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Located in the heart of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park, Tanda Tula Safari Camp opened its doors in 1976 and became the first East African styled, luxury tented safari camp in South Africa.
Currently, Tanda Tula comprises of two exclusive tented camps: Tanda Tula Safari Camp and Tanda Tula Field Camp. Both are owned and managed by Don and Nina Scott, with the assistance of their passionate and dedicated team.
Timbavati is home to phenomenal concentrations of Africa’s wildlife species, including the famous Big Five – elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhinoceros – in one of the most pristine natural environments on the continent. Many of these species frequent both camps, offering guests an opportunity to get up close and personal with nature and its essence.
The Tanda Tula tented camps are renowned for their luxurious style and elegance, offering guests a luxury Kruger Park Safari experience where they are welcomed by the warmth and genuine hospitality of the caring staff.
Tanda Tula Safari Camp is situated amongst gigantic trees in the Nhlaralumi Riverbed, in the heart of Big Five country. A warm welcome awaits guests at this picturesque camp which exudes pure elegance, firmly rooted in African tradition.
Tanda Tula is owned and run by Don and Nina Scott, with the assistance of a very capable staff contingent. Guests are immediately captivated by the down-to-earth ambience of this “family home” in the bush, as well as the charm and warmth of the people who live and work here.
The camp is completely unfenced and its luxury melts perfectly into the natural environment.
The tented camp consists of only 12 secluded, luxury tents, each with a breath-taking view of the riverbed. Its East African-styled tents are the epitome of simple luxury and comfort, and the stylish decor is reminiscent of the early tented camps of Africa.
Each luxurious tent features its own en-suite bathroom, Victorian bathtub, outdoor shower and a spacious deck overlooking the riverbed and the wide expanse of African bush.
12 private tented suites
All the tents have en-suite bathrooms and outdoor showers, complimentary mini bars, and private decks overlooking this pristine part of the African wilderness.
220V electricity and power are available and converters are supplied in each tent.
The main lounge overlooks the riverbed, swimming pool and watering hole.
The camp also has a gift shop where guests can buy safari clothing, as well as a wide range of arts and crafts from the region.
Guest can also enjoy a wide range of premium South African wines or delight themselves in the champagne menu.
Summer and winter months vary in temperature, and as such we recommend guests tailor their clothing to suit the seasons:
Summer is from 1 October to 30 April. With temperatures starting at 25°C and peaking at 50°C at times, it is advisable to pack shorts, T-shirts, swimming gear and perhaps a pair of trousers and a light jersey or fleece.
Winter is from 1 May to 30 September. During this time the temperature is more moderate, between 15°C to 25°C. Guests are advised to pack long trousers and long-sleeved T-shirts/shirts, a fleece, warm jacket, beanie, scarf, warm shoes and warm pajamas.
Children 8 years and older are welcome
Although there is limited cell phone coverage, we encourage our guests to keep their phones on silent throughout their stay.
Tanda Tula’s chefs cater to all dietary requirements.
Tanda Tula Safari Camp boasts some of the most skilled guides and trackers in the region. Our tailor-made game-viewing experiences are truly memorable experiences. Our experienced guides and trackers will share a wealth of informative, exciting and unique information about the indigenous wildlife, and some of these surprising facts are guaranteed to leave you astounded.
We invite you to explore the Timbavati with us!
Spanning more than 55 000 hectares which opens up into the Kruger National Park, the Timbavati is renowned for its diversity of wildlife species, including the Big Five. During your stay you are likely to spot elephant, lion, leopard, large herds of buffalo, rhino, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, kudu and even the elusive wild dog. Two daily game drives are led by our professional guides and trackers, providing the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with Africa’s magnificent creatures. Safari vehicles accommodate a maximum of 6 guests at a time. This rule applies to ensure an exclusive safari experience.
Guided walks, which last between one and two hours, usually take place after breakfast.
Your expert guide will accompany you as you track game on foot and explore the African wilderness like never before. Encountering smaller creatures and the indigenous flora of the region is a priceless experience.
Bush breakfasts are a delightful way in which to conclude your morning game drive. Served in the riverbed, our chefs prepare a comprehensive continental buffet, not forgetting the scrumptious cooked English breakfast feast.
Lunch is served in different locations in the camp daily. Dinners are a social affair amid gentle lightning which creates a feel of oneness with nature. You can even dine in the riverbed! Our guests are all seated around a long table and the staff, guides, managers and owners are the perfect hosts for a memorable evening.
Unquestionably, Tanda Tula Field Camp is the most authentic “glamorous camping” experience in South Africa. This private-use camp is located in the eastern region of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, bordering the Kruger National Park in an exclusive concession of 6 500 hectares of pristine African Bush.
Tanda Tula Field Camp offers the ultimate exclusive experience in guided walking safaris where guests are led by iconic and highly trained trackers and guides, all experts in tracking game, including the Big Five, on foot, an absolute thrilling experience for those in search of adventure. The old-wordly charm of the camp is reminiscent of a bygone era.
Comprising of four explorer tents, the camp’s philosophy and practices have been derived from the early explorer camps of Africa. Tanda Tula Field Camp is specifically erected and taken down for each exclusive-use safari, and the locations will vary throughout the year, depending on the season and the movement of the wildlife. With a private guide, chef, camp host and dedicated camp staff, a wide range of activities can be organised on a whim, and the duration of game walks and drives are entirely up to our guests. Intimate experiences await our visitors to Tanda Tula Field Camp.
4 explorer tents configured to the requirements of each individual group of visitors, with a maximum of 8 guests.
Each tent has its own outdoor bathroom with hot water-bucket shower, an eco-loo and other amenities.
This is an exclusive-use camp and, as such, it is pitched and set up according to the requirements of each booking, in a manner that ensure the lowest impact on the environment.
Sensitive to the environment, and pitched in the heart of the bush, Tanda Tula Field Camp allows you the opportunity to experience nature up close and personal.
The camp features an elegant mess tent with a full field bar and campaign-styled furnishing.
Since there is no electricity, the camp makes use of oil and solar lanterns.
Although there is limited cellphone coverage, we encourage our guests to keep their phones on silent throughout their stay.
Because Tanda Tula is a non-permanent field camp, it does not have pool facilities.
The camp operates from the 1st of March to the 31st of October annually.
A minimum stay of 3 nights is required for all bookings.
Guests should be walking fit and able to navigate a 10-mile walk with relative ease.
Children 14 years and older are welcome.
The experience that awaits guests at Tanda Tula Field Camp is unlike that of most other safari camps. It is a completely exclusive concession. Guests will experience the essence of the African wilderness first-hand during the walking safaris, just like the early explorers of the previous century did.
Immersed in nature, the walking safaris are led by highly experienced guides and trackers. The focus is on tracking big game on foot, and walkers can expect to track lion, elephant and rhino, as well as many other game species in an informative and professional manner. This is an experience like no other, bringing you much closer to nature. A game-drive vehicle is also available to guests upon request.
The morning wake-up call will sound at dawn. After meeting in the mess tent for coffee, tea, rusks and hot porridge, guests will depart with their field guide and tracker on a 3 to 4-hour long bush walk in which they will learn the art of tracking game, do some birding and learn more about tree- and plant identification. Tracking and finding rhino or elephant on foot is not an uncommon occurrence! The walk will conclude around mid-morning, after which a hot-water bush shower, followed by a sumptuous brunch, will round off this memorable experience.
After brunch, you can relax under the trees, have a siesta in your tent, or take it easy in the mess tent area where a selection of books and games will keep you entertained. This is a great time to do a bit of bird watching or tree identification with the help of your field guide. The Field Camps are completely unfenced and animals move freely through the camp during the day and night.
Afternoon tea and coffee and a selection of savoury and sweet delicacies will be served, before the group departs on a short afternoon bush walk lead by an experienced guide and tracker. Following the walk, sundowners will be served, before departing on a short game drive to conclude the day.
Upon arrival back in camp, aperitifs will be served around the fire, followed by the chef’s very special bush dinner prepared on the coals. Listen to the nocturnal sounds and learn a little about African history and folklore, before reclining to your tent and falling asleep to the sounds of the wild outdoors.
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MoAfrika tours and the Kruger Safari Co. are destination management companies (DMC) and are not entities of the South African National Parks Board (SANparks).