Shindzela Tented Safari Camp

From Johannesburg
From Johannesburg or OR Tambo International Airport, follow signs for the N12 Witbank (these signs are currently changing – you may now see a sign for R21 Boksburg and then a sign for Witbank (now called Emalahleni). Travel east on the N12, until the N12 and the N4 from Pretoria merge – it is now the N4 highway.

From Pretoria
Take the N4 highway to Witbank/ Emalahleni. Please note that you will pass through a toll booth/gate (they only accept cash) – if travelling from Pretoria, you will travel through two tolls. Tolls need to be paid in cash (won’t be more than R100 per vehicle per toll) – no credit cards. Fuel will also need to be paid for in cash (only a few service stations in cities take credit card payments for fuel / gas / petrol)

Continue past Witbank and Middleberg, staying on the N4 highway. Continue on the N4, and take the R33 off-ramp to Belfast (now off the highway). From Belfast, follow the R540 to Dullstroom and Lydenburg (now known as Mashishing). From Lydenburg follow the R36 to Ohrigstad and Tzaneen. (In Lydenburg town centre, do not follow the signs RIGHT to Kruger and Sabie) Travel through Ohrigstad, and then on through the Abel Erasmus pass and through the JG Strydom tunnel. Once through the tunnel, continue on the R36 until you see the R36 turning to the left to Tzaneen. DO NOT take this left turning to Tzaneen, but continue straight on what is now the R527 to Hoedspruit.

On arrival in Hoedspruit, travel straight through town until you reach the second 4 way stop (after you crossed over the bridge) - turn right on the R40 (White River) Travel some 6-7 km's out of town, and take the left turning marked Timbavati and Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport. Travel through the Guernsey Control Gate (first green gate)

Continue to travel along this road, past the Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport and past Kapama Game Reserve. Continue, until you reach the Timbavati Game Reserve entrance gate (A large thatch structure) It is here that you pay your gate vehicle entry fee of R120 per vehicle.

From the Timbavati gate, travel about 12/13 km’s, and turn right (big rock structure on your left, follow sign to Ngala/Jonniesdale) following pointers to JONNIESDALE / NGALA. Continue along this dirt road for about another 6 or 7 kilometers, and at a 4 way junction, turn LEFT, following the JONNIESDALE / NGALA pointers. Continue straight on this road, and at approximately 6km’s further, you must follow the signs to NGALA Private Game Reserve (ignore the Jonniesdale sign at this point). At the next NGALA sign, follow the sign for NGALA DELIVERIES to the right; you will also see a Shindzela sign. 400 meters further you will see another NGALA sign – stay on the right hand side, you will see the SHINDZELA sign and turn right here. Drive through the riverbed and continue straight with the airfield running parallel on your LHS. Take the Shindzela right turning.

Continue to follow SHINDZELA signs. Pass a old camp with white rondawels/huts, turn left, and continue to Shindzela Bush Camp. If you are lost, or have any queries, please call on 082 307 9493 / 087 943 6442. Driving time from the Timbavati gate to Shindzela on the dirt road is about 50 min drive. Driving time from Johannesburg to the Timbavati gate is approximately 6 hours. (For timing purposes, try and be at the Timbavati Entrance gate by 13h30) Entrance fees: At the entrance to the Timbavati Reserve, please pay your entrance fees in cash: R140 per vehicle. On arrival in camp, you will need to settle the Timbavati Conservation Fee of R180 per person (cash/credit card). Keep your vehicle permit, as the lodge will have to stamp it for you when you leave. Once in the Timbavati, speed is limited to maximum 50 km’s an hour.

* * DO NOT USE A GPS ONCE IN THE TIMBAVATI – IT IS LIKELY TO GIVE YOU INCORRECT DIRECTIONS. * *

VERY IMPORTANT:
Check in at camp is strictly after 13h00 and before 15h00. However if you do arrive in camp later than 15h00 you will unfortunately miss your first afternoon safari. Shindzela is a wilderness camp and does not operate with a large staff compliment. We really do not want you to arrive in camp when it is getting dark, or get lost driving in the Reserve when it is dark. If you are going to be late due to unforeseen circumstances, please let us know on 082 307 9493 / 087 943 6442. THANK YOU

Once you enter the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, please do not at any moment step out of your vehicle, should you get stuck please wait in your vehicle for a Shindzela staff member to come and assist you. We are aware of your arrival and therefore will come looking should you not arrive on said time.