A haven, an escape from the world, a peaceful place to recharge, to make new memories and to see some of the most exciting wildlife sightings Africa has to offer, the region around the Kruger National Park is a holiday hotspot which attracts locals and international travellers alike.
Although the Kruger is the best known national park in South Africa, in recent years, the surrounding reserves have outclassed this legendary destination.
Some of the reserves on this list are connected to the Kruger and share an open fence to allow for the easy migration of wildlife, but as far as the accommodation is concerned, it is generally on a whole different level, which is often the main reason why travellers give the Kruger a skip. While the Kruger offers some upmarket accommodation, it is within the surrounding private nature reserves that those looking for an unforgettable trip will find the quiet bushveld magic that they are looking for.
As a lodge based in one of the reserves on the outskirts of the Kruger, we have a lot of knowledge and experience with the area, and these are our top choices when it comes to the best priced private nature reserves near to the Kruger National Park.
1. Mjejane Private Nature Reserve
2. Thornybush Private Game Reserve
3. Kapama Private Game Reserve
4. Manyeleti Private Game Reserve
5. Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
6. Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
7. Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Each of these world-class private nature reserves offer exceptional wildlife sightings and the ultimate safari experience.
A quiet oasis, Mjejane Nature Reserve is home to a number of stunning game lodges in Mpumalanga and it is the perfect place to have a truly African safari experience. The Mjejane has been incorporated into the Kruger and it offers some excellent wildlife viewing opportunities in the form of both guided and self-drive safaris. Guests to the Mjejane can look forward to both luxury and rustic accommodation like our very own Jacana River Lodge, as well as various activities that go beyond the game drive.
Thornybush is home to the Big 5 as well as a variety of other interesting animals and plant life. The reserve is in a woodland, complete with that characteristic thorny scrub, and it is the perfect destination for those who have a real love for wildlife and who want to have a more secluded experience. The reserve is also home to some truly superb lodges and more rustic accommodation options.
At Kapama Private Game Reserve, there is much to see and do, and with some 13 000 hectares of open woodland making up the reserve, guests can feel as though they are completely on their own in this vast African landscape. Kapama offers everything you could want from a safari holiday and aside from seeing plenty of wildlife, there are also other experiences to take part in such as hot air balloon rides.
Beautiful Manyeleti is situated between three of the best wildlife viewing locations; Sabi Sands, Timbavati and the Kruger. The reserve also shares an unfenced border with the Kruger, allowing for the migration of all sorts of animals. Along with being able to experience the very best kinds of safaris, at the reserve guests can also visit the local rehabilitation centre, learn about rhino tracking, and enjoy the best dinning at the reserve’s finest lodges.
Timbavati is a lot better known then some of the other private reserves on this list, thanks to its immense dedication to conservation, and it is also one of the biggest. Spotting the Big 5 during just about any game drive is the norm and the reserve is also a great place to visit for those who want to do a spot of bird watching.
Klaserie is hot, dry and simply unforgettable. The game viewing ranges from the usual plains game such as antelope, giraffe and zebra, to the animals that everyone hopes to encounter while on a safari, the Big 5. Klaserie is secluded, private and home to some of the best safari accommodation one could hope to book.
Some of the very best safari companies are based in Sabi Sands and that, along with the abundance of wildlife to be seen here, makes this game reserve an incredibly popular one. Sabi Sands is a quiet retreat from the world and it is made up of a number of family owned reserves, sharing an unfenced piece of wild land, bordering on the south-west section of the Kruger National Park. Guests staying here enjoy exclusive travelling rights and some of the best luxury accommodation.