Nestled at the foot of the majestic Table Mountain and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is consistently voted amongst the top cities in the world to visit and it is no surprise that this wonderful city is one of the highlights of a holiday to South Africa. The climate is Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot summers.

One of the main tourist attractions is the tastefully restored V&A Waterfront with its many shops, bars and restaurants. There is also an aquarium and one of the largest craft markets in Southern Africa. Boats offer tours of the harbour from the quayside and the whole place is always buzzing with life and activity. The City Bowl is home to many museums and historical buildings which can all be viewed from a 'topless' hop on/hop off tourist bus, complete with interesting commentary as you ride around the city.

The adventurous can climb up (or abseil down) Table Mountain, windsurf or kitesurf at Bloubergstrand Beach, dive in shark tanks, or do any one of a dozen more adrenalin pumping activities. For a more relaxed pace of life, there are miles of sandy beaches for soaking up the African sun, or enjoy a quiet stroll through the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Address

Waterfront Village,Marina Residential Estate, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront

Directions

From the N2 (Cape Town International Airport/the Winelands/Hermanus/The Garden Route): Take the N2 towards Cape Town. Keep on this road, following the signs for City, Foreshore and Sea Point. If in doubt, keep bearing right the whole time. You will then see the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on your left-hand side (very large cream-coloured building), and there will be a set of traffic lights at a major junction. 

Continue straight over onto Buitengracht Street/M62 and use the right 3 lanes to turn right onto Helen Suzman Blvd/M6.  Use the right 2 lanes to turn slightly right toward Portswood Road. 

Continue onto Portswood Road and turn right onto Marine Road. Keep to the left, past Deloitte, and go down the ramp to the Marina Residential Security Gate and you will be directed from here. 

From the N1: Follow the road to Cape Town, and you will see the CTICC on your left-hand side. Follow the directions as above.

Situated in the Timbavati Game Reserve, Shindzela Tented Safari Camp offers an affordable Kruger safari holiday without compromising on important safari experiences such as the thrill of viewing African wildlife, marvelling at a beautiful sunset or relaxing around the camp fire with a drink.

The main focus is on game drives in open 4x4 vehicles (day and night drives) as well as walking safaris. 

The open Land Cruisers can comfortably accommodate 10 guests per vehicle. The game drives (one drive early morning and one late afternoon and early evening which last for approximately 3 to 3.5 hours each, depending on animal movements) are conducted in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve on Shindzela’s traversing concession and often you will drive off-road into the bush in search of predators or unusual sightings. 

The walking safaris (maximum of 8 guests) are led by a professional, experienced safari guide and a tracker.  Your Kruger walking safari generally begins at dawn and there is ample opportunity to stop along the trail to examine interesting features of the bush or to observe animals, before returning to the camp mid morning to enjoy a hearty brunch.

Shindzela has 8 safari canvas tents. Each tent is built on a wooden deck and has a thatch grass roof, designed to keep you cool in summer and cosy in winter. The tents all have a private en-suite bathroom and a private deck/porch where you can sit and relax. Six of the tents have a view of the waterhole and 2 tents are set further away, offering slightly more privacy with views of the dry river bed.

The main guest areas at the camp include a swimming pool, a dining area and a lounge area.

Address

Shindzela Tented Safari Camp,Timbavati Game Reserve, Timbavati Game Reserve

Directions

From Hazyview: Follow the R40 towards Klaserie. Once past Klaserie, continue along this road until you see the turning off to the right for Eastgate Airport. Turn right here and proceed along this road until you reach the main Timbavati Control Gate/Enkhulu Gate.

From Eastgate/Hoedspruit Airport: Turn left and proceed along this road until you reach the main Timbavati Control Gate/Enkhulu Gate.

From Johannesburg/Pretoria: Take the N12 or N4 highway to Witbank/eMalahleni (from Johannesburg Airport, follow signs to Boksburg to find the N12). Follow the N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni and Machadodorp (Toll Plaza). Follow the Schoemanskloof option on the N4 and then take the R36 to Lydenburg/Mashishing.

Follow the R36 to Ohrigstad, go through the Strydom Tunnel and take the R527 to Hoedspruit. Turn right onto the R40 towards Klaserie, and continue along this road until you see the turning off to the left for Eastgate Airport. Turn left here and follow the directions as above From Eastgate/Hoedspruit Airport.

From Kruger National Park/Orpen Gate: Exit the Park, and continue along the R531. Turn right onto the R40, and continue along this road until you see the turning off to the right for Eastgate Airport. Turn right here follow the directions as above From Eastgate/Hoedspruit Airport.

ONCE AT THE TIMBAVATI CONTROL GATE: For self-drive visitors, there is a vehicle entrance cash fee of R280 per vehicle payable at the gate (cash or Visa/MasterCard credit cards only and subject to change). Please retain your receipt as proof of entrance and have it stamped at your destination when you are leaving, which acts as your Exit Permit.

From the Timbavati Control Gate/Enkhulu Gate, travel about 12-13 km, and turn right where it is signposted Shindzela.  Continue to follow the Shindzela signs until you reach the camp. Driving time from the Timbavati Gate to Shindzela on the dirt road is about 60 minutes.  If you are lost, or have any queries, please call on +27 (0) 82 307 9493.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

Also, we would advise that you do NOT use a GPS once in the Timbavati, as it is likely to give you incorrect directions!