Timbavati Safari Lodge is the perfect departure point from which to explore Panorama Route attractions like Blyde Canyon, Bourkes luck potholes, the Three Rondavels, God’s Window, Pilgrims Rest and many more. With game drives through Kruger National Park, guests have the opportunity to experience an unforgettable safari with many actvities in Hoedspruit.
Full Day Kruger National Park Safari
Timbavati Safari Lodge safari tours provide guests with a unique wildlife experience. The lodge is situated only 20 minutes away from the Orpen Gate entrance into the heart of the world-renowned Kruger National Park. The full day safari takes you through the extraordinary panoramas of the park in the company of a highly qualified guide.
Prepare to be thrilled by possible large-as-life sightings of not only the Big 5 but many other beautiful animals of Africa. Throughout the day your guides will not only be tracking the bigger game but also informing you on birdlife, insects, trees and many other interesting things that create the wilderness environment of the Kruger National Park. Half day safaris can also be arranged.
Bush Walk
Timbavati Safari Lodge bush walk is not about the big 5, but looking out for the small 5, known as the ant lion, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, buffalo weaver and rhino beetle.
There are a huge variety of bugs/insects and reptiles that can be seen, as well as many legends and historical stories, medicinal and traditional uses of the plants that are often only known about through the expert knowledge of local guides.
The area is an interesting niche ecosystem with a large variety of tree species. This allows for smaller wild game, prolific bird life and many smaller inhabitants of the bush. Although the bush walk is focused on the flora and fauna of the lowveld, do not forget about the opportunities of not only spotting zebra, kudu, blue-wildebeest, impala, grey-duiker, bushbuck, warthog, and mongoose.
Bird life is seasonal but some common special spots are Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Purple-crested turaco, Grey go-away bird, Levaillant’s cuckoo, African emerald cuckoo, wood owl, scops owl (both Southern white-faced and African), woodland kingfisher, African pygmy-kingfisher, black cuckoo shrike, flycatchers, and many more.
Shangaan Cultural Village Tour
This guided “Cultural Village Walk” and experience offers a personal and close up look at how many of the rural people in South Africa live. The local Shangaan village of Sigagule” is a unique place to visit, talk to the people, take photos, and witness for yourself, traditional life, in a rural village.
You will stroll through the village with a local guide for about 1 ½ – 2 hours. The guide will inform you of the traditions and culture of the people as you walk, stopping to take photographs when you want, and point out places and things of interest.
During the walk you will visit the “Sangoma” (traditional healer), a family home, the clinic, and the local trading store and tavern before returning to the lodge. A visit to the Sihlekisi School and crèche is also made if time permits for the extra walk to the far end of the village.
Activities in the Area
Timbavati Safari Lodge can arrange the following activities for guests: Horseback safari, boat cruise, Panorama Route tour to see Blyde Canyon, Bourkes luck potholes, the Three Rondavels and God’s Window, as well as hot air balloon rides, paintball and micro light flights.
Dining at Timbavati Safari Lodge
Breakfast is a buffet offering continental and cooked options. Select from the buffet a variety of freshly prepared fruit, cereal, yogurt, baked items, cold meats, cheeses, a variety of hot sides and eggs to order. To quench your thirst, ice cold juice, filtered water and tea and coffee is also available.
Dinner is served as a buffet in true African style in the open-aired traditional boma or alongside our pool with our magnificent bar, only an arm’s length away. Taste the flavours of African cuisine whilst dining under the stars with the sounds of the wild in the background and the smell of African wood burning in the centre.