Kruger Untamed is the culmination of a journey involving two people from opposite ends of South Africa's societal spectrum - Shangaan tracker extraordinaire Renias Mhlongo and farm-bred game ranger Alex van den Heever.

Renias Mhlongo’s story begins under the sprawling canopy of a jackalberry tree in the greater Kruger National Park. Born into the rich traditions of the Shangaan hunter-gatherers, his early years were shaped by a profound connection to the natural world. As a young boy, Renias was tasked with tending his family’s cattle, unknowingly honing the skills of observation and intuition that would later make him one of the most renowned animal trackers in the world. 

But the idyllic rhythm of life in Kruger was shattered by apartheid-era forced removals. Accused falsely of poaching, Renias’s father was uprooted from their land, forcing the family to flee to the settlement of Dixie. Renias vividly remembers that night, gripping the tail of a cow as they waded through a river under the cover of darkness, journeying towards an uncertain future. 

Across the country, in the Western Cape, Alex van den Heever’s childhood was playing out against a different backdrop. Growing up among the cattle farms of the Cape, Alex spent his days playing hide-and-seek in the dunes of Plettenberg Bay. While Renias’s childhood was steeped in survival and ancestral traditions, Alex’s was marked by the privileges of farm life. Yet, both boys were unknowingly charting a path towards a shared destiny. 

Their worlds collided two decades later at Londolozi Game Reserve. Alex, by then a newly minted game ranger with a background in marketing and business, was keen to immerse himself in the wilderness. Renias, already a skilled tracker, had been at Londolozi since 1984, refining his craft and helping to habituate the leopards that would become the reserve’s claim to fame. Despite their vastly different upbringings, they found themselves united by a shared passion for the bush and an unlikely partnership began. 

Initially, their differences loomed large. Alex was a novice in the ancient art of tracking, while Renias was already a master. But under Renias’s patient mentorship, they became an extraordinary tracking team, excelling at the elusive art of finding leopards. Renias and his brothers had already revolutionised leopard viewing at Londolozi, transforming rare sightings into a highlight of safari experiences. Together, Alex and Renias built on this legacy, blending traditional Shangaan skills with a modern approach to conservation. 

Their success at Londolozi was only the beginning. With a shared dream of restoring the ancient African art of animal tracking, they co-founded the Tracker Academy in 2010, with the support of Gaynor Rupert. The Academy, dedicated to training unemployed youth in traditional tracking, has since produced 280 graduates, many of whom are now employed in conservation. Renias serves as the Academy’s principal trainer, passing on his invaluable knowledge, while Alex manages its operations, ensuring its sustainability and growth. 

But their ambitions did not stop there. For 15 years, Renias and Alex dreamed of creating a game reserve of their own—a sanctuary where their graduates could demonstrate their exceptional tracking skills. In July 2023, their perseverance paid off with the launch of Kruger Untamed, a safari business that stands for more than profit and represents unity, transformation and hope that both Alex and Renias are shareholders in. 

Kruger Untamed opened Tshokwane River Camp in the Kruger National Park, closely followed by Satara Plains Camp. For Renias, the boy who once herded cattle just kilometres away, this milestone was deeply personal. The camps are not just about business; they are a symbol of what can be achieved through collaboration and a shared vision. Renias and Alex’s partnership, forged over decades of shared challenges and triumphs, continues to inspire. 

The Kruger National Park’s first seasonal luxury tented camp concession, Kruger Untamed's camps are available for stays during the South African winter months only, from May to September each year. They are a highlight for any Kruger Park enthusiast wanting a deeper connection with the wild. 

Tshokwane River Camp is conveniently located just 60 minutes away from Skukuza airport, while Satara Plains Camp is close to Satara Rest Camp in the central section of the parl. Both offer accommodation for up to 60 guests in 30 luxurious tents. 

The tents are spacious and beautifully appointed, complete with front and rear doors, side windows, a covered patio and en-suite facilities. Fresh linen, comfortable duvets, and warm blankets add to the levels of luxury.

With everything you'd expect from a five-star lodge, there are comfortable queen beds with soft white linen, plush duvets and pillows, hot water bottles at turn-down when it gets cold, elegant scatter cushions, bed throws, bedside tables, a vanity mirror, glasses, bedside electric lamps, blankets, carpets, a clothing rack, waste paper bin, luggage rack, mosquito nets, and chairs outside under the canopy. 

Want to go? That's easy. Just chat to us and we'll sort it all out for you. We might even come with you!

Text: Sharon Gilbert-Rivett