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· SLEEP UNDER THE STARS · TRACK ELEPHANTS ON FOOT
· MAKE FIRE BY FRICTION · TOUCH A RHINO
· UNCOVER AMAZING ANIMAL TACTICS · LEARN TO SURVIVE
BATELEUR SAFARIS AND WALKING TRAILS is the winner of the 2006 Timbavati Private Nature Reserve Conservation Award.
A paradise in the wild, Bateleur Wilderness Safaris is committed to fostering a spirit of connectedness between man and the South Africa bush by providing every visitor with new experiences and memories to last a lifetime. Bateleur Safaris & Walking Trails is an activity-based, tented bush camp situated in the heart of Big 5 territory in South Africa’s Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Guests experience the thrill of big game roaming free, a myriad of bird and plant species and magnificent, untamed landscapes.
The ever-present contrasts in the bush promise that no two journeys to the camp are ever the same. A host of activities can be undertaken and at the end of a fun-filled day, guests can relax and enjoy the camp's original recipe, elephant dung tea.
WARNING:
The laid-back ambience offers freedom from the grind of daily life, but guests are asked to visit the area at their own risk. BWS takes no responsibility for any visitors who decide they never want to go back home.
Activities:
Visiting groups have exclusive use of the camp and the absence of electricity, mobile phone signal and strict schedules allow guests to truly enjoy the adventures that unfold each day. BWS makes a point of involving guests in activities that bring them much closer to the bush and its magnificent creatures.
Tracking:
Guests are taught the ancient art of tracking, how to recognize spoor and other subtle signs left behind by the animals. Large mammals are tracked on foot and the excitement of the pursuit and final face-to-face encounter with the quarry is often one of the many highlights of the day.
Game Drives:
Informative game drives and walks allow guests to experience the behaviour & social interaction of wildlife at close quarters.
Animals, Birds & Insects:
The BWS guides provide insight into the animal, bird and insect worlds and to the evolution of a complex and interrelated system that remains dynamic and ever-changing to environmental factors.
Navigation:
Practical navigation exercises take place using a map and compass, while natural navigation pointers and methods of orienteering are identified. Visiting groups are dropped off at unspecified locations, where they must work as a team, develop an instinctive feel for the land and find their way to a pre-determined location.
Plants & their Uses:
Make a rope from the bark of a tree that is strong enough to pull a vehicle; enjoy a herbal cigarette and discover a remedy for headaches and other ailments made from South Africa’s indigenous plants. A variety of plant materials are collected and prepared for medicinal, edible and general use.
Survival & Bush Craft Skills:
Hosts of captivating survival activities are explored, including: finding and transporting water and food, making a fire without matches or a lighter, recognising natural navigation pointers, making dye from tree bark and much more!
Rifle Craft:
All the fundamental, key elements of rifle craft, such as safety, ammunition, malfunctions and firing positions are discussed. Once competent with the safe operation and use of a rifle, guests progress to a fun, practical shoot, using static and moving, man-made targets. Prior knowledge and use of firearms is not necessary.
Astronomy:
Guests will marvel at the myriad of constellations in the African sky and be exposed to astounding information on the solar system, zodiac constellations and phases of the moon.
Game Capture (Elephant/Rhino/Lion):
BWS tries, whenever possible, to involve visitors in game-capture operations undertaken by the veterinarians in the Timbavati. Extrapolation of data regarding behavioral patterns of the wildlife in the area is critical to preserve both plant and animal species and to win the race against extinction. Without the funds generated by people participating in these exercises, this research would not be possible. Guests are involved in all planning and operational activities; logistical input; behind the scenes preparatory work; preparation of the immobilizing dart; assisting the ground crew with all capture procedures; collaring & micro-chipping; taking physical body measurements; monitoring of vital signs; drug administration; maintaining the animal's body temperature and more.
The Camp:
The rustic camp is set under the canopy of large broad rimmed African Ebony trees on the banks of the Nchlaralumi River. Accommodation is in East African Safari Tents - fully equipped with beds, linen, pillows, blankets and towels. Hot, running water, outdoor showers and ablution facilities are available.
Evenings are spent in an open-air boma, sitting around a campfire and sharing the day's events. The whooping call of the hyena, piercing call of the jackal and thunderous roar of the lion are common sounds that punctuate the night.
Cuisine:
The BWS catering team combines a variety of culinary styles to produce dishes that are always a hit with guests. Snacks are available throughout the day, ensuring that no one goes hungry and the desserts are unashamedly indulgent.
Special dietary requirements can be catered for by prior arrangement.
Camp location:
The Bateleur Wilderness Safaris campsite is situated in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province and shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park . It features a vast expanse of pristine wilderness which forms the largest “open system” in South Africa, as all artificial barriers have been removed from the region.
The indigenous wildlife can now roam free and traverse their ancestral migratory routes totally unhindered. Game can be viewed from open vehicles, on foot or from the comfort of the BWS tented accommodation and this includes the Big Five, endangered species such as cheetah and wild dog, herds of wildebeest, zebras and giraffes, a variety of antelope, profuse bird life, small mammals, reptiles, tortoises and countless insects.
The Big Five:
Bateleur Wilderness Safaris has exclusive use of a vast track of land, which is home to the Big Five: Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo . Tours on foot allow guests to experience close encounters with bushveld creatures, big and small.
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1:21PM
Conference Facility
Note to accommodation seekers
