Home / Accommodation / National Park / Rest Camps / Biyamiti
Biyamiti Bushveld Camp
Biyamiti Bush Camp is one of the bush-veld camps of Kruger National Park (KNP) which is located in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo province of South Africa. The camp is situated in the southern part of the park close to the Malelane gate entrance.
Biyamiti Bushveld Camp - Self Catering
4 Sleeper - Cottage (NCO2+2)
| Date Range | Rate |
| 2023 – 2024 | R4095 for 4 persons |
Rates quoted per night.
Include: Self catering, En-Suite-1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 2 bench beds in lounge, Fan, Not recommend for 4 Adults, No shop or restaurant, SANPARKS Community Levy
Exclude: Daily Conservation fees, all safari drives, all meals, No restaurant or shop onsite,
Biyamiti Bushveld Camp - Self Catering
4 Sleeper - Cottage - View (NCO2+2V)
| Date Range | Rate |
| 2023 – 2024 | R4395 for 4persons |
Rates quoted per night.
Include: Self catering, En-Suite-1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 2 bench beds in lounge, View,Fan, Not recommend for 4 Adults, No shop or restaurant, SANPARKS Community Levy
Exclude: Daily Conservation fees, all safari drives, all meals, No restaurant or shop onsite
Biyamiti Bushveld Camp - Self Catering
5 Sleeper - Cottage - View (NGC5)
| Date Range | Rate |
| 2023 – 2024 | R6195 for 5 persons |
Rates quoted per night.
Include: Self catering, En-suite, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 1 bedroom with 3 single beds, Fan, Kitchen, No shop or restaurant, SANPARKS Community Levy
Exclude: Daily Conservation fees, all safari drives, all meals, No restaurant or shop onsite
Biyamiti Bushveld Camp - Self Catering
5 Sleeper - Guest Cottage - View (NGC5V)
| Date Range | Rate |
| 2023 – 2024 | R6695 for 4 persons |
Rates quoted per night.
Include: Self catering, En-suite, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 1 bedroom with 3 single beds, Fan, Kitchen River View, No shop or restaurant, SANPARKS Community Levy
Exclude: Daily Conservation fees, all safari drives, all meals, No restaurant or shop onsite
Overview
Biyamiti is by far one of the most beautiful bush-veld camps of Kruger Park. It is located on the banks of the Biyamiti River, hidden by Delagoa thickets. Situated between huge Wild Fig and Jackalberry trees with many other fauna and flora species, the area is a game spotter’s dream come true.
The atmosphere at Biyamiti is like no other, and many guests fall in love with this bush-veld camp. The camp also has some historical significance as the spirit of the transport riders of old, lives in the area. Several of the transport routes passed close to where the camp lies today.
It all started when Alois Nellmapius, a Hungarian entrepreneur was contracted to build a better trading route to Delagoa Bay. He forded the Crocodile River south of Biyamiti and many trading stores sprang up along the route. The ford fell in disuse after 1892 with the opening of the railway line to Delagoa Bay.
Although there was not much activity during the Anglo Boer War fought between the British and Boer forces between 1899 and 1902, one of the sites lies just west of Nellmapius ford. Here, Boer forces under the command of General Ben Viljoen destroyed most of their artillery pieces and ammunition to prevent them from falling into the hands of the approaching British army under General Pole-Carew.
Staying in any of the camps of the KNP is a top experience where you can be guaranteed to see the Big 5. It is one of the more affordable safari vacations that you can book in South Africa.
The camp offers two types of cottage accommodation and is not accessible for day visitors. Booking accommodation can be done online via the SANParks website, telephone, fax, e-mail or in person at a KNP bookings office.
Why would you want to visit Biyamiti?
Spending a few days in the Biyamiti camp provides a true African experience like few others and is definitely something to add to your safari vacation. Being a smaller camp, Biyamiti is a place of ultimate rest and relaxation where guests can enjoy the quiet seclusion of the park while resting in luxury bush-veld style accommodation. It has earned a reputation for being one of the parks more intimate camps.
Biyamiti is a wooded, cosy and luxurious bush-veld camp offering a rustic experience like no other camp in the park. It is a quieter alternative to the main camps, especially since they are not available to day visitors. They are also more equipped than the satellite camps, with guests having access to their own bath and cooking facilities rather than having to share.
KNP has 5 bush camps situated in different areas in the park. Staying in one of these camps means you will have to make sure you bring everything with you as it does not have a huge shop and does not provide any perishable foodstuff like meats. The bush-veld camps in KNP are ideal for those wanting a private family trip or a romantic break.
Going out on an open vehicle safari is the preferred way to see animals but at Biyamiti you could spot many animals while sitting right at your accommodation site. The camp also offers great bird watching opportunities as it provides a walking route on the inside perimeters of the camp. You will get a general offering of fauna and flora and being close to animals that you might catch a glimpse of on the other side of the electrified fence.
Where is Biyamiti located?
Biyamiti is situated in the southern part of the KNP, about 39 km from the Malelane entrance gate. The GPS coordinates for the camp is S 25 19' 16" E 31 41' 57".
How to get to Biyamiti
Travelling time from Johannesburg to the closest entrance gate at Malelane by car is at least four to five hours.
From central Gauteng take the N4 to Nelspruit and head on to Malelane. Turn left at the Kruger National Park sign just outside Malelane and head to the gate. Biyamiti Bush-veld Camp is 39 km away from the gate and you will need about 2 hours for the drive to the camp.
You can also travel by air and the closest airport to Biyamiti is Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) which is situated between Nelspruit and White River. Nelspruit is about 25 km from KMIA and about 70 km from Malelane Gate.
There are daily scheduled flights between KMIA and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Flights from Cape Town and Durban International Airports are also available but less frequent. Guests also have the option to fly directly to Skukuza Airport and drive from there to Biyamiti.
A map of KNP can be bought at the entrance gates or any of the camps in the park.
Be aware of the gate times for entering and departing from the park. It is as follows:
Entrance gates:
- January, February, November and December - gates open at 05:30 and close at 18:30
- March and October - gates open at 05:30 and close at 18:00.
- April, August, and September - gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00.
- May, June, and July - gates open at 06:00 and close at 17:30.
Biyamiti’s gates open and close at the same times as the entrance gates, except for January, November and December when the camp gates open as early as 04:30.
What to do while staying at Biyamiti.
There are activities on offer at the camp that will ensure an exciting bush experience. All bookings, and further details for these activities are available from reception.
Activities on offer at Biyamiti include game drives, bush walks and night drives. The Biyamiti camp is small and quiet, which means many animal species move straight through the camp. Guided bushwalks is on offer and there are also excellent photographic opportunities.
Night drives allows guests to take part in the nocturnal activities of Kruger’s secretive creatures, in the company of experienced guides. Trained field guides accompany you on the guided bush walks with groups of up to 8 people for a few hours. All guides are equipped with backup rifles. To track rhino, elephant and lion on foot is the most exciting way to learn and observe fascinating facts about the African bush.
Various open vehicle safari operators are available to book a trip with. They offer affordable yet exclusive safari trips for singles, couples, families with children or small private groups.
What to watch out for when staying at Biyamiti
Staying at Biyamiti is an exciting experience and guests will experience the flora and fauna that this area offers. The access road to the camp is for residents only and follows the Biyamiti River. This ensures guest the opportunity to enjoy relaxed privacy and safety as only those with accommodation reserved at Biyamiti are allowed to travel in the vicinity of the camp.
The southern part of the park is home to a variety of animals and those that you would most like see in the Biyamiti area are the endangered white rhino, giraffe, kudu, duiker, impala, steenbok, elephant, rhino, buffalo, warthog, hippopotamus, lion, leopard and hyena. You might also spot a cheetah or a pack of wild dogs.
Although the bush is dense it is home to a variety of birds and birders would be able to add quite a number of species to their list such are the Plum Coloured Starling, Purple Roller, and Redbacked Shrike.
The vegetation in the Biyamiti is typical mixed Combretum veld and includes tamboti, knob thorn, magic guarri, green thorn, sausage and marula trees. The surrounding vegetation is mixed woodland with heavier growth and sizable trees along the river.
Being close to a water means you should probably see animals of all kinds
What type of accommodation does Biyamiti offer and what amenities/facilities are available at the camp?
Biyamiti provides one type of accommodation for singles, couples, and families with children.
Accommodation availability changes from day to day and all inquiries about general availability are subject to change without notice. Last minute reservations in less than 31 days prior to arrival date, are payable within 24 hours after receiving a confirmed provisional reservation via e-mail.
Your accommodation is only guaranteed once you receive a provisional reservation confirmation and to secure your reservation full pre-payment is required a.s.a.p.
Biyamiti offers 15 family cottages that are spread out in a long well-spaced line along the Biyamiti River. All units are serviced daily and supplied with bedding, towels and soap. The camp can accommodate 70 guests.
The following accommodation types are available:
Guest cottages
The camp offers 10 cottages with 2 bedrooms offering beds for 5 people. One bedroom has 3 single beds in and the other 2. One bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with bath, wash basin and toilet. There is also a separate toilet, shower and wash basin in a second bathroom. All the rooms have ceiling fans and come equipped with linen and towels. The kitchen has a gas stove, fridge/freezer combination, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. An open veranda serves as dining room and lounge and there are private braai facilities.
Cottages
The camp offers 5 units with only 1 bedroom containing 2 single beds and a ceiling fan. The living room has 2 bench-beds. There is only one bathroom equipped with a bath, shower, toilet and washbasin. The open veranda serves as dining room and lounge. The kitchen has a two-plate electric stove, sink, fridge / freezer combination, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. It also has braai facilities.
Accommodation at Biyamiti is well suited for guests looking for a self-catering bushveld experience.
- At Biyamiti the following facilities are available:
- Information at Reception
- Public telephone
- Basic First Aid assistance
- Electricity (plug points) for appliances in units
- Mini Shop at reception stocks basic items such as firewood, ice and Telkom phone cards and there are no foodstuffs such as meat available
- No ATM facility available
What do you need to know and bring for a safe and comfortable stay at the Biyamiti?
Plan properly for your vacation at Biyamiti to make it a relaxed trip and stay. Bookings need to be done well in advance from your planned date of arrival. KNP is a popular game reserve and accommodation is not readily available, especially in the holiday season and during the winter months.
Biyamiti does not offer any bed and breakfast facilities and guests must bring their own food and drinks. The closest camp with a restaurant and shop is Skukuza which is about 70 km away. Access to Biyamiti is only for residents which ensure privacy and peace of mind.
Most parts of the KNP is situated well within a malaria area. This is much more than just an unpleasant illness but can be fatal if left untreated. Since it is being spread by mosquitoes, the best way to avoid getting sick is to prevent the mosquitos to bite you.
You can avoid mosquito bites if you take the necessary steps, such as wearing long sleeves and trousers in the evening, using a reputable kind of insect repellent.
The best way to totally avoid a malaria scare is to get the necessary preventative medication prescribed by your doctor before journeying into the African bush.
Although it is basically impossible for larger, more dangerous animals to enter the camp, it is best to always be alert. Nocturnal animals like the civet, porcupines, and others are frequent visitors.
Ensure your stay is happy and safe by taking note of a few simple warnings. You will be sharing your stay with many unusual and dangerous creatures, such as bats, spiders, snakes, scorpions, to mention but a few, and without knowledge some of them could be dangerous.
If you must walk around at night, please do not do so without a torch. Although there is streetlights, it is not very bright and only along the footpaths.
Under no circumstances are you allowed to feed the animals. By feeding any wildlife, you are signing their death warrant as they become lazy and do not seek for food themselves which can cause them to starve. Some also become aggressive.
When to visit Biyamiti
The best time of the year to make your trip to Biyamiti in the KNP is either early spring or late autumn. Kruger is a summer rainfall area and such precipitation is usually convectional and can result in heavy downpours.
The hot summer months from October to April can make any safari tour unpleasant. Unfortunately, Biyamiti does not come with swimming pool.
The winters are warm and mild during the day and can sometimes be quite cold at night. If you are planning a trip to KNP in the winter that include a night-drive be sure to pack warm clothing that include a warm jacket, beanie, scarf and gloves.
Even animals sometimes shy away from the heat. During the summer months they tend to look for shade during the hottest time of the day and is not always easy to spot, especially since the bush is very dense.
During the winter months, wildlife tend to stay in the vicinity of water sources and can often be seen at the watering holes, rivers and dams. The bush is also less dense, and animals are spotted more easily than during the summer months.
FAQs
Where is Biyamiti located?
The Biyamiti bush-veld camp is located about 39 km from the Malelane entrance gate in the southern part of the KNP.
What to expect and look out for when staying at the Biyamiti camp?
There are organized activities like morning, sunset or night game drives and guided walks offered from Biyamiti.
Since there is a water resource in the vicinity of the camp you may see animals of all kinds, from elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and leopard, wild dog and hyena, to antelope and smaller mammals of all kinds.
What facilities are provided at Biyamiti and what do you need to bring along?
All accommodation is equipped with linen, towels and a fully equipped kitchen. Cooking utensils or crockery is provided. All you need to bring is your own food, insect repellent, camera, binoculars, and torch.
The camp has a mini shop on the premises that provide basic everyday items but no perishable food stuff like meat. You can buy your meals or groceries at Skukuza but since this camp is some distance away be sure to pack a cooler bag to keep your perishables cold. There is cell phone signal at the camp, but no petrol station, swimming pool, laundry facilities or an ATM.
When is the best time to visit Biyamiti?
The best times of the year to stay at Biyamiti is during early spring or late autumn, when temperatures are mostly pleasant, and water is scarce in the veld, so more animals may come for a drink in the dam.
Does the Biyamiti Bushveld Camp have a swimming pool?
No, the camp does not have a swimming pool.
Does the Biyamiti Bushveld Camp have a restaurant?
No, there is no restaurant in the camp.
Is there a shop in the Biyamiti Bushveld Camp?
No, there no is a shop in the Camp.
What is the closest gate to the Biyamiti Bushveld Camp?
The Crocodile Bridge gate is the closest entrance gate to the camp.
Is there WiFi Connection at the Biyamiti Bushveld Camp?
No, there is no WiFi Connection at the camp.
