WHY YOU’D LOVE IT!
Discover the Big-5 and more at one of Africa’s best game reserves, the fenceless Manyeleti Game Reserve where the wildlife roam freely. Enjoy leisurely game drives, game walks and more during your three-day stay, providing the perfect setting for a glorious photo safari.
When it comes to observing and encountering wildlife, Timbavati Game Reserve stands out as unparalleled. Housing the renowned ‘Magnificent 7,’ consisting of the lion, leopard (with a substantial population in the Timbavati Reserve), elephant, rhino, African wild dog, buffalo, and cheetah, Timbavati Game Reserve has firmly positioned itself as a premier destination for African wildlife and Big 5 safaris. It is highly coveted by both local and international wildlife enthusiasts, solidifying its status as a top-choice safari destination in Africa and South Africa.
Highlights include:
OVERVIEW
Itinerary at a glance
◽️ DAY 1-3 | South Africa
Manyeleti G/Reserve
◽️ DAY 4-6 | South Africa
Timbavati G/Reserve
◽️ DAY 7 | Return
End of safari
MAP
MAP
Visualize your journey!
DAY 0
DEPARTURE
Travel
DEPARTURE
Your adventure starts now!
Embark on an African safari and anticipate breathtaking landscapes, encountering diverse and majestic wildlife in their natural habitats, and immersing yourself in the rich cultural experiences of the continent.
* See your safari itinerary for transfer logistics
DAY 1-3
MANYELETI GR
Safari days
📍 Manthobeni
MANYELETI GAME RESERVE
Area Overview
Discover the ultimate safari experience at Manyeleti Nature Reserve, a wilderness area bordering the Kruger National Park in South Africa. With high densities of herbivores comes predators aplenty. As such, you can be absolutely sure to only experience the best game viewing possible. As there are no fences between the national park and the private game reserves, wildlife is able to roam freely!
Manyeleti means “Place of the stars” in the local language. It truly is a unique safari destination well off the beaten path. You can be certain not to encounter big tour groups traveling around in busses, but rather expect a pristine bush experience in one of the world's most beautiful places.
Manyeleti is prime Big-5 territory, offering exceptional possibilities for viewing the elusive leopard. Other Big-5 animals (lion, rhino, buffalo and elephant) are also often spotted on a very regular basis. Furthermore, with more than 300 bird species present in the area.The Manyeleti is renowned for its lion, leopard and cheetah as well as great sightings of the endangered painted wolf (African wild dog). Also serval and caracal, dwarf mongoose and genet.
ACTIVITIES
A great safari destination for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and bird watchers alike.
Game drives are interpretive drives in the bush specially adapted 4-wheel drive vehicles, with the purpose of finding wildlife in a natural habitat. On a game drive you will be accompanied by ranger / guide (sometimes armed) with a comprehensive knowledge of all flora and fauna found in Manyeleti. Besides the ranger normally a "tracker" joins the ranger, who is being seated on the front of the car and scans the environment for (big) game. These are all very passionate people, who have a special ability to teach you about nature.
Just as with a game drive you will go out with a ranger / guide on a game walk. On foot you get a completely different experience: it is sometimes even possible to approach wildlife to a very short distance. It indeed is a very thrilling experience observing wildlife without the protection of a car. We do encourage participating in a game walk as it really is a very different experience. The minimum age for participating in a game drive is usually eight years, for a game walk this is fourteen.
Game drives or game walks coming up!
Game drives are interpretive drives in the bush specially adapted four wheel drive vehicles, with the purpose of finding wildlife in a natural habitat. On a game drive you will be accompanied by ranger / guide (sometimes armed) with a comprehensive knowledge of all flora and fauna found in Manyeleti. Besides the ranger normally a "tracker" joins the ranger, who is being seated on the front of the car in a small seat and scans the environment for (big) game. These are all very passionate people, who have a special ability to teach you about nature. As you are residing in a natural environment you might get a bit unlucky and only see small numbers of game, the rangers will then pay more attention smaller things in the bush (such as plants and insects). Just as with a game drive you will go out with a ranger / guide on a game walk. On foot you get a completely different experience: it is sometimes even possible to approach wildlife to a very short distance. It indeed is a very thrilling experience observing wildlife without the protection of a car. We do encourage participating in a game walk as it really is a very different experience.
* Please see your safari itinerary for transfer logistics
Safari days
Each day on safari in Africa is a magical experience, whether you’re exploring the savanna on foot or in a 4x4 vehicle in search of the Big 5 or taking to the sky in a hot-air balloon to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration. Every single day is steeped in the promise of a unique adventure and cherished memories.
Although each day is unpredictable to a certain extent, based on the time of year or location, there is a general format or schedule that safaris tend to follow, but, as a rule, safaris do follow a familiar rhythm that combines thrilling game viewing with ample time to relax in between—a dream vacation in anyone’s book. One rule of thumb is that there are usually two game drives a day: one in the early morning and one in the late afternoon, when animals are at their most active.
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MANTHOBENI CAMP
Camp Overview
Full board, excl. premium drinks.
Bordering the Kruger National Park and situated between the Timbavati and the Sabi Sand Reserves, and sharing an open border with Kruger National Park lies an expanse of pristine wilderness; in prime Big Five country in the beautiful and unexploited 23,000-hectare Manyeleti Game Reserve!
Manyeleti means "place of the stars" in Shangaan. Seeing the "Big Five" in the wild is one of the most memorable things one can ever experience.
The camp offers breath-taking wildlife experiences, including the Big Five, superb cuisine and service excellence. Featuring 15 tents, each furnished with a king size bed (or two twin beds), and an en-suite bathroom with a sunken bath, double shower, his and hers basins, and a separate toilet.
The camp also boasts a large sitting area, an outdoor area with a splash pool and sun loungers, a bar area, and an extensive climate-controlled wine cellar. Wildlife drinking at nearby watering hole can be seen from the swimming pool deck which adjoins the reception area.
ACTIVITIES
Guests are taken on game drives in open game viewing vehicles in the early morning and late afternoon/evening. Late afternoon and evening drives include sunset drinks, views over the Mohwareng Hills, and glimpses of nocturnal creatures. Larger game frequently sighted in the reserve includes elephant, rhino, lion and hippo. In between meals and drives, watch the game and birdlife pass by while relaxing by the pool or take a walking safari through the deep bush, accompanied by an experienced, armed ranger; it can be hot work, but it’s very exciting – seeing the animals from a vehicle just doesn’t seem to compare. Group tours are available to the nearby village of Welverdiend, where guests will learn about the relationship between traditional and contemporary living. Activities include:
• Bird watching from a newly built hide opposite a watering hole
• Hiking and walking safaris
• Plant life/flora and footprint tracking
• Private guided tours
• Safaris in a private conservancy or into the neighbouring Kruger National Park
Wildlife photography.
Morning transfer to local airstrip for your flight to Hoedspruit regional airport*. Airport meet & greet followed by 1 hr road transfer to camp. Let the safari begin! *Please see your safari itinerary for transfer logistics
FULL BOARD
LODGE
GAME VIEW
DAY 4-6
TIMBAVATI GR
Safari days
📍Bateleur Safari Camp
TIMBAVATI GAME RESERVE
Area Overview
Positioned to the west of Kruger and north of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.This private game reserve (adjacent to Kruger) has over 40 mammals roaming freely. Covering 75.000 hectares of bush, you will experience a more intimate and personal affair with wildlife than anywhere else.
Timbavati Game Reserve is renowned for the presence of the rare white lion. A colored coat, ice blue eyes; their beauty is captivating. Although born with a snow-white coat, white lions are not albinos; it is the result of a rare colour mutation. White lions are indigenous to the Timbavati Game Reserve and the earliest records of sighting them in this region date from 1938. Luckily, their coloration doesn’t appear to be of disadvantage when it comes to survival. The Global White Lion Protection Trust (GWLPT) reintroduced white lions into their natural habitat in 2009, and they have been hunting and breeding successfully ever since.
Safari Activities
Each day on safari in Africa is a magical experience, whether you’re exploring the savanna on foot or in a 4x4 vehicle in search of the Big 5 or taking to the sky in a hot-air balloon to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration. Every single day is steeped in the promise of a unique adventure and cherished memories.
Although each day is unpredictable to a certain extent, based on the time of year or location, there is a general format or schedule that safaris tend to follow, but, as a rule, safaris do follow a familiar rhythm that combines thrilling game viewing with ample time to relax in between—a dream vacation in anyone’s book. One rule of thumb is that there are usually two game drives a day: one in the early morning and one in the late afternoon, when animals are at their most active.
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BATELEUR SAFARI CAMP
Lodge Overview
Bateleur spans across 10,000 hectares within the Timbavati Reserve, with all man-made barriers removed between Timbavati and Kruger National Park. The Bateleur Safari Camp, situated on an exclusive 3,500-hectare property at the heart of the renowned Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, offers a luxurious 16-bed safari experience. Its strategic location and unfenced borders with Kruger ensure unparalleled wildlife and bird sightings in the Greater Kruger Park. The camp goes beyond expectations with top-notch accommodation, guided activities, bushcraft, and a variety of included and optional extras.
In this pristine wilderness, you'll encounter the Big Five, a rich variety of antelope, a full spectrum of smaller predators, over 500 bird species, and an extensive array of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
FULL BOARD
TENTED CAMP
GAME VIEW
DAY 7
RETURN
DEPARTURE
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end! Goodbye to the safari life, feeling relaxed, mesmerizing scenery, great food, family time, and romantic memories.
Morning road transfer back to the airport for your outbound flight... dreaming of the trip of a lifetime!
TRAVEL INFO
◽️ Preparing for your trip
PREPARING FOR YOUR
SAFARI
Pre-Travel Information
Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date of your arrangements and have a minimum of three blank visa pages excluding endorsement pages. Travellng with minors - in addition to having a valid passport and valid visa (if applicable), children under the age of 18, traveling through Botswana’s borders, must be in possession of a certified copy of their unabridged birth certificate (one that shows the particulars of a minor and those of both parents). A child under the age of 18 traveling to Botswana and/or South Africa with just one parent must carry an affidavit signed by the other parent consenting to such travel. Failure to produce the necessary documentation may result in travelers being turned away at port of entry. Insider Tips Zimbabwe and Mozambique visas each use up a full passport page. If you are visiting both countries we recommend a minimum of four blank pages. Post Covid passport renewals are taking much longer than in the past so don’t leave applying for a new passport until the last moment as there iust a chance you won’t receive it in time to travel. Keeping your passport safe is key as there is nothing worse than having to spend precious holiday time replacing it. Make at least two copies of the ID page of your passport, visa (if obtained in advance of travel), Covid-19 vaccine passport, travel itinerary, travel insurance, credit cards and any other travel documentation. One copy can be an image scan and the other a hard copy which you can give to a family member, business associate or close friend for safekeeping When it comes to health risks and medical precautions, Machaba Blue is only able to offer limited advice as outlined below. Those with underlying chronic conditions should ideally seek medical advice prior to planning their journey. Prior to traveling to Africa, we highly recommend you visit a medical professional such as your GP or local travel clinic for advice on what health precautions need to be taken. This visit should take place at least 4-8 weeks prior to departure as it will determine the need for any vaccinations and/or antimalarial medication as well as identifying any other medical precautions. Currently no mandatory vaccinations are required when entering Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. Please check if this is still the case when visiting your GP or travel clinic. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by visitors coming from a country where yellow fever occurs, or if they have been in transit for more than 12 hours at an airport in a country here yellow fever occurs. Malaria is present throughout southern Africa and in certain areas of South Africa. Insider Tips INCLUDED ____________ * As indicated on your detailed safari itinerary EXCLUDED ____________ * Unless otherwise indicated on your itineraryPASSPORTS
HEALTH
VISAS
GRATUITIES
PACKING LIST
BAGGAGE
TRAVEL INSURANCE
SAFETY GUIDELINES
INCLUDED & EXCLUDED
