Timbili Nature Reserve

The road to Timbili.

It was a long but scenic drive to get to Timbili Nature Reserve on 26th April. This visit was on a bit of a whim, as I had only just heard about this place, (as it has only been open for around three years). We knew no-one who had been here, so it was a bit of a gamble, but one that paid off handsomely! The place was superb & it turned out to be one of our favourite places on this trip.

The place is a 40,000 hectare wilderness & one can self drive over a portion of it. In our five night stay here saw us exploring nearly all of it & we hardly saw another vehicle! It was wonderful! A real sense of wilderness & being all alone in it. 

Our lovely campsite.

The view!

Looking the other way.

The campsites are few & spaced along way away from each other, along a very scenic dry riverbed. The downside is that this is the most expensive camping we have ever done! It costs 1,200 rand each night! 

Camp Namibia

However, there is a communal area just for campers called Camp Namibia, which is superb. Very nice bar & restaurant, at reasonable prices with great views & a swimming pool.

Delana spotted this crossing the river!

It was at extreme range (c500m) & at dusk.

A Caracal!

This was a brilliant spot by Delana. I had to rush to the car to get my camera, but luckily it stayed around for quite a few minutes. A fantastic sighting of a rarely spotted species.

The self drive routes.

One of the several excellent waterholes 

in the reserve.

Lunch in the bush!

Kudu

Female

Steenbok

We did see quite a wide variety of plains game, but all were very wary & therefore we didn't take photos.

Monteiro's Hornbill

Southern Red-billed Hornbill

This species is unrecorded from 

this area & is a major rarity.

Damara Red-billed Hornbill

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater

We spent most of our time exploring the self drive routes, which were excellent & scenic. However previously this nature reserve was five farms of which several were hunting venues, so the game is still skittish.

Birding around the camp.

Dik-dik

Red-billed Spurfowl

Pied Babbler

Young bird.

Red-billed Buffalo Weaver

Pearl-spotted Owl

We were reluctant to leave this special place. The game viewing was average (although we did hear both Lion & Leopard) but the feel of the place was pure wilderness & very special. We would love to go back in the future.