Tanda Tula Safari Camp

Tanda Tula Safari Camp  

situated in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve – part of the Greater Kruger National Park

Located in the heart of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park, in 1976 Tanda Tula Safari Camp became the first East African styled, luxury tented safari camp in South Africa.

Today, Tanda Tula consists of two exclusive tented camps: Tanda Tula Safari Camp and Tanda Tula Field Camp. Both camps are owned and managed by Don and Nina Scott, together with their passionate and dedicated team.

The Timbavati reserve hosts phenomenal concentrations of Africa’s game including the famous ‘Big Five’ in one of the most beautiful parts of the continent. Much of this game make their way through both camps, offering guests an opportunity to get even closer to nature.

The Tanda Tula tented camps are renowned for offering a luxurious and authentic safari experience where guests are welcomed with warmth and genuine pleasure.

Safari Camp

Overview

Tanda Tula Safari Camp is positioned amongst enormous trees on the banks of the Nhlaralumi Riverbed, in the heart of Big Five country. Visitors are welcomed into this picturesque camp which exudes “elegance with African roots”.

Owned and run by Don and Nina Scott, together with their incredible team of staff. Guests are immediately captivated by the down-to-earth atmosphere of this family home, as well as the charm and warmth of the people that live and work here.

The camp is completely unfenced merging luxury with the natural environment.

The tented camp consists of just 12 secluded, luxury tents, each with a breathtaking view over the riverbed. The East African styled tents are the epitome of simple luxury, comfort and style mirroring 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 African bush.

Safari Camp Details

Tanda Tula Safari Camp consists of 12 private, luxury tents. The East African styled tents are the epitome of elegance, comfort and style, mirroring the early tented camps of Africa. Each luxurious tent features its own en-suite bathroom, Victorian bathtub, outdoor shower and a spacious deck with a breathtaking view of the riverbed and African bush.

Accommodation

There are 12 private tented suites. All luxury tents have en suite bathrooms and outdoor showers, complimentary mini bars, and private decks overlooking the riverbed and African bush. Electricity & power are available with 220V. Converters are supplied in each tent.

Facilities

• A main lounge overlooking the riverbed swimming pool and watering hole
• We accommodate only 6 guests per game drive vehicle in order to ensure an exclusive safari experience
• Our chefs are able to cater for any special dietary requirement
• A gift shop featuring safari clothing as well as arts and crafts from the region
• Premium wines and champagne menu

Safari Camp Activities

Tanda Tula Safari Camp has some of the most highly trained guides and trackers in the region. Tailoring game viewing experiences, guides and trackers will offer informative, exciting and unique game viewing experiences while respecting the animals at all times.

We invite you to explore the Timbavati with us.

Game drives

Spanning more than 55 000 hectares and open to the Kruger National Park, the Timbavati is known for its diversity of animals including the Big Five. During your stay you are likely to spot a variety of wildlife including elephant, lion, leopard, large herds of buffalo, rhino, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, kudu and the rare wild dogs. Two daily game drives are led by our professional guides and trackers, providing the perfect opportunity to get up close to African game.

Game drive vehicles accommodate a maximum of 6 guests in order to ensure an exclusive safari experience.

Guided Safari Walks

Guided walks, between one and two hours, usually take place after breakfast.

Your expert guide will lead you as you track game on foot and explore the African wilderness and learn more about the smaller creatures and flora of the region.

Bush Dining

Bush breakfasts are a superb way to end the morning game drive. Set out on the banks of the riverbed, our chefs prepare an extensive continental buffet and a cooked English breakfast feast.

Lunches are set up in different locations in camp daily. Dinners are a social affair, set in various locations every night often getting closer to nature. Our guests are seated at one long table and are hosted by our staff, guides, managers and owners.

Field Camp

Overview

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 6500 hectares.

Tanda Tula Field Camp is the ultimate exclusive experience in guided walking safaris where guests are led by iconic and highly trained trackers and guides, tracking general game and the big five on foot making this a thrilling and life changing safari experience. The atmosphere of the camp is that of a bygone era.

Field Camp Details

Featuring four explorer tents, the camp’s philosophy and practices are similar to those of the early explorer camps of Africa. Tanda Tula Field Camp is set up and taken down for each exclusive use safari and the locations will vary throughout the year depending on the seasons and game activities. With a private guide, chef, camp host and dedicated camp staff, activities can be arranged on a whim, and game walks and drives may be as long or as short as you choose. Intimate experiences await.

Accommodation

4 explorer tents configured to suit each individual group of travelers, with a maximum of 8 guests.

Each tent has its own outdoor bathroom with hot water bucket shower, eco loo and amenities.

This is an exclusive-use camp and as such it is pitched and set-up based on the requirements of each booking, ensuring low impact on the environment.

Open to the environment, Tanda Tula Field Camp allows you the opportunity to get up close to nature.

Facilities

• The camp features an elegant mess tent with a full field bar and campaign styled furnishings
• There is no electricity. The camp features oil and solar lanterns
• There is limited cell phone coverage, and we encourage our guests to keep their phones on silent throughout their stay
• There is no swimming pool as this is a non-permanent field camp

Field Camp Activities

The experience at Tanda Tula Field Camp is unlike most other safari camps. In a completely exclusive concession, guests will rediscover the true African walking safari, just as the early explorers 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 guests can expect to track lion, elephant and rhino, as well as all other game species in a very informative and exciting experience, bringing you closer to nature. A game drive vehicle is available for game drives for guests as and when needed.

Early Morning Routine & Game Walk

Just after sunrise – morning wake up. You will meet in the mess tent for coffee, tea, rusks and hot porridge. You will then depart with your field guide and tracker for a 3 to 4 hour bush walk where you will track game, and learn the art of tracking, birding and tree and plant identification. Tracking and finding rhino or elephant on foot is not an uncommon occurrence! You will then return to camp mid morning where you will be welcomed with a hot water bush shower, followed by a sumptuous brunch.

Siesta Time

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 be available. This is a great time to do a bit of bird watching or tree identification with your field guide. The Field Camps are completely unfenced and animals are able to move freely through the camp during the day and night.

Late Afternoon Routine & Game walk

Afternoon tea and coffee and a selection of savory and sweet snacks will be served, before the group departs on a short afternoon bush walk lead by your experienced guide and tracker. Following your afternoon walk, sundowners will be served before going on a short game drive that will end back at camp.

Dinner

Upon arrival back in camp, aperitifs will be served around the fire followed by the chef’s very special bush dinner prepared over the coals. Listen to the nocturnal sounds and learn a little about African history and folklore, before getting comfortable in your tent and falling asleep to the sounds of nature.

Weather and What to Pack

Summer and winter months vary in temperature, and as such we recommend guests tailor their clothing to suit the seasons:

Summer (from 01 October to 30 April): With temperatures ranging from 25°C to 50°C, pack shorts, T-shirts, swimming costumes, long trousers and a light jersey or fleece.

Winter (From 01 May to 30 September: With temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C, pack long trousers and long-sleeved t-shirts/shirts, a fleece, warm jacket, beanie, scarf, warm shoes and warm pajamas.

Tanda Tula Family

Tanda Tula is the leading tented camp & safari experience in South Africa that celebrates tradition and authenticity while honoring nature.

We aim to provide a nostalgic safari experience delivered in a contemporary and modern way, capturing the essence of a safari through absorbing the wilderness and honoring nature, and so creating the space for a time of self-reflection and re-connecting with family and loved ones.

This is low risk Malaria area.

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