6-Day Greater Kruger Safari at Tented Camp in Timbavati
Experience a thrilling Greater Kruger Safari in the exclusive Timbavati Private Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s top wildlife destinations. This 6-day safari offers twice-daily game drives and optional bush walks in a private concession of the Greater Kruger National Park. Stay at a rustic, unfenced tented camp in Big Five territory, where nature surrounds you and wildlife sightings are guaranteed.
Itinerary Overview
Perfect for adventure seekers, this Greater Kruger Safari includes expertly guided open 4×4 game drives, walking safaris, and night drives in Timbavati. Choose daily between nature walks and game drives, and enjoy close encounters with Africa’s incredible wildlife in a truly immersive wilderness setting.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Johannesburg to Timbavati Game Reserve
Your Greater Kruger Safari begins with a shuttle transfer from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to a bush pub near Kruger Park. From there, a transfer takes you to your tented camp in Timbavati Private Game Reserve. After settling in and enjoying lunch, relax before your first evening game drive in the Greater Kruger National Park. Pick-up and drop-off are at OR Tambo International Airport.
Days 2–5: Safari Adventures in Timbavati
Spend four full days on safari in the heart of the Greater Kruger National Park. Each day includes two game-viewing activities—choose between open vehicle game drives or guided bush walks. Morning safaris begin at sunrise, followed by brunch and leisure time at the camp. After lunch, head out for an afternoon safari, often ending with a night drive.
Explore the bush with experienced rangers on foot or in 4x4s, seeking out the Big Five and a range of fascinating flora and fauna. Sundowners in the wild are a daily highlight, with unforgettable views and wildlife sightings continuing into the night.
Game Viewing in Greater Kruger
Wildlife experiences take place in Timbavati Nature Reserve, part of the vast Greater Kruger National Park. Expect frequent sightings of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—as well as other species such as giraffe, zebra, antelope, wild dog, and numerous birds.
Bush walks focus on smaller creatures, animal tracks, insects, and birdlife, offering a more intimate experience of the African wilderness. Game drives may include off-road tracking and fewer vehicle encounters, thanks to Timbavati’s private concession status.
Day 6: Final Safari & Return to Johannesburg
On the final morning, enjoy a last sunrise safari in Timbavati before breakfast. After packing up, transfer back to the bush pub and catch your return shuttle to OR Tambo International Airport, where your unforgettable Greater Kruger Safari concludes.
About the Tented Camp
Set along a dry riverbed and frequented by local wildlife, the unfenced tented camp offers an authentic Greater Kruger Safari experience. Accommodating just 16 guests, the camp features eight permanent tents with en-suite bathrooms, shaded decks, and simple comforts. Expect regular visits from honey badgers, warthogs, elephants, and even lions along the riverbed.
Camp facilities include a splash pool, open-air dining and bar areas, a boma for evening campfires, and solar-powered amenities. The focus is on being immersed in nature while enjoying the essentials of a true bush retreat.
About Timbavati Private Game Reserve
Timbavati is a premier game reserve that shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park, allowing animals to move freely between protected areas. Known for its excellent game viewing and exclusivity, Timbavati is home to 40+ mammal species, including the Big Five, as well as over 350 bird species.
The reserve’s private concessions offer fewer crowds and a more personalized safari experience, with exclusive game viewing rights for the tented camp featured on this itinerary.
Trip Notes
- Children aged 10 and up are welcome. Children over 12 pay the full adult rate.
- One triple tent is available for two adults and a child under 12. No single supplement for three adults sharing this tent.
Pre and Post Safari Accommodation
Optional pre- and post-tour lodge stays can be arranged at a 4-star lodge just 10–15 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport. Add extra nights to your Greater Kruger Safari for a smooth start or relaxing finish to your South African adventure.