As many of you may know, Tanda Tula Safari Camp is located in the central part of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. We are incredibly proud to be a part of the Timbavati, its legacy and its future and we want to explain why.
In the early 1950s, a group of like-minded landowners recognized that improper land use could lead to habitat degradation as well as the loss of wildlife for future generations. So, in 1956 the Timbavati Association was formed with the principal intention to preserve the natural integrity of this area.
The members of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve all share a deep love and commitment to the ancient lowveld wilderness that they are so fortunate to be a part of. There is history here – family legacies and wonderful stories that go back generations. There is also an enormous amount of shared effort and hard work that has brought the Timbavati to where it is today.
Our nature reserves continue to grow
The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve along with its neighbouring wildlife reserves all make up what is known as The Greater Kruger National Park, a vast wildlife area which covers over 4 million hectares.
Since its inception the Timbavati, an incredibly pristine and beautiful reserve, has continued to expand and now spans some 55 626 hectares, with 47 landowners all united under a common constitution.
Bordered by the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Umbabat Private Nature Reserve, Thornybush Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park; the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve can boast an almost perfect location, surrounded on all sides by other unfenced wildlife reserves.
The Greater Kruger National Park, which also continues to grow, is one of Africa’s most iconic and well managed conservation success stories – a testament to how collaboration between neighbours with a common vision can lead to a functional and sustainable wilderness model.
What does this mean for our guests?
As private conservation land, the Timbavati offers a more exclusive experience. Compared to other private reserves the Timbavati can boast that within this vast area we are able to offer safaris with fewer guests and less vehicles. This allows for closer, more personal encounters with wildlife and we are able to provide a greater focus on individuals’ comfort and enjoyment.
The fact that there are less vehicles traversing the area and fewer guests per square kilometre means that, not only can we offer a more pleasant, private and gratifying safari experience for our guests, but more importantly we are minimizing the environmental impact on this conserved and protected land.
Over the years, the Timbavati which is a non-profit organization, has evolved into a highly professional association, safeguarding sustainable populations of endangered species such as black and white rhinoceros, pangolins, saddle-billed storks, southern ground hornbills, and many others.
This means that travellers going on a safari in the Timbavati are almost guaranteed to see not only the Big 5, but also many of the smaller, rarer and lesser known species.
What our guests say….
The common feedback we receive from our guests about their game experience in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is how they feel that they have the whole environment to themselves. When they do encounter other game drive vehicles, they comment about the friendly sense of camaraderie amongst the guides and trackers from the different camps within the reserve. The way in which these guide/tracker teams work together is quite unique and serves to provide a superior game viewing experience for everyone.
The Tanda Tula team is immensely proud and grateful that we are able to operate within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and to be able to share this beautiful and pristine piece of Africa with our guests.
Timbavati & Greater Kruger Fast facts:
- Timbavati is 55 626 HA, Greater Kruger area is over 4,2 million HA.
- Greater Kruger is one of the few reserve complexes in Africa that continues to expand, whilst many others seem to be shrinking
- All infrastructure, roads, dams and camps make up less than 1% of the total land area of the Greater Kruger
- The massive expanse of the Greater Kruger National Park is home to over 147 species of mammals, 114 reptile species, 51 snake species, 49 fish species and a massive 508 species of birds.
- In South Africa, the long-term goal is to increase land under conservation management to 30% of the entire landmass of the country.
