Hamiltons Tented Camp

/5
From ZAR 14448

ZAR 21268 per single traveller

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Overview

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.

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Rates

2024

R 14448 per person sharing per night
R 21268 per single traveller per night

2025

R 16995 per person sharing per night
R 25490 per person sharing per night

Facilities

Accommodation at Hamiltons Tented Camp

 

Six permanent safari tents overlook the Ngwenyeni Dam and sleep a maximum of 12 guests. The tents are perched on teak floors and are decorated in a classic style with colonial opulence. Romantic lighting and rich wooden furnishing take you back to days old. Outdoor showers and slipper baths provide an unsurpassed level of comfort.

The main lodge at Hamiltons Tented Camp is an impressive tent structure with elegant lines and an open-sided lounge and dining area that flows onto a wide, spacious deck shaded by huge jackalberry trees and overlooking the dry riverbed.

Guests are accommodated in six private luxury elevated tents overlooking the Nwaswitsontso River. Each tent accommodates 2 people. From your private deck, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush that derives its existence from the river.

Earthy tones, clean lines and rich materials all combine to create an ambience of refined and old-worldly luxury.

Traditional fittings and features such as the old brass light switches, steamer trunks with vintage labels revealing their exciting journeys, and sepia-stained photographs complete this “‘turn-of-the-” feel of each tented suite. Modern comforts such as electricity, air conditioning and outdoor showers are the only clues that we live in a modern time.

The decor is light and neutral; teak furniture and floors, gilded mirrors and the magnificent king-size beds covered in crisp white linen, deliver a classy luxury tent experience enhanced by the panoramic bush- and river views that stretch in all directions.

Hamiltons are the perfect getaway for couples in search of a romantic retreat in the heart of the wilderness in which to unwind and relax.

 

Suite facilities and amenities include:
  • en-suite bathroom with separate bath and outdoor shower
  • complimentary toiletries
  • mosquito netting and insect repellent
  • umbrellas, hairdryer
  • safe
  • air-conditioning
  • tea and coffee-making facilities
  • private deck
  • intercom

 

Facilities at Hamiltons Tented Camp
  • reception
  • dining room
  • boma
  • lounge area
  • bar
  • outdoor swimming pool

 

Please note: As Hamiltons Tented Camp is situated in a very remote area, there is no cell phone reception. Should you be in urgent need to make a call, one of the guides will take you to an area in Kruger Park where you will get a better signal.

 

Additional services
  • butler service
  • spa treatments
  • laundry service
  • room service
  • daily scheduled flights into Skukuza Airport and Hoedspruit Airport.
  • Federal Air flights to the Manyeleti airstrip.
  • transfers can be arranged from Skukuza, Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Mbombela (Nelspruit).
  • welcome drinks on arrival.

 

Each luxury tent at Hamilton’s Tented Camp provides:

 

  • Private veranda
  • En-suite bathroom with outdoor shower
  • Slipper bath
  • Open tented lounge
  • Silver service
  • Personalized cuisine
  • Mosquito nets
  • Air conditioning

 

Amenities

 

  • Open-plan lounge, bar and indoor restaurant
  • Wide wooden deck and outdoor dining area
  • Plunge pool and relaxation area
  • Outdoor boma and firepit
  • Daily housekeeping and laundry service
  • Hearty and delicious cuisine
  • Spa treatments are available in the privacy of your suite (cost excluded)

 

Please note:

There is no cell phone signal or Wi-Fi available at Hamiltons Tented Camp. Only a radio link between the suites and the main lodge for urgent communications.

 

The camp is inspired by the classic safari of colonial times. At Hamiltons Tented Camp, the wilderness of the Kruger National Park meets with sophisticated luxury. Chandeliers and classic wooden furniture create an atmosphere reminiscent of early 1900’s adventures.

The whole lodge is elevated on wooden stilts and has a magnificent view of the Ngwenyeni Dam. Timber walkways lead to each of the six luxury tents and a spacious pool area offers cool relief on hot days. The butler service ensures that guests are content at all times.

 

Getting to Hamilton Tented Camp

 

Hamiltons Tented Camp is located within the private 10,000-hectare concession of Mluwati in the western region of the Kruger National Park, bordering the northern Sabi Sands and Manyeleti Game Reserves.

Entry to the camp is either through the Kruger Gate (a minimum of 3 hours before gate closure) or the Orpen Gate (a minimum of 1.5 hours before gate closure).

Gate entry fees into the Kruger National Park are applicable per guest per stay.

 

BY AIR

 

SA Express to Hoedspruit

 

SA Airlink offers flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town into Hoedspruit Airport. Transfers from Hoedspruit can be booked at time of reservation, at an additional charge.

 

Federal Air from Johannesburg or KMIA

 

Guests will fly into the Manyeleti airstrip where they will be collected by the lodge. Driving times from the lodge is approximately an hour and a half. This transfer is charged at R40 per vehicle and R30 per person.

 

Airlink to Skukuza or KMIA

 

Airlink offers direct flights to Skukuza (Kruger National Park) from OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport.  Airlink also offers direct flights from Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town direct to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Mbombela (Nelspruit). Transfers from Skukuza can be booked at time of reservation, at an additional charge.

 

BY ROAD

 

From OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) in Johannesburg:

 

  • Take the R21 North towards Pretoria.
  • Just before Pretoria, take the N4 East.
  • Continue on to Belfast, here, turn left on the R540 towards Dullstroom (approximately 37km).
  • At Dullstroom, take the R540 towards Lydenburg (approximately 43km).
  • At Lydenburg, take the R36 towards Ohrigstad (approximately 62km).
  • At Ohrigstad, take the R527 towards Hoedspruit (You will pass through the JG Strijdom Tunnel).
  • 16km before Hoedspruit, at the Swadini Reptile Centre, turn right onto the R531 towards Klaserie.
  • After about 30km, turn left onto the Orpen Gate Road (R531).
  • After 40km you will reach the Orpen Gate of the Kruger National Park (KNP.)
  • After entering the Orpen Gate continue for 22km on the H7.
  • Turn right on the S36 where you will see the signpost marked Imbali, Hamiltons, Hoyo-Hoyo, indicating the exact distances.
  • After about 28km, turn right to Hamiltons Tented Camp.
  • Paul Kruger Gate Entry (95km from the Paul Kruger Gate):
  • Entry through the KNP’s Paul Kruger Gate:
  • Proceed toward Skukuza.
  • From Skukuza take the H1-2 towards Satara (32km).
  • Turn left on the S36 (dirt road) and follow the signage for Imbali Safari Lodge/Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge/Hamiltons Tented Camp.
  • Continue on this road for about 39km and through the no-entry sign.
  • Follow the signs to Hamiltons.

 

MORE ABOUT KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

 

The vision of Paul Kruger, once president of the former Transvaal Republic, the Kruger National Park was proclaimed as early as 1898 as the Sabie Game Reserve. At the time President Kruger believed that the animals of South Africa’s Lowveld needed to be protected, but it took another 12 years for the expanse between the Sabie and Crocodile rivers to be declared an area of restricted hunting, with James Stevenson-Hamilton appointed the park’s first warden in 1902.

The first tour which included an overnight stop at the Sabie Bridge (now Skukuza) was organised by the South African Railways in 1923. Tourists visiting the park slept on the train and a game ranger would spend an evening with them around a campfire sharing interesting anecdotes about the bush.

The popularity of this tour gave rise to a range of tourist facilities in the park, including rest huts at Satara, Pretoriuskop, Letaba, Malelane and Skukuza, among other camps. Roads were built in the 1930s to allow self-drive tourists to enjoy the park at their leisure and by 1934 about 1 200km of road were completed.

For almost 100 years, local and international visitors have had access to the park and enjoyed one of the world’s premier game-viewing destinations. Kruger is home to an estimated 1 500 lions, 12 000 elephants, 2 500 buffalo, 1 00 leopards and white and black rhinos. Big Five aside, there are a myriad of other wildlife species to be admired with some 145-mammal species occurring in the park, including hippo, giraffe, zebra, cheetah and wild dog, among others.

Keen birders will adore a visit to the Kruger National Park with almost 500 bird species on the park’s list. From the brilliantly colourful displays of the Kingfisher and the distinct call of the Fish Eagle to the Giant Eagle Owl perched in a bare Leadwood tree, you could spend your days admiring our feathered friends.

But there’s more to the Kruger than its wildlife, with almost 254 known cultural heritage sites, including 130 recorded rock art sites, and 300 archaeological sites of Stone Age Man and San Rock Art. Imbali Safari Lodge was in fact built on the site of an ancient African settlement.

 

Travel and Booking Information

 

Many of the accommodation establishments that Kruger Safari Co books for tours have a strict child policy. It is your responsibility to disclose the age of each child in the travelling group to the Kruger Safari Company agent and confirm that he/she is the appropriate age for tour accommodation. Kruger Safari Co cannot be held liable for an accommodation establishment refusing entry to an underage child where a child policy is strictly enforced.

Kruger Safari Co reserves the right to request a copy of a birth certificate for any child in the tour group who is confirmed to be 12 years or younger.

A children’s rate is available on request. Not all accommodation establishments offer a reduced rate for children but where applicable, Kruger Safari Co will confirm in writing at what rate a child 12 years and younger will be charged.

Confirmation of a booking is made in writing via email once it is agreed upon by the client and the Kruger Safari Co. agent. A 100% non-refundable deposit is required within 48 hours of written confirmation of a booking. Where applicable, the balance of payment of a booking is required 40 days prior to departure. All travellers will be required to complete our online booking form in order to ensure that Kruger Safari Co, the reserved establishment and all service providers have the correct information required.

No quotation issued by Kruger Safari Co and accepted by the client (provisional or final), or booking made (provisional or final) shall be binding until such time as a final invoice has been issued and full payment received by Kruger Safari Co.

 

All-Inclusive Rates Include:

 

  • luxury tented accommodation
  • three meals per day
  • local beverages (soft drinks, water, beer, selected wines & spirits)
  • two game drives per day

 

Rates Excludes:

 

  • scheduled domestic and international transfers
  • transfers not specified in the rate
  • premium-brand beverages
  • gate entry fee payable per person per stay

 

Please note:

 

Imbali Safari Lodge, Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge and Hamiltons Tented Camp offer a complimentary transfer from either Skukuza or Hoedspruit Airport, subject to availability which must be booked with the Extraordinary Reservations Team before quoting.  The transfers are subject to the availability of seats on required transfer days.

 

Hamilton Tented Camp Child Policy

 

0 – 11 years: Not permitted at the lodge unless the lodge is booked on an exclusive-use basis.

12 years and older: Considered as adults and accommodated in their rooms. Pay full adult rates and are permitted on game drive.

 

Kruger Park Entrance Fee

 

Guest staying at Hamiltons Tented Camp is charged a once-off access fee per person per stay. The fees are payable at the gate of entry and you will be required to return your receipt to the gate attendant upon your departure.

 

Gate Times

 

Please be aware of gate entrance times into the Kruger National Park, as they vary depending on the season. Entrance into the park via Orpen Gate should be no later than two hours prior to gate closure time, and via Kruger Gate no later than three hours before gate closure time.

 

Hamiltons Tented Camp gate closing times:

 

  • November – February: 18h30
  • March – April: 18h00
  • May – July: 17h30
  • August – October: 18h00

 

Kruger Park Speed Limit

 

While driving within the Kruger National Park, please adhere to the legal speed limit of 50km per hour on tar roads and 40km per hour on dirt roads.

 

Safety Precautions

 

Please adhere to the Kruger National Park (KNP) rules and regulations. Do not disembark from your vehicle unless In a designated area.

 

Cellphone Reception

 

Cellphone signals are only available at the entrance gates and close to Skukuza. Guests are therefore advised to make any necessary calls at the gate upon entry.

 

Payment Policy

 

All Kruger Safari Co require a 100% non-refundable deposit to the value of 50% of the total tour price. A non-refundable deposit is required to secure the booking of a tour. Full payment of the non-refundable deposit is required on written confirmation of the booking.

 

Terms and Conditions

 

Please feel free to view all of our terms and conditions.

Itinerary

Arrival Day

 

Arrive at the Hamiltons Luxury Tented Lodge mid-day, in time for a light lunch. Freshen up and relax before it’s time to depart on a late-afternoon game drive in the Kruger National Park.

Overnight in a luxury suite at Hamiltons Luxury Tented Lodge.

 

What's Included

  • Accommodation at Hamilton’s Tented Lodge
  • 3-hour game drives in Kruger National Park
  • 3- Meals a day
  • Local beverages

What's Excluded

  • Scheduled flights and transfers to the lodge
  • All purchases of a personal nature
  • Beverages not stated
  • Kruger Park  conservation levy (charged per person per night)
  • Gratuities
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Any activity not specified in the itinerary
  • Visa fees if required

Location

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