UMLANI BUSHCAMP

Umlani Bushcamp was founded in 1989 by Marco and Marie-Louise Schiess in the central section of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

In 1993, the fences between the Timbavati and the Kruger were removed to allow for wildlife migration, and this pristine wilderness area became known as the Greater Kruger National Park.

Marco and Marie-Louise’s wish was to encapsulate their vision of a true African adventure in the very spirit and experience of the camp itself.

They wanted the camp to blend in with the environment and as a result, the entire bush camp is built from natural materials in a traditional African style. 

Our beautifully designed eco lodge is off the grid and beaten tourist track, offering intimate and thrilling wildlife encounters, award-winning meals, and a chance to reconnect with nature in one of Africa’s world-renowned, unspoiled wilderness reserves.

Accommodation at Umlani Bushcamp in Timbavati:

Umlani Bushcamp in Timbavati accommodates guests in traditional African reed and thatch huts as well as an Eco Rondavel, which all blend naturally with the environment and provide pure comfort.

All accommodation options have en-suite facilities including open-air bush showers for the ultimate stargazing experience. 

They also offer comfortable beds, crisp white linen, soft towels, mosquito netting, insect repellent, and standard bathroom amenities.

There is also complimentary bottled water, although the tap water is perfectly safe to drink.

Double Huts:

The four double huts come with double beds and en-suite facilities including an open-air bush shower.

Comfortably fitted with white mosquito nets, crisp white linen, and towels as well as with standard bathroom amenities, the huts also have bottled water (although the tap water is perfectly safe to drink) and insect repellent.

A maximum of two guests.

Family Huts:

The four family huts each come with a double and two single beds, en-suite facilities including an open-air bush shower.

The huts are comfortably fitted with white mosquito nets, crisp white linen, and towels as well as with standard bathroom amenities, bottled water (although the tap water is perfectly safe to drink), and insect repellent. 

Each family hut can accommodate a maximum of four guests.

Eco Huts:

Built to enhance thermal storage qualities, it is lovely and warm when cold outside and much cooler when hot outside.

Same “close to nature” experience with an outdoor shower and bathroom but with little extra luxuries. Two guests can be accommodated in the Eco Rondavel.

Facilities at Umlani Bushcamp in Timbavati:

Umlani offers a wide array of facilities for our guest’s comfort and enjoyment of their stay. Besides our twice-a-day game drive excursions, our camp provides a tranquil environment for you to relax and rewind in a beautiful natural low-veld experience.

Below are details of the camp’s facilities for guests to enjoy during the day at our camp. 

• Umlani gift shop for all your Umlani souvenirs
• Traditional African boma/dining room serving award-winning meals.
• Babysitting and laundry services can be arranged by camp management.
• Pick up and drop off airport services.
• Pristine pool to cool you down on hot days.
• Bush bar and deck overlooking the nearby waterhole.
• Exclusive tree house 1.5 km away from camp for bush sleepouts

Activities at Umlani Bushcamp in Timbavati:

Umlani is renowned for our outstanding rangers and trackers, who will not only find you the game but will also introduce you to the wealth of flora, fauna, bird life, and cultural heritage of the region. 

You will be taken out on two game drives per day, in open-top 4-wheel drive vehicles.

The morning game drive will leave at dawn and the night drive will leave in the late afternoon. There is always a ranger on standby for an optional morning bush walk.

During the day you can go on short walks with the ranger after breakfast, or lounge in the hammocks around the swimming pool sipping your favourite drink.

Alternatively, laze away the day in our spacious bush bar and deck overlooking the riverbed and watering hole.

For exclusive tranquillity, there is a tree house about 2.5 km from the camp overlooking a dam, where we can leave you for an hour or two with blankets and big comfortable pillows as well as a cooler box with drinks.

In the evening you will be treated to pre-dinner drinks in the traditional boma around the fire, followed by one of Umlani’s award-winning meals in the candlelit dining room, or out in the open riverbed surrounded by flares and cauldron fires.

Getting to Umlani Bushcamp from Johannesburg:

Head north on the N1 towards Polokwane.

Continue through Polokwane taking the R71 (Phalaborwa Road) towards Tzaneen.

From Tzaneen follow road directions to Hoedspruit.
Travel 7 km from Hoedspruit and turn left towards Eastgate Airport.
Pass the Airport and continue straight through the main gate (R230 vehicle entrance fee)
Look for the Umlani sign on the left of the road – turn right and follow the wooden signage to the camp.