Simbavati Trails Camp

serious safari for more outdoorsy guests

Simbavati Trails Camp is located in the Timbavati Reserve in the Kruger area of South Africa.

Much more reminiscent of the kind of properties we are used to seeing in East Africa , this deliciously simple camp is centred on a traditional mess tent, with comfortable lounge and dining areas, leading out to a campfire.

It is worth pointing out that the climate here in Kruger is much more variable than further north on the continent, to a simple camp like this (as much as we love it) will pose challenges at certain times of year. We definitely recommend sticking to the May-Sep cool dry season. It will be chilly at night, but nothing that a hot water bottle won’t solve. The converse hot rainy season represents much more of a challenge.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Simbavati Trails Camp is in just four classic safari tents, each with comfortable beds and a private outdoor bathroom.

Activities

Simbavati Trails Camp is specifically focused on walking safari …

• Walking safari
• Bush meals

For this reason, the camp is almost always combined with at least one other property, usually beforehand, so that you can for some serious wildlife viewing by vehicle before coming here.

The Timbavati Reserve is one of the largest and best known private safari areas in the Kruger area. It is somewhere that features regularly in trips, often in combination with the even better known Sabi Sand area.

The usual stay duration is 3-4 nights.

Seasonality

The best time to visit Kruger is generally considered to be the May-Oct dry season, but (surprisingly) the reserve remains popular year round.

Safari in the Kruger area is much more seasonal than most people would lead you to believe. Trip planning is complicated by the fact that the seasons here are almost diametrically opposite to those down in Cape Town (with which the area is most commonly combined in trips).

Dry winter : Jun/Sep

This period is characterised by a cool dry winter which is generally considered to be the best time for wildlife viewing, although day length is relatively short and nights can get very cold. Unfortunately it does coincide with a more conventional cool wet winter in Cape Town.

Hot transition : Oct/Nov

This is the start of the hot wet summer. Wildlife viewing is usually very strong, but temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high in advance of the first rains, which usually arrive mid November to cool things down. This coincides with a usually pleasant spring season in Cape Town. October therefore represents an interesting compromise month.

Wet summer : Dec/Mar

This period is characterised by a hot wet summer, which is generally considered to be the most challenging time for wildlife viewing, although sightings should remain reliable in the premium areas. Day length is nice and long, but temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high and rain can be a major issue. However these potentially adverse conditions happen to coincide with a hot dry summer in Cape Town.

Cool transition : Apr/May

This is a period of transition between the hot wet summer and the cool dry winter, with wildlife viewing continuing to improve as the foliage dies back. Day length, temperatures and humidities are all in the middle of their ranges. The period coincides with autumn/fall in Cape Town, making this perhaps the strongest time of year for the combination.

one of the best private reserves in Kruger