Shindzela Tented Safari Camp in Timbavati, Limpopo

Welcome to Shindzela Tented Safari Camp on SA-Venues.com, offering accommodation in Timbavati, Valley of the Olifants.

Shindzela (named after the honey badger in the African Shangaan language) is an authentic tented bush camp made from wood and canvas, set within the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. It is from here that Shindzela brings you an affordable wildlife safari, where you can explore the African wilderness on game drives in open safari vehicles and on foot during bush walks. Safari activities are conducted by professional and knowledgeable safari guides. The camp has an informal, relaxed atmosphere, and is alive with warm African hospitality.

ACCOMMODATION

At Shindzela, we offer an authentic African safari experience in an unfenced, private and natural wilderness environment. Safari accommodation is in twin or double safari canvas tents, set on wooden platforms. Tents have a wooden entrance door, adjustable canvas flaps for windows, and mesh to keep insects out. Each tent has a thatch roof and porch, designed to cool the tents in summer. Tents have solar lighting, and are equipped with all bedding and towels. Private bathrooms are made from reeds wood and canvas and feature a shower, hand basin and flush toilet.

The general bush camp area encompasses a covered dining area, swimming pool, kitchen and central African fireplace - a perfect spot to relive safari experiences around the fire. Your African safari is hosted by a guide and tracker, and the camp is owner managed. We operate an honesty bar, where guests can help themselves to drinks, and record their drinks on a bar tab sheet.

Shindzela offers guests a greater Kruger wildlife safari, in an unfenced wilderness environment. We have no power: instead we use solar power, gas and candles. We are undisturbed by modern conveniences such as television and cell phones, preferring to immerse ourselves in the African wilderness. We have deliberately decided to keep the camp undeveloped, so as to better blend in to the environment, and offer guests an undisturbed wilderness experience.

The Shindzela Hide Sleep Out Experience:
There is an opportunity to book a Sleep Out experience at the Shindzela Hide. The hide is built overlooking the Main Dam at Shindzela. This is a “back to basics”, adventurous experience, and ideal for those who are dedicated nature enthusiasts.

Guests who have booked a night at the Sleep Out Hide will return to Shindzela camp after the normal afternoon and night safari game drive, and have dinner in the dining room. After dinner, depart with our guide on a short night drive to the dam, and settle in at the Hide.

The Hide is covered in thatch (traditional grass roof), and has a wooden interior deck. It has a 1.2 metre wooden wall railing along all sides. The Hide can accommodate a maximum of 6 guests (plus your armed Ranger who will accompany you and stay with you at the Hide overnight). It is furnished with single mattresses, with linen and each person has a mosquito net. (Please note you may share the Hide with other like-minded guests, unless you have booked exclusive use) There is a simple bush loo.

SAFARI ACTIVITIES

Shindzela offers both game drives and bush walks. Each nature encounter places an emphasis on understanding the wild environment, and tracking and viewing animals in their natural surroundings. As we are a small camp, we are able to accommodate a guest’s preference of activity, be it a walking safari or game drive safari.

Game viewing is conducted in the early mornings and late afternoons. Safari activities begin at dawn, and guests return to camp mid morning. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in camp. In the afternoon, depending on the animal movements in the area, guides may suggest a game drive and short walk, followed by sundowners and a night safari game drive. The best time to view game on your African safari, are the early hours of the morning and during the late afternoon. This is when most game is active – during the heat of the day, many animals tend to seek shade and are less active. Night game drives with a spotlight bring you in to contact with nocturnal animals such as Bush babies, Civets, Genets, African wild cats, Porcupines and so forth.

Guests choosing a walking safari should be prepared to walk anywhere from 2 to 3 hours on a trail. All walking trails are led by an experienced armed trails guide. A maximum of 8 guests make up a trail. Guides will give guests a thorough safety briefing before starting, so that they are comfortable with the rules and safety instructions pertaining to their walking trail. Please note that during summer bush walks may be shorter in duration, due to the thick bush.

TIMBAVATI GAME RESERVE

The Timbavati Reserve, South Africa, is home to a myriad of mammal species, including Africa’s Big Five animals - lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant. Other species of game that visitors may encounter whilst on safari include hyena, jackal, giraffe, hippo, wild dog, zebra, kudu and impala, to mention just a few. There are over 350 bird species recorded in the area. The Reserve is open to the Kruger National Park, providing animals with a vast expanse of wilderness in which to roam, free of fences.

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