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Nsala Wilderness Safari Camp - Umbabat Private Reserve
Greater Kruger National Park
Nsala Wilderness Camp is located in a game-rich private game reserve sharing unfenced borders with the world-renowned Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve and the popular Kruger National Park. Nsala is an intimate and rustic bush camp hugged by marula and leadwood trees, and is perched on the banks of a dry riverbed overlooking a gentle s-bend in the meandering river.
The design of the camp is simple in its structure and offers all the charm of a bygone era while not compromising on modern comforts. Nsala maintains a standard of comfortable luxury while simultaneously offering a completely eco-aware, off the grid experience for those seeking a safari that reduces their carbon footprint.
The camp sits on an elevated area guarded by a high-reaching thatched roof. 3 chalets flow out from the main section housing a swimming pool, lounge/dining area, and boma. Each of the chalets is fully-enclosed and has a wooden glass sliding door.
Sabi Sands Lodges Reviews
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us in great detail!!
Thank you so much for arranging all our travel - Ulusaba, amazing. The pick ups were great - through vumba tours!!
The La Rochelle tours were fantastic too. Drivers were helpful, friendly and professional.
Really enjoyed our experiences and everyone involved made it even better!!!!
Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly
...read moreOur experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly recommend booking with Sabi Sands Lodges as it saved us time & effort. Experience counts and Max's knowledge was invaluable.
We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see
...read moreWe’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see the big 5 and a lot more animals. The game drives were amazing. The Knowledge of the tracker (Donald) and our guide (Helen) was exceptional and they ensured we were able to see everything. We seen leopards, cheetahs and lions. You stop for a morning coffee out in the bush and sundowners in the evening, this was also excellently organised. The rooms are absolutely stunning with the biggest mini bar I’ve ever seen. The drink options are fantastic. Super comfortable rooms and luxurious. Food was superb. Each evening there was a different location for dinner excellently curated by the team at the hotel, with food prepared to a very high standard. We also used the gym facilities which were great. The service and operational standards at this hotel are exceptional. I would 100% stay at this lodge again it was such an incredible experience
Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100%
...read moreRecommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100% recommended.
What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone
What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone for the stress-free bush experience.
From the vanilla scented towels, to the delicious food, exciting game drives and phenomenal staff, our stay at Shiduli was magical from the second we arrived and lives in our hearts long after we left.
Your helpful staff greeted us as we arrived and and were with us every step of the way... literally. We were escorted to our private villa by Gary, who my children absolutely adored. Richard, in the bar was on form and Gogo Dorris had faith that we would see lions... which we did.
Thandy and Karen were friendly, professional and made us feel like old friends. We will definitely be back and will bring our friends and family so they can share in this beautiful gem.
Location
Nsala Wilderness Camp is located in the Umbabat Private Nature Reserve, which shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve & the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. The location of the camp is about 60 km drive from Hoedspruit/Eastgate Airport and is an easy self-drive from Johannesburg. Guests access the camp via the Timbavati/Klaserie (Enkhulu Gate) Gate.
Nsala Wilderness Safari Camp - Image Gallery
Accommodation
5 thatched chalets (rondawels) flow out from the main section housing a swimming pool, lounge/dining area, and boma. Each of the chalets is fully-enclosed and has a wooden glass sliding door leading out onto a small patio area complete with table and chairs for relaxation.
Decor is subdued with a light colour palette carried throughout - there’s plenty of crisp, white linen adorning the beds, monochromatic wildlife images adorning the walls and furniture designed from a mix of wood grains. There's plenty of storage space, and a stand-alone unit complete with shelves and hanging space. The bathroom is located in a separate room, and has a toilet, sink, bathroom furniture and an expansive shower.
Wildlife Experience
Game drives last for roughly 3 hours and include a coffee stop (morning game drive) and sundowner stop (evening game drive) during the drives. Drives happen when the predators are most active - at first light and last light. Nsala Private Safari Camp offers two game drives a day.
Price Includes
Luxury Accommodation - Three meals daily & Two game drives per day
Price Excludes
Drinks, conservation Fees & gratuities
Nsala Wilderness Video
Nsala Wilderness Camp - Wildlife Experience
Umbabat Private Reserve
Umbabat Nature Reserve is situated on the bank of the Nhlaralumi River in the Bushbuckridge Municipality, adjacent to the Kruger National Park. The parts of Umbabat that are declared nature reserves are managed according to the Protected Areas Act No. 57 of 2003. Besides the Kruger Park, Umbabat is also bordered by the Timbavati and Klaserie Game Reserves, and all have dropped their shared fences in 1988. Several smaller nature reserves make up the Umbabat, and in conjunction with the reserves that constitute the Timbavati, Klaserie and Balule reserves, they collectively form the Associated Private Nature Reserves, which collectively owns 180,000 ha of land, without internal fences. The Buchner Game Reserve is the best place in the whole world.
Daily Schedule
Our day begins with a game drive. A typical day starts with an early morning wake-up call and an activity.
During the winter months morning game drives begin later and evening drives start a little earlier. In between the morning and evening activities there will be more than enough time for rest and relaxation.
Here is an idea of how a typical day on safari is structured:
05h30 Wake up for quick coffee before morning game drive
06h00 - 06h30 Morning game drive departs. Drive is roughly 3 hours.
09h00 Return to camp and spend the day relaxing
15h30 - 16:30 Depart for afternoon game drive, including sundowners. Drive is roughly 3 hours.
19h30 Return to camp with ready-made campfire in the boma, and a typical safari dinner set-up.
What to expect?
A safari game drive is an exciting and unforgettable way to experience African wildlife in its natural habitat. Here's what you can expect on a typical game drive:
Game drives take place early in the morning or late in the afternoon when animals are most active.
You'll travel in an open-sided safari vehicle that is driven by an experienced guide. The vehicles are specially designed for game viewing, with elevated seats and open sides for an unobstructed view of the surrounding bush.
Your guide will take you on a route through the wilderness, looking for wildlife along the way. Guides are highly trained and have a deep understanding of the animal behavior and ecology in the area.
You can expect to see a wide range of animals, including elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and many more. Your guide will use their knowledge to track the animals and bring you as close as possible to them for a better viewing experience.
Your guide will provide you with information about the animals you encounter, their behavior, and their habitat. You'll also learn about the local flora and fauna and the history and culture of the area.
Game drives usually last about 2-3 hours, depending on the destination and the animals you encounter. During the drive, you'll stop for refreshments and a snack break before continuing on.