4 Days Greater Kruger Safari to Timbavati Nature Reserve
Our 4 Days Greater Kruger Safari to Timbavati Nature Reserve takes you to Timbavati Private Nature Reserve which is home to the famous white lions. Set amongst a truly unique landscape with magnificent views over the Nhlaralumi River, the surrounding wilderness can be appreciated while sipping exotic cocktails, enjoying authentic cuisine, or simply relaxing.
Your Greater Kruger Safari adventure perfectly balances luxury and authenticity, with accommodation at the remarkable Simbavati River Lodge where elegantly appointed luxury tented suites blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Expert rangers and trackers enhance your Greater Kruger Safari experience, sharing their profound knowledge of the ecosystem while leading you to spectacular wildlife sightings in an area known locally as "Timbavati" or "the place where something sacred came down to Earth" in Shangaan.
This carefully crafted Greater Kruger Safari itinerary maximizes your time in the bush with twice-daily game drives through diverse habitats ranging from open savanna to dense riverine forests. The unhurried pace allows for a genuine connection with the African wilderness, creating moments of wonder that will remain etched in your memory long after your Greater Kruger Safari concludes.
Tour highlights
Exclusive access to the 53,000-hectare Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem
Luxurious accommodation at Simbavati River Lodge in traditional safari tents with modern amenities
Expertly guided game drives in custom open 4x4 vehicles with unobstructed wildlife viewing
Potential sightings of Timbavati's famous white lions
Authentic sundowner experiences in breathtaking wilderness settings
Night drives with spotlights for nocturnal wildlife viewing
Superb birdwatching opportunities with over 360 recorded species
Professional guides sharing intimate knowledge of the area's flora and fauna
Price Includes:
- Park fees and conservation levies
- All scheduled activities as per the itinerary
- Ground transport in custom 4x4 safari vehicle
- Bottled water during game drives
- Full board accommodation at Simbavati River Lodge
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Driver allowances and park fees
- All mentioned activities (excluding optional experiences)
Price Excludes:
- Southern African Visa (where applicable)
- International and internal flights
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Optional Activities
- Laundry services
- Travel Insurance
- Beverages beyond provided water
- Tips for staff and guides
Itinary in details
- Day1Pick up from Hoedspruit to Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Your Greater Kruger Safari begins with a warm welcome at Hoedspruit Airport, followed by a scenic 45-minute drive covering approximately 40km to Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, known as "Xidawana" by local Shangaan people. The Greater Kruger Safari experience continues as you arrive at Simbavati River Lodge, where you'll settle into your luxury tented suite overlooking the seasonal Nhlaralumi River. Your immersive Greater Kruger Safari adventure commences with afternoon high tea before embarking on your first game drive, offering immediate opportunities to encounter the Big Five and other iconic wildlife in this untamed wilderness.
- Day2Game Drive in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Dawn breaks over your Greater Kruger Safari as you awaken to the sounds of the bush, departing for your morning game drive after coffee and light refreshments at 5:30 AM. This Greater Kruger Safari excursion takes you through the diverse ecosystems of Timbavati, where skilled trackers pursue fresh signs of predator activity along ancient game paths and seasonal waterholes. Back at the lodge by 9:30 AM, your Greater Kruger Safari Day continues with a sumptuous breakfast and leisurely midday hours before the afternoon drive departs at 3:30 PM, culminating in a magical sundowner stop at "Machaton Dam" with panoramic views across the reserve.
- Day3Another Game Drive in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Your Greater Kruger Safari experience deepens with another early morning departure, this time exploring the western sector of Timbavati where granite outcrops called "koppies" provide an ideal habitat for leopards and klipspringers. The Greater Kruger Safari adventure continues as your guide navigates through "Mbavala" plains, renowned for large herds of buffalo and elephants that move between watering holes approximately 12km apart. Your evening Greater Kruger Safari drive showcases the reserve's exceptional biodiversity, including potential sightings of the elusive pangolin or aardvark, before returning to the lodge for a traditional South African "braai" dinner under the stars.
- Day4Drive from Timbavati Private Nature Reserve to Hoedspruit
The final day of your Greater Kruger Safari begins with a sunrise game drive offering last opportunities to track predators returning from nocturnal hunts in the "Nwaswitshaka" region. Your Greater Kruger Safari concludes with a farewell breakfast at Simbavati River Lodge, reminiscing about wildlife encounters before the 45-minute return transfer to Hoedspruit Airport. The memories of your transformative Greater Kruger Safari will remain vivid as you depart this remarkable wilderness, perhaps inspired to extend your South African journey to complementary destinations like the Blyde River Canyon just 30 minutes from Hoedspruit.