The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve comprises 53,392 hectares of private land adjoining the Kruger National Park. Since 1962, the Timbavati Association, a non profit organisation, has been dedicated to conservation by maintaining the biodiversity of species which would have continued to exist had man never encountered the land. Currently, there are over 40 mammal species in the Timbavati including the Big Five of Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant as well as 360 species of bird life.
The Timbavati Association was formed in 1956 by a group of conservation minded landowners who had witnessed the degradation of this once pristine wilderness area. Insensitive land use (primarily crop and cattle farming) had caused soil erosion and destruction of indigenous plant species. In addition, natural water sources had been rerouted by dams further impacting on the natural status quo. As a result, much of the wildlife common to this area was lost.
The fledgling association persuaded each land owner to become part of a group with a common aim to reclaim the land for the benefit of all. In 1993, in recognition of the importance of the area, the fences between the Kruger National Park and the Timbavati Reserve were removed to encourage natural species migration.
Timbavati is famous for their White Lion sightings first spotted in the mid-1970s they became the subject of much interest and debate. The story of the “White Lions of the Timbavati has been told by several people, most notable of whom was Chris McBride, who published two books about the phenomenon: The famous white lions of the Timbavati were first sighted by Cyril McBride’s daughter Lanice van den Heever in October of 1975. McBride relied heavily on the expertise and knowledge of two local trackers, Jack Mathebula and Mandaban Hlongo, in his efforts to track the white cubs. These men had grown up in the bush and had intimate knowledge of the behaviour of lions. Though no White lions have been spotted in the Timbavati for many years, a number of white lions are regularly seen in the Kruger National Park in different areas and they could occur at any time in the Timbavati Prides again.
The Timbavati is home to 13 lodges offering unique wildlife experiences during their open vehicle game drives bring guests within a few feet of the famous Big Five. A highlight during the afternoon game drive is sure to be the sundowners offered by the lodge at a remote location as the sun sets over the bushveld. |
