Nsala Safari Camp is located in a game-rich private game reserve sharing unfenced borders with the world-renowned Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve and the popular Kruger National Park. Nsala is an intimate and rustic bush camp hugged by marula and leadwood trees, and is perched on the banks of a dry riverbed overlooking a gentle s-bend in the meandering river.
The design of the camp is simple in its structure and offers all the charm of a bygone era while not compromising on modern comforts.
Nsala maintains a standard of comfortable luxury while simultaneously offering a completely eco-aware, off the grid experience for those seeking a safari that reduces their carbon footprint.
The camp sits on an elevated area guarded by a high-reaching thatched roof. 3 chalets flow out from the main section housing a swimming pool, lounge/dining area, and boma.
Each of the chalets is fully-enclosed and has a wooden glass sliding door.
The 5000 hectare traverse comprises mixed mopane bushveld, bushwillow and low-lying shrubbery typical of the Kruger savannah. Dry riverbeds shrouded in vegetation cut through the terrain, and provide the perfect hideaway for leopards and other predators to den their young.
Nsala offers an unrivalled game viewing experience in a concession considered a sanctuary for wildlife, and is also home to the big 5.
Nsala Safari Camp is the perfect hideaway for a simple safari experience where the focus is on game viewing and experiencing the Kruger in its entirety.
The camp is located about 60 km drive from Hoedspruit/Eastgate Airport and is an easy self-drive from Johannesburg. Guests access the camp via the Timbavati/Klaserie (Enkhulu Gate) Gate. There are 3 options for getting to camp : Self-drive, scheduled road transfer from O.R Tambo and flying directly into Hoedspruit Airport from one of the major South African International airports.
3 thatched chalets (rondawels) flow out from the main section housing a swimming pool, lounge/dining area, and boma.
Each of the chalets is fully-enclosed and has a wooden glass sliding door leading out onto a small patio area complete with table and chairs for relaxation.
Decor is subdued with a light colour palette carried throughout – there’s plenty of crisp, white linen adorning the beds, monochromatic wildlife images adorning the walls and furniture designed from a mix of wood grains. There’s plenty of storage space, and a stand-alone unit complete with shelves and hanging space.
The bathroom is located in a separate room, and has a toilet, sink, bathroom furniture and an expansive shower.
The safari experience at Nsala provides ample game viewing opportunities with plenty of down time between game drives.
Game drives last for roughly 3 hours and include a coffee stop (morning game drive) and sundowner stop (evening game drive) during the drives. Drives happen when the predators are most active – at first light and last light. The hours in between drives can be spent relaxing at the pool, or reading a book on the deck overlooking the waterhole.
Following in the footsteps of the herbivorous mammals are the carnivorous species of the South African bush. Lion, leopard, hyena, cheetah, African wild dog, and the Nile crocodile are some of the prominent predators residing in the Kruger region. Smaller predators include jackal, mongoose, civet, and genet, among others. With the numerous riverbeds in the area, it means plenty of den sites for big cats.
Some of the world’s largest mammals find their home in South Africa, where elephant, giraffe, hippo, buffalo, and rhino reside in the wild Kruger Park. Game drives in this reserve lead to unforgettable sightings of these large species, in addition to general game, such as zebra, impala, kudu, gnu, waterbuck, bushbuck, duiker, and steenbok. There is an abundance of elephant in the area and they often approach the camp to drink from the swimming pool. Both buffalo and elephant congregate at the small waterhole in front of camp.
The habitat accommodates a complete smorgasbord of birder’s delights. Water birds such as herons, storks, plovers, spoonbills, and sandpipers are common along dam edges; kingfishers, orioles, robins, chats, larks, cisticolas, and coucals are some of the veld and woodland birds around; while birds of prey are seen and heard throughout the day.
