Talamati Bushveld Camp

Action-packed privacy

Talamati Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park

It’s a cool, quiet evening in the Kruger National Park. A short downpour has given the parched earth (and us) a brief moment’s respite from the October heat, and we are both grateful. 

The surrounding camp ambiance is that typical twilight mix of chattering crickets, serenading scops owls, an out-of-tune fruit bat, and, of course, the resident baboon troop putting their young ones to bed in the fig trees above – or trying to. 

Suddenly, a screech-turned-bellow like none I’ve heard before erupts in front of camp. It seems that two herds of equally-thirsty elephants have gotten their trunks in a twist over waterhole decorum, but closer inspection reveals that a couple of hyenas are too close to one of the babies for mom’s comfort. Apparently, hyenas don’t listen the first time and so the chaos continued well into the night – much to the dissatisfaction of the baboons.

And this was just night one at Talamati Bushveld Camp. On our second day, wild dogs made quick work of an unsuspecting bushbuck at the fence. On our third, a baboon frenzy alerted us to a hyena making off with an impala near the gate. Day four brought a resident leopard for a sundowner at the hide. And, as a fitting farewell, the lions were in full voice on either side of the camp on our last night.

This is the essence of Talamati. Each evening you are lulled into a bushveld meditation. Then, as you sink into your camping chair the bliss is broken by some or other altercation – usually visible on the open, and very active plain in front of camp, or in the secretive, but equally rewarding dry N’wasitsontso riverbed behind you.

You won’t even need to leave camp…

Good to know: With only 15 family units and its own private entry road, Talamati Bushveld Camp makes for an intimate bush experience without breaking the bank. While there are no shops or restaurants at camp, wood, and ice can be bought at reception, and Orpen is a convenient 30-minute drive should you require more.

Cost: Cottages (rondawels) start at R1355 for two people.

Book:

https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/talamati/

https://www.safari.com/kruger-national-park/self-catering/talamati-bushveld-camp/