Nkuwa Wilderness Camp: A tranquil Big Five safari experience

Experience our low-impact wilderness retreat & immerse yourself in untamed beauty for an intimate and undisturbed safari.

Nkuwa Wilderness Camp is a serene bushveld retreat nestled within the expansive Selati Game Reserve. This exclusive tented camp, consciously designed to minimise environmental impact, offers a unique sanctuary beneath the majestic canopy of a Sycamore Fig Tree. With just four luxury ensuite safari tents, we ensure a personal and undisturbed experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of your surroundings for an authentic wilderness encounter.

WELCOME TO NKUWA WILDERNESS CAMP

The Selati Game Reserve, situated in Limpopo province adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park on its southern border, was established in 1993 through a common vision by likeminded landowners who came together to create a private conservancy underpinned by the current vision of the Reserve, namely:

‘to create an enduring legacy by conserving and enhancing the biodiversity of the ecosystem through the astute and sustainable management of its resources’.

Some thirty years later, this 28,000-hectare wilderness area has developed into a unique Big Five private game reserve that recently opened its doors to the public through the introduction of commercial eco-tourism offerings.

At the heart of its offerings lies the newly-developed Nkuwa Wilderness Camp.

The vision of the tented camp was simple: to step away from the traditional safari offerings by creating a low-impact wilderness camp where guests can completely immerse themselves in the area’s untamed beauty and relish in an undisturbed and intimate safari experience.

LOCATION & SETTING

Nestled beneath the grandeur of a Sycamore Fig Tree (Ficus sycomorus) along the Mahoed Drainage line, Nkuwa Wilderness Camp draws its name from the tree in the local Tsonga language.

ACCOMMODATION

Situated on a wooded drainage line and surrounded by spectacular granitic outcrops, the camp comprises of 4 en-suite safari tents and a communal entertainment and dining area.

SUSTAINABILITY

Wilderness Camp Braai Area

Embracing sustainability, Nkuwa Wilderness Camp is completely ‘off-grid’ and equipped with a state-of-the-art solar panel, battery and inverter system together with a borehole for its water requirements.

ACTIVITIES

Selati Game Reserve African Sunset

At Nkuwa Wilderness Camp, we are committed to a low-impact approach that caters to various preferences. While our experienced trail guides lead enriching walking safaris for those who wish to explore on foot, we also offer alternative ways to experience the rich diversity of the Selati Game Reserve. Our guided vehicle tours allow guests to enjoy the stunning landscapes and wildlife from the comfort of a well-equipped game viewer, ensuring a closer connection with nature that suits every comfort level.

Lillie Cycad

BIODIVERSITY

Selati Game Reserve is home not only to the Big Five. The reserve’s wide variety of habitats gives rise to incredible biodiversity. A vibrant bird population, over 50 mammal species and a diverse range of geological substructures allow for a myriad of plant and animal species. The incredibly rare cycad, Encephalartos dyerianus, occurs exclusively among the beautiful granite Lillie koppie formation in the South of the Reserve.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Exclusive-use lodge

EXCLUSIVE-USE ACCOMMODATION

Catering Options: Nkuwa Wilderness Camp offers exclusive-use accommodations with options for catered or self-catered stays.

Personal Guides: Each group is accompanied by two expert guides- a Lead Trails Guide and a Back-Up Trails Guide – to ensure utmost safety during walking safaris among the Big Five.

DAILY SERVICES

Camp Servicing: The camp will be serviced daily.

Gourmet Dining: A qualified chef will be on hand to prepare meals and snacks tailored to your dietary requirements and preferences.

Get ready to safari at Nkuwa Wilderness Camp

FLEXIBLE SAFARI ACTIVITIES

Custom Tailored Safaris: Daily activities can be tailor-made to the guests’ interests and preferences and the guides are suitably qualified to provide a professional experience on all aspects of the eco-tourism offering. From photography, to birding, to tree and plant identification, and geology.

The exclusive-use nature of the camp allows for a very flexible approach to the safari activities. Whilst there are opportunities for walking safaris, there is a well-equipped game viewer for those who rather wish to drive and explore the remote areas of the reserve.

Image credit: Marius Swart

Nkuwa Wilderness Camp is available on an exclusive-use self-catered basis with a minimum charge (base cost) of four persons for two nights per booking. A fixed rate is charged per person thereafter with a maximum occupancy of eight guests.

The table below provides the minimum basic rate for 4 guests in the camp based on the season and whether they are international or SADC guests. In the event a private, single exclusive-use booking for 6 guests is made, a 10% discount on the rate will apply and, in the event, a private single exclusive-use booking for 8 people is made, then a 15% discount will apply.

Self Catering Rates – 2024
Exclusive Use SADC Rates (min 4 Pax) – Self Catering
Base RACK – Per night Add. Pax RACK – Pppn
High Season (April to October) R 10 000 R 2 500
Low Season (November to March) R 8 600 R 2 150
Exclusive Use International Rates (min 4 Pax) – Self Catering
Base RACK – Per night Add. Pax RACK – Pppn
High Season (April to October) R 13 000 R 3 250
Low Season (November to March) R 11 200 R 2 800

Rates are VAT inclusive.

Conservation levies: In addition to the rates, a conservation levy is payable to the Selati Wilderness Foundation.  Conservation levies are as follows:

  • SADC guests – R 230.00 per person per night
  • International guests – R 460.00 per person per night

Catering can be arranged if required and will be quoted separately.

Children>12: 50% of the rate (sharing with an adult)

Guide operators and agents are also invited to book Nkuwa Wilderness Camp with their group of guests, subject to the same terms and conditions as mentioned above and at agreed STO rates.

Bookings: [email protected]

  • Four en-suite safari tents, with an option of a double bed or 2 x single beds
  • En-suite bathrooms
  • Outdoor shower
  • All tents equipped with fans
  • Open air boma
  • Lounge area
  • Dining area
  • Waterhole in close proximity

To secure a booking we require a 50% non-refundable deposit. Payment of the balance of the booking must be made in full no less than 30 calendar days prior to arrival.

Cancellation Policy:

The cancellation of the booking is based on the total amount paid less the 50% non-refundable deposit.

> 30–15 days – 25% of full amount will be refunded

> 14 days or less –0% of full amount will be refunded

Arrival and Departure Times:

Guests may arrive any time from 14h00 -15h00 at the Selati Head Office where they will be met. Guests will depart the lodge at 10h00 and be arrive at Selati Head Office at around 11h00.

Please note that there is a 25% surcharge on late check outs and early check ins.

What we recommend you bring with you:

  • Comfortable walking shoes, especially if you are going to do a trail as one of your game activities;
  • Backpack to carry items when on drive or a walk/trail;
  • sun hat;
  • sunglasses;
  • sun block;
  • cameras and binoculars;
  • anti-malaria precautions (please consult your doctor / pharmacist);
  • light, neutral coloured clothing; and
  • warm jackets for the winter months (May – October).

OUR LOCATION

OUR GALLERY