The Ngala concession covers 567 square miles (1 470 sq kms) and is exclusive to just two safari accommodations (Ngala Tented Camp and Ngala Safari Lodge), giving its guests exclusive use of a vast expanse of wildlife-rich wilderness to traverse on game drives. The Ngala private concession also directly borders (no fences) the Kruger National Park, which is a tremendously large protected area for wildlife.

The Greater Kruger area, which includes the national park and numerous private reserves on its western side (with no fencing between them) offers some of the best wildlife viewing on the continent. Guests at Ngala enjoy very good chances to see all of Africa's Big Five animals (leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino)., including some of Africa's best leopard viewing and both species of rhino (black and white).

Main guest area at Ngala Tented Camp with views to the seasonal Timbavati River.

All of southern Africa's iconic herbivores can be seen at Ngala, including giraffe, zebra, impala, nyala, reedbuck, waterbuck, blue wildebeest, warthog, and many more. Predators that are likely include lion ('Ngala' is the Shangaan word for 'lion'), leopard, spotted hyena, and black-backed jackal. African wild dogs are seen on occasion, as are cheetah.

The lions in this area have a recessive trait that sometimes results in offspring with white fur (watch the video at the top of this page in the header to learn more).

Activities at Ngala include daytime and nighttime safari drives, nature walks with an expert guide, birding, and cultural visits to one of the nearby local communities outside the reserve that are supported by &Beyond. The camp offers a dedicated photographic safari vehicle with custom-fitted state-of-the-art camera mounts for guests keen to focus on their photography.

Ngala Tented Camp offers 9 spacious tented suites with a viewing deck in the front and a more private outdoor area in the rear, which includes a covered day-bed and stone wall enclosed al-fresco shower. The tents are temperature-controlled with air conditioning and heating controls, but with the option of leaving the tent flaps open on the mesh windows to allow the sounds of nature to serenade you to sleep at night.

Guest tent interior.

The camp's elegant and contemporary double-level main guest area is semi-open, with the dining, lounge, and bar areas leading onto an elevated viewing deck that overlooks the seasonal Timbavati River. The lower level includes a Safari Shop. A short distance from the main lounge and dining area is a lap pool with loungers, also overlooking the river. The wellness treatment center and Massage Sala offer extra pampering.

Guests who wish to spend a night in comfort but away from the camp can opt to try the Ngala Treehouse Experience. The treehouse is located a short drive from the lodge in a remote, yet safe retreat in the middle of the reserve. The 4-level treehouse features two sleep areas: level 3 is covered and weatherproof, with a king-size bed, and level 4 is a sleep-out platform under a retractable awning. The treehouse is solar-powered and has all the comforts, including a kitchen, flush toilets, and catered dinner and breakfast.

AndBeyond are one of Africa's leading safari operators and they strive to minimize energy consumption at all their camps. Ngala Tented Camp is connected to the national grid with a backup generator available. Strict eco-friendly environmental standards are maintained so that no harmful chemicals or waste is allowed to enter the pristine ecosystem of the Timbavati Reserve.

The Ngala Treehouse for sleep outs.

About the Kruger Private Reserves

Directly west of Kruger, which is one of the oldest national parks in Africa, are a number of smaller private reserves that offers a better guest experience than the national park itself. The reserves are collectively known as the Kruger Private Reserves and are part of a large ecosystem that is contiguous with Kruger and only fenced on their borders with non-wildlife areas.

While Kruger itself is open to self-drivers, who can visit without staying overnight by simply paying the national park day fee, visitors to private reserves must stay at one of the accommodations located in the reserve itself and self-driving is not permitted. Further, the national park can become very crowded and there are restrictions that prohibit driving off the mostly paved roads to get closer to wildlife.

Leopards seen in the Ngala private concession of Timbavati.

Staying in one of the private reserves means that your game drives are conducted by experienced guides and certain wildlife sightings allow for off-road driving to get closer to the animals. The crowds that one can expect at a wildlife sighting in the national park do not exist in the private reserves, where wildlife sightings are managed by experienced safari guides that are in communication with one another. Generally speaking, the guest experience in one of the private reserves is far better than that in the public sections of the national park.

The Kruger Private Reserves include Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Thornybush, Manyaleti, Kapama, Umbabat, Klaserie, Makalali, and Balule reserves. General speaking, the reserves that share a direct border with the national park offer the best wildlife viewing, while those that are further from Kruger or completely disconnected from the other reserves, are not quite as good.

The swimming pool at Ngala Tented Camp.

About the Timbavati Reserve

Created in 1956 (just 8 years after the Sabi Sand Reserve), the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve covers 289 square miles (748 sq kms) of savanna and woodland. The Timbavati River flows through its southern sector before entering the Kruger National Park, where it joins the Olifants River.

The reserve shares 25 miles (40 kms) of unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park and a total of 69% of its perimeter is bounded by other protected reserves. The Timbavati is similar to the Sabi Sand, but with far fewer lodges that are more spread out and with generally lower prices.

Safari drive at Ngala.

Leopard and rhino viewing do not compare to that in the Sabi Sand Reserve, but the overall game viewing experience is very similar and of all the private reserves, it is arguably second only to the Sabi Sand when it comes to its wildlife. Elephant, buffalo, lion, and all of the regional wildlife are found in abundance here, including all of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino).

Timbavati has also gained notoriety for its on-again-off-again population of white lions. These lions are not albinos, but rather have blue eyes and their white fur color is caused by a recessive gene that sometimes results in cubs of this unique look. While lion cubs are occasionally born to a little and there is great excitement when this happens, as this trait is very uncommon.

Watch the video in the header of this page to learn more about the white lions in Timbavati.

ROOMS INCLUDES & EXCLUDES CHILDREN FACILITIES ACTIVITIES

Accommodation

9 guest accommodations in total comprising:

9 spacious tented suites, each with two three-quarter beds (separate mattresses with shared base). Mattress converters are available that transform the twin beds into a king size bed.

Each temperature-controlled tent includes en-suite facilities with a double-basin vanity, outdoor shower, bathtub, and separate toilet. Large, sliding wood and mesh-panel doors open onto a private outdoor deck with lounge seating.

The guest units are connected to the camp's main area by sandy footpaths on the ground.

Guest tent at Ngala Tented Camp.

The guest tents are set upon raised wooden platforms with a décor that utilized stone and wood, with natural earthy colors that blend into their wooded setting.

The outdoor front deck offer views into the surrounding woodland, while a private canvas-covered back deck includes the stone-enclosed al-fresco shower and a daybed. Large mesh windows offer views into the bush and allow the fresh air to move through the tents, while roll-down zippered canvas flaps allow for covering the windows in cooler weather.

The tents are comfortable in size, covering 517 square feet (48 sq meters) in area and with a distance of 20 feet (6 meters) between each tent.

Other items and features in the guest cottages include:

Air-conditioning unit for warm summer days and nights.
Heating for cold nights.
Private mini-bar and coffee station.
Complimentary pair of Swarovski binoculars (one per tent).
In-room Wi-Fi (also available in main guest area).
Overhead fan.
Telephone.
Hairdryer.
In-room safe.

Ngala Tented Camp can accommodate a maximum of 18 guests in total: 2 persons in each of the 9 tented suites.

Includes & Excludes

Includes:

All meals and local beverages including soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas, and coffees.
Safari experiences (game drives, walking safaris, birding, and local community visit) accompanied by an experienced guide.
Africa Foundation community visit.
Guides' Journal with featuring wildlife checklists and maps.
Laundry services are provided on a daily basis (weather permitting, items will be returned on the same day). Laundry is dried by the sun and on most days any laundry placed out in the morning will be returned by the evening.
A complimentary pair of Swarovski Optik CL Companion 8×30 binoculars per cottage/suite for use during your stay.
Emergency medical evacuation insurance.
Wi-Fi access.
Tourism Levy & VAT.

Excludes:

Purchases from the Safari Shop.
Champagne, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits, and cigars.
Spa / wellness treatments.
Any applicable wildlife fee, park fee, reserve fee, concession fee, other land-use fee.

Single Supplement
A single supplement may apply for any room booked by a single traveler; please ask us for pricing.

Children

Families can rest assured that your children will always be safe and well cared for (both during activities and at the lodge) by the lodge staff.

Children aged 12 years and above are accommodated at Ngala Tented Camp:

No triple tents available.
Children under the age of 6 years are not permitted on game drives.
Children aged 12-15 years are permitted on game drives (private vehicle required) and nature walks.
Private vehicle not required for children aged 16 years and older.
Children aged 16 and above are permitted on specialist walking safaris.
Children aged 12-15 years that share a vehicle with other guests not in their party may be subject to activities only at the lodge manager’s discretion.
Please note: The lodge is not fenced off and children are required to have an adult accompanying them at all times.

For children under the age of 12 years, we suggest staying at Ngala Safari Lodge, which offers AndBeyond’s WILDchild programme, designed especially for children aged 3-12 years. The program is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Deeply rooted in the love for the African bush, it not only creates a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family, but forges strong bonds between young guests, our planet, and its people.

Facilities

The main guest area is constructed on two levels out of wood and stone beneath canvas roofing and atop an elevated wooden deck overlooking the seasonal Timbavati River.

Main guest area facilities include:

Semi-open lounge and dining area leading onto the 2nd-level viewing deck.
Lap pool and sundeck with loungers and views to the riverbed.
Main lodge bar for drinks before and after dinner.
Massage Sala offering wellness treatments.
Safari Shop.
Complimentary Wi-Fi access (also available in the guest suites).

Activities

Activities included in the rate:

Day and night game drives in open 4x4 Land Cruisers.
The safari drive vehicles can accommodate 10 guests, but the lodge allows a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle for shared groups.
A complimentary pair of Swarovski Optik CL Companion 8×30 binoculars per guest cottage for use during your stay.
Guided one-hour walking safaris.
Birding.
Africa Foundation community visit.
Stargazing.

Optional activities at additional cost:

Private activities are on offer (subject to vehicle availability which needs to be booked in advance).
One photographic safari vehicle fitted with state-of-the-art camera mounts is available and ensures exclusivity during your stay (dependent on availability, best to book in advance).
Ngala Treehouse Experience (a remote, yet safe retreat in the middle of the reserve, far from Wi-Fi and artificial light). The four-level structure features two sleep levels including a covered and weatherproof space with a king-size bed, hot running shower, and flush toilets. An elevated sleep-out platform allows you to slumber al fresco under a retractable screen. Enjoy sundowner drinks and snacks on the upper deck, a picnic and midnight treats. Completely off the grid, this treehouse offers luxury and comfort and an exclusive wilderness experience. Treehouse can accommodate a maximum of 2 adults + 2 children (10-16 yrs). No unaccompanied guests under 18 years of age.
Wellness treatments (offered in the Massage Sala).

Example of a typical day:

Early morning wake-up call. Morning wake-up and activity times vary according to the seasons, activities on offer, and wildlife sightings.
Light breakfast before departing on the morning activity.
Return to camp for a meal and rest period.
Meet for afternoon tea and snacks (savory and sweet choices) before departing on the activity.
Return to camp - freshen up or meet for drinks, followed by dinner.
Enjoy a nightcap and/or discussion in the bar or on the lodge's deck before retiring.

Great Good Fair Poor

When to Go

The Private Reserves west of Kruger National Park (often collectively referred to as the 'Kruger Private Reserves') offer very good to excellent wildlife viewing throughout the year.

The animals in the Kruger Private Reserves do not migrate away from the region, although they do move between the various reserves and into Kruger National Park. Most of the reserves are connected to the national park by unfenced boundaries, which allows the animals to move freely within this large wilderness habitat.

The summer months are warm and humid and the rains fall between November and March. The heaviest rains fall between December and March, and these may interfere with game viewing when they set in and especially in years with heavier rainfall.

The winter months are cool and dry and generally speaking, wildlife can be easier to find as the water availability in the bush is reduced and the wildlife is more likely to be seen along the permanent rivers or at pumped waterholes.

Ngala Tented Camp is open year-round.

SUMMER & RAINS

Late spring and summer (from December into Mid-March) is the rainy season in the Kruger region and some rains can be heavy, so avoiding the months of January and February is a good idea if you want to avoid rainy days. Wildlife viewing can still be quite good during the rainy months and the landscape and dramatic skies make for exceptionally good photography.

Summertime photography is superb in the Private Reserves, with rich colors and dramatic skies. There are also more baby animals (like impalas) being born to herbivores during the green season, which is timed in some species to take advantage of the fresh new vegetation. Tourists definitely shy away from this season, so safari camp prices and availability is better.

The early rains begin with afternoon showers in late October or early November and the frequency of showers gradually increases as the days progress. Mornings average 64°F/18°C and climb to 86°F/30°C in the mid-afternoon. These springtime months are truly lovely, with new greenery covering the land and thousands of birds returning from their wintering grounds to breed. Wildlife viewing is very good.

December thru February bring much warmer temperatures and the humidity is high. Afternoons are generally hot at around 88°F/31°C but can reach 104°F./40°C on some days. The landscape is fresh and green, trees are in full bloom, flowers carpet the plains and photographers will find lovely imaging at every turn. Many of the herbivores have given birth and the bush is full of new life. Predators are reaping the bounty.

The rains start abating by late March, but occasional showers are still probable every few days well into April in most years. The days are gradually becoming cooler, averaging a comfortable 84°F/29°C and dropping to 64°F/18°C overnight. The vegetation is heavy and animals may be more difficulty to spot. The migrant birds are starting to move back north for the coming winter.

WINTER / DRY SEASON

The winter and spring months (June through August) are dry and the temperatures are comfortable during the midday, but chilly to cold overnight and in the early mornings. Game viewing gets better and better as the season progresses and the last of the rain-filled waterholes become drier and drier.

Game drives in the open vehicles require warmer clothing in the morning and it is best to wear multiple layers so that as they day progresses and temperatures warm up, one can shed a layer or two. Once the temporary rain-filled waterholes and seasonal rivers dry up, the animals remain close to any permanent water in the rivers and scattered permanent water holes, making them easier to find.

April and May are the transitional months between the end of summer and the start of winter. Morning temps are around 54°F/12°C and afternoons average 79°F/26°C.

June thru August are the middle of winter and rainfall is very rare. Mornings are quite chilly, averaging 48°F/9°C. The afternoons are clear and sunny, averaging 77°F/25°C. Wildlife viewing is excellent, with animals tending to congregate along the waterways and at the permanent water holes.

September is a lovely month in terms of both wildlife viewing and temperatures. A few brief rains may fall, but the days are typically beautiful, with afternoon temps averaging 82°F/28°C and mornings a comfortable 57°F/14°C. This is one of the busiest months for tourists and most lodges are booked out far in advance.

October is very dry, with much of the lush bush now in desperate need of the coming rains. Days can be blisteringly hot, but the game viewing is excellent.