Hamilton's Tented Camp, Kruger National Park

Natural Connection

Following an 1880’s Africa Explorer theme, Hamilton’s Tented Camp is everything that luxury safari accommodation should be. Romantic tented suites are spaced far apart under ancient Jackalberry Trees, connected by raised wooden walkways. Set in a private concession right within the central, Big 5 game-rich area of the Kruger National Park between Skukuza and Satara, visitors have access to exclusive roads as well as their own private game viewing deck, with each suite overlooking a different curve of the Nwatsitsontso River.

The tents embrace the safari theme, with khaki-green canvas walls, oil lamps, a colonial style writing desk, old trunks and glossy wooden floors. The extra-wide King size beds have fine white linen and are draped with white mosquito nets. With air-conditioning, electricity, a generous wardrobe, thick, soft, white robes and towels, a glorious slipper bath overlooking the river and a private outdoor shower, this stay is both traditional and sumptuous.

We choose to stay in Tent 6, the furthest away from the restaurant, overlooking open bushveld. The suite is surrounded by windows, with two sets of double doors opening onto the riverfront deck. From the suite we see giraffe gliding past above the trees, and we hear an elephant munching. In the night we hear the call of hyena and hippos grunting, and we wake to the sound of a lion roaring so close by we need no further motivation to get up and head out for the morning game drive.

Back at camp after a successful morning drive, delicious meals are served at individual tables on an expansive deck overlooking the river. We watch an African Civet cat slink through the grass right below the deck and we drink a toast to our happy discovery of this wonderful place.

Accommodation Experience:

Sometimes the most intense loneliness comes within a relationship. With age comes the growing chasm of different interests, unspoken fears, and small slights opening deep wounds. Yet arriving at Hamilton’s luxurious and romantic Tented Camp, it is instantly clear that any divide between us had never really existed except in our own imagination. We immediately forget our sniping and become connected by our sense of shared joy at each new discovery. We move enthusiastically from exhilirating game drives to glorious meals, to heavenly bubble baths, to massages in our beautiful suite.

By evening we are sitting peacefully on our private balcony, relaxing in comfy Morris chairs. We enjoy sun-downers overlooking the river where a Saddle-billed Stork lands clumsily amongst the reeds. We both spontaneously admit that we would prefer to skip the evening game drive and enjoy our lovely view and the silence of our corner of the camp. 

Psychologist James Finley says that one of the best ways out of an impasse in a relationship is to be real and vulnerable about your own experience in the relationship. Soon we find ourselves speaking honestly about our fears and longings. In such a beautiful riverside setting, the words come easily and the feelings are gently held by the natural environment. A fresh breeze blows through our relationship, thanks to this caring accommodation situated in this unspoilt corner of the earth.