Shindzela Tented Camp

Shindzela Tented Camp (named after the Honey badger in the African Shangaan language) is an authentic tented Safari camp set on wooden decks each with their own en-suite shower, toilet and hand basin. Shindzela Tented Safari Camp is situated in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, South Africa.

It is from here that Shindzela brings you an affordable wildlife safari, where you can explore the African wilderness on game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles and on foot during our walking safaris. Safari activities are conducted by professional and knowledgeable safari guides. The camp has an informal, relaxed atmosphere, and is alive with warm African hospitality.

Shindzela Tented Camp offers guests a greater Kruger wildlife safari, in an unfenced wilderness environment. We have no power: instead we use solar powered lights, gas geysers and candles. We are undisturbed by some of the modern conveniences such as television and telephones, preferring to immerse ourselves in the African wilderness. Shindzela also has a swimming pool in camp where guests can relax and overlook our small watering hole. The camp accommodates just 16 guests, and offers both walking safaris, and game drives twice daily.

Shindzela Safari Activities:
Shindzela Tented Camp offers both game drives and walking Safaris. Each nature encounter places an emphasis on understanding the wild environment, and tracking and viewing animals in their natural surroundings. (As we are a small camp, we are able to accommodate a guests preference of activity, be it a walking safari or game drive safari). Game drives are conducted in open 4x4 Land Rovers, allowing guests maximum visibility for game viewing.

Guests choosing a walking safari activity should be prepared to walk anywhere from 2 2.5 hours on a trail. All walking trails are led by an experienced armed lead trails & back up trails guides. A maximum of 8 guests make up a trail. Guides will give guests a thorough safety briefing before starting, so that they are comfortable with the rules and safety instructions pertaining to their walking trail. (Please note that during summer the walking safari may be shorter in duration, due to the thick bush and summer heat)

Game viewing activities are conducted in the early mornings and late afternoons. Safari activities begin at dawn, and guests return to camp mid morning. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in camp. In the afternoon, depending on the animal movements in the area, guides may suggest a game drive and short walk, followed by sun downers and a night safari game drive.

Shindzela Tented Safari Camps main focus is to provide all our guests with facts and knowledge of each animal, be it the small ones right through to the big guys. We do not only concentrate on the famous Big 5 even though we are in the heart of a big 5 area, but also focus on what makes up our glorious African wilderness.

Shindzela Tented Safari Camp Accommodation:
Shindzela is a comfortable tented bush camp, set on the banks of a dry riverbed, facing a small watering hole. We offer an authentic African safari experience in an unfenced, private and natural wilderness environment.

Our Safari Tents can either be made up in twin or double bed accommodation, set on wooden platforms. Each tent has a wooden entrance door, adjustable canvas flaps for windows, and mesh to keep insects out. Each tent has a thatch (grass) roof and porch, designed to keep the tents cool in summer. Tents have solar lighting, and are equipped with all bedding, mosquito net and towels. Each Safari tent has got an en-suite bathroom that is made from reeds/wood and features a shower (hot and cold water), hand basin and flush toilet.

8 Safari Tents
Twin/Double/Single bed canvas safari tent set on wooden deck with en-suite bathroom/shower, toilet and hand basin.

The general bush camp area encompasses of a covered (thatch/grass roof) safari style dining area and lounge, kitchen, staff accommodation and a central African fireplace a perfect spot to relive safari experiences around the fire. Your African safari is hosted by a guide and tracker, and the camp is owner managed. We do operate a bar, where guests can ask their guide/tracker for a drink, all our non-alcoholic drinks are included in your nightly rate, and all alcoholic drinks can be settled in cash/credit card (Visa or MasterCard only) at camp upon check out.

We have deliberately decided to keep the camp undeveloped, so as to better blend in to the environment, and offer guests an undisturbed wilderness experience.

Typical day on safari:
All safari activities are led by a professional, experienced safari guide who is armed. Your safari generally begins at dawn with a wake up call at 05h00 (06h00 in winter). Enjoy a welcome cup of tea or coffee, before setting out.

Your safari guide will give you a thorough safety briefing before your safari activity, so that you are comfortable with the rules and safety instructions pertaining to your game drive or bush walk. Please feel free to ask questions at any time. Please do remember that you are viewing animals in their natural, wild environment, and it is important to listen to your guide at all times. There is ample opportunity to stop during the activity, and examine interesting features of the bush, to observe animals and learn more about the African bush.

Return to camp mid morning, and enjoy a hearty brunch, prepared by our safari cook. Its then time to relax in camp, before joining us in the dining room for a late lunch. During the afternoons, depending on the animal movements in the area, your guide may suggest a game drive and short walk, followed by sun downers and a night safari game drive. Our timetable and activities during a safari are primarily determined around game viewing.

The best time to view game on your African safari, are the early hours of the morning and during the late afternoon. This is when most game are active during the heat of the day, many animals tend to seek shade and are less active. Night game drives with a spotlight bring you in to contact with nocturnal animals such as Bush babies, Civets, Genets, African wild cats, Porcupines and so forth.

The Timbavati, greater Kruger National Park:
The Timbavati Private Game Reserve, South Africa, is home to a myriad of mammal species, including Africas Big Five animals (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant). Other species of game that you may encounter whilst on safari include hyena, jackal, giraffe, hippo, wild dog, zebra, kudu and impala, to mention just a few. There are over 350 bird species recorded in the area. The Timbavati Reserve is open to the Kruger National Park, providing animals with a vast expanse of wilderness in which to roam, free of fences. There are numerous advantages to enjoying a safari in a well known Private Game Reserve, which is part of the greater Kruger National Park:

Shindzela is situated in a private concession area within the Timbavati Reserve - this means we are able to offer our guests a number of distinct advantages for their wildlife safari:
- We are able to offer true walking safaris in a Big Five Reserve
- The camp is unfenced, making it very much part of the wilderness
- We can stay out later on activities, including night drives and spend more time at each sighting
- We are permitted to drive off road into the bush in search of predators and / or unusual sightings

Whilst we make every effort to seek out the Big Five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino), we focus on the whole safari environment, showing appreciation for all aspects of the wilderness animal behaviour and habitat, trees, insect and plant life, as well as viewing all the other species of game found in the bush. Animals are free to roam in vast areas this is not an area of managed sightings, but rather a true wilderness experience, with natural movement of game.

What to bring on safari:
Torch, comfortable closed walking shoes, socks, sandals, neutral coloured (khaki, olive, brown and stone colours) safari clothing: 2 or 3 pairs long pants, 2 or 3 pairs shorts, t shirts / tops, fleece (jumper), light weight raincoat, 2 long sleeved tops for (evening game drives), wide brimmed hat, sun block, sunglasses, personal amenities, insect repellent, reading material. During the winter months (May Sept), please add a track suit, beanie, scarf, gloves and a warm fleece. Do not forget a camera and / or video, and please bring spare batteries.

Extras: All activities meals, teas/coffees, water and non-alcoholic drinks are included in your safari fare. All alcoholic drinks are for your own account. Drinks bills can be settled in cash/credit card, as well as the Timbavati Conservation fee of R170.00 per person once off payable in cash/credit card at camp and R120.00 per vehicle once off payable at the Entrance gate upon your arrival.