Simbavati Trails Camp
Timbavati Game Reserve
Greater Kruger National Park
Features
- Big 5 Walking Safari: Focusing exclusively on walking safaris with expert guides in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve
- Camp Fire: Great traditional safari vibe around the camp fire
- Bush Cuisine: From fire to table – amazing bush cuisine including earth-buried pot bread
- Intimate Exclusive: Only four en suite tents, this is intimate and exclusive – perfect for friends
- Four Meru Style Tents: With a private bathroom comprising vanity with basin and jug of water, al fresco bucket shower (hot water on demand) and eco-friendly toilet
- Big FiveYes
- Off RoadNo
- Camp FencedNo
- Child PolicyChildren under 16 years not permitted
- PoolYes
- SPANo
- AirconNo
- Cellphone SignalNo
- Malaria AreaYes
- WI-FINo
- Wheelchair FriendlyNo
Location
Timbavati Private Game Reserve
Getting There
- Simbavati Trails Camp is not accessible via private self-drive.
- Complimentary scheduled transfers in and out of Trails Camp are arranged from Simbavati Hilltop Lodge, the transfer time of 1½ hours.
- The drive from Johannesburg Airport is ±6½ to 7 hours (505km), ±3½ hours (210km) from Kruger Airport, and 3 hours (160km via the R40) from Hazyview.
- Flights into Hoedspruit are available.
Accommodation
4 x Meru-style tents – max 2 pax per tent.
Rates & Special Offers
Deals By Date
IMPORTANT NOTICE: SIMBAVATI TRAILS CAMP IS CLOSED FROM 01 DECEMBER TO END OF FEBRUARY ANNUALLY.
Please note:
- All rates are subject to availability.
- Proof of SA residency may be required at the time of booking or upon check-in at the lodge.
- Surcharges may apply on rates over peak holiday periods and long weekends.
- Unless otherwise stated, all rates listed are based on a minimum 2 night stay. Surcharges may apply for a 1 night booking.
- Rates quoted are only applicable to SA Residents. Special Discounted Rates for International Residents are available on request.
- Timbavati Gate Entrance Fee of R 300 per vehicle entry applies, based on a light motor vehicle, for self-drive guests. Payable in cash at the gate and subject to change.
- Timbavati Conservation Levy R 220 (S.A. Residents) per person per night applies, which needs to be pre-paid with the accommodation costs on confirmation of the booking. Subject to change without prior notice:
- **The Timbavati Enkhulu Gate closes at 18h00 and reopens at 06h00**
- When self driving it is approximately a 7 to 8 hours drive. The recommended departure time from Gauteng (Johannesburg/Pretoria) is no later than 10h00, with no stops, to make it in time before the gate closes. The recommended route is the N1 via Polokwane.
- Guests arriving at the Lodge after 15h00/15h30 will unfortunately, miss out on the first afternoon’s activity.
- Single rates are available on request. Please contact your BushBreaks & More consultant for a quote.
- Children under 16 years are not permitted at Simbavati Trails Camp.
- Children 16 years and older will be charged the full adult sharing rate and will be accommodated in there own room.
About Simbavati Trails Camp
Simbavati Trails Camp is a gem; a luxury-yet-back-to-basics walking trails camp located in a secluded area of the Timbavati Private Game Reserve. It’s all about walking trails with expert guides, one of the most stimulating and enthralling forms of safari. Trails Camp borders, without fences, an unspoilt wilderness area of 11,000 hectares in the Greater Kruger National Park.
ROOM TYPES
4 x Meru-style tents
- Twin beds
- En suite bathroom
- Ample storage space
- Compostable toilet (eco-friendly)
- Basin with water
- Bucket shower (hot water on demand)
- Views over the bushveld
ROOM FEATURES
- Bush facing shaded patio
- Bathroom comprising vanity with basin and jug of water, al fresco bucket shower (hot water on demand) and eco-friendly toilet
- Complimentary eco-friendly amenities
- Solar powered lights
- Cooler box with milk
- Tea and coffee making facilities in room (using water in a hot flask)
- Hot water bottles (winter)
- Mosquito nets
- No electricity, Wi-Fi or cell phone signal
LODGE FEATURES
- Communal tent with dining and sitting area
- Campfire with casual seating
- Small plunge pool and pool deck
LODGE ACTIVITIES
- Daily Programme:
- Early morning tea/coffee
- Morning walking safari
- Mid-morning breakfast
- Time to relax, enjoy the pool area and surrounds of the camp
- Lunch
- Afternoon tea
- Afternoon walking trails safari
- Dinner in the lounge, or around the fire in the open air boma (weather permitting)
Other Activities:
- Fire to table meals
- Star-gazing
- Walking safari
- Swimming pool
About Timbavati Game Reserve
The Timbavati Private Game Reserve borders the Kruger National Park to the north and east. The name Timbavati was derived from a Shangaan expression meaning ‘the place where something sacred came down to earth from the heavens’. The Timbavati has a vast array of wildlife, which includes the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) thriving amongst giraffe, zebra, warthogs, hyena and many antelope species. This sums up the magical spirit of the Timbavati, which has a tangible sense of wilderness. The reserve is also a protective habitat for sustainable populations of many endangered species such as black and white rhinoceros, pangolins, and many others.
Lodge Features
Boma
Lodge Pool
Getting There
It is not possible to drive to Simbavati Trails Camp, complimentary scheduled transfers are arranged to get you in and out of Trails Camp.
The collection time is 13:45 from Simbavati Hilltop Lodge or Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport. Kindly note that there is only one daily return transfer. An additional charge will be levied for any late arrivals into Hoedspruit as a second vehicle has to be arranged for such transfers.
Directions From Johannesburg/Pretoria to
Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
DULLSTROOM ROUTE
Please be aware that this road has some very bad stretches with potholes, but it is still the fastest and most preferred road by regular travellers.
From Johannesburg take the N12 to Witbank (Emalahleni) and follow the N4 to Nelspruit (Mbombela). From Pretoria, take the N4 to Witbank (Emalahleni).
Follow the N4 and turn left to Belfast (Off-ramp R33/R540). Once in Belfast, turn right into Voortrekker Street and continue straight with the R540 to Dullstroom. Drive straight through Dullstroom and continue to Lydenburg (Mashishing) on the R540. At the T-junction turn left into Lydenburg (Mashishing) into Viljoen street (R36). Turn left again into Voortrekker Street. Turn right into De Clercq street and follow the R36 through Ohrigstad. After the Abel Erasmus pass, the R36 turns left to Tzaneen. Do not turn left here, but continue straight on the R527 until you reach the town of Hoedspruit. (The distance between Ohrigstad and Hoedspruit i s ±89 km).
Once in Hoedspruit, continue straight. After the bridge crossing the railway line, turn right at the four-way stop and stay on the R40 South towards Hazyview and White River. Drive ±6.5 km and then turn left on the D1909 (Argyle Road). The signage reads Timbavati and Eastgate Airport.
Please do not rely on your GPS after Hoedspruit. It will lead you the wrong lodge which will mean a two-hour detour.
After about 300m. you will get to a control gate, where you pass through. Continue straight, past the airport, for another 18 km until you reach the Enkhulu Control Gate into the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The gate is open from 06:00 – 18:00. You will be expected to pay an entrance fee here (2021 R210 * subject to change) . Very important: Please do not arrive at the lodge late, as you will then miss the afternoon/evening game drive and lunch, which we do not serve later than 15h00. It is also safer not to drive in the reserve and arrive at the l odge when it is dark. If you are going to be late due to unforeseen circumstances, please l et us know on (015) 793-9021/22. P lease note: C ontinuous cellular telephone reception ends here. Stay on this tar road for another 37 km (on the way you see the turn-off for Simbavati River Lodge – do not turn in here). Please ensure that you keep to the speed limit and do not get out of your car. You will later cross a low water bridge j ust before the
entrance to Ingwelala. After another 800 meters, you will see the Simbavati Hilltop sign on your right. Turn right on the gravel road here and follow the signs (another ± 10 km) until you reach Simbavati Hilltop Lodge.
N1 ROUTE TO SIMBAVATI HILLTOP LODGE
The N1 route via Polokwane is an alternative from Gauteng to Simbavati Hilltop Lodge. Although this way is ±50 km longer than the Dullstroom route and one pays more i n toll fees, for some people this i s a better option. It i s a road without potholes, and there are less delays due to heavy, slow-moving trucks. From Oliver Tambo International Airport follow the R21 north to Pretoria. Just before you reach, Pretoria, follow the N1 North to Polokwane. (From Johannesburg, you follow the N1 North to Polokwane). Take the R71 to Tzaneen just before you get Polokwane. Follow the R71 via Grobler Street through Moria to Tzaneen. Do not turn off the R71 until you get to the T-junction. Turn right onto the R36/R71 towards Tzaneen. Turn left onto the R71 at the first off-ramp and stay on the R71 through Giyani, Letsitele and Gravelotte until you reach the next T-Junction. At the T-junction turn right onto the R40 south towards Hoedspruit, White River and Mbombela. Continue straight through Hoedspruit. Drive ±6.5 km and then turn left on the D1909 (Argyle Road). The signage reads Timbavati and Eastgate Airport.
Please do not rely on your GPS after Hoedspruit. It will lead you the wrong lodge which will mean a two-hour detour.
After about 300 m. you will get to a control gate, where you pass through. Continue straight, past the airport, for another 18 km until you reach the Enkhulu Control Gate into the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The gate is open from 06:00 – 18:00. You will be expected to pay an entrance fee here (2021 R210 * Subject to change) . Very important: Please do not arrive at the lodge late, as you will then miss the afternoon/evening game drive and lunch, which we do not serve later than 15h00. It is also safer not to drive in the reserve and arrive at the l odge when it is dark. If you are going to be late due to unforeseen circumstances, please l et us know on (015) 793-9021/22. Please note: Continuous cellular telephone reception ends here. S ay on this tar road for another 37 km (on the way you see the turn-off for Simbavati River Lodge – do not turn in here). Please ensure that you keep to the speed limit and do not get out of your car. You will later cross a low water bridge just before the entrance to Ingwelala. After another 800 meters, you will see the Simbavati Hilltop sign on your right. Turn right on the gravel road here and follow the signs (another ± 10 km) until you reach Simbavati Hilltop Lodge.
From Hoedspruit, i t will take you approximately 90 minutes to get to the l odge.
Rooms Found, Nights, 2 Adults
We Accept:
