Kruger Untamed: Luxury Safaris with a Light Footprint in the Heart of Lion Country - iAfrica

Kruger Untamed: Luxury Safaris with a Light Footprint in the Heart of Lion CountryDecember 19, 2024December 19, 2024LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL3 min readA deep experience with a light footprint. That’s the inspiring ethos behind the two Kruger Untamed exclusive seasonal camps, Tshokwane River Camp and Satara Plains Camp. Both offer a true soul safari in central Kruger National Park (KNP) during the winter months, the best time for game viewing in the park.

Kruger Untamed is the first seasonal luxury tented camp concession within KNP. What makes these camps unique is their light footprint and low impact. Both camps are built with great care and attention at the beginning of the season and disappear completely in totality at the end of it. While this may seem like a quick affair, the process takes meticulous planning to ensure minimal impact on the environment whilst providing the comforts expected in a luxury safari experience.

“There is no doubt that our seasonal approach and commitment to minimal environmental impact influenced Kruger’s decision to allocate us the opportunities to operate in the prime sites within the park,” says Judiet Barnes, Marketing Manager of Motsamayi Tourism Group, the driving force behind Kruger Untamed. 

Satara Plains Camp is set in wild savannah plains, while Tshokwane River Camp is surrounded by lush riverine bush overlooking an enchanting dry riverbed – and both offer some of the best game viewing in KNP. This is the heart of lion country. The nutritiousa grasslands in central Kruger support some of the biggest herds of zebra, buffalo, impala, giraffe and wildebeest, and because of this availability of prey, this area has the highest lion population. 

“We offer guests the opportunity to experience the Kruger like never before – completely enveloped in the sheer beauty of the bush”, says Barnes.

Both nomadic camps are designed to create an authentic, raw connection to nature. Each camp has 30 fully serviced luxury canvas suite tents with ensuite bathrooms, a king-size or twin beds, decadent linen, and tasteful furnishings. Guests enjoy the finest cuisine, where international favourites meet local flavour. And every day offers the possibility of seeing the Big Five, either on guided game drives or walking safaris. 

“At Kruger Untamed every moment is a celebration of nature’s untamed spirit”, says Lysta Stander, director at Kruger Untamed. “At our seasonal camp, we take great care to ensure that our impact on the land is minimal, we bring in everything we need for our guests’ comfort, but we also make sure that everything is removed entirely when we leave, allowing the land to restore itself during the months in which we don’t operate. Our guests not only enjoy a luxurious wilderness experience but also play their part in helping to preserve our beautiful planet.”

Kruger Untamed is committed to sustainable tourism practices and recently earned the distinction of a 100% compliance rating for the eighth consecutive time in its environmental audit – the first concession in the KNP to achieve and maintain this perfect score.

Kruger Untamed uses cutting-edge techniques in waste management, heating, and tent positioning, establishing new benchmarks for sustainable ecotourism. The camps rely on a combination of generator and solar power, and water is carefully managed using low-flow fixtures and conservation practices. The camps use butler-filled warm showers and flushing chemical toilets.

Insider tip: Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic at the lowest rate. Take advantage of the Kruger Untamed Early Bird pre-opening offer which is valid until the end of January 2025.