Concise Itinerary Summary
Greater Kruger Tented Camp Safari -This Greater Kruger Safari features accommodations at an unfenced bush camp within Big Five territory, providing an excellent combination of game drives and bush walks in Greater Kruger National Park. Engage in two safari activities daily, choose between open 4×4 game drives and guided walks. Experience the benefits of wildlife observation in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park, accompanied by skilled guides—engaging in thrilling nocturnal drives, off-road excursions, and immersive walking safaris in the wilderness.
Comprehensive itinerary: Greater Kruger Tented Camp Safari (4 Days)
Day 1: Johannesburg to Timbavati Game Reserve within Greater Kruger Park
At the commencement of this Greater Kruger Tented Safari, you will be collected from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The shuttle transports you to Greater Kruger Park, located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Journey to a rural tavern located near Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, pausing to appreciate the landscape en route. You will be transported from the bush pub to the exclusive concession area in Timbavati.
Upon arrival at the picturesque camp, it is time for a delectable meal amidst pristine nature, succeeded by recreational time. Relax on your private terrace, enjoy the pool, or take a sleep before to our inaugural evening game drive in the Greater Kruger National Park.
Days 2 and 3: Tented Safari Camp in Timbavati Private Game Reserve
During the second and third days of this wildlife safari, participants may select between game drives and walking safaris in the Greater Kruger National Park. Each day includes two safari activities, offering a selection of game drives or bush walks, contingent upon animal movements and individual preferences. Wildlife observation occurs in the early mornings and late afternoons, as these periods are optimal for watching animals in their natural habitat.
Your daily itinerary at camp adheres to a consistent routine, commencing with a wake-up call about 5:00 AM. Mornings usually commence with a cup of tea or coffee accompanied by rusks, before to embarking on your morning game viewing drive or stroll in the Timbavati Game Reserve. Departing at 5:45, we arrive in the bush as dawn breaks and the fauna begins to awaken. Game drives run up to three and a half hours, whereas walking safaris endure for approximately three hours.
At approximately 8:00 AM, we have a coffee break in the wilderness before returning to camp for a delectable brunch in the late morning. Brunch is succeeded by leisure time for you to unwind at the camp, swim in the pool, and appreciate the natural environment. Lunch is provided in the dining area at approximately 14:30, after which we commence an afternoon game viewing program, departing the camp between 15:00 and 16:30. Your guide may recommend a combination of a game drive and a brief walk, depending on the likelihood of wildlife sightings, or solely a game drive. During both hikes and drives, we pause for sundowners in the woods, appreciating the exquisite hues of the evening sky before to the onset of darkness. We then go to explore the wilderness at night, observing nocturnal species from the safari van. Individuals participating in an afternoon stroll will transition to a game drive following twilight.
The late afternoon wildlife excursions conclude at the tented camp at 19:00. Dinner is provided at approximately 19:30, after which we retire for the evening, unwinding at the bar or around the campfire beneath the stars.
Wildlife Observation Activities
Game drives and bush walks occur in the Timbavati Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa. The wildlife reserve provides exceptional game watching, with the renowned Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo, and elephant, along with numerous other species. Discovering the Big Five nations with the expert game rangers of the camp is a fantastic experience, whether on foot and via safari vehicle. The game drives and hikes emphasize the exploration of the natural habitat and the numerous fauna and plants that characterize this unique ecosystem, together with the observation of the Big Five.
Traversing the bush with a knowledgeable guide is particularly advantageous for observing the diverse array of fauna, including mammals, insects, reptiles, avians, and indicators of wildlife presence. Walking safaris focus on immersion in the wilderness, allowing encounters with wildlife such as antelopes, zebras, and giraffes, while educating participants about the natural environment and its many residents. Numerous possibilities exist to see wildlife and avifauna along route, scrutinizing notable characteristics of the African bushveld, and capturing images under the supervision of your ranger. During the guided walks, you may see larger species, including the African Big Five, and your guide is equipped to safeguard your safety. Prior to departure, the guides review safety protocols and regulations for traversing the bush, after which you embark in a group of no more than eight visitors.
All game drives are executed in open 4×4 safari vehicles, specially adapted for wildlife observation in the African wilderness. The guide may occasionally deviate from established paths to pursue predator sightings and rare fauna, which is one of the advantages of game viewing in a Greater Kruger Park concession area. An additional benefit of game viewing in Timbavati Private Reserve is that afternoon game drives may extend into nocturnal excursions with powerful spotlights. This allows us to identify nocturnal animals, like bushbabies, porcupines, and civets. In Timbavati, we observe a reduced number of safari vehicles during game drives compared to national parks, allowing for extended durations for each wildlife sighting.
Day 4: Timbavati Nature Reserve to Johannesburg
Awaken early for your concluding game viewing experience in the exclusive Timbavati Game Reserve. Commence with a cup of coffee or tea and refreshments prior to embarking into the bush with your seasoned guide.
Upon observing animals and avifauna, we return to the bush camp for a delectable breakfast. We depart from Greater Kruger National Park, proceeding to the bush tavern to board our return shuttle to Johannesburg. The shuttle transports you to OR Tambo International Airport, marking the conclusion of this economical Greater Kruger jungle expedition.
Kindly be advised that pick-up and drop-off occur at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Please inquire for additional details and timings.
About the Tented Safari Camp
The tented camp is situated on expansive, natural terrain adjacent to a dry riverbed, overlooking a modest watering hole. The safari camp offers an authentic African bush experience, located in a private concession within the Big Five Timbavati Game Reserve. This camp is unfenced, permitting wild animals to traverse the premises unimpeded. Visitors are surrounded by nature at the camp, where honey badgers and warthogs are frequently observed. Elephants, antelopes, and buffalo are occasionally observed at the camp, while lions are sporadically sighted near the riverbanks.
Accommodation is uncomplicated, yet comfortable, prioritizing immersion in the pristine environment of Greater Kruger Park. The camp can host a maximum of 16 people, with eight permanent tents equipped with double or twin beds. Each canvas tent is positioned on a wooden platform featuring a shaded deck that overlooks the natural environment. The tents have thatched roofs, insect netting, and canvas flaps for window operation, along with en suite bathrooms equipped with shower, toilet, and hand basin facilities.
The thatch-roofed dining and bar areas extend to the tree-studded grounds, which include a splash pool surrounded by deck chairs. An open-air boma features camping chairs for seating around the campfire beneath a starry sky. The tented camp primarily operates on solar energy and utilizes gas geysers for hot water supply. The allure of this fundamental camp is in its immersion in the natural environment of the African desert.
About Timbavati Private Game Reserve
Timbavati is a private game reserve that is integrated into the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa. Timbavati Reserve has unfenced boundaries with Kruger National Park, facilitating the unrestricted movement of wildlife between the private reserve and the nation’s most renowned game park.
Timbavati is a highly esteemed game reserve in South Africa, providing exceptional animal observation opportunities. This esteemed reserve is home to the Big Five of Africa (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo, and elephant), alongside 40 other mammal species. Observations encompass hyenas, jackals, giraffes, hippos, wild dogs, zebras, and other antelope species, including kudus and impalas, in addition to 350 avian species.
Timbavati Private Game Reserve has private concession areas, one of which is exclusively designated for the tented camp on this safari.