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Talamati Bushveld Camp
Talamati Bushveld 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 on the western border in the central part of the park close to the Orpen gate entrance.
Talamati Bushveld Camp - Self Catering
4 Sleeper - Cottage (CO4)
| Date Range | Rate |
| 2023 – 2024 | R4100 for 4 persons |
Rates quoted per night.
Include: Self catering, En-Suite, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 2 bench beds in lounge, Fan, Kitchen
Exclude: Daily Conservation fees, all safari drives, all meals, No restaurant or shop onsite
Talamati Bushveld Camp - Self Catering
6 Sleeper - Guest Cottage (GC6)
| Date Range | Rate |
| 2023 – 2024 | R6200 for 6 persons |
Rates quoted per night.
Include: Self catering, En-suite, 2 bedrooms each with 2 single beds, 2 bench beds in lounge, Fan, Kitchen
Exclude: Daily Conservation fees, all safari drives, all meals, No restaurant or shop onsite
Overview
Talamati is set in grasslands with magnificent views in all directions and the ideal camp to view game and unwind far away from the usual crowds that visit the park. The camp overlooks the dry N’waswitsontso River. Despite this lack of water, Talamati is a Xitsonga word that means lots of water. The clay soil does however act as a huge sponge holding a vast reservoir of underground water which means the vegetation is lush all year round. The lush grassland attracts large herds of grazers, and the predators never lurk too far behind. Not only does the surrounding area offer excellent opportunities to view game but guest staying at Talamati have the perfect observation point right at the verandas of their cottages. 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 a variety of accommodation to choose from and it 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 Talamati?
Spending a few days in the Talamati camp provides a true African experience like few others and is definitely something to add to your safari vacation. It does not really matter where you stay in KNP it will be a most pleasant experience, regardless of the accommodation type you choose. Some guests prefer rustic accommodation, but not everyone is rigged with camping gear and it is also not everyone’s cup of tea. Bush-veld camps offer guests an alternative as these kind of camps have the real African safari feel, but with the luxury of private kitchens and bathrooms. The camps only sleep a limited amount of people and are off limits to day visitors. KNP has 5 bush-veld camps in areas that are quite secluded. The camps do have a mini shop but does not sell any perishable good which means you have to bring everything you need with you. The biggest advantage of in staying in one of these camps is that you can enjoy the quiet of nature without many people around you. The camp offers some of the best game viewing opportunities in KNP, partly because of the water source. Animals come and go at the waterhole during the day and night. Sunset is the ideal time to sit back with a sun downer and watch the animals. Talamati is a secluded camp with a limited number of guests. Going out on an open vehicle safari is the preferred way to see animals but the best way to spot animals in Talamati is right from your veranda. The camp 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 Talamati located?
Talamati is located on the western border in the central part of the KNP, about 30 km from the Orpen entrance gate. The GPS coordinates for the camp is S 24 33′ 27″ E 31 33′ 18″.
How to get to Talamati
Travelling time from Johannesburg to the closest entrance gate at Orpen by car is at least four to five hours. Visitors should head toward Nelspruit on the N4 and take the R540 turn off at Belfast. Head towards Lydenburg where you turn onto the R36 heading north. About 30 km before Hoedspruit you turn right onto the R531 and head to Orpen gate. Talamati bush-veld camp is about 30 km away from the gate and you should allow about one and a half hours drive to reach the camp. Guests can also fly in to Talamati as the Eastgate Airport is situated 68 km away from Orpen gate in Hoedspruit. It is served by SA Express, with daily flights from Johannesburg and from Cape Town. 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.
Talamati’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 Talamati.
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. At Talamati guests can participate in guided bush walks, in the company of trained field guides with backup rifles. Groups of up to 8 people are taken out into the bush for a few hours. To track rhino, elephant and lion on foot, learning and observing fascinating facts about the African bush is one of the most satisfying bush experiences you can ask for. Guests can also go on morning or night game drives. The night drives enable you to take part in the activities of Kruger’s secretive nocturnal creatures, in the company of experienced guides and trackers. There is a boma area at the camp that is an ideal venue for families to dine together. The camp can cater for a group if you should so desire. The boma is situated away from the cottages so other visitors won’t be disturbed by functions held there. 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 Talamati
Staying at Talamati is an exciting experience and guests will experience the flora and fauna that this area offers. Talamati is situated in a large open valley, which gives guests superb game viewing opportunities. The lush grass veld in the area attracts large herds of grazers, and the predators never lurk too far behind. The open verandas provide for excellent game viewing and sightseeing right from the comfort of your doorstep Some of the animals to be seen in the area are elephant, giraffe, kudu, eland, impala, zebra, rhino, buffalo, lion and hyena. Animals are very active at the waterhole and guests can keep an eye on it for 24 hours and even spot some of the more elusive nocturnal wildlife coming to drink. The birds are very active in the area and those to look out for are red billed buffalo weavers, glossy starling, greater blue-eared starling, Burchell’s starling, mourning Dove, and masked weavers. Sunbirds are often seen in the camp feeding on the aloes in the garden. Various owls are spotted in the evening such as the giant eagle, barn, scops and pearl spotted owls. It is also an excellent are to see the bluecheeked bee-eater. Being close to water birders can also be on the lookout for the hammerkop, greenbacked heron and great white and little egrets. The vegetation in the area is dominated by knob thorn and bushwillow trees, but you will also find green thorn, mixed bushwillow, mixed acacias, leadwood, marula and jackalberry. Being close to a dam means you should probably see animals of all kinds.
What type of accommodation does Talamati offer and what amenities/facilities are available at the camp?
Talamati provides accommodation types for singles, couples, and families with children. The camp caters to a variety of guest requirements and is well suited for those who are looking for a self-catering bush-veld experience. 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. At Talamati the following accommodation types is available:
Guest Cottages
The camp offers 10 units with 2 bedrooms each. Each room has two single beds and a ceiling fan. One bedroom comes equipped with an en-suite bathroom with a shower, toilet, and washbasin. There is an additional separate toilet and a separate bathroom with bath, shower and washbasin. The kitchen is fully equipped with a gas stove, refrigerator, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. The lounge has two sleeping bunk beds and there is a dining room on the open veranda. In addition, there is one unit with 2 bedrooms. One bedroom sleeps two on a double bed with an en-suite bathroom with bath, washbasin and toilet. The second bedroom has two single beds with en-suite with shower, toilet and washbasin. Both bedrooms have ceiling fans. There is a double sleeper couch in the lounge. The kitchen is fully equipped with a gas stove, refrigerator, sink, cooking utensils, microwave, crockery and cutlery.
Cottages
Four cottages have 1 bedroom each and sleep 4 people. The bedroom has two single beds and there are two bench-beds in the living room. The room and lounge has a ceiling fan. The separate bathroom has a bath, toilet and washbasin. The open veranda serves as kitchen and dining room and has a two-plate gas stove, sink, refrigerator, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. At Talamati the following facilities are available:
- Information at reception
- Public telephone
- Mini Shop at reception that stocks basic items such as firewood and Telkom phone cards. There are no perishable foodstuffs such as meat available
- No ATM facility available
- Electricity plug points in rooms
- Boma braai area
- Muzandzeni Picnic spot is 23 km from camp
- Nhlanguleni Picnic spot is 35 km from camp
- Bird hide in the camp
- Each accommodation unit has its own braai facilities
What do you need to know and bring for a safe and comfortable stay at the Talamati?
Plan properly for your stay at Talamati 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. Talamati does not offer any bed and breakfast facilities and guests must bring their own food and drinks. Meals and groceries can be bought at the restaurant and shop at Orpen or Satara rest camps. 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 Talamati
The best time of the year to make your trip to Talamati 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, Talamati 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 Talamati?
The Talamati bush-veld camp is located about 30 km from the Orpen entrance gate on the western border in the central part of the KNP.
What to expect and look out for when staying at the Talamati.
There are organised activities like morning, sunset or night game drives and guided walks offered from Talamati. From your veranda or the bird hide looking over the dam 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 Talamati and what do you need to bring along?
All accommodation is equipped with linen, towels, cooking utensils, cutlery, crockery, and braai facilities. 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 and food. It does not provide perishable food like meat. If you prefer, you can buy your meals or groceries at the Orpen or Satara camps. There is cell phone signal at the camp, but no petrol station, swimming pool, laundry facilities, or an ATM at the camp.
When is the best time to visit Talamati?
The best times of the year to stay at Talamati 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.
