Karen Blixen can eat her heart out. When it comes to style, elegance and unapologetic luxury in the heart of the bush, Walkers Bush Villa is without rival.
If you’ve had a taxing year and feel like you deserve to treat yourself and your nearest to a relaxing, fully catered experience at a private game reserve, then perhaps the lavish five-star Walkers Bush Villa in the midst of the renowned Timbavati Private Game Reserve is just the ticket. The kicker? You don’t have to share this particular lap of luxury with anyone else. It’s the ultimate exclusive bush hideaway where seclusion, privacy and opulence are the order of the day.
The other great benefit of staying at Walkers is that guests can tailor their experience according to their taste and whims, and there’s no rigid schedule that needs to be adhered to. But allow us to describe what a typical day at Walkers Bush Villa might look like:
Wake up at around 5H30 and enjoy a coffee on the lovely patio while listening to the surrounding bush chirp, click and buzz into life. At 6H00, depart on a game drive with an experience guide into the wilds of the Timbavati – make sure to keep an eye out for the big five, including the regularly-sighted Sunset Dam leopard and, of course, the famous white lions of the Timbavati. As the Timbavati shares borders with both the Kruger and the Klaserie, there are no limits to what one might see on a drive, and the best part is that you won’t get traffic at a sighting as you would in the Kruger. Here, you’ll have sightings all to yourself and guests might even be taken off-road on occasion to get closer to game – something not permitted in other parks.
At 9H00, you’ll arrive back at the Villa and tuck straight into a breakfast specially prepared by the private chef at Walkers. Guests then have the choice of how they’d like to spend the rest of their day. Bush walks can be arranged, as well as additional drives, but we’d advise guests to take advantage of the private luxury of the Villa during the day. Make use of several seating areas on the expansive patio, all of which overlooks the surrounding bushveld.
Catch up on some reading or take time to admire some of the handcrafted items and classic art scattered throughout the house, including a few original Dylan Lewis sculptures. Or use the binos to spot birds from the comfort of one of the loungers. Avid birders usually have the time of their lives at Walkers as they delight in the bouquet of birds on show, including a multi-hued variety of robins, chats, shrikes, orioles, larks, coucals and rollers that flit about the bush surrounding the house.
During the hottest part of the day, cool off in the inviting pool, or catch a few winks in one of four large air-conditioned bedrooms, or relax in one of two comfortably appointed lounges. The patio leads down to lush lawns where the kids can run around to their hearts’ content, and there are also additional kids activities that can be arranged on request.
The afternoon game drive usually departs at 16H30, and generally serves up a host of exciting sightings of animals congregating at waterholes, and, of course, a special sundowner spot is selected where guests happily indulge in a G&T while admiring the view. At around 19H30, upon returning to the Villa, a table would have been set up under the stars in the wonderful boma area, and a delectable dinner is served by the chef.
Bush breakfasts and dinners can also be arranged should the guests wish – it’s all up to how you’d like to spend your days at Walkers! It’s the ideal group- or family getaway, and the Villa sleeps up to 10 people. There’s one master suite, and three standard bedrooms all of which can be reconfigured according to the group’s needs.
For a catered, private, luxurious bush break, there’s simply no beating Walkers Bush Villa…
Ntuthu
Carolynne