Kings Camp Private Game Reserve is in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve adjacent and open to the Kruger National Park. The reserve is a wildlife haven boasting a huge diversity of animal life including the ‘Big 5’. The camp is positioned on the edge of a savanna plain scattered with Acacia trees. A waterhole, located right in front of the camp attracts a wide variety of wildlife both day and night. With 100 km² of bush to traverse, you have plenty of space to explore the endless variety of Africa’s wildlife. In an open Land Rover or on foot.
Kings Camp offers gracious hospitality from a bygone era. In a uniquely romantic setting and invites guests to relax in luxurious style. This combined with their unrivaled flexibility ensures the comfort and requests of guests always comes first. Accommodation is in the main camp or at the Waterbuck Private Camp. An exclusive-use safari camp.
At the Main Camp, a thatched viewing lounge overlooks an active waterhole. The ideal place to simply relax and soak up the tranquillity of the African bush. The underground hide is a delight for photographers.
Take a dip in the swimming pool for some respite from the midday heat. Keep fit in the gym or unwind with a morning of pampering at the Kings Camp spa.
The Main Camp consists of 6 x Luxury Suites, 1 x Luxury Family Suite and 2 x Honeymoon Suites. All offer modern amenities including air-conditioners and fully stocked mini-bars. And magnificent views of the African Bush. They all have private plunge pools and comfortable outdoor lounge areas.
Luxury Suite
For family-friendly Timbavati accommodation, Suites 2 and 3 are combined to form a Luxury Family Suite. With an inter-leading door to accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. Ideal for small families or groups traveling together. These unique suites enjoy all the amenities of the free-standing suites. With an additional shared space and their own outside dining area for private family dinners.
Family Suite
For your comfort and convenience, other room amenities include robes, mosquito repellent, an umbrella and hairdryer. Your suite is also equipped with its own safe and telephone.
Honeymoon Suites
The spacious, open-plan design of the 2 air-conditioned Honeymoon Suites offers an intimate and romantic bush escape. Two sets of double doors open onto a private verandah and frame outstanding views from the lodge. The bathroom, with both indoor and outdoor showers, offers a wide range of luxurious amenities and fittings to ensure utmost comfort. And a free-standing Victorian ball-and-claw bath tub, and double basins.
Recline on a plush armchair or stretch out on the luscious four-poster, king-sized bed. With front row seats to the vibrant bush. This is truly one of the most luxurious Kruger National Park honeymoon destinations.
Special dinners can be arranged on the private verandahs for romantic, candle-lit moments spent under the African night sky. Our expert spa therapists are also available for treatments and massages within the comfort of your own suite.
Some of the other standout amenities include Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffee machine, fully stocked mini-bar, robes, mosquito repellent, an umbrella and hairdryer. The perfect choice for your Kruger National Park honeymoon.
Ultimate honeymoon safari lodge
Waterbuck Private Camp
Waterbuck Private Camp is set on the banks of the dry Nhlaralumi River. It offers excellent game viewing opportunities. Subtly blended into the natural environment, this private camp reflects the charm and romance of a bygone era. With dark tones of antique wood and thatch, and small relics representing the area’s history.
The 4 bedroom private camp offers luxury at its best. With all modern conveniences and a dedicated team to assist with your every need. A ranger, tracker, villa host and chef are available throughout your stay. Complete with a private game vehicle. You can indulge and set the pace of your exclusive safari. Times and length of your game drive are in your hands. Spend the entire day out in the bush stopping for a decadent picnic or dinner in a river bed. Enjoy both a game drive and walk. Or, spend the entire day lazing around the pool soaking up the sights and sounds. Here, you have the luxury and privilege of choice.
Sumptuous world-class cuisine can be enjoyed in the elegant dining room, and boma. Or on the private viewing deck under starry African skies. The outdoor living area features a sparkling pool, and a viewing deck. Complete with a fireplace and a generous dining area. The ideal spot to end off an eventful day in the bush.
Private entertainment and dining deck
Guests are welcome to use the gym and spa at Kings Camp. Treatments are also available in the privacy of your suite at Waterbuck.
Children of all ages are welcome. Activities are tailor-made to suit your children’s ages.
Waterbuck Accommodation
Accommodation at Waterbuck consists of an opulent Master Suite. With an open-plan bathroom and a comfortable viewing lounge on the top floor. On the ground floor, on either side of the lounge and kitchen area, are 2 x Luxury Suites. A detached Luxury Garden Suite completes the accommodation for a maximum of 8 guests. Waterbuck is available for exclusive bookings only. Making it perfect for families and small group safaris.
Waterbuck Master Suite
Each bathroom is equipped with Victorian baths, indoor showers, and double sinks. The downstairs suites also have outdoor showers. Each suite has a flat screen TV with satellite network, DVD player, telephone, safe, complimentary water bottles and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Luxury suite
Activities
The Timbavati lies approximately 450 km north-east of Johannesburg and this area is referred to as the Greater Kruger Conservancy. A Big 5 reserve, the Timbavati is especially well known for its frequent elephant sightings. As well as leopard and the rare African wild dog.
Morning & Afternoon Game Drives
Twice daily game drives are conducted at Kings Camp in customised luxury game viewing vehicles. All drives are led by qualified professional guides and trackers. Tea, coffee and biscuits are served on morning drives. Canapés and sundowners are served on afternoon drives.
Lion on game drive
Private Safaris
Private safaris offer the ultimate flexibility and exclusivity for game viewing activities on a Kings Camp safari. A private guide and vehicle is the best way for you to set your own pace. Especially for avid photographers and specialist bird watching. Private safaris are also an excellent option for families with younger children. Activities can be tailored to their interests and timetables without interfering with anyone else.
Buffalo
Game Walks
Game Walks through the bush take place just after breakfast, on request. Uncover this aspect of the fauna and flora of the Timbavati Nature Reserve with a knowledgeable ranger. You will be amazed to discover animal tracks, dung, insects and trees. And how they all play a part in an intricate ecological web. For safety reasons, children under 16 years of age are not permitted on walks.
Photographic Safaris
The Greater Kruger Park is renowned as one of the best places in Africa to photograph the Big 5. The Timbavati is unmatched for the high quality of wildlife sightings, professional guiding and custom vehicles. That will help to ensure that you always have an uninhibited view of your subject. Whether you’re interested in capturing birds, big game or even the beautiful landscape of the Timbavati. Photographic safaris at Kings Camp offer a world-class experience behind the lens.
Photographic safari
Underground Hide
The underground hide – The Kings Warren – is perfectly positioned on the edge of the waterhole. Offering an eye-level, up-close wildlife viewing experience. The air conditioned Kings Warren offers comfortable seating for up to 10 people. There are power points for charging devices, and a refreshment station. Vast windows with one-way photographic glass and two cameras streamed to flat screen TVs. To warn photographers of wildlife approaching.
Hide Interior
Bird Watching
Avid bird-watchers will struggle to replicate the quality of bird watching in the Timbavati. The Reserve is brimming with a number of species, both endemic and migratory that are a must-see for keen birders. Sightings range from the largest flightless bird, the ostrich, to the smallest sunbirds. And highlights include black flycatcher, Harlequin quail and little bittern.
The Lodge itself is a good birding base. Especially in the summer months when woodland kingfishers and red-headed weavers nest in the camp. The Timbavati has an abundance of large diurnal raptors. Cuckoos and their antics with their brood hosts are a regular sighting. And the Great Spotted Cuckoo is common due to the prevalence of its host the Burchells Starling. While out exploring the Drakensberg escarpment, Blackfronted Bush Shrike or Narina Trogon would be a great find.
A three day record spotting is standing at around 175 species found across the various habitats in the reserve. Birding outside of summer is thoroughly enjoyable with more comfortable temperatures. Sightings include host of resident birds such as Hornbills, Rollers and Shrikes. In July, August and September Owls are breeding and can be located on their nests. Verraux’s Eagle Owl is the easiest one to spot – they have a deep grunting call which carries long distances. They attract a lot of unwanted attention and are harassed by Grey Goaway birds. These owls often make use of Vulture or Wahlberg Eagle nests.
Double-banded sandgrouse
A 3 day Birding Safari is also offered:
More Information on the Birding Safari ↓
Day 1 & 2 – Timbavati Birding & Game Viewing
Spend two days exploring bushveld birds at Kings Camp. Either in an open safari vehicle or by foot. Search for an array of species through a variety of habitats. Such as Bush Willow/Mopane Woodlands, Olifants River Rugged Veld and Thornveld Gabbro soils.
Day 3 – Drakensberg Forest Escarpment
After breakfast, join a trip up Mariepskop/Blyde River Canyon for forest and mountain bird sightings. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the mountains.
Rhino Chipping Experience
Participate directly in the conservation effort to save the rhinos of South Africa. To assist with the rhino poaching, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is darting and micro-chipping their rhino population.
Guests at Kings Camp are invited to participate in locating and darting the rhino. And assisting with tasks such as keeping the rhino cool and checking its temperature. An expert wildlife vet will be on hand to explain the process throughout. And offer opportunities to take photographs with the endangered animal.
This is a part of ongoing efforts to build a national DNA database of all South Africa’s rhinos.
It’s all about gathering enough information about each creature to potentially build watertight cases against criminals. Should these animals be targeted. Any horns recovered by police in future would then be analyzed by forensic laboratories. And then matched against the growing national database.
This is not an income producing project for the reserve. But a genuine conservation project. Where the goal is to give back to nature by chipping as many rhinos as possible. Your involvement in this anti-poaching drive will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This activity needs to be booked and planned in advance, and is subject to availability. The Rhino Chipping Experiences take place in the cooler months – between May and September.
Rhino Chipping
Yoga Safari
Enjoy a 3-night Yoga Safari Experience at Waterbuck Private Camp.
There is no better place on earth to experience Yoga than in the heart of the African Wilderness. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned Yogi. This experience will bring you close to nature and relax your mind, body and spirit. The combination of Yoga, safari, bush walks and spa treatments align perfectly with amazing meals, prepared with seasonal local produce by your private chef.
Yoga safari
More Information on the 3-night Yoga Safari Experience Example Itinerary ↓
The activities can be tailored to your interests. Additional days can be added for more safaris, yoga, walks and spa treatments.
Day 1
Arrive at the Villa for a delicious buffet lunch.
Head out into the African bush for a safari. Combined with a relaxing sunset yoga session with your private instructor.
After safari return to the villa for a pre-dinner drink and canapes. Before sitting down to your evening meal on the viewing deck.
Day 2
Morning bush walk with your private guide
After your walk enjoy a yoga session in the bush followed by a continental bush breakfast served in the wild.
Back at the villa enjoy a 1-hour detoxing massage done by our professional spa therapists.
Late afternoon is lunch time and then prepare for an exciting afternoon safari.
On return from safari enjoy a pre-dinner South African wine tasting. Before sitting down to some more delicious food in fine dining style in the dining room.
Day 3
Head out for a morning safari and yoga session in the bush.
Return to the villa for breakfast.
Enjoy a relaxing day by the pool. Maybe a visit to the gym or just sit and relax with a good book.
After lunch head out for a safari. Return to the villa at sunset for a yoga session followed by a cocktail or 2. Before a traditional South African boma meal cooked on the open fire.
Day 4
Before departing wake up your body with a morning sunrise yoga flow at the villa. Followed by a safari. Arrive back at the villa for breakfast on the deck.
Dining
Indulge in a decadent dining experience in the bush at Kings Camp Private Game Reserve. Dining options include fine dining in the elegant dining room, laid-back lunches on the patio, or traditional boma dinners. Breakfasts in the bush and private dinners on the verandah of your suite. Chefs do their utmost to accommodate guests with specialist dietary requirements (allergies, vegetarian and plant based diets etc).
The passionate team at Kings Camp are putting the Lodge on the Vegan Safari map. They will ensure guests who follow strict plant-based diets have every detail taken care of. They have created innovative, delicious vegan and plant-based meal options. These amazing creations are a permanent feature on the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Which also allows other guests the opportunity to try them out. Food is an important component on safari, so Kings Camp will make sure every meal and snack is vegan friendly.
Vegan dining
Kosher Safari
Kings Camp offers the Kosher traveler a unique opportunity to enjoy the splendors of the African bush. While indulging in top quality gourmet Kosher cuisine. Prepared fresh on site, under the strictest Kashrut regulations.
All catering is done through a licensed Mashgiach in a fully-equipped Kosher kitchen. Certified by the Beth-Din Council of South Africa. Meat and other products, as well as wines, juices, beers and other drinks will be fully Kosher.
Kings Camp goes to great lengths to ensure your Kosher safari complies with your religious principles. We will establish your specific needs prior to your arrival to assure your stay is stress-free. Leaving you with time to soak up enjoy our special corner of Africa. Surcharge applies for Kosher Services.
Kings Camp Private Game Reserve Accommodation Rates
1st January – 31st December 2024: R16 000 per person sharing
Children aged from 6 – 12 years pay 50% if they share a suite with 2 full paying guests. Otherwise the full adult rate applies. The child sharing at 50% will be seated in the middle seat. Between the 2 adults on the game drive vehicles. Please Note: No single supplement for the first single suite confirmed in any one reservation. Second single suite or more pay a 50% supplement on the per person sharing rate.
Waterbuck Private Camp Accommodation Rates
1st January – 31st December 2024: R150 000 for 1 – 8 adults.
Rates Include / Exclude
Rates Include: Luxury accommodation. Three meals daily. Tea & Coffee. Two game drives per day. Optional walking safaris. All beverages excluding premium brands, wines from the wine cellar and champagne. Complimentary Kings Camp airstrip transfers.
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