Timbavati to Klaserie
Two wild sides of the Greater Kruger. One deeply immersive safari.
At A Glance
Collection | Discovery Safari Collection |
Journey Type | Two-destination Safari |
Destination | Timbavati Private Nature Reserve & Klaserie Private Nature Reserve |
Recommended Stay | 6 Nights (3 nights at each destination) |
Choose From | 3 Timbavati Lodges & 3 Klaserie Lodges |
Nearest Airport | RockFig Airstrip / Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) |
Wildlife Highlights | Timbavati: Big Five, wild dog, cheetah, abundant general game. Klaserie: Big Five, wild dog, cheetah, diverse antelope and birdlife. |
Ideal For |
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Fully Customisable | Yes |
Why You'll Love This Safari
Two Neighbouring Wildernesses
Explore two private reserves within the Greater Kruger, each with its own character and atmosphere.
Go Deeper Into The Bush
Rather than constantly changing regions, this journey gives you time to settle into one of South Africa's great wilderness ecosystems.
Different Expressions Of The Greater Kruger
Timbavati and Klaserie share the same greater ecosystem, yet each offers its own landscapes, lodge experiences and safari rhythm.
Wildlife Takes Centre Stage
Elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino (Big Five) and wild dog are among the encounters that can unfold across the journey.
More Time In The Wild
With the two reserves close together, there is less time spent travelling and more time immersed in the bush.
For Those Who Want To Slow Down
Ideal for travellers who understand that some of the greatest safari moments aren't the dramatic ones, they're the quiet moments in between.
Lodges In Our Portfolio
Choose from our carefully selected lodges in Timbavati and Klaserie, each offering a different expression of the Greater Kruger. We can tailor the journey to your preferred level of intimacy, luxury, adventure and time in the bush.
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RockFig Safari Lodge
RockFig Safari Lodge provides an intimate owner-managed boutique safari experience where personalised hospitality and exceptional wildlife viewing take centre stage. Spacious accommodation, relaxed luxury and knowledgeable guides make it an outstanding choice for couples and small groups wanting an authentic Timbavati safari.
Best Suited For
Couples
Honeymooners
First-time safari travellers
Wildlife enthusiasts
Lodge Atmosphere
Boutique • Intimate • Relaxed • Contemporary
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Tanda Tula Safari Camp offers an unhurried safari experience where elegant canvas-and-glass suites blend seamlessly into the surrounding wilderness. Inspired by Tsonga heritage and shaped by warm, owner-led hospitality, the camp combines exceptional guiding with unforgettable wildlife encounters. It is an ideal choice for couples, honeymooners and travellers seeking an authentic luxury safari.
Best Suited For
Couples
Honeymooners
Luxury travellers
Photography enthusiasts
Repeat safari travellers
Lodge Atmosphere
Elegant • Authentic • Romantic • Luxury Under Canvas
Walkers Plains Camp
Walkers Plains Camp offers a relaxed yet refined safari experience, blending contemporary comfort with the authentic character of the African bush. Overlooking the surrounding wilderness, the camp provides spacious accommodation, warm hospitality and excellent access to Timbavati's renowned wildlife, creating an ideal base for an immersive Greater Kruger safari.
Best Suited For
Couples
Families
First-time safari travellers
Wildlife enthusiasts
Small groups
Lodge Atmosphere
Relaxed • Authentic • Contemporary • Welcoming
Klaserie Drift Misava Safari Camp
Set along the Klaserie River, Klaserie Drift Misava combines contemporary architecture with breathtaking wilderness views. The lodge provides generous suites, refined interiors and exceptional guiding, making it an excellent choice for travellers wanting a sophisticated safari experience immersed in nature.
Best Suited For
Honeymooners
Couples
Romantic celebrations
Guests seeking privacy
Lodge Atmosphere
Boutique • Romantic • Exclusive • Peaceful
Simbavati Camp George
Camp George brings a refined yet relaxed style of safari to the Timbavati wilderness. Set beneath mature trees with views towards the seasonal riverbed, the camp combines spacious accommodation, elegant communal areas and a warm sense of place.
Best Suited For
Couples
Families
Multi-generational travellers
Luxury travellers
Guests seeking a relaxed safari
Lodge Atmosphere
Elegant • Classic • Relaxed • Welcoming
Simbavati Waterside
Overlooking a permanent waterhole, Simbavati Waterside offers luxurious accommodation in one of the reserve's most scenic locations. Wildlife is frequently seen from the lodge itself. Its spacious layout and family-friendly atmosphere make it ideal for couples, families and small groups alike.
Best Suited For
Families
Couples
First-time safari travellers
Multi-generational holidays
Wildlife enthusiasts
Guests wanting wildlife at the lodge
Lodge Atmosphere
Contemporary • Relaxed • Nature-Focused • Family-Friendly
Sample Itinerary
Recommended Stay: 6 Nights | 7 Days
We recommend three nights in Timbavati followed by three nights in Klaserie, allowing you to explore two private reserves within the Greater Kruger without constantly moving between distant destinations. The result is a slower, deeper safari with more time to settle into the rhythm of the bush.
Day 1: Arrival at Timbavati
Arrive at RockFig Airstrip, where you'll be met for your transfer to your chosen lodge.
Settle into your suite and enjoy lunch before relaxing at the lodge.
Head out on your first afternoon game drive, followed by sundowners and dinner.
Inclusions: Air transfer, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Days 2-3: Discovering Timbavati
Rise before sunrise for a morning game drive, stopping for coffee and refreshments in the bush.
Return for breakfast before enjoying a relaxed morning at the lodge.
After lunch, head out for an afternoon game drive before sundowners and dinner.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Day 4: From Timbavati to Klaserie
Enjoy one final morning game drive before returning for breakfast and check-out.
Air transfer to Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) where a road transfer will take you to your chosen lodge. Or, if you are staying at Simbavati Waterside, you will transfer back to the RockFig Airstrip, where Waterside will collect you.
Arrive at your chosen lodge and enjoy lunch before settling into your new surroundings.
Head out for your first afternoon game drive in Klaserie, followed by sundowners and dinner.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, air transfer, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Days 5-6: Discovering Klaserie
Rise early for a morning game drive through Klaserie, stopping for coffee and light refreshments.
Return for breakfast before spending the morning at leisure.
After lunch, venture out again for an afternoon game drive, ending with sundowners before dinner.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Day 7: Departure
Enjoy one final morning game drive before breakfast and check-out.
Your road transfer will take you back to Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) or RockFig Airstrip where you will be air transferred back to Johannesburg for your onward journey.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, air transfer back to Johannesburg.
The All Out Safaris Perspective
This is the Discovery journey for those who want to go deeper rather than farther. Timbavati and Klaserie allow you to immerse yourself in the Greater Kruger while experiencing two distinct private reserves along the way. There is no need to chase a different ecosystem here. Sometimes the greatest luxury is simply having more time in the wild.
Questions about this safari
Why combine Timbavati and Klaserie?
Both reserves form part of the Greater Kruger, but each offers its own character and safari atmosphere. Combining them lets you go deeper into one of South Africa's great wilderness ecosystems without needing to travel far between destinations.
How many nights should I spend at each destination?
We recommend at least three nights at Timbavati and three nights at Klaserie. This gives you enough time to experience both reserves while keeping the journey relaxed. Longer stays can easily be arranged and is encouraged.
Which destination should I visit first?
We recommend Timbavati first, followed by Klaserie. The journey naturally moves deeper into the Greater Kruger, with Klaserie providing a quieter final chapter after your initial introduction to the region.
How do I travel from Timbavati to Klaserie?
It depends on which lodge you will be transferring to in Klaserie. If you are moving to Simbavati Waterside, the Timbavati lodge will road transfer you to the RockFig Airstrip where Waterside will collect you and transfer you to the lodge by road. If you will be moving to any other Klaserie lodge, you will be doing an air transfer between RockFig Airstrip and Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) where you will be transferred by road to the chosen lodge.
What wildlife will I see?
Both reserves offer opportunities for elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, wild dog, cheetah and abundant plains game. Wildlife sightings are naturally unpredictable, which is part of what makes each drive unique.
Will the safari feel repetitive because both destinations are in the Greater Kruger?
Not necessarily. While they share the broader ecosystem, each reserve and lodge has its own character, landscapes and safari experience. Staying in both is about exploring the Greater Kruger more deeply rather than chasing completely different ecosystems.
Is this better for first-time or returning safari travellers?
It's suitable for both, but particularly appealing to travellers who already appreciate the slower side of safari and want more time immersed in the bush rather than constantly changing destinations.
Can I customise the journey?
Absolutely. You can choose from our selected Timbavati and Klaserie lodges and we'll help you create a combination that suits your preferred style and pace. Because the two reserves are so close, this is an excellent journey to extend to 4 or more nights at one or both destinations if you want a slower, deeper safari.
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If you'd rather go deeper into the wild than simply go farther, we'd love to help you start planning your journey.
Once we've received your contact request, Josh will set up a WhatsApp or video meeting to get to know you better.