

Timbavati Game Reserve

The Timbavati Game Reserve is one of the private game reserves that are part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Timbavati arose in 1956 when a number of local farmers decided to return to rehabilitate the flora and fauna in their territory. In 1993, the fences that separated Timbavati Game Reserve on the east side of the Kruger Park were removed so the animals from different areas were given more freedom to migrate. From Timbavati you are about 5 to 6 hours' drive from Johannesburg in the Limpopo province.

The 53 400 hectare reserve consists of a hilly landscape with altitudes between 300 and 500 meters above sea level. The area is classified as 'savannah Bushveld'; the vegetation consists mainly of Mopane, acacia and mortem forests / shrubs. The reserve is full of Big Five (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino) as well as hyenas, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, jackals, wild dogs, and a variety of goats and antelopes. Birdwatchers can see a total of 360 different bird species in the reserve.

Summer is the wet season with the most chance of rain from December to February; it is also the hottest time of the year with an average temperature around 32 degrees. During the day it is hot and you often see clouds gather before a thunderstorm late in the afternoon and in the early evening it cools down. In the winter months (April-September), the chance of rain is very small and the temperatures vary considerably. In the early morning and evening it can be relatively cold, around 10 degrees, while the daytime when the sun is very pleasant (above 20 degrees). Because of the drought it is good spot wildlife at the waterholes.

When you make a safari in the Timbavati Game Reserve, look if you do not happen to see a bunch of white lions. These lions with a striking light coat are seen here with some regal size. They are not albino lions because their skin and eyes are normally coloured. White coat colour is caused by a gene defect.

Your holiday begins at South Africa Specialist.