SIMBAVATI MVUBU COTTAGE

Simbavati Mvubu Cottage is a picturesque cottage in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, with views of the untouched African bush.

Mvubu Cottage is located alongside the expansive Mbali Dam and the Nhlaralumi River.

This luxurious cottage has a quaint, restful impression with two suites and a pool overlooking the dam and river.

Wake up to the sounds of the hippos in the distance, with the familiar bird twittering surrounding the cottage.

The Timbavati forms part of the Greater Kruger Park and offers exceptional game viewing including the Big Five, most notably leopard, and wild dog.

Twice-daily game drives provide for close encounters with birds and animals, large and small.

Accommodation at Simbavati Mvubu Cottage in Timbavati:

There are two bedrooms.

Both have king-sized beds which can be changed to twin.

Both rooms are en-suite with one having an outdoor shower.

In-room facilities include the following.

• Ceiling fan
• Bar in Cottage
• Coffee and tea-making facilities
• Bathroom – bath, double vanity, shower, outdoor shower in one bedroom
• Complimentary eco-friendly amenities
• Room equipped with electronic eco-friendly insect spray (1 min intervals)
• Hairdryer
• Electric blankets for winter
• Laundry service – laundry bag in the room

Safari at Simbavati Mvubu Cottage in Timbavati:

Timbavati Game drives take place in the early morning and late afternoon when the animals are naturally most active.

Key to the experience is your English-speaking guide who works closely with a tracker from the local Shangaan community.

This duo pools their knowledge, experience, and fresh observations to maximise your wildlife sightings.

Their passion is in seeking out a variety of wildlife for guests to see as well as ensuring a rewarding, informative, and invigorating overall experience.

Your guide is often a keen photographer and will be conscious and considerate if your mission is to capture sightings on camera.

The afternoon drive often ends after the sun sets, offering guests a glimpse into nocturnal bush life.

With the help of a spotlight, guests may spot a hunter on the prowl or one of the shy animals that only operate after dark.

Your mode of transport, (or chariot as one of our guides likes to call it), is an open-sided 4×4 game vehicle with 3 rows of comfortable bucket seats in tiers.

You generally head out with a maximum of 8 guests.

This offers safe, yet close wildlife encounters.

Guests sit up high for the best ‘spotting’ of birds and animals.

There are no sides to inhibit your views and you naturally feel more in tune with nature.

In the summer months, a shade top is added to protect against the African sun, but in winter it is open to the skies for the best bird-viewing and stargazing.

Your guide helps you to interpret what you see.

They also communicate with other vehicles by radio to keep in touch with sightings nearby.

The tracker, seated in the hot seat at the front of the vehicle, tunes into clues offered by the bush.

It may be the spoor of a big cat on the hunt.

Perhaps a fresh scent mark on a shrub, a muddy patch on a tree left by an itchy rhino, or a tell-tale sign where a kill has been dragged into the bush.

But it is not just about game viewing.

You’ll start to tune into the sights and sounds of the bush, traversing the land and soaking it all in whilst you stop for a morning coffee or a sundowner in a beautiful spot.

Our vehicles come equipped with blankets, bird books, binoculars, water and refreshments. However, we do recommend that you bring your own binoculars for maximum enjoyment.

The Timbavati Private Game Reserve offers an exclusive safari wilderness.

There are never more than two vehicles at a sighting.

So you don’t have to jostle for positions as you may do in a national park.

Boma and Campfire Dining at Simbavati Mvubu Cottage:

Several times a week, dinner in the camps is a heartier, campfire-style meal served under the stars in a ‘boma’, a circular enclosure originally made from branches.

The cosy, lantern-lit ambiance recalls the early days of safari pioneers.

Another authentic safari experience is dining out under the star in a boma (an enclosed circular dining area) around the campfire.

This usually takes place every 2nd night.

The gentle flicker of lanterns, candlelight, and a welcoming open fire truly conjures up what is magical about a safari.

This is a convivial affair with traditional local dishes cooked over an open fire.

Most of the dishes will be recognisable, but you are welcome to try some traditional African delicacies such as pap and chakalaka.

Naturally, this is a meat-eaters’ delight.

But vegetarians are well-taken care of as well.

Health & Wellness at Simbavati Mvubu Cottage in Timbavati:

Why does a safari spa experience work so well?

It’s probably because the combined mix of being surrounded by nature and pampering relaxation has such a restorative effect on your well-being.

Plus, the relaxing and unhurried hours between game drives offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy an in-room spa treatment.

The added plus of an in-room treatment is that you can fall asleep afterward if you so wish!

To pay homage to our unparalleled cultural heritage, our highly skilled therapists offer a selection of traditional African massages and other treatments.

All are aimed at relaxing and rejuvenating your mind, body, and spirit.

Choose from a range of massages, facials, and hand and foot treatments, all using luxurious Healing Earth products.

Directions to Simbavati Mvubu Cottage in Timbavati:

Directions from Hoedspruit Airport

As you exit the Airport, turn left for Timbavati Game Reserve onto Argyle Road.

Continue until you reach the Enkhulu control gate of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

Please note that continuous cell phone reception ends here.

Aim to arrive by 2.30 pm, if possible so that you have ample time to settle in before the game drive.

If you are going to be late due to unforeseen circumstances, please let us know at (015) 793-9021.

After the gate, you continue on the tar road for approximately 37km.

Please ensure that you keep to the speed limit (50km/hour) and do not get out of your car.

On the way, you will see the turnoff for Simbavati River Lodge.

Do NOT turn it in here.

You will later cross a low water bridge just before the entrance to Ingwelala Game Lodge.

After another 800 meters, you will see the Simbavati Hilltop sign on your right.

Turn right onto a gravel track.

Follow the Simbavati Hilltop Lodge paw print signs on the trees/side of the road to the lodge (for approximately 10km).

Please keep a careful lookout for all signs, as the elephants sometimes knock them.

Please do not rely on your GPS after Hoedspruit.

Their directions are incorrect, and this could mean a two-hour detour.