Introduction
Meaning ‘lion’ in Shangaan, Ngala was the first private safari reserve to be incorporated in the world-famous Kruger National Park – the largest wildlife sanctuary in South Africa. With exclusive traversing rights over 14 700 hectares (36 323 acres) of Kruger's game-rich wilderness, Ngala offers an extraordinary African wildlife safari experience.

Set on the banks of the great seasonal Timbavati River, Ngala Tented Safari Camp was built with a light footprint to minimise impact on the environment. Rated in numerous prestigious listings such as the US Conde Nast Traveler’s “Hot List”, it is a gracious camp with a contemporary feel and flamboyant styling. Guest areas feature retro pieces from the 50s, 60s and 70s and beautiful timber decks which overlook the seasonal riverbed.

Facilities
Known internationally for sophisticated tented accommodation in tranquil African bush surrounds.

Set on the banks of the great seasonal Timbavati River, Ngala Tented Safari Camp was built with a light footprint to minimise impact on the environment. Rated in numerous prestigious listings such as the US Conde Nast Traveler’s “Hot List”, it is a gracious camp with a contemporary feel and flamboyant styling. Guest areas feature retro pieces from the 50s, 60s and 70s and beautiful timber decks which overlook the seasonal riverbed.

Private lunch platters of delicious Pan-African cuisine can be enjoyed on the viewing decks or at the poolside. Exciting bush banquets in spectacular wilderness settings and theatrical alfresco dinners in the dry riverbed are an unforgettable experience.

Activities

Twice-daily game drives
Enjoy Big Five game viewing encounters on interpretive game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles led by expert CC Africa rangers and Shangaan trackers. Ngala offers both off-road and night game drives affording excellent sightings and photographic opportunities. Discover a host of interesting nocturnal animals on exhilarating, spotlit night game drives.

Interpretive bush walks
Explore Ngala’s intriguing fauna and flora on interactive bush walks led by an experienced ranger or expert Shangaan tracker. Guided bush walks bring you face-to-face with wild Africa at its best, allowing fascinating insights into the landscape, animal tracks and a host of interesting birds, reptiles, insects and tiny mammals. Regretfully, children 16 years and younger cannot participate in bush walks.

Additional activities
Ngala offers exceptional birdwatching opportunities, stargazing and spectacular bush banqueting. Unique children’s activities are offered at Ngala Game Lodge, including special family game-drives (at the discretion of the lodge manager), bush walks, Planet Manager activity books, frog safaris, birding, and children’s meals and menus.

The Timbavati Game Reserve
The Timbavati Nature Reserve, came into existence in July 1956, when a group of conservationist – minded people who owned game farms on the Western boundary of the Kruger National Park, cam together to form the Timbavati Association.

The size of the reserve covers about 60000 hectares of pristine African Bush, part of the world famous Greater Kruger National Park. The Kruger itself is a further 2 million hectares in size, which is about the same size as Israel or Wales. In the early 1990’s the boundary fence between the Kruger and the adjacent private reserves namely, Timbavati, Sabi Sands, Klaserie, Umbabaat, and Manyaleti was removed to create the Greater Kruger Park, covering an area of 2.2 million hectares.

The Greater Kruger has been zoned into 35 different landscape types. A landscape is defined as an area with a specific geomorphology climate, soil and vegetation, together with the associated fauna.

Fact Sheet