Machaton Private Camp is an intimate and exclusive camp offering a secluded and private safari experience and is situated within the world renowned and breathtakingly beautiful Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger Park.

Next, to owning a private safari lodge, there is no more private way to enjoy a safari in the Timbavati.

Machaton Private Camp is ideally situated in the famous Timbavati Private Nature Reserve forming part of the Greater Kruger Park and which currently features over 40 mammal species including the Big 5, endangered species such as the wild dog and cheetah and 360 species of bird life.

Getting to Machaton Private Camp The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is a wildlife-rich concession of land adjoining the western border of the Kruger National Park. The amalgamation of public and private land in the area forms “The Greater Kruger Park” area. There are no fences between the Timbavati and the Kruger National Park, which allows for the free movement of the animals between the Reserves.  *It is important to note that guests wishing to visit Simbavati from the Kruger National Park are unable to enter the property via the bush/park, but will have to exit the park and approach via the tar road (see directions). 

We offer complimentary scheduled transfers at set times to coincide with the scheduled flights into and out from Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport. Please note that this is a scheduled transfer, you will be sharing transport with other guests coming to the lodge. If you are planning to drop a rental car at Hoedspruit Airport, please ensure that you arrive well before the flight arrival time, as we are unable to wait for late arrivals.  The transfer time is approximately one hour. Please note the complimentary transfers exclude the vehicle entry fee of R140 (subject to change) that is payable at the gate.

• Scheduled Collection Times from Hoedspruit – 11:20, 12:10 and 13:15 • Scheduled Departure Times from Machaton – 09:30, 10:30 and 11:00/30  

• All complimentary transfers need to be pre-booked as we only meet flights if we have guests on that flight.

We are able to arrange private transfers from Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, Phalaborwa Airport or the Timbavati Gate. Please ask for our Transfer Rate Sheet. 
 
By Air SA Express operates daily flights from OR Tambo (Johannesburg) International airport to Hoedspruit/Eastgate airport. Transfer from Hoedspruit to Simbavati takes approximately 90 minutes. Other airports in the area are Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, also known as KMIA/Nelspruit (approximately 3-3½ hours from Simbavati) or Phalaborwa airport (2 hours from Machaton Private Camp).
 
Guests can fly into a neighbouring airstrip within the Timbavati Reserve by prior arrangement. Charter company details need to be given directly to the lodge, so that transfers can be arranged from the airstrip. There is a prepaid landing fee of R500 payable for the use of the private airstrip. 
 
Directions by Road from Johannesburg/Pretoria    

Machaton Private Camp is a six to seven hour drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria. From Johannesburg take the N12 to Witbank/Emalahleni, and continue on the N4. From Pretoria, take the N4 to Witbank. Follow the N4 and turn left to Belfast (off-ramp R33/R540). Once in Belfast, turn right into Voortrekker Street and continue straight with the R540 to Dullstroom. Drive straight through Dullstroom, and continue to Lydenburg/Mashishing on the R540. At the T-junction, turn left into Lydenburg/Mashishing into Viljoen Street (R36).  Turn left again into Voortrekker Street. Turn right into De Clercq Street and follow the R36 through Ohrigstad. After the Abel Erasmus pass, the R36 turns left to Tzaneen. Do not turn left here, but continue straight on the R527 to Hoedspruit.
 
In Hoedspruit, continue straight. After the bridge crossing the railway line, turn right at the four-way stop and continue on the R40 for another 6,4 km.  Turn left onto the Timbavati/Eastgate Airport road and go through the Control Gate after approximately 200m. Continue straight for about another 18km until you reach the control gate of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Here you will be required to pay a vehicle entrance fee of R140 per vehicle (subject to change). There is also a Timbavati Conservation fee of R215 per person (subject to change), which is payable at the lodge or can be pre-paid. Keep your permit, as the Lodge will issue you with an exit permit when you leave the reserve.
 
Continue straight for approximately 26 km (speed limit of 50km/hour) and pass the Ndlopfu sign on your left. Shortly after this, you will see a dam on the right hand side. After this, turn right onto a gravel road at the Machaton Private Camp’s sign. The GPS co-ordinates for the turn-off as follows: S 24°12, 20.2’ E 31°19,24.2.  Carefully follow the Machaton Private Camp signs on the trees for approximately 5 km to the lodge.  (Please do not go to Leadwood Camp). On the way you will be crossing a low water bridge.
 
On departure from the lodge, please follow the tracks marked exit and turn onto the tar road to the Enkhulu Gate
 
 Note: From Hoedspruit, it takes another hour to the lodge because of the speed limits in the reserve. Entry at Enkhulu Gate after 17:30 requires prior arrangement.
 
Direction by Road from KMIA Airport Driving from Nelspruit or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) to Simbavati will take approximately 3-3½ hours. 
 
From Nelspruit, take the R40 to White River. From KMIA turn right onto the R40 to White River. Drive through White River; follow the R40 signs carefully to Hazyview. Continue north on the R40 through Hazyview. Note that this is a busy stretch of road with vehicles, people and sometimes animals on the road. Please drive carefully and slowly, and keep to the speed limits. Follow the R40 towards Klaserie and Hoedspruit. Just before Klaserie, turn right onto the R40 toward Hoedspruit. Travel for approximately 18km and turn right at the Timbavati/Eastgate Airport sign. Follow directions above from this point….
 
General Information

• No pets allowed • Laundry service available • Bush walks by prior arrangement and subject to availability • Limited cell phone reception • Smart-casual dress code for dinner

The lodge offers Big 5 game drives in the early morning and late afternoon/evening, taking advantage of the time of day that the animals are naturally most active. Nocturnal creatures - including the big cats - are regular sightings after dark. Currently over 40 mammal species are listed as resident in the Timbavati, including the Big 5 - Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant, as well as endangered species including Wild Dogs and Cheetah.  There is an abundance of birdlife, with a total of 360 species of bird listed. 
 

Safaris are conducted in Machaton Private Camp’s private 4x4 vehicle. 

The lodge offers Big 5 Game Drives in the early morning and late afternoon/evening, taking advantage of the time of day that the animals are naturally most active. Nocturnal creatures - including the big cats - are regular sightings after dark. Currently, over 40 mammal species are listed as resident in the Timbavati, including the Big 5 - Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant, as well as endangered species including Wild Dogs and Cheetah. There is an abundance of birdlife, with a total of 360 species of bird listed.