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. Trails Camp borders, without fences, an unspoilt wilderness area of 11,000 hectares in the Kruger National Park.
There is no electricity, WiFi 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 really 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.
Our Meru tents are surprisingly spacious with proper furniture. The back of the tent opens out to your private al fresco en suite ‘bathroom to the stars’. Here is a compostable toilet (eco-friendly), a basin with water. And a traditional bucket shower, which is filled with hot water on demand.
The aim of a walking safari is 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.
Several times a week, dinner in the camps is a more hearty, campfire style meal served under the stars in a ‘boma’, a circular enclosure originally made from branches. The cosy, lantern-lit ambience recalls the early days of safari pioneers.
Another authentic safari experience is dining out under the star in a boma (an enclosed circular dining area) around the campfire. This usually takes place every 2nd night. The gentle flicker of lanterns, candle-light and a welcoming open fire truly conjures up what is magical about a safari.
