There are endless opportunities for adventure. And rest. For the curious to learn about nature. Or just to absorb the atmosphere. Watch a matriarch and her calves digging in a riverbed. Sip a sundowner G&T at Sunset Plains. Taste the tang of the first ripe marulas. Scour the soil for the tracks of wild dogs. Have your worries massaged away in our Wellness Nest. Feed your senses on a quintessentially South African food journey. Connect with people in the camp. Or quietly retreat in solitude with a book.
We will tailor your experience to meet any need, quirk, or obsession – for families, photographers, big-cat seekers, avid birders, enthusiastic trackers, or other special-interest travelers.
Our game drives go beyond the ordinary to give guests unforgettable wildlife experiences in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. You may see the big 5 - lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos. But you'll also discover so much more. Brown-hooded kingfishers nesting in river banks. The universe in a string of stars. Your own courage, staring into a lion’s eye. All while being led by some of the Greater Kruger's most skilled guides and trackers.
Guided walks through the wilds of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve are more deep immersions than strenuous hikes. Lead by nature – and our most experienced and passionate guides - you’ll rediscover what it means to be wild. You'll experience nature's finer details. It's expert artistry. It's everyday miracles. And your own sense of wonder and curiosity as the experience wakens dormant senses. And you come fully alive.
The Timbavati’s birdlife tells its own story. Of ancient riverine trees. Of seasonal fruits. Of interdependencies. Love and courtship. Life and death. Birdlife in the Greater Kruger is abundant, especially in the summer when resident birds take on breeding plumage, and migratory species arrive in droves from further north in Africa, Europe, and Asia. The dawn chorus is a symphony with many, many stars.
Tracking is the first science. It's the language of our ancestors. And one that our expert trackers still speak fluently. It helps them find animals for you to see. But it's also so much more than that. It's a way of being in the world that is alert. Tuned in. Empathetic. A never-ending conversation with the land. And something you can experience and learn about firsthand at Tanda Tula.
Every ancient people had its cosmology, its stories written in the stars. The dark, unpolluted skies above Tanda Tula still tell these stories, and our guides are fluent in them. Your star safari at Tanda Tula will be a trip through time. A journey out of this world. A celestial experience you won’t forget. Just remember that it’s weather-dependent.
Spa. Gym. Both. Or either. Whichever facility you choose, you’ll leave with a rejuvenated body and mind. Our gym is small but well-equipped. And air-conditioned. Our wellness treatments are customized to each guest. You can book massages, scrubs, and body treats as you wish. We use gorgeous African products designed to unlock and indulge your senses.
Set your mind exploring in our re-imagined library. You can curl up with a book to learn about the area's multiculturalism and history. Or talk to our team. Discover their stories. Their links to nature. Their hopes for the future. You can get tactile with our curiosity cabinets. And follow the spiral on the shell of a giant land snail wherever it may lead. We want you to ask questions. And connect our fascinating past to our vibrant, multicultural present.
Multigenerational travel. Just you and the kids. Friends who have become family. Family who have become friends. Whoever you travel with, we know you’ll have particular needs. And we'll cater to them all. Drives geared towards seniors. Babysitting and kids' activities (tracking, cooking, Tsonga-inspired art and craft, wild gardening with spekboom, and more). Romantic evenings, just for two.
Expect local flavors. Fresh ingredients. A journey for your palate. We try to source all our ingredients within 50 miles of our camp. You'll have a daily bush breakfast. Light lunches. Think homemade breads and specialty butters. Crunchy salads. Then, South African-inspired dinners that explore regional flavors and cuisines. Every plate tells a story. And we have a wine cellar with a complex note for every occasion…
Small intimate weddings. Milestone celebrations. Engagements. Birthdays. We accommodate and cater to them all. You can expect the same exceptional Tanda Tula experience tailored to you and your gathering. Just remember to contact us well in advance.
We can't stop the moment from passing. But we can capture it for you. When you stay at Tanda Tula, you can book an exceptional photographer to join you and document your safari. They’ll capture your smiles. The sunsets. Minute details. Grand vistas. The spontaneous moments that make safaris unforgettable. Leaving you with memories you can return to time and time again.
Using specialised sound equipment, we eavesdrop on the wild and hear what mammals, birds, insects and other animals have to say. From the more audible lion roar, hyena whoop to the quieter elephant rumbles, birdsong and insect buzz - there is much to listen to. Game-drive vehicles are fitted with our sound equipment and guests are connected with individual headphones to listen in to nature's orchestra and discover that there is even more going on in our wild spaces.