Bruce and Judy started safaris in 1982
Wildlife Encounters
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2000)
- Member Of:
- Kruger Lowveld & Go Limpopo
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $177 to $414 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Leanne Horobin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic!
Had the most fantastic experience at nDzuti safari camp last week. Bruce and Judy couldn't have been more welcoming, even the herd of elephants arrived at the waterhole near our tent to say hello when we arrived. Troy, their son, was an amazing guide and found the elusive leopard and rhinos for us, as well as ellies, lions, hippo, giraffe, buffalo and many other animals! The food was outstanding and the sundowners at the end of a game drive went down a treat! We loved the rustic feel of the unfenced camp and the outdoor showers made it all feel very authentic and wild. We'll definitely be back soon!
Email Kathryn | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wildlife Encounters gave me the best experience I could have asked for.
I had an absolutely incredible time at nDzuti Bushcamp for so many reasons.
1) The Safari: because the bushcamp is in a quieter area of the reserve you can drive for hours without seeing another vehicle. It gives you a real sense of a private drive experience. The guides are absolute experts and had so much information to share. I was lucky enough to see 4 out of the big 5, as well as many other incredible animals on my 2-night stay.
2) The accommodation: with the verandas of the tents looking out at the watering hole, I was able to see so much wildlife just while chilling at the camp. Elephants, wild dogs, baboons and warthogs were just some of the animals that I saw from my tent. The tents themselves are also spacious, clean and have super comfy beds. Each tent also has its own ensuite bathroom where you can shower under the canopy of trees. For me this really added to the magic of the experience.
3) The food: Every meal I had at nDzuti was absolutely delicious and very filling.
4) The people: Judy and Bruce were lovely hosts and Sabre was an excellent guide. Although I happened to be the only guest at the camp at the time, I never felt lonely. They really made me feel welcome and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. Additionally, all the on-site staff were very friendly and helpful.
Overall I would definitely recommend a stay at nDzuti Bushcamp. I hope to be back soon!
Email Jessica Henderson | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The most amazing safari guides we've encountered!
From the first moment we arrived in Hoedspruit we felt so welcomed and excited. 5 days of absolute Kruger bliss were about to begin! We were picked up by Bruce, his son and his friends who were all training to be safari guides at the time. We jumped in their open air jeep and enjoyed the drive to our new home for 5 nights. When we arrived I was blown away by the picturesque grounds and the accommodation. The room and ensuite was spacious, clean and beautifully decorated. The dining room, lounge and outdoor area were spectacular with their high ceilings, wooden rafters and the African decor made you remember what a special place you were in. We even had a giraffe wander by while we were sitting outside enjoying the lounges! Waking up early for a game drive, tea and rusks is the best way to start everyday! And then you end each evening with a sunset game drive. Bruce was full of wildlife knowledge and so was his son and friends. We loved having them along for the game drives too as it was great hearing them practising all of their animal and tracking studies. Game drive sunset drinks were an absolute highlight! I will never forget the atmosphere and the sounds of the African bush, one night the hippos and a leopard were taking in turns making their calls! We got to do some on foot tracking too which was so exhilarating!! One night we had just gone to bed and heard lions roaring in the distance, what an amazing sound. At night we would have the most amazing dinners, actually every meal was incredible! We ate so much and one morning we even got treated to impala livers as a side to our breakfast. We love trying new and interesting foods when traveling so this was a real treat. I remember stories by the campfire at night, reading from the amazing book collection during the day, watching animals wander by while lying in the sun, amazing elephant encounters, the list goes on!! Bruce and Judy were seriously the most amazing safari guides we have ever encountered and we have travelled through 11 African countries. They had endless knowledge of the bush and the animals but also welcomed us so lovingly for those 5 days that we felt like we were part of their family! We are so looking forward to returning one day and taking along our daughter this time!
BE
Email Michiel Reyskens | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
They don't do it for the money, the do it to share their love for nature!
I spent 3 nights in nDzuti as a solo traveller and had a amazing time ...
Judy and Bruce are the perfect couple for this, nDzuti is the perfect accomodation in the real wild Africa.
I've been to (South) Africa over a dozen times, always on safari trips and nothing beats their area.
It was the wildest I've seen so far and with all the sightings to yourself.
Bruce doesn't need a radio and a dozen other vehicles with drivers to help him find the animals.
I've met a lot of guides and trackers but I've never met a person that knows the bush this well!
I would definitly go back there because you really feel at home there, with only 4 rooms in one building it really is their home.
The area in front of their house is perfect to spot game, we had elephants at 2m from the fence.
During the drives we saw a lot of game and also the small game was special for them.
One night during diner, Judy ran into us jelling we had to go and grap the camera's because Bruce was coming to pick us up because he felt that there where so things to happen.
He waited the whole day, in the sun in his car, close to a kill under a bush. When he finally decided to go home he crossed 2 hyena's very close to the death animal.
He came to pick us up, we drove up there and we did all our light out ....
The feeling that you have when you're in the dark and the only noise you hear is the sound of the hyena's crushing the bones of that aninal, is not to tell in words. But the show was only to start ...
So now and then, Bruce puts on his spotligt and in the backgroup you could so 2 eyes, and then 2 more ....
Lionesses, coming to steal the kill, and all this, next to the road on 2m from our 4x4.
It was amazing. But the next part even made it better, a huge male leopard used to car to sneak up to the scene. He moved the spotlights over to the other side of the car and there the leopard was sitting and waiting for his moment, it was huge, the biggest I ever saw! The lions were busy with the hyena's so the leopard moved in and stole the kill. He moved it over to a big three on top of a small hill close to the scene, the legs of the death animal scratching our car ... We all did this with only now and then the use of the spotlight, the moon gave us just enough light to see the spectacle. Bruce's vision about not interrupting nature is great.
Back to the story, because all the great stories have a great end ... The leopard toke the kill up into the three, but the lionesses wanted it back so they climed up in the three aswell. A small fight happed and the hyena's toke the leftovers but the lions had to give it to the leopard and had to back off because he was so fast and huge. nDzuti is in the Klaserie, and their part of the Klaserie is the real Africa!
My story is the luck of the day, but all stories made in Africa are great!
Don't doubt, go there!
CA
Email Josh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Took our trip from a worry, to an experience of a lifetime!
Booking our safari experience was new and a little scary for us. Judy from Wildlife Encounters took all of our desires, gave us suggestions we would never have known to think of, and organized us a trip of a lifetime! The communication was exceptional and clear, all of our questions were answered, and from the time we got picked up, to dropped off - we didn't have a worry! You could feel Judy's passion, and as a result - our safari experience went begond our wildest imaginations. nDzuti Bush Camp was one of our stops and a true highlight that we highly recommend experiencing! If you're looking for communicative, helpful, kind, knowledgeable and a great priced experience (who wouldn't) - then look no further! Wildlife Encounters is truly for you! I have no doubt your experience with Wildlife Encounters will be as exceptional as ours was.
US
Email Lacey | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was our 1st safari with Wildlife Encounters but it won't be our last!
We knew from our first correspondence with Judy, when we were trying to figure out which camp was the right fit for our family, that we were in good hands. Because we were traveling with younger children, we ended up staying at the Tuskers Safari Camp and basically had the place to ourselves. The camp is situated above a watering hole, and we spent countless hours mesmerized by the various animals that came and went right below us. It was amazing!
JD is an expert ranger and Vusi a very knowledgeable tracker. They not only found us a variety of wildlife (even the elusive leopard) but also spent time teaching our children all about the bush. From learning fun facts about the wildlife and terrain to stopping the jeep to look at different animal tracks, our kids had so many stories to tell their friends when we returned home.
The camp itself was clean and comfortable. Every meal prepared by Victory and her team was tasty and memorable. The staff went out of their way to make sure all our needs were met.
We can’t recommend Tuskers and Wildlife Encounters enough!
BR
Email Ana Paula Aletto | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional
Judy and Bruce are super attentive and welcomed us very well. Their campsite is stunning and during our stay elephants were nearby and we were able to watch them from the "balcony" of our tent. Sabre is an incredible ranger and we got to see a lot of animals and learn a lot about the savannah and how it works. We highly recommend it.
CL
Email Camila Trautmann | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I felt like I was part if the family!
If I could give more stars to Judy, Bruce, Sabre and Justin, I definitely would!
I picked the “Best of both worlds” tour and I dońt regret it! Even since de beginning, when booking the tour I felt I was being taken care of, Judy was so kind and so patient, and she made sure my tour was as incredible as I could imagine.
The second place I stayed at is Ndzuti Bush Camp, which is run my Judy and Bruce, and it was amazing, I felt so safe and so welcome there, it being a family business truly makes a difference! I even felt part of the family. And I can’t describe what it feels like to see the animals roaming free, it really changes your life. And Sabre does such an amazing job as a guide! She makes sure everyone is comfortable and happy and is always ready to answer your question. I don’t have enough words to describe what an amazing experience I had, I can’t wait to come back!
Completely Amazing
This was a beautiful camp with wonderful staff and delicious food. Everyone went out of their way to make sure we had a fantastic time!! I hated leaving this paradise.
Great tour operator with incredible camp and guide!
Great bang for your buck on our safari. Six of us went and the camp plus guide (JD) were both amazing! Would definitely recommend!