an’s incursions into this part of the Limpopo region have always been temporary and brief, from Early Stone Age down to the early 20th century. In point of fact, man never permanently settled large tracts of land in the northern portion of the Lowveld, and the lands now comprising the Timbavati were barely touched, and are still only lightly inhabited. This part of South Africa’s bushveld region may therefore be regarded as truly unspoiled and deserves recognition as truly wild land.

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The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve came into existence on July 1956, when a group of conservation-minded people who owned game farms on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park came together to form the Timbavati Association.

he idea of forming such a reserve was first mooted as early as 1948 and for several years ways and means was discussed to create a nature reserve of a meaningful size in the area. These leading spirits of conservation and sustainable land use eventually succeeded in forming the Timbavati Association governed by a constitution for the benefit of all.

The size of the reserve covers about 60 000 hectares of pristine African bush part of the world famous greater Kruger National Park. The Kruger itself is a further two million hectares in size, which is about the same size as Israel or Wales. In the early 1990’s the boundary fence between the Kruger and the adjacent private reserves namely, Timbavati, Sabi Sand, Klaserie, Umbabat and Manyaleti was removed to create the greater Kruger national park covering an area of 2.2 million hectares. The reason being conservationists want to re-create ancient migration movements of wildlife from the foothills of the Libombo Mountains in the east to the Drakensberg Mountains in the west.

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he greater Kruger has been zoned into 35 different landscape types. A landscape is defined as an area with a specific geomorphology, climate, soil and vegetation together with the associated fauna. Kings Camp falls in a landscape zoned as: Combretum spp (bushwillow), colophospermum mopane woodland. The underlying rock is mainly granite and gneiss intersected by numerous intrusions of dolerite. The terrain is undulating with sandy soils.

The altitude varies between 300 and 500 meters.

The climate is temperate with hot summers and cool winters with frost as an exception in the low-lying areas.

Rainfall varies between 450mm - 550mm per year.

ings Camp is situated in the northeastern corner of the Timbavati private nature reserve and has been in operation as a game lodge since 1995. Our commitment to our guests is to freely share in the experience in a manner that is both enlightening and relaxing.

We are further dedicated to a gracious style of hospitality from a bygone era, combined with a flexibility that puts the comfort and requests of our guests first. But above all, we will do this in a manner that will never compromise our environment, instead it will materially benefit our surrounding community culturally, environmentally and economically.

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Community outreach program

he Timbavati private nature reserve’s bush camp program is one of the first private reserve initiatives in South Africa to offer classes in conservation to local youth in 11th grade as a free service to the community. A total of 46 of these three-day programs are offered each year.

The program is part of a larger community outreach aimed to teach disadvantaged youth the principles of conservation, and inspire them to initiate responsible management of natural resources in their community.

There are four girls and four boys in each class selected from within the surrounding community. They are hosted in a bush camp erected by the Timbavati. During the 3-day course students receive several hours of classroom lecture alternating with experiential training, where learning the effects of erosion, pollution, poaching of wild animals, resource management and climate changes are taught. Videos displayed and game drives focus on the habits and habitats of wild animals and birds.

On the last day each student commits him or herself to a project that will positively impact on the environment within their community, based on what they have been taught at the school. Each year a scholarship for a one-year course in eco-tourism at the South African wildlife college is awarded to the student whose project had the strongest impact on their community’s environment

he ten Luxury Suites all have indoor and Private outdoor showers. Beautifully and tastefully appointed with all the luxury's at hand.
From romantic, soft cascading Mosquito Nets, Remote controlled air conditioners, purposefully stocked mini bar fridge, tea and coffee facilities.

For your comfort, there are Gowns and Mosquito Repellents as well as Umbrellas and Torches. Your Suite has it's own Safe and Telephone for your convenience.

ings Camp offers a lounge/dining room, bar, pool terrace and a game viewing platform which overlooks a very active waterhole. Other facilities include the curio shop, laundry, valet, fax, gym and library with internet facilities.

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There is an exceptional wine-cellar and South African cuisine is served. Any specialised dietary requests will be catered for - prior notice required.

Therapy Lapa

The following therapies are available:

Reflexology - 45 Minutes

In this treatment we massage the reflexes on the feet and hands which aids the body in relaxing, distressing and also detoxification.

Aromatherapy - 60 Minutes

This is a full body treatment using essential oils for a very relaxing and enjoyable result.

Indian Head Massage - 45 Minutes

This is a seated treatment in which we massage the upper back, shoulders, neck, head and face.

Body Massage - Full Body - 60 Minutes
(Swedish Massage) Back - 45 Minutes

This is a deep tissue massage helping to relieve aching muscles from stress
and tension.

The name of your therapists are Michelle & Heloise, and if you want to make use of this service please contact us at Reception #201 to make a booking.

Prices: 45 Min treatments - R 220-00 or 60 Min treatments - R 300-00

Wildlife

ings Camp's principal attraction is the astonishing diversity and abundance of wildlife species that inhabit the reserve. Mammalian species alone number 147, including 27 ungulates (hoofed mammals) and 4 large carnivores. Many of these spectacular animals are likely to be spotted even on a short visit.

There are also many lesser-known animals that most visitors find fascinating to behold, from exotic reptiles and amphibians, to colourful and bizarre insects. And for those with a botanical bent, there are hundreds of species of trees and shrubs (not to mention the enormous variety of grasses and other plant life).

Wilderness

n addition to its wealth of biological diversity, there is something else that many visitors soon discover - something they commonly say is equally impressive, and of enormous value. In Kings Camp there exists an atmosphere of undisturbed nature - of true wilderness - which is difficult to define and describe, but can readily be perceived by the discerning traveller in those rare places where it can still be encountered.

This subtle and ineffable quality, which is so powerful and captivating to the imagination, is no longer to be found in most game parks and reserves in the world; in Kings Camp, it cannot be missed. Here there is a sense that the land has never belonged to man; and that ever since the Pleistocene - the "Golden Age of Mammals" - this land has belonged to those majestic creatures that dominated virtually the entire world during that remote epoch.

orning and afternoon game drives with knowledgeable rangers in open vehicles. You will be served tea, coffee and biscuits on your morning game drive and drinks and canapés on your afternoon game drive. Your afternoon game drive gets back after dark, which gives you the opportunity to spot our nocturnal animals with a spotlight.

Kings Camp can arrange tours to the following places of interest.

Mpumalanga  Helicopter Safaris

Experience the beauty of the Blyde river canyon in the luxury of a helicopter, Mountain magic helicopter safaris will pick you up at Kings Camp, fly you through the Blyde river canyon and along the escarpment passing the three rondawels, god’s window and stopping at the pinnacle for a champagne picnic

From there you will be whisked off to view all the spectacular waterfalls in the area before returning to the camp.

Greet the African dawn on the manicured fairways of their challenging 18 hole, par 72-championship golf course, where crocodile and hippo add spice to the normal “hazards” of a good game of golf

Wild game including elephant, lion, giraffe and a wide variety of antelope and bird life are often seen on the golf course and in the surrounds.

The legendary Bob Grimsdell designed this unique course, which extends over a vast area of indigenous bush, interspersed with tranquil pools and velvet greens.

Moholoholo wildlife and rehabilitation center

An extremely informative and exciting tour of an African wildlife rehabilitation centre.

Highlights include the following up close views of lion, leopard, servals, caracals, honey badger, eagles and vultures.

Two tours are available daily at 9h30 and 15h00. These times will interfere with either your morning of afternoon safari.

The duration of the tour is four hours including two hours transfer time.

Research and breeding centre for endangered species

You will enjoy an informative and entertaining tour of the research and breeding centre in the company of an experienced guide.

Highlights include the viewing of an excess of 60 cheetahs including the extremely rare king cheetah, a visit to the vulture restaurant and an introduction to the world of wild dogs

The duration of the tour is three and a half hours including two hours transfer time