Umlani Bushcamp

Umlani Bushcamp is a highly recommended, classic African safari camp located in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park.

See the real Africa at Umlani: enjoy the ultimate experience of true wilderness and seclusion in a camp that accommodates just 16 guests, in traditional African reed and thatch huts.

Umlani`s philosophy of simplistic luxury and `getting back to nature` is enhanced by the romance of operating without electricity. Enjoy the warm atmosphere of candlelight and oil lamps and open-air bush showers fuelled by wood fires.

The accommodation offers you all the privacy and comfort you need for uninterrupted relaxation. Umlani`s prize-winning cuisine will take you on a gastronomic tour of African styled food.

Umlani Bushcamp offers an exciting, safe experience in Big Five territory. View lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, in more than 10 000 hectares (24 000 acres) of traversing area. The camp is also home to more than 40 mammal species and 350 bird species.

Experience the thrill of game drives in open Land Rovers, guided bush walks and tracking game on foot with highly experienced rangers and trackers. At Umlani you are guaranteed an adventure of a lifetime in one of Africa`s world-renowned, unspoilt wilderness reserves.

Facilities and activities
Umlani is renowned for their outstanding Shangaan rangers and trackers, who will not only find you the game, but will also introduce you to the wealth of flora, fauna, bird life and cultural heritage of the region.

You will be taken out on two game drives per day, in open top Land Rovers. The morning game drive will leave at dawn and the night drive will leave in the late afternoon. There is always a ranger on stand-by for an optional morning bush walk.

During the day you can go on short walks with the ranger after breakfast, or lounge in the double hammocks around the swimming pool sipping your favourite drink. Alternatively, laze away the day in our spacious bush bar and deck overlooking the riverbed and watering hole. For exclusive tranquillity there is a tree house about 2.5 kms from the camp overlooking a dam, where we can leave you for an hour or two with blankets and big comfortable pillows as well as a cooler box with drinks.

In the evening you will be treated to pre dinner drinks in the traditional boma around the fire, followed by one of Umlani`s award winning meals in the candlelit dining room, or out in the open riverbed surrounded by flares and cauldron fires.

Rooms:

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Superior accommodation in traditional thatched huts
Umlani's traditional African reed and thatch huts will not only provide you with all the comforts you need, but will also provide you with an authentic experience of local tribal (Shangaan) architecture and style, which blends in naturally with the environment.

Each hut has en-suite facilities including an open-air bush shower fuelled by wood fires. The hut is comfortably fitted with white mosquito nets, crisp white linen and towels as well as with standard bathroom amenities, bottled water (although the tap water is perfectly safe to drink) and insect repellent. Umlani's philosophy of simplistic luxury and 'getting back to nature' is enhanced by the romance of operating without electricity, so each hut and the entire camp is lit by candlelight and oil lamps, providing a warm and romantic atmosphere.

The camp can accommodate a total of 16 guests. There are four double huts, three huts that sleep four people, and one hut that sleeps three people. This allows us to be flexible with friends and families that would like to share accommodation.

Beyond the Tibavati
Apart from the wildlife safaris there are some optional daytime activities outside the Timbavati Game Reserve that are accessible from Umlani Bushcamp; these can be arranged by camp management. A transfer service can also be organised to and from the Umlani Bushcamp to any of the following activities:

- A one hour microlight flight over the Klaserie Big Five Reserve
- Early Morning Balloon Safaris
- Ringetani Acornhoek Village Tour which includes tribal dancing, tasting of traditional African foods, visiting a - - - Sangoma (traditional healer), a typical shabeen (beer hall) and a local family. After which you will head back to the camp for afternoon game drive
- Elephant Back Safaris
- TSAU - White Lion Research & Heritage Centre
- Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
- Horse Riding
- White Water Rafting Trips

Nearby Golf Courses
Hans Merensky Golf Cours - A world famous course set in a unique bushveld atmosphere. Share a golfing experience with resident giraffe, hippo, crocodiles and many other permanent residents! The 18 hole, Bob Grimsdell designed, Par 72, Championship Golf course has been voted as the best walking course in the country. This golf course is situated an approx 1h 45min drive from Umlani in Phalaborwa. Transfers to/from will need to be arranged.

Drakensig Golf Course - A smaller 9 hole golf course. It is located at the Air force Base in Hoedspruit, a 45min drive from Umlani. Transfers to/from will need to be arranged.

How to get there:

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The direct route when driving to Umlani Bushcamp in the Kruger National Park from Gauteng will take safari travellers approximately 5 hours.

- If driving to Umlani Bushcamp from Pretoria, take the N4 from Pretoria to Witbank, which then joins the N12 from Johannesburg at Witbank.
- If driving to Umlani Bushcamp from Johannesburg, take the N12 from Johannesburg to Witbank, which then joins the N4 from Pretoria at Witbank.
- Travel past Witbank and Middelburg on the N4 (main route to Nelspruit and Maputo).
- After Middelburg take the Belfast turnoff off the N4 (there is an Engen One Stop on the RHS of the N4 just after the offramp).
- Turn left from the offramp and continue into Belfast.
- Continue through 1 stop sign before going into town.
- At the second stop sign in town (1 block after the Spar shop on the LHS), turn right towards Dullstroom.
- Travel for approx. 35km from Belfast to Dullstroom.
- Continue straight through Dullstroom to Lydenburg (approximately 50km from Dullstroom).
- On reaching Lydenburg, you will come to a T-junction where you need to turn left to go through town.
- Continue straight through town, past the Wimpy on the left.
- At the next stop sign after the Wimpy turn left.
- Continue down to the second stop sign. At the second stop sign turn right toward Ohrigstad.
- Travel approx. 50km from Lydenburg to Ohrigstad.
- Continue straight through Ohrigstad and on to the JG Strijdom Tunnel via the Abel Erasmus Pass (approximately 40km from Ohrigstad).
- After the Tunnel continue straight on to Hoedspruit (approximately 40km from the tunnel).
- On entering Hoedspruit, go straight over the first stop sign, straight at the second stop sign, over the railway bridge and at the third stop sign turn right.
- Travel for approximately 7km from Hoedspruit and you will see a number of signs for lodges, as well as a sign for Eastgate Airport, to the left.
- Turn left towards Eastgate Airport, and you are on the road into the Timbavati Nature Reserve.
- Travel along the Timbavati Road past the Hoedspruit/ Eastgate Airport on the left hand side.
- Approximately 10 minutes after the Airport you will arrive at the Timbavati Gate (R120 for issue of permit p/vehicle)
- Once through the main gate continue along the tar road and cross the Klaserie River.
- When the road becomes a dirt road look out for the UMLANI sign on your left on a large concrete block.
- At that point, turn right onto the small bush road & follow the small wooden signs “UMLANI” to the camp.

Panorama Route
Driving to Umlani Bushcampvia the Panorama Route is a scenic pleasure. A wonderful self-drive holiday route, the Panorama route encompasses Pilgrim's Rest, God's Window, Blyde River Canyon, Mac Mac Falls and other wonderful places. This trip is well worthwhile, taking in spectacular scenery as well as some quaint towns and villages. Driving to Umlani Bushcampvia this route adds about 3 hours onto your travelling time, but the scenery is so spectacular that it is well worth it.

Transport with Driver
Driving to Umlani Bushcampfrom Johannesburg International Airport is easy. We can arrange your transportation to the bush camp via the Panorama Route, with lunch on the way.

Flying to Umlani Bushcamp
Daily (scheduled) flight
Fly-in safaris are extremely popular amongst those who don't have as much time as they would like or need to spend on their South African safari. Flying to Umlani Bushcampis easy as SA Express runs two daily return flights to Eastgate Airport (formally Hoedspruit) from Johannesburg every day, Monday to Sunday. For guests flying to Umlani Bushcampto and from Cape Town, the nearest direct flight will be to Nelspruit (MQP airport), two and a half hours drive from Umlani. Transfers from Eastgate and MQP Airport to Umlani Bushcampare available. Contact us for details on fly-in safari options.

Charters
There are several air charter companies who service the area. If you would like us to help you with arrangements for flying to Umlani Bushcamp, please contact our reservations office.
Our nearest landing strip is the Kings Camp / Tanda Tula airstrip, which is at the following GPS co-ordinates:
S 024° 17' 824" x E 031° 17' 197"
The runway is tarred and is 1000m in length. Landing fees are payable and permission must be obtained first!
We can collect you from the airstrip.

Clothing & Accessories:

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What to Bring
We have compiled a list of recommended items to pack to aid you in planning your safari. Casual, comfortable clothing in neutral colours, such as khaki, brown, olive and beige, are best for safaris and game walks. White is not suitable as it increases your visability to animals and it gets dirty very quickly. It is recommended that you keep your luggage to a minimum.

Clothing To Pack:
2 pairs cotton trousers
2 pairs shorts
2 long sleeved shirts
5 t-shirts
1 light sweater
1 lightweight, waterproof windbreaker
1 warm padded jacket in winter
1 pair good walking shoes
sandals
underwear & socks
swimming costume
wide brimmed hat
scarf & gloves in winter

Essentials:
toiletries
moisturiser
insect repellant
high factor sunblock (the African sun is harsh most of the year)
lip balm
torch & batteries (head torch preferable)

Optionals:
camera & accessories (remember spare batteries & more than 1 memory card)
South African adapter
binoculars
anti-malaria prophylactics (speak to your doctor first)
good quality sunglasses (preferably polarised)
good book
personal medication

Health & Climate:

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Winter Months (May - Sep)
Warm clothes are needed for evening activities (thick jacket). Light sweaters are sufficient for midday

Summer Months (Oct - April)
Light cotton clothing. T-shirts and shorts for everyday wear. Long sleeved shirts and cotton trousers for evening wear for warmth and protection from mosquitoes.