Ngala Tented Camp

OVERVIEW:

Ngala Tented Camp has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment, making this already wonderful camp one of the finest properties in South Africa. Owned by &Beyond, which is among the premier safari operators on the continent, this is a high-end luxury camp. Its attention to detail and singularly special ambiance is a hallmark of the &Beyond properties, making it perfect for honeymooners. The location is superb, overlooking the seasonal Timbavati River and in the heart of a game-rich area that is home to the Big Five. Ngala is set within its own private reserve, sharing unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park. The game is in fact better on the Ngala side, plus you have the privacy that comes with seeing no other vehicles.

The activities at Ngala are numerous, including some conservation experiences that allow you to get up close to endangered rhino. The suites are beautiful, only nine in total, and all have great views over the river. They also have one of the best treehouses we’ve seen! Split level, it comes complete with king-size bed and hot shower, so you can spend a night on a raised, stilted platform in the tree branches, with the sounds of the bush around you and the sight of the stars above you. This is executive fly camping and a magical experience! After its 2024 upgrade, Ngala is now one of the finest options in this region of the greater Kruger. And as it’s a small camp you get a very private, sophisticated safari experience, with all the wonderful guiding, amazing food, and personal service that &Beyond does so well.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Ngala Tented Camp has a fabulous location, on the banks of the seasonal Timbavati river within the Ngala Private Game Reserve, which is a part of the famous Timbavati Reserve. The camp is set between the riverine forest (a home to some magnificent birdlife) and the river, which is often a sandy riverbed depending on when you travel. The word ‘ngala’ means lion, and not without cause! A large pride operates in this area, as well as strong populations of elephant, buffalo, rhino, and occasional wild dog. In terms of game, the Timbavati region and Kruger National Park, which has a major cross-over with Ngala Private Reserve, is home to more species of large mammal than any other African game reserve, so you are assured of some spectacular sightings and a very good chance of seeing the Big Five.

The camp is accessed by scheduled light aircraft from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit Airport, then it’s a 1-hour transfer to your destination. Alternatively, Federal Air flies into Ngala’s local airstrip (from Jo’burg or Kruger Mpumalanga airport or Sabi Sands), and this is followed by a 20-minute drive to camp, depending on what game you might encounter along the way. Those drives to camp are often the most thrilling because you’re expecting a simple transfer to the lodge, then suddenly amazing wildlife presents itself en route!

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT NGALA TENTED CAMP:

The nine tented suites are beautifully appointed and the height of elegance – all are super-chic, with climate control, and some with views over the riverbed. The new design celebrates both the traditional and the contemporary, with neutral granite colors, local Shangaan-inspired art, and some wonderful extras, such as al-fresco bathtubs and showers! Each tent has an overhead fan as well as aircon, beautiful comfy beds with wonderful linen, en-suite bathroom with twin washbasins, and even electric blankets should you visit in winter. Your spacious tent leads out onto a private wooden deck area, with a table and chairs, where you can relax to enjoy the view and see what wildlife wanders past. Other room amenities include a telephone, great mini-bar, safe, hairdryer, and tea-and-coffee station. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the lodge. And there’s also a nice touch that each tent has the loan of an excellent pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars for your stay.

The main part of the camp is spacious and fashionably designed, with comfortable seating areas, a well-stocked bar, and a wide al-fresco dining platform that has stunning views of the riverbed, complete with a reticulated awning. On a slightly lower level, there’s the safari shop, which sells clothing and essential items in addition to curios and local art. The massage sala is just the job for a little pampering in between safari activities, while there’s also a new state-of-the-art gym. Another real highlight at Ngala is the fantastic swimming pool, which looks out over the riverbed. The food here is very good, and dining is generally private, apart from when guides join in, and then it can be a communal bush dinner! There are fantastic locations dotted around camp where you can take your meals, either on the raised decking, or delightfully set out on the dry riverbed by flaming torchlight, with the huge African night sky overhead! If you would like a night fully immersed in the bush then their amazing, state-of-the-art treehouse is the perfect getaway. This comes at extra cost and needs to be pre-booked. Please chat to your safari consultant about how to include this romantic night in your trip.

ACTIVITIES AT NGALA TENTED CAMP:

The camp offers an excellent range of safari activities in one of the best game areas in South Africa, including walking safaris and night drives. And as it’s a private reserve you will not see many other vehicles (whereas inside the Kruger it can get very busy and there’s no off-roading). Please note that some activities come at extra cost and need to be pre-booked.

• Expertly guided game drives

  - Two game sessions daily are offered, during mornings and late afternoons. It’s possible to do longer drives or whole-day drives too, depending on the other guests in the vehicle and the availability. Among the highlights here are lion, leopard, elephant, spotted hyena, and buffalo. You can look out for smaller predators too, such as jackal, serval, civet, honey badger, and the rare wild dog, while the large herbivore collection features giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and an assortment of antelopes.

• Walking safaris

  - Why not head out into the bush with an armed guide? As well as enjoying animal tracking and the area’s phenomenal birdlife, you’ll be able to take a closer look at the reserve’s insects and plant life. Different levels and distances are available, depending on the ages of your group. Please note, nature walks have a minimum age requirement of 12 years, whereas for tracking of big game it’s 16 years.

• Night drives

  - You can also head out at night, when all the big predators come alive. It’s always an unforgettable experience, watching what goes on in the dark of the night! You might see porcupines, genets, civets, bush-babies, and occasionally a larger predator with its prey. Night drives here tend to be an add-on post sundowners, rather than a middle-of-the-night excursion.

• Cultural trips

  - You can visit a Shangaan community and interact with the people of Mpumalanga. A local guide will escort you through the village and share the secrets of their customs, beliefs, and way of life. It’s such a rewarding thing, to meet the people who call this region their home! But since the community is quite far from the safari areas, it’s best to add this activity onto the end of your stay, if you’d like to do this. Please note, there’s an extra cost, and pre-booking is required.
  

• The Treehouse

  - Sleep out beneath the stars! This is a memorable experience indeed, and &Beyond staff don’t mess around in terms of comfort. It usually works that your afternoon game drive ends with sundowners near the Treehouse, and after that you’ll enjoy a star-lit, romantic, rooftop picnic. You are safely high up in the canopy, and all guests have a radio in case of emergencies. Wake up to a delightful bush breakfast, before being driven back to the lodge. This too comes at extra cost and needs pre-booking.

• Conservation

  - Join rangers on their tours, and you’ll be a part of the program in which they do a huge amount to protect the wildlife in the area. What you actually get up to depends on the day and cannot be pre-planned, which all adds to the excitement. Rhinos are the main attraction here, and the rangers operate a darting and microchipping program. Also at extra cost, and the proceeds go directly to the rhino project (this needs pre-booking as well, although it cannot be guaranteed, being subject to the availability of the wildlife veterinarian).

• Helicopter flights

  - This is another spectacular way of observing the breadth of the greater Kruger from the sky! You can certainly cover more terrain, stopping off at spectacular places for picnics. The Mpumalanga Drakensberg Mountains provide amazing viewing, including the famous God’s Window and the Three Rondavels. It’s a 1-hour road transfer to Hazyview, where the flight takes off. You can do this at the end of your stay and overnight in Hazyview so you don’t cut into your safari time, but please chat to your consultant about how best to incorporate this into your trip! (Flights come at extra cost and need to be pre-booked.)

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.