With no fences or electricity, and just 8 traditional thatched huts plus an Eco Hut, Umlani is all about reconnecting with nature – and doing so in quiet, low-impact style.

The camp sits beneath a canopy of trees along the banks of a seasonal riverbed, where open-air communal areas invite relaxed living and connection with fellow travellers and local wildlife, thanks to a deck overlooking the riverbed and nearby watering hole. The atmosphere is laid-back and unpretentious – ideal for those who value experience over frills. Guests pass the heat of the day in the pool, and gather at the bush bar or around the firepit before dinner in the candlelit dining room or under stars in the open riverbed, surrounded by romantic cauldron fires.

Accommodation is simple but charming: each hut is hand-built from natural materials and carefully positioned for privacy. Inside, you’ll find comfortable beds draped with mosquito nets, ensuite open-air bathrooms with a flush toilet and hot-water bush shower, and kerosene lanterns providing a soft glow after dark. Several family huts offer a convenient set-up for those travelling with children, while the Eco Hut offers a more luxurious stay, and the Treehouse makes for a special overnight bush experience.

Days at Umlani revolve around twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, which traverse the unfenced wilderness of the Greater Kruger ecosystem. The Timbavati is known for its healthy populations of lion, leopard, and elephant – and with no crowds, sightings often feel exclusive.