The Boutique Amani Safari Camp was acquired in 1990 and has since been developed to accommodate guests in understated, yet sophisticated bushveld style. The raw African wilderness that surrounds the Camp gives it an authentic, intimate atmosphere, allowing visitors the opportunity to escape from the daily hustle and bustle of city life to rejuvenate the spirit and restore the soul.
The Camp was washed away in a flood in 2012 but has since been lovingly restored to offer nature lovers an authentic home away from home. Today, a dry riverbed separates the Camp from a frequently used watering hole, situated right next to the Camp’s extensive entertainment area. Wildlife such ass jackal, hyena, warthog and elephant regularly quench their thirst here, to the appreciation of guests.
A private initiative by a group of founding members led to the establishment of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve in 1969 and it was officially proclaimed as a nature reserve in 1972. In 1994 the fences came down between Klaserie, the Kruger National Park and other associated Reserves. The Reserve comprises 60 000 hectares of diverse topography and forms part of the great Kruger National Park conservation area. This pristine wilderness attracts a vast variety of wildlife- and bird species, including some of Africa’s most feared predators. It is a much sought-after luxury Kruger Safari destination.
Amani Safari Camp caters to a total of eight guests, in a private and tranquil setting. The layout of this Camp is unique, comprising a thatched main dwelling with a central living area and four en-suite bedrooms. The beds can be arranged in the form of one king-sized bed per room, or two single beds. Bed linen is supplied.
Each bedroom has its own private entrance and large windows provide for magnificent views of the surrounding bush. Each bedroom also has its own spacious bathroom with bath tub and single or double opulent shower, as well as bathroom amenities.
The central living area features two open-plan lounges on the ground floor, as well as a library and a TV room on the open-air second level. A large deck provides the perfect setting for the ultimate dining experience, or a moment to soak in the African sun.
The whole camp is securely fenced.
The entertainment area boasts a sizeable deck, a large infinity pool, an open-air bar and a dining area. There is the boma that contributes largely to the bush ambience, and a lovely outdoor braai area where guest can socialize and relax. The thatched house is double volume and is characterized by its grand entrance, spacious open-plan kitchen, two open-plan lounges, a TV lounge with DSTV, a library, and a dining area on the deck. Wi-Fi is available, ensuring that guests stay connected to the outside world.
Each beautifully decorated room is named after an African bird species and fitted with a ceiling fan and an air-conditioner. The Camp is serviced daily.
With the primary focus on sustainability, the Camp is completely solar powered and therefore proudly eco-friendly.
Two guided game drives are offered daily, scheduled at the guests’ leisure. Knowledgeable Guides provide insight into the bushveld and all its intricacies, the wildlife and their habits, as well as about the diverse terrain and plant life. The geography varies from flat planes to rocky outcrops and hilly landscapes in-between. The Klaserie Drift Safari Camps are frequented by a large variety of predators, including lion, leopard, smaller cats, the spotted hyena, jackal and the elusive wild dog. As such, the thrill of witnessing a kill looms around every corner. Buffalo, rhino, hippo, giraffe, elephant, a variety of antelope, an array of birdlife, baboons, monkeys and mongooses are sighted daily – to name but a few.
By prior arrangement, game drives can include a visit to the high-traffic dam or Koppie Lookout, which offer a spectacular vantage point for witnessing the stunning hues of an African sunset – an experience guaranteed to be etched into guests’ memories forever.
Leopard (Panthera pardus)
Leopard are more numerous than the African rhino in the Big 5 group, but they are just as difficult to spot. A Leopard uses trees as observation platforms and for protection, so guests are reminder to look higher up in the tree canopies for an opportunity to spot this solitary, magnificent cat.
Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
The Leopard Tortoise is the fourth largest species of tortoise in the world and boasts attractive markings. The male is usually much bigger than the female. Some males may weigh as much as 35 kilograms and above, and exceptionally large males may reach reach up to 70 centimetres in length.
Leopard tortoises are herbivorous but will sometimes gnaw on animal bones to obtain calcium necessary for bone development and their eggshells. Normally active during the day, they are less active during hot weather and in the dry season.
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver (Bubalornis niger)
The Red-billed Buffalo Weaver is easily identifiable by its red bill and distinctive brown feathers with the wing tips flecked in white. Males and females are both dark chocolate brown in colour, but the females do not have white flecks on their wing tips. Juvenile birds are also lighter in colour. These weavers breed in colonies and prefer acacia or baobab trees to build their nests, composed of an enormous mass of thorny twigs. They are noisy and gregarious birds.
Amani Safari Camp is located on 3 000 hectares of pristine wilderness within the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. The Camp is easily accessible by road and is a one-hour drive from Hoedspruit. Travel time by road from Johannesburg is approximately five and a half hours. Visitors can also opt to travel by air, as SA Express offers daily flights to Hoedspruit from Johannesburg and Cape Town.