bush.
At the beginning of this Greater Kruger Tented Safari a shuttle collects you from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Leaving the city we take a scenic drive to a bush pub near Timbavati Private Game Reserve, forming part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Then you are transferred from the bush pub to the camp inside a private concession area of Timbavati Game Reserve.
Arriving at the lovely camp we have lunch and settle in, enjoying free time to dip in the pool, take in the natural setting at camp and rest after the drive. Then we embark on a sunset game viewing drive in the Greater Kruger National Park, going in search of the Big Five and other wildlife.
On day two, three and four you embark on two game viewing activities in Greater Kruger National Park, per day. You can opt to do bush walks or game drives based on your guides recommendations, animal movements and your preferences. We go game viewing in the early mornings and late afternoons - the best times of the day for sighting wildlife in the African bushveld.
A typical day at camp begins with an early wake-up call (at about 5h00), and a cup of coffee or tea and rusks (tea biscuits). By 5h45 we set off on a morning game drive or walk in Timbavati Game Reserve, watching the bush come to life as day breaks. Game viewing drives last about three and a half hours and walking safaris about three hours.
At around 8h00 we stop for coffee in the bush, then we drive back to camp game viewing en route. Back at camp we tuck into a tasty brunch and spend time relaxing in the natural setting. We have lunch at about 14h30 before heading out on an afternoon safari activity at about 15h00 or 16h30.
Whilst out in the bush on our game drives and walks we stop for sundowners admiring the beautiful African sunsets, before continuing through the bush by safari vehicle. Driving through the private reserve after dark enables us to spot nocturnal animals using a spotlight. By about 19h00 we are back at the tented camp where we have dinner and relax around the campfire.
We explore the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in Greater Kruger National Park, on guided game walks and open vehicle game drives. Exploring Big Five Timbavati with the camp's knowledgeable game rangers is an incredible adventure, focused on experiencing the wild habitat and its amazing diversity of life forms.
Walking with an experienced guide is the ideal way to become immersed in the bush, getting up close to the flora and fauna and picking up signs of animal activity. On the walking safaris, you are may encounter large mammals, including dangerous predators, therefore your guide is armed to ensure your safety. We may see antelopes, zebras and giraffes, as well as any of the Big Five on the guided walks, conducted in groups of eight guests at most.
Open 4x4 safari vehicles are used for the game drives, during which your guide may venture off road to follow predators and unusual sightings - one of the major advantages of game viewing in Timbavati. Another plus of exploring the private concession in Greater Kruger Park is that afternoon game drives can turn into night drives in search of nocturnal animals such as bush babies, porcupines, genets and civets. Timbavati also offers more exclusive game viewing that many other parks - encounter fewer safari vehicles and get more time to enjoy each wildlife sighting.
Wake up early this morning, have coffee and a snack, then set off on a final game drive or walk in Timbavati Private Game Reserve. After the early morning guided adventure we tuck into breakfast at camp. Then we leave the African bush behind, driving back to the bush pub and on to Johannesburg. The shuttle drops you off at OR Tambo International Airport, bringing this excellent-value Greater Kruger Safari to a close.
Pick-up and drop-off are at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. For more details and times please enquire.
The tented camp is set on spacious, natural grounds along the banks of a dry riverbed, looking onto a small watering hole. The safari camp provides a genuine African bush experience, situated in a private concession area, within the Big Five Timbavati Game Reserve. This camp is unfenced allowing wild animals to roam onto the grounds freely. Guests are immersed in nature at the camp, where honey badgers and warthogs are often spotted. Elephants, antelopes and buffalos are sometimes seen at camp and occasionally lions are sighted along the river banks.
Accommodation is simple, yet comfortable with an emphasis on being immersed in the untamed wilderness of Greater Kruger Park. The camp accommodates 16 guests at most, featuring eight permanent tents with double or twin beds. Each of the canvas tents is set on a wooden platform with a shaded deck area overlooking the natural surroundings. The tents have thatched roofs, insect netting and canvas flaps to open and close the windows, as well as en-suite bathrooms with shower, toilet and hand basin fixtures.
The thatch-roofed dining and bar areas open out onto the tree-dotted grounds, featuring a splash pool with deck chairs around it. There is an open-air boma area with camping chairs for sitting around the campfire under star-studded skies. The tented camp runs mostly on solar power and uses gas geysers for hot water. The charm of this basic camp is its back to nature atmosphere in the African wilderness.
Timbavati is an exclusive game reserve which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park of South Africa. Timbavati Reserve shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park proper, allowing wildlife to move freely between the private reserve and Kruger, the most famous game park in the country.
Timbavati is one of the most prestigious game reserves in South Africa, offering outstanding wildlife viewing. This renowned reserve hosts the Big Five of Africa (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant), amongst its 40 mammal species. Sightings include hyena, jackal, giraffe, hippo, wild dog, zebra and a variety of antelopes, such as kudu and impala, along with 350 bird species.
Timbavati Private Game Reserve incorporates private concession areas, one of which is reserved solely for the tented camp on this safari.
Please note that we offer convenient pre and post tour lodge accommodation for before and after this Greater Kruger Tented 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 rates.
This tour does take children.
Children 10 years and older allowed at the camp.
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