The Timbavati Game Reserve consists of a group of private game farms and reserves situated north of Sabi Sand on the western edge of the Kruger National Park. It is considered to be one of South Africa’s premier game viewing areas.

This 530-square-kilometre private reserve was created in the 1950s when a group of conservation-minded landowners decided to regenerate an area of degraded farmland bordering the central Kruger Park The reserve is named after the Timbavati River, which flows along its southern boundary before crossing into the Kruger at Orpen Gate. Supporting all the Big Five in healthy numbers, it became an ecological extension of Greater Kruger in 1993, when fences were dropped to allow free movement of wildlife between the reserves.

This hot lowveld area of wood and grassland is home to Africa’s Big 5, as well as cheetah and wild dog, wildebeest, impala, kudu, waterbuck and Burchell’s zebra. This abundance of wildlife ensures that visitors to the area have an unforgettable safari experience.

White lions exist in the wild in the Timbavati, with a couple of adult females in the Giraffe, and the white gene carried in both the local pride of lions and the neighbouring lions, called the Ross Pride.

The camp is ideal for guests looking for an up-close experience of the true African bush and wildlife, and all the comforts required for a quality safari experience. Set on private property within the unfenced Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, this low impact eco-camp offers unparalleled access to vast untamed wilderness areas with low density of other vehicles, making it the perfect venue to walk or track animals by foot undisturbed. There are no fences between the Timbavati Reserve and the Kruger National Park itself, and the traversing area has abundant numbers of all Greater Kruger’s game species. It also boasts consistently regular sightings of all members of the Big 5 as well as some of the rarer species such as Wild Dog.

The main area of the camp offers a chemical-free swimming pool, fireplace and a large lounging deck area overhanging a dry riverbed where scrumptious meals are served. The camp is well shaded with large indigenous trees that form a thick protection from the harsh African sun. The success of the camps vegetation is due to a tall two strand electric fence which keeps elephants out but doesn’t block passage for other critters such as the resident bush buck.

The camp has six stunning rooms that consist of a thatched roof, canvas walls and concrete base making them cooler during the hotter months. Each having an en-suite bathroom consisting of a flush toilet and a gas heated shower. Electricity is also available in the rooms.

EXTENDED GUIDED GAME WALKS
Here you can explore every opportunity to experience the fauna and flora on foot in the form of extended guided bush walks under the watchful guidance of qualified rangers and trackers. We encourage all guests to spend at least a little time out in the bush on foot, but there is definitely no pressure to step out of the vehicle. Those who take to the guided bush walks can do as much walking as they would like. This may mean doing a 3 to 4-hour guided bush walk instead of a guided game drive. Or it may mean spending some time in the open safari vehicle until picking up some interesting tracks to follow for the rest of the guided activity. The opportunity to walk with armed rangers in a truly wild part of Africa is a rare and special treat that will never be forgotten. And it all unfolds in prime Big 5 territory!

At all times there are at least 2 armed and highly proficient head guides and at least 2 experienced trackers, so those guests who want to do game drives only can be accommodated at the same time as those who want to spend some time on foot. Flexibility is the key and the staff goes to great lengths to ensure that everybody gets exactly what they want from their African adventure. The camp caters for those who are first timers to Africa and want to see as much game as possible, as well as those who want to absorb the finer detail of the bush on foot.

ACTIVITIES
The camp offers walking safaris. As this group has a few kids, the guide that will be with them during their stay will determine when and if it is safe to walk with / approach animals whilst walking.
Bush walks are generally only done in the mornings. The group will go out in the vehicle and will walk during their morning activity. (Weather, animals etc all depending.).

The Sabi Sand Reserve is the oldest of South Africa’s private reserves, and the origin of wildlife tourism in Southern Africa. Comprising around 20 small but contiguous private reserves, the Sabi Sand area is arguably the most exclusive Big Five game-viewing location in Africa. This cluster of private reserves known collectively as Sabi Sand are renowned for their stylish lodges and peerless game viewing.

A western extension of the wildlife-rich southern Kruger, animals pass unhindered between the unfenced reserves. Known for its extraordinary leopard viewing, safari enthusiasts could not find a better place for close-contact animal sightings that many would insist are the best in the world.

The Sabi Sand Reserve shares a 31.25 miles unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. This extraordinary and unique wilderness area comprises a collection of privately-owned game reserves which combine to form a mammoth tract of pristine game land (165,000 acres). The Sand River flows through the reserve for 31 miles from north west to south east, while the Sabi River flows on the southern boundary. Because of these continuous water sources, the area enjoys one of the highest and most bio-diverse wildlife populations in Africa. Over two hundred different species live in abundance, and the dynamic bird life will appeal to both seasoned “twitches” and amateur enthusiasts alike.

Being privately owned, safaris are not restricted to specific times and routes. Open vehicles are able to traverse off road and into the dense bush, tracking animals in their natural habitat. It is home to a vast natural animal population including The Big Five and countless other species (some of which are critically endangered).The area is renowned for the frequency and quality of its leopard sightings, but it is also superb when it comes to close-up encounters with lions, cheetahs, white rhinos, elephants and most other large ungulates common in Kruger.

The Sabi Sand Reserve Animal and Plant Checklist would feature no less than 145 mammal species, 500 bird species, 110 reptile species, 30 amphibian species, 330 tree species and 45 fish species. The Sabi Sand Reserve is also renowned for the quality of its leopard viewing (the most elusive of predators).Visitors will also be treated to close contact sightings with elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and a vast variety of antelope and other species. A feature of the reserve is the superb night drives, which often yield sightings of nocturnal oddities such as bush babies, genets, civets and (occasionally) the bizarre aardvark. Off-road driving is also permitted, selectively.

The Lodge is located in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, considered by many to be the premier wildlife reserve in South Africa, and unfenced from the western boundary of the Kruger National Park. Located on the banks of the seasonal Sand River, the lodge is perfectly situated in one of the best Big Five game viewing destinations in Africa.

Set on wooden platforms, the lodge consists of six chalets with most overlooking the Sand River – tucked amid ancient trees offers a year-round water-based safari experience. Wildlife-viewing activities include exploring the channels by poled mokoro or motorboat, and tracking the larger species on guided nature walks on the many surrounding islands.

It is the ideal destination for guests who desire an affordable safari in the heart of the Kruger’s most premier private reserve – the Sabi Sand. Additional facilities include a swimming pool, lounge, bar and dining area and the traditional boma, where guests are served delicious and hearty South African meals. The focus at the lodge is of the view of the seasonal Sand River, and for obvious reasons. Almost daily guests are treated to sightings of various animals grazing in the riverbed, and it is never short of sightings and boasts a high concentration of leopard. Guests regularly see elephants, hippos, buffalo and antelope grazing in the river bed.

The lodge can accommodate 20 people at maximum. The interleading chalets are ideal for families. A communal boma area is where guests relax after their evening safari and exchange wildlife stories about recent sightings. During the hot summer months guests can relax at the pool, which overlooks the Sand River.

Informal, relaxed and ideal for guests wanting an authentic safari in a premier private reserve!

ACTIVITIES
Twice daily game drives in the Sabi-Sands Park!