About

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Buffalos, lions, giraffes, wildebeest, impalas, baboons, cheetahs, leopards, and the rare white lion – the list of wildlife in the Timbavati Game Reserve is mind-blowing and goes on and on.

 

This private game reserve, adjacent to Kruger, has over 40 mammals roaming freely. Covering 75.000 hectares of bush, you will experience a more intimate and personal affair with wildlife than anywhere else. Being in a private game reserve, jeeps are allowed to go off-road – in contrast to Kruger Park where vehicles are restricted to paved roads – and get much closer to animals.

 

The bright white icing on the cake in Timbavati Game Reserve is the presence of the rare white lion. A crème-coloured coat, ice blue eyes; their beauty is captivating. Although born with a snow-white coat, white lions are not albinos; it is the result of a rare colour mutation. White lions are indigenous to the Timbavati Game Reserve and the earliest records of sighting them in this region date from 1938.

 

Luckily, thier colouration doesn’t appear to be of disadvantage when it comes to survival. The Global White Lion Protection Trust (GWLPT) reintroduced white lions into their natural habitat in 2009, and they have been hunting and breeding successfully ever since. To prevent the spread of diseased animals, a fence erected along the Kruger Park’s boundary in the 1960s, blocked migration routes as well.

 

Due to an agreement of all parties in 1999, the fence was taken down. Now, no fences separate Timbavati’s 75.000 hectares from the Kruger Park, so herds are free to track along the ancient paths they roamed for ages. In the Timbavati Game Reserve, wildlife can be viewed up close, since vehicles are allowed to approach animals within six meters.

 

Beside the Big Five and dozens of other mammals, here is one exclusively for the birdwatchers among us.Get your cameras ready for the ‘Big Six’: Lappet faced Vulture, Martial Eagle; Saddle billed Stork, Kori Bustard, Ground Hornbill and Pel’s Fishing Owl. Africa’s most intriguing feather friends!

Why this photo safari is for you
 

• Premium location for excellent encounters with the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and much much more!
   

• Possibiity for encountering the rare white lion
   

• Accommodation in an eco-friendly game lodge, set deep in the bush.​
   

• Potential for off-road driving and night drives, to ensure best game viewing.
   

• Private vehicle and field guide for entire duration.
   

• Small and intimate group size for maximum comfort and space.
   

• Photographic guidance and tuition throughout.

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• Two game drives per day in the morning and afternoon, with free time and tuition in between.
   

• Potential for off-road driving and partial night drives, to ensure best game viewing.
   

• Private vehicle and field guide for entire duration.
   

• Small and intimate group size for maximum comfort and space.
   

• Photographic guidance and tuition throughout from your private photographic host, Samuel Cox.

Trip breakdown
 

• Duration:
  7 day / 6 night duration
   

• Safari Destination:
  Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa
   

• Meetup location:
  Hoedspruit Airport
   

• Price:
  GBP £2,900 per per sharing
  GBP £3,500 single supplement
   

• Price includes:
  + Hoedspruit airport pick up and drop off
  + Ground transfers to and from Timbavati
  + Six nights in Timbavati
  + All meals, tea and coffee in Timbavati
  + All game drives (2 per day)
  + All conservation levies and gate fees
  + Photographic tuition and guidance throughout
  
   

• Price excludes:
  - Any accommodation or travel outside of itinerary
  - Drinks (available as extra purchase at bar)
  - Laundry
  - Items of a personal nature
  - Tips for local guides and lodge staff
  - Travel insurance