Timbavati Primitive Trail

Timbavati Game Reserve, Limpopo

On the Timbavati Primitive Trail you will be exposed to Nature’s finer detail, the grandeur of the landscape and the thrill of moving among iconic large mammals in the classic big game country of the central Lowveld. Well beyond an activity, it is a fully immersive experience that permits participation in Nature as opposed to traditional spectatorship. It creates the space for personal, social and Wilderness regeneration.

What to Expect

This 3-night Trail takes place in the world renowned Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Led by professional Wilderness Trails Guides, with thousands of Trail hours experience each, you will spend a minimum of three self-sufficient nights (four days) in the wild.

Carrying all your equipment on your back, you will enter a world only accessible to a privileged few. Groups set their own pace and explore according to their interests and capabilities. There are no demarcated campsites or routes. Each night is spent under the stars (no tents) at a pristine location with participants sharing the responsibility of ‘watch duty’.

What to Pack

Everything required for the duration of the Trail must be carried in a backpack.

Participants must be completely self-sufficient and must cater for all their Trail meals, including 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, as well as the odd snack. In order to minimize our impact, all cooking must be done on a gas stove. Below is a complete ‘Primitive Trail Checklist’ to assist participants when packing.

Trail Equipment

Backpack (between 40l and 60l)
Sleeping bag
Mattress (simple roll mat for insulation or a blow-up mattress)
Small/blow-up pillow (optional)
Ground sheet (optional)
Trail fold-up chair (optional – you may thank us though)
Mini gas cooker and lighter
Small pot, Plate/bowl and mug
Sharp knife and spoon – you can use pocket knife/ Leatherman.
Water bottles – Should have capacity of 2.5 – 3 litres.
Head torch
Binoculars (optional)

We provide you with a Bivvy Bag in which to put your sleeping bag during the night to protect you from rain or dew. Leave a small space for this in your backpack, or you can strap it to the outside.

Trail Kit

Walking Shoes (already worn in)
Gaiters
Neutral Coloured Clothing
Hat
Sunglasses
Flip-flops
Sarong – can be used as blanket, sun protection and towel
Waterproof poncho (just in case!)
Winter nights will be a lot cooler so a jacket and a warmer sleeping bag is recommended during those months.

Personal Essentials

Sunscreen
Tooth brush and toothpaste
Toilet paper
Small towel, face cloth and soap
Backpack raincoat/cover to protect backpack and contents in case of rain or dew.
A large ziplock bag is useful to store your rubbish, wrappings etc.

Trail Food & Drink

Keep it simple. Remember all cooking will be done on your gas cooker. Below are a few basic meal suggestions.
Breakfast – Oats-so-easy, Futurelife, muesli bars, apple/naartjie.
Lunch – Pro-vitas/Salticrax/Wraps, cream cheese, avo, biltong, salami, tuna sachets.
Dinner – Pasta, couscous, salami, biltong, instant soup, or dehydrated Trail meals
Snacks – protein bars, biltong, droewors, trail mix/nuts/dried fruit.
Drinks – coffee, tea, juice sachets.

Water Provision while on trail is rainfall dependent. During the summer months, when water is plentiful, you’ll collect from pools in non-perennial rivers, elephant diggings and depressions/pans in the veld. Once the dry winter months arrive, the guides will do water-drops prior to the start of the trail.