- Places To Stay

Timbavati Private Game Reserve - Umlani Bushcamp (FTTSA accredited) is a classic African safari camp offering a true wilderness experience in an intimate setting. The Big Five Timbavati Game Reserve (on western boundary of Kruger National Park) offers more than 10,000 ha of unspoilt wilderness for traversing & walking. Umlani is renowned for their outstanding Shangaan rangers and trackers, who will not only find you the game, but will also introduce you to the rich flora, fauna, birdlife and cultural heritage of the region.

The tradinational African reed & thatched rondavels are rustic, but comfortable and fitted with mosquito nets, crisp white linen & towels, bottled water and insect repellent. All rondavels have en-suite bathrooms with an open-air bush shower fuelled by wood fires.

Umlani Bushcamp has no electricity, so you can enjoy the warm & romantic atmosphere of candlelight and oil lamps. In the evening you will be treated to pre-dinner drinks in the traditional boma around the fire, followed by one of their award winning meals in the dining room or out in the open riverbed surrounded by flares and cauldron fires.

Timbavati Private Game Reserve, part of Greater Kruger National Park.

Accessible by car, directions on request. Transfers can be arranged.

8 (including 2 family units) - Reed & Thatched Rondavels

£288 per person sharing, all year round
3-night Special: £590 per person sharing, all year round

Full board, local soft & alcoholic drinks, 2 game drives / bush walks per day.

Children of all ages are welcome

Umlani offers 2 game drives per day in open Landrovers. Morning game drives leave at dawn and night drives late afternoon. There is always a ranger on stand-by for optional bush walks. For exclusive tranquillity there is a treehouse about 2.5 km from the camp overlooking a dam

Umlani Bushcamp (FTTSA accredited) developed a Youth Leadership programme enticing historically disadvantaged learners to visit Umlani, where they gain insight into environmental issues and find out about eco-tourism career opportunities. Umlani has an exemplary staff HIV/Aids programme, featuring awareness workshops and 1-2-1 staff counselling, as well as staff medical care.

Their environmental commitment is to minimise their footprint on the natural environment through:
Operating without electricity (a small generator powers the office and supplemented by solar power); non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products (whenever possible); all linen & towels are made from organic cotton and a re-use programme is practiced; low-flow showerheads & toilets ensure water conservation; gardens are indigenous, water-wise and organic; all fresh produce is bought from local producers; 75% of all vegetables used in the kitchen are organically grown; no individual packaging is used in the restaurant (sugar, butter etc.); all waste is recycled, and most organic waste is composted on site; lead-free paint is used on at least 80% of the camp's interior & exterior surfaces.

Their socio-economic commitments are as follows:
Written policies on local recruitment; internal skills development and promotions; employment equity - at least 75% of their staff are from the local community; Tracker Apprentice programme; number of charities are being supported through their work, such as a creche feeding scheme, a local clinic and an environmental training centre; staff benefits from the HIV Healthy Living programme.

Cash in South African Rands is accepted. All major credit cards are accepted.

There is no electricity at the camp and paraffin lamps are used to provide lighting in the evenings.