When the original dates of a private guided trip to Kruger National Park changed at the last minute, I found myself struggling to find accommodation in the area. To make things even worse, the new dates were over a long weekend! With just days to sort something out it looked like the trip was doomed. Luckily for me, the whole situation resolved itself when I stumbled across the Umlani Bush Camp’s website. The booking was made and the trip was on!
I was very impressed with all aspects of the camp and have decided to add this delightful bushcamp to the list of accommodation options as I feel it has so much to offer the first time safari traveller as well as the hardened wildlife enthusiast!
So here is this month’s destination review of the Umlani Bush Camp…
Location
Umlani Bush Camp is situated in the heart of the Timbavati Nature Reserve, a fairly relaxed 5-6 hour drive from Johannesburg. The Timbavati is incorporated into the world renowned Kruger National Park.
Accommodation
Umlani can accommodate up to 16 guests in 8 comfortable, environmentally friendly reed huts. There are 3 family units which sleep up to 4 people, 1 hut that sleeps 3 people, and four huts which sleep 2. Each hut is equipped with an en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower, as well as mosquito nets and storage space for clothes etc.
The camp is very environmentally friendly and runs without any electricity. Hot water is provided by means of a donkey boiler system (although the lodge is in the process of installing a solar hot water system and will use the donkey boiler system as a back up) which feeds through directly to each of the huts. Some may be a bit sceptical of this system but it works extremely well! I had hot water for each and every shower. Despite having a full camp during our stay, Umlani provided the peace and quiet that one wishes for when heading out to the bush. The huts are placed sufficiently far apart to ensure that you have your own privacy.
The camp is not fenced in although it does have an elephant wire which is a deterrent for the big elephants but does not keep any of the other animals and smaller elephants out. Guests are escorted to and from their rooms by the guides in the evenings. The rooms are beautifully lit with gas lamps at night, providing a romantic atmosphere whilst ensuring that the impact on the environment is kept to a minimum. Umlani Bushcamp is the 14th establishment to receive the prestigious Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa certification – a first for the Timbavati. Umlani was also awarded the Green Leaf by the Wilderness Foundation for its low environmental impact.
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Food
The food at Umlani is beyond what you would normally expect from a bush camp of this nature. Breakfasts include the usual cereals, fruit salad and yoghurts as well as a hot breakfast of your choice. Lunches covered a variety of baked home-made breads, pasta salads, spring rolls and cold meats with cheese platters. Traditional South African Braai’s were mixed with pasta and beef fillet with a red wine sauce, plenty of fresh green vegetables and even fish for those of the vegetarian persuasion.
All in all the meals were of a very high standard and I can guarantee that you wont go hungry! Umlani’s rates are fully inclusive and include a wide range of soft drinks, local alcoholic beverages and even spirits.
The Area
The Timbavati Nature Reserve borders directly on to the Kruger National Park, as well as the Klaserie and Thornybush Game Reserves.
The Reserve was established in 1956 by like-minded game farmers with the creation of the Timbavati Association. The association now has over 50 members and covers 53 000 hectares. The Timbavati is part of Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) and the fences separating Timbavati from the other member reserves in the APNR and from the Kruger National Park has been removed which means that wildlife, including lion, elephant, cheetah and other species roam freely between the these reserves. The camp itself is situated on the banks of the Shlaralumi river, a tributary of the Olifants River.
Most importantly, Umlani has negotiated traversing rights with a number of the private landowners in the regions, allowing them to cover an area of over 10 000 ha. This is incredibly important as many of the other private lodges do not have permission to traverse onto adjacent properties – once that leopard you were following crosses the road, that’s the end of that sighting!
Game Viewing
Over our three night stay we were treated to fantastic sightings of leopard (3 separate sightings), lions, large herds of Buffalo, Elephants (incredibly relaxed), White Rhino, Zebra, Giraffe, Impala, Spotted Hyena and a number of Duiker and Steenbok. Umlani uses local guides and trackers and our combination of Elvis and Robert were great at finding game as well as providing our group with interesting facts about the animals and the area.
Overall Experience
If you are looking for 5 star, luxurious accommodation with all the bells and whistles then Umlani is not for you. If however, you are looking for a comfortable yet rustic camp which seamlessly immerses you in nature, allows you to relax and unwind in the most beautiful of settings whilst giving you value for money, then look no further.
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Site : Moya Wa Tenga Safaris.
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Tags: Kruger, syndicated, Umlani Bush Camp
