simbavati trails camp

Simbavati Trails Camp is a gem; a luxury-yet-back-to-basics walking trails camp located in a secluded area of the Timbavati Game Reserve.

It’s all about guided walks with expert guides, one of the most stimulating and enthralling forms of safari.

Simbavati Trails Camp borders, without fences, an unspoiled wilderness area of 11,000 hectares in the Kruger National Park.

There is no electricity, Wi-Fi, or cell phone reception. Just you, in the heart of an untamed African wildlife wonderland.

Hearty and delicious meals are prepared over an open fire by an expert cook.

The minimum stay is two nights.

But to appreciate the rich but slower walking trail rhythm, we recommend a three-night stay.

Please note that the camp is only operational during the cooler autumn-to-spring days from March to November.

Accommodation at Simbavati Trails Camp:

Four en-suite Meru-style tents are surprisingly spacious with proper furniture and mosquito nets.

En-suite bathrooms have a proper flush toilet and a simple basin with a jug of hot water for washing.

The back of the tent opens out to your private alfresco en suite ‘bathroom to the stars’.

Here you find a gloriously simple bucket shower that is filled on demand with warm water.

In front of the tent, there is a small, shaded area with two chairs.

Safari’s at Simbavati Trails Camp:

A walking safari aims to gain a holistic understanding of the bush, led by an armed and specially trained walking guide.

The pace is relaxed, and your guide will often pause to talk about trees and bushes and their traditional and medicinal uses, dung middens, animal spoor, anthills, termite mounds, and more.

Whereas a game drive is very much about “spotting” and the sharp-eyed will get lots of kudos, a bush walk uses and sharpens all five senses.

Being on foot in the bush can be both grounding and thrilling at once, but always informative.

Without the hum of an engine, you will begin to notice all the sounds of the bush, from the serenading songbirds to the crackle of branches betraying elephants feeding in the distance. With our qualified walking guides, you will discover a sense of true connection with nature and you may even get the chance to view our larger game on foot.

Encounters with large animals are always possible but the objective is to observe the wildlife from a safe distance, rather than walk toward big game.

Getting to Simbavati Trails Camp:

You cannot drive to Simbavati Trails Camp, so we arrange complimentary scheduled transfers in and out of Trails Camp.

The collection time is 13:45 from Simbavati Hilltop Lodge.

Kindly note that there is only one daily return transfer.

An additional charge will be levied for any late arrivals into Hoedspruit as we will have to send a second vehicle.

From Hoedspruit:

Please DO NOT rely on your GPS after Hoedspruit.

It will lead you to the wrong lodge which will mean a two-hour detour.

Continuous

cellular telephone connection ends at the Enkhulu control gate.

There is no mobile network available in the reserve.

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

Drive through the Guernsey Access Control Gate.

Continue straight for approximately 18km until you reach the Enkhulu control gate of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

Here you will be required to pay an entrance fee. (This changes every year).

This gate is open from 6 am to 6 pm.

Please note that continuous cell phone reception ends here.

After the gate, you continue 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 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.