Kruger Untamed isn’t just a luxury stay; it’s a seasonal safari experience that vanishes without a trace, yet leaves a lasting impression.
Kruger National Park (29 June 2025) – I held my breath from the moment we left our car at Satara Rest Camp, looking back for just a moment as we set off for the first two nights of a magical four-night stay in the Kruger National Park with the Kruger Untamed team. We stopped at the T-Junction, where our guide paused for a moment so we could guess which direction we were headed. Right towards the iconic S100 or left towards the plains… We turned left. I exhaled with total exhilaration as we set off on a wild adventure, travelling on roads few have ever ventured. This was just the beginning of what became one of our most memorable trips to the Kruger National Park.
Kruger Untamed is a seasonal getaway, which sees two luxury camps pop up during the dry winter months in the plains and riverbeds of Satara and Tshokwane, respectively. These totally off-grid camps give one the chance to disconnect from the day-to-day and reconnect with the wild in some of the park’s most untamed spaces. Running from May to September, every element of the camp is brought in, set up, and then, when the seasons shift, everything is packed up, leaving only footprints behind.
Joined by my bush-loving partner, we spent the first two nights of our trip at Satara Plains Camp. The camp is situated near a river that flows all year round, making it a hotspot for animals that know there’s a constant water source nearby. We were given one of the most high-energy and enthusiastic welcomes I have ever experienced, and somehow, we ended up dancing, I, with my two left feet, and my ultra-reserved partner. Everyone made the welcoming moment as we entered the reception area an unforgettable one.
We settled into the afternoon with a tour of the camp and our tent, and took in the untamed space, learning about the important alarms in case of either a fire or a wild animal in camp, both of which are incredibly dangerous. After a hearty lunch, we got ready for our first game drive of many.
Photo Credit: Kruger Untamed - Supplied
Photo Credit: Kruger Untamed - Supplied
Photo Credit: Kruger Untamed - Supplied
Photo Credit: Kruger Untamed - Supplied
One of the things I love most about the bush is that you don’t need to do anything; you don’t need to spot the Big Five in one day or come across lions around every corner. For three hours, we drove, learning about the birds, the trees, and the flowing river. We saw loads of wildlife and ended with sundowners overlooking the cranky hippos of the Gudzani dam. However, when night rolled in, all the predators came out, and while I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out just how close the lions really were, we were safely tucked away and could enjoy the uninterrupted sounds of the Kruger.
The following morning, chatter about the animal activity was all anyone could talk about. And once out on the morning drive, those sleepless moments paid off. Within a few kilometres of the camp, two very well-fed lionesses came walking across the road. Gently, they called out, perhaps for cubs? It was the most tender sound I had ever heard a lion make. As they walked off, around the corner in the distance, another lion approached. Only when it got closer, it wasn’t a lion at all, but a large male leopard!
This was the beginning of some of our closest encounters with wildlife in the park. The game viewer’s vantage point is a luxury all on its own, as are those cheeky Elephant Coffees before breakfast.
Attending to Your Needs
Back at camp, the water was boiling, and when we arrived at our tent, our shower bag was ready and waiting. The team have perfected the water temperature to ensure every guest enjoys the shower. The shower bag lasts approximately 8 minutes and holds about 40 litres of water. Making one shower bag last for two guests is a task that requires consideration. We managed to establish a good rhythm: rinse, switch off, lather, switch on, rinse – repeat as needed. On our final night of the whole adventure, I had an entire shower to myself. It actually felt wasteful using the entire shower bag on my own. Food for thought, right?
The ablutions were the one thing I was most curious about before getting to camp. Having a seasonal camp that leaves no trace behind means no permanent plumbing, e.g. flushing toilets or sinks. To get around this, each tent is equipped with an RV-style chemical toilet for use in the evenings once you are in your tent. During the day, you can use these facilities or the flushing toilets located at the reception to attend to your needs.
At first, it took some getting used to, but before long, you found yourself becoming more conscious of how much water is wasted in your regular ablutions. A useful 5L water dispenser is also placed in the tent for handwashing and teeth brushing. You suddenly become hyper-aware of how much water each task uses. The most thoughtful was the evening flask filled with warm water, left in the bathroom so you could wash your face or freshen up before bed.
Photo Credit: Kruger Untamed - Supplied
Photo Credit: Kruger Untamed - Supplied
Photo Credit: Kruger Untamed - Supplied
Sustainability and Conservation Walk Hand-in-Hand
I had not considered that heading to the bush to escape the daily grind would teach me so much about sustainability. During the second part of our stay at the Tshokwane River Camp, I had the opportunity to meet with Brett Hendricks, a Director at Kruger Untamed and COO of Motsamayi Tourism Group; we discussed how this model is changing the way people fall in love with the wild.
Brett shared that the feedback the team were getting from guests has been wholly positive. The concept of a “vanishing camp,” which ensures sustainability and promotes responsible tourism, is gaining popularity among both local and international tourists.
“People are asking those questions, “so what are you doing from a sustainable point of view?” And I think a lot of people think sustainability means no plastic. But for us, sustainability is not just about the light touch on the environment, but it’s also about how we support responsible tourism.”
“From a visitor and guest point of view globally, that’s what guests are asking today. They’re asking these questions. How are you playing a role in terms of protecting the Earth?”
Brett shared that the camps have consistently achieved a 100% environmental audit from South African National Parks. Not only that, but the model, now in its third season, also employs people from the surrounding communities, often providing them with their first job in the hospitality sector. The goal is upskilling, giving each person who works at the camps a chance to better their lives, to support their families and potentially grow in the industry, into new roles.
“We have to make a difference. If we can make a difference in some small way, the beauty of this is that you’re giving them hope.”
Our time at each camp, dealing with the teams from trackers, guides, servers, and chefs, was pure joy. Each person bubbled with passion for the project, eager to share their thoughts and how it had affected their lives. The energy is palpable. You walk away from each encounter feeling profoundly affected, either by their joy or the insightful conversation had about the surrounding environment.
And it somehow adds to the tranquillity of the space.
From soaking your bones in the fire-fed hot tubs at the Satara Plains Camp to dipping your toes in the cool riverbed swimming pool at Tshokwane, or lounging on a chaise longue while listening to the birds chirping through the nearby grasses, sustainable efforts pave the way for true tranquillity. The two camps each have their own appeal: the plains are open and vast with wildlife scattered around the edges, while the river camp feels enclosed, green, and teeming with life, hiding in all the bushes. We got to watch a herd of elephants on the opposite bank from our tent, and it felt truly wild!
Know that where you stand today, in just a matter of weeks, will once again become a wild space. The only markers left behind are the trees that continue to grow where they stand. Brett shared that the trees are the team’s only way of telling where things in the camp belong; once they leave, the grass reclaims the paths.
We were blessed with hundreds of buffalo sightings, endless elephant surprises, four fierce lions and five unbelievable leopard encounters. And let’s not forget the birds! Our guides at each camp helped me cross off quite a few new birds from my list.
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For the first time in a long time, time slowed down on this trip. Each moment felt special, important. We connected with our fellow guests, sharing stories of our own beloved sightings, and listened to international guests gush about their first encounters with wildebeest, elephants, and giraffes. We talked about how travel has changed, allowing us to experience this kind of camp. We shared meals with groups of people we would never meet in our day-to-day, and that in itself was a treasure to take away.
There is still so much to share about our stay at Kruger Untamed. Our guided bushwalk was the best experience of all, but I will save that for another day because there is so much to unpack about it.
If you are looking for an adventure, this is the route to take. Just leave your notions of indoor plumbing at home and embrace the outdoor, off-grid getaway wholeheartedly.
While you enjoy your time in the bush, you may learn a thing or two about saving water, treading lightly on the earth and leaving only footprints behind.
You can find out more about Kruger Untamed via the website here.
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