Hamiltons Tented Camp Experience
Access to Mluwati Private Concession is restricted to paying guests staying at the three luxury lodges on the concession. No day visitors are allowed on the private land.
Central Kruger has the highest population of lions and strong numbers of cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. Known as the “Big Cat Capital” of Kruger Park, the predators are attracted to central Kruger because of its abundance of antelope and plains game who in turn are drawn to the area because of its sweet grazing and plentiful browsing trees.
Guests are taken on daily game drives in the Big 5 private concession as well as a safari tour of southern and central Kruger in an open safari vehicle with a dedicated ranger and tracker. You can also join the ranger for a guided bushveld walk.
Hamiltons Tented Camp offers an all-exclusive rate which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks and drinks on game drives. The luxury camp is renowned for its outstanding service and gourmet cuisine.
Spend the day relaxing in your luxury suite or on the wooden deck around a sparkling pool, or treat yourself to a decadent pamper session in the comfort of your suite. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and light lunch on the deck with a glorious view of the N’waswitsontso River. Evenings are spent dining under the stars at an idyllic outdoor boma around a roaring firepit.
The individual safari tents are spacious, beautifully decorated and completely private. Guests have a private deck and are guaranteed an intimate, exclusive safari experience.
Hamiltons Tented Camp appeals to travellers who prefer an exclusive, private bushveld retreat and yearn for a more authentic African safari experience.
The magnificent Hamiltons Tented Camp is located on Mluwati private concession in the Kruger National Park. Mluwati Concession is 10 000-hectares of prime wilderness areas which lie in the western section of Kruger Park. Mluwati Concession lies adjacent to northern Sabi Sands and Manyeleti Game Reserve which form part of Greater Kruger.
Built entirely of canvas and nestled under a canopy of jackalberry and sausage trees, the tented camp oozes 19th-century nostalgia. Its architecture and decor reflect a unique “Out of Africa” charm that will leave an indelible impression on the mind of the discerning nature lover. Here guests can embark on a journey back in time.
Hamilton Tented Camp derives its name from the world-famous James Stevenson Hamilton, one of the early conservation pioneers of southern Africa, who had a burning passion for the incredible beauty of this land and was instrumental in the creation of the Kruger National Park. Hamiltons Tented Camp is a tribute to this 19th-century generation of pioneers whose ground-breaking vision culminated in the conservation of one of the African continent’s prime wilderness havens.
The camp comprises a main tent and 6 magnificently appointed tented suites, all elevated and built of canvas, and linked by high wooden platforms. Guests are treated to spectacular views of the Nwaswitsontso River where the indigenous wildlife comes into play.
Hamilton Tented Camp offers those in search of a truly unique bush experience an up-close-and-personal encounter with Africa and its magnificent animals. It’s an exclusive bushveld escape unfettered by trivial modern interruptions – a place to restore the soul.
At the pristine Hamiltons Tented Camp, guests are treated like royalty!
Hamiltons Tented Camp was announced as a finalist in the 2015 Safari Awards
These awards celebrate excellence in the safari industry. Hamilton Tented Camp was named the Best Value Safari Property in the South Africa category.
Votes are gathered from more than 1,000 luxury travel professionals around the world, as well as readers of high-end publications, such as Conde Nasté Traveler Magazine, Tatler, Travel Africa Magazine and Brides Magazine.
The finalists are rated in the top 3% of safari companies worldwide, and the award winners are unquestionably the best in their field. A nomination is earned through excellence, which is recognised by the carefully chosen panel of judges. The judges are all highly respected, independent industry experts who are nominated each year by the winners and finalists of The Safari Awards.
Location
10 000-hectare Mluwati Private Concession in central Kruger National Park
42 kilometres from Orpen Gate (S140 & S145 road)
Things to do at Hamiltons Tented Camp
Situated in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, Hamilton’s Tented Camp offers excellent Big 5 game viewing in open 4×4 vehicles. The area is home not only to the Big 5 but to more than 40 species of mammals. An abundant birdlife includes more than 360 species and makes for rewarding birding safaris. If you wish to explore the Kruger in your vehicle, that is an option as well.
Guests in need of some relaxation and pampering can indulge in the services of the Nomadic Spa.
Hamiltons Tented Camp is one of three intimate safari destinations on the 10,000-hectare Mluwati Concession in central Kruger Park. The other two are Imbali Safari Lodge and Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge. The luxury tented camp in Kruger is a hidden gem, located in an area renowned for its strong Big Cat populations.
The Big 5 private concession lies on the western boundary of Kruger Park, bordering northern Sabi Sands and Manyeleti Game Reserve which shares an unfenced boundary with the national park. The closest entrance is Orpen Gate.
Guests have the choice of 6 stylishly decorated tented suites that are elevated on stilts and offer a panoramic view of N’waswitsontso River. Each suite has its own private deck and exudes old-world romance and elegance, with features such as brass lamps, steamer trunks and sepia-stained photographs.
Daily game drives in an open safari vehicle, hearty cuisine and impeccable service are just a few of the things guests can look forward to as part of the exclusive Hamiltons safari experience. Dining under the stars around a roaring firepit and absolute peace and tranquillity are a few of our favourite things at Hamiltons Tented Camp.
Activities at Hamiltons Tented Camp in Kruger National Park include traditional safaris in “Big Five” country, bush picnics and champagne breakfasts. Wellness treatments are available on request by the African Spa team. These pampering treatments can be enjoyed at the poolside or on the secluded deck of your suite.
Big 5 safari tours in Kruger National Park
As one of the first private concessions in the Kruger National Park, the management of Mluwati Concession has worked tirelessly to ensure the sustainability of this pristine wilderness that for over 100 years has been a sanctuary for over 114 reptiles, 34 amphibians and 147 mammal species. Kruger Park is home to the Big 5 which includes lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino.
Guests enjoy some of Kruger’s most spectacular landscapes and an extraordinary variety of wildlife and plant life species, not to mention the wide variety of bird species that have found a home in the Mluwati Concession. Indeed, each safari experience at Hamiltons Tented Camp is unique.
Early morning safaris
Waking up at dawn, you just have enough time to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and some rusks before departing with your knowledgeable field guide and tracker on a morning safari. Traversing this huge area in an open safari vehicle creates a wealth of opportunities for some of the most unique sightings. Expect to see the Big Five, as well as more elusive species such as the African wild dog.
The possibilities of rare and unique sightings are endless, making for a unique bush experience every time. Upon your return to camp, a scrumptious breakfast will await you.
Late afternoon/early evening safari
After escaping from the heat of the day in the pool or on your private deck immersed in a good book, it will be time for afternoon tea accompanied by delicious treats after which you will depart on an afternoon safari.
Again, your knowledgeable guide will alert you to the secrets of the bush. Stopping at a scenic spot en route to watch the African sunset while sipping on a cocktail is a priceless experience. Then follows the thrill of watching the nocturnal creatures come to life in the spotlight. The reflection of a pair of eyes in the dark is bound to get the adrenalin pumping!
Guided bush walks
Those in search of adventure can join an armed guide on a one-and-a-half-hour walk in the Mluwati Concession during which you will experience the intricacies of nature from a whole new perspective. Here you will be able to smell, touch and feel the essence of the bush landscape.
Your expert guide will teach you more about animal tracks and behaviour, as well as about the smaller species often overlooked in pursuit of the Big Five. This is the perfect way to experience the rhythm of Africa from under your feet.
Booking procedure: Please organise a guided bush walk with the desk manager the previous evening before dinner or discuss it with your guide during your afternoon safari.
Terms & Conditions:
- participants must wear flat-soled closed shoes
- only neutral-coloured clothing allowed
- no strong perfume/cologne
- persons older than 65 years must present a letter from their physician, declaring them medically fit to partake in this activity.
- participants need to understand English in order to follow instructions in dangerous situations.
Bird Watching
This pristine part of Africa is a bird lover’s haven with its more than 500 recorded bird species. Species you can expect to find include the southern yellow-billed hornbill, crested barbet and Burchell’s glossy starling to name but a few.
Our expert guides will share their unrivalled knowledge of birds in Kruger Park with keen birders. From the fierce Marshall Eagle to the smallest and most delicate blue waxbill; a wealth of astonishing information about our feathered friends will leave you in awe. A whole new world will unfold through the lenses of your binoculars.
Self-Drives
Enjoy the wonders of Kruger National Park from the comfort of your personal vehicle or rental car. Stop off at one of the many picnic sites to enjoy an ice-cold drink during summer or a mug of coffee in winter.
Bush dinners
Join us for a lovely dinner under the African sky in the riverbed or in any unfenced area of the private concession in the Kruger National Park. This is a privilege reserved for guests only. Nowhere else in Kruger Park are you be able to dine with the majestic Big Five.
Winter safari times: May to August
- 05h30 Wake-up call and morning tea
- 06h00 Morning safari departs
- 09h00 Return for breakfast
- 13h30 Lunch
- 15h30 High Tea
- 16h00 Afternoon safari departs
- 19h30 Return from safari & dinner is served.
Summer safari times: September to April
- 05h00 Wake-up call and morning tea
- 05h30 Morning safari departs
- 08h30 Return for breakfast
- 13h30 Lunch
- 16h00 High Tea
- 16h30 Afternoon safari departs
- 19h30 Return from safari & dinner is served
Dining and cuisine
At Hamiltons Tented Camp dining is a decadent affair; from the fine crystal wine glasses to the pewter silver water jugs and the exquisitely set tables, you can revel in the dining traditions of old in spectacular bushveld surroundings.
Butlers dressed in traditional colonial uniforms cater to your every whim. You can choose to dine on the deck with its beautiful views or you can even opt for a bush picnic. Whatever your choice, the occasion will certainly not disappoint!
Home-made baked delicacies are prepared by the lodge’s creative chefs. Speciality dishes with unmistakably local flavours, and complemented by a fine selection of wines, are served in beautiful surroundings. Here the sounds of the bush round off these culinary occasions to perfection.
From champagne breakfasts to afternoon High Teas with a delicious selection of cakes and pastries baked freshly at the lodge, tantalising the taste buds takes on a whole new meaning at Hamilton’s! The lodge caters to most dietary preferences.
This tented camp lives and breathes old style luxury. Hamiltons Tented Camp surpasses most permanent structures in the standard of accommodation and service. Opulent furnishings reminiscent of classic safaris in the early 20th century make these luxury tents fit for a king. Personalized meals, a butler service and of course the abundant wildlife of the Kruger National Park create a uniquely sophisticated safari adventure.