Nsala Safari Camp - Timbavati

Following on from last week’s blog about a new camp within Zimbabwe, we have had news that there is another new camp that has popped up in the Timbavati region of South Africa. The Timbavati is an area of the wider Kruger National Park, it joins Sabi Sands as well as the Kruger National Park itself. This area is well known for its phenomenal game viewing opportunities, from herds of elephant, buffalo, impala, towering giraffe, prides of majestic lions, crashes of rhino and perhaps a sneak peck of the solitary leopard. This area is a must to visit, especially if it is your first time going on safari, you will not be disappointed by the Kruger, Timbavati and Sabi Sands area.

This new camp that has opened in the Timbavati area is called Nsala Safari Camp and located in a game-rich private game reserve sharing unfenced borders with the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, the Klasserie Priavte Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park. Nsala Safari Camp is an intimate and rustic bush camp hugged within the arm of the Marula and towering leadwood tree perched on the banks of a dry riverbed overlooking the gentle bend of the meandering river.

Nsala Safari Camp is nestled within 5,000 hectares of traverse, the majority of which is within the Timbavati and comprises of a mixture of bushveld interspersed with dry riverbeds and riverine vegetation. Nsala Safari Camp offers unparalleled game viewing opportunities in a concession considered a sanctuary for wildlife.

The camp itself is extremely small and boutique, consisting of three thatched chalets (or traditionally called Rondavels) which flow out from the main section housing a swimming pool, sitting room and open dining area including a boma so that guests can snuggle up, gin and tonic in hand around the warmth of the fire in the cool evening air of South Africa. Each of the three chalets are fully enclosed with wooden glass sliding doors leading onto a small patio area complete with comfortable chairs perfect for relaxing after your morning game drive – or any other time to be honest!

The overall décor of the camp and chalets is subdued with a light colour palette carried throughout, incorporating natural colours inspired by the surrounding bush. There are plenty of crisp, white linen sheets adorning the beds, stunning photography of local wildlife adorning the walls and cosy furniture. There is plenty of storage throughout your room, a stand-alone unit complete with shelves and hanging space. The bathroom is located in a separate room with flushing loo, running water, sink and bathroom furniture with the piece de résistance being the vast shower.

Adding to the news of this exciting new boutique camp, there has been an update with two cheetah brothers that were re-introduced to the area and we have news that they have successfully made their first kill! This, we are told, is a major milestone in terms of cheetahs natural and wild behaviour. The best part about this exciting new is that the two brothers took down a huge Hartebeest and definitely not ‘textbook’ size prey for cheetahs – they normally go after impala! So, we are mightily impressed!