The Private Game Reserves near the Kruger National Park – A Guide

The Private Game Reserves near the Kruger National Park – A Guide

The Kruger National Park is one of the largest wildlife conservation areas in the world, spanning an area of over 19,485 km2. Bordering the Kruger National Park is a number of private game reserves, which offer a variety of experiences, from luxurious accommodation to guided safaris and wildlife encounters. In this guide, we will list and describe the private game reserves that border or are near the Kruger National Park, giving you an insight into what each has to offer.

Mjejane Game Reserve

Mjejane Nature Reserve is an exclusive, privately-owned reserve that borders the world-famous Kruger National Park. It offers a unique African bushveld experience with a wide variety of fauna and flora, including the Big Five.

The reserve covers an area of almost 4000 hectares and is home to over 40 mammal species, including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. It is also home to a variety of birds and reptiles, making it an ideal destination for game viewing.

The reserve offers a range of activities including game drives, guided nature walks and safaris. Visitors can also explore the nearby Kruger National Park, where they can further experience the beauty and diversity of the African bushveld.

The reserve is situated close to the Crocodile River, offering excellent opportunities for bird watching. The area is also known for its stunning river sunsets, making it a great spot for families to spend some quality time away from the hustle and bustle.

Mjejane Game Reserve is the perfect destination for those who want to experience the African bushveld in all its glory and great accommodation options are on offer like Jacana River Lodge, a 5 Star self-catering game lodge in Mpumalanga perfectly suited for family breakaways. It is sure to offer an unforgettable experience and lifetime of memories.

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

For over 40 years, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve has been a wildlife oasis situated in the Sabie Game Reserve of the Greater Kruger National Park. Home to 4 luxury lodges, each with its own unique character and style, Sabi Sabi offers an extraordinary perspective to observe the age-old relationship between predator and prey. What began as an idea to create a home in the bush has grown into something far beyond what its developers ever imagined. 

The name Sabi Sabi was inspired by the Sabie River, otherwise known as the ‘River of Fear’ due to its translations in Portuguese and Tsonga being ‘fear’ and ‘danger’ respectively. Here, Sabi Sabi successfully balances the needs of conservation, tourism and community to the benefit of all.

 

Dulini Private Game Reserve

Dulini safaris are the core of the Dulini experience but it is the detail, care and personal relationships that make it special. Dulini consists of three lodges in the 65,000 hectare Sabi Sand Nature Reserve which is located within the 50 kilometre unfenced boundary of the world-famous Kruger National Park. Guests of Dulini have the privilege of accessing 10,500 hectares of the Reserve, including 16 kilometres of river access on both the north and south banks of the Sand River.

The African termite mound known as 'Dulini', offers a sanctuary to many wild creatures such as aardvarks, pangolins, warthogs, pythons and more. It is believed that the original founders of Dulini Moya disturbed a resident aardvark which is how the name "place of the antbear" was born. A more appropriate translation for Dulini is "a shelter or sanctuary" and to us as the custodians of this special place, it has come to mean a sought-after hideaway. Now a firm favourite with tourists.

 

Lion Sands Private Game Reserve

Lion Sands Private Game Reserve is privately owned by the More Family, who have had a passion for Africa’s wildlife since 1934. Lion Sands is part of the greater Sabi Sands game reserve, which is located in the greater Kruger National Park area. The child policy at Lion Sands is that children of all ages are welcome, and there are special activities and experiences tailored for kids. Lion Sands has three properties, with a total of 64 rooms.

The General Manager of Lion Sands is Chris Kitshoff, who has been a part of the Lion Sands family for over 15 years. With a commitment to conservation and a dedication to providing the best possible experience for guests, Lion Sands is the perfect destination for tourists looking for a luxury safari experience.

 

Singita Private Game Reserve

Singita Private Game Reserve is a wildlife haven spanning over five hundred and fifty thousand acres of private land. Home to a wide array of African wildlife, this reserve boasts all of the Big 5 and much more. Take part in thrilling game drives, bush walks and river safaris, and enjoy luxurious accommodations.

Established in 1993, Singita Ebony Lodge on the Sabi Sand Reserve was the initiation of Luke Bailes' vision of a luxurious, yet sustainable safari experience. The private game reserve is renowned for its verdant, riverine landscapes and exceptional leopard activity. Bailes, family-owner of this land along the Sand River, believed that to preserve the land and all its inhabitants, he must bring together a hospitality offering of the highest standard, with a remarkable wilderness adventure, in order to maintain the conservation of natural ecosystems - a philosophy which is still upheld to this very day.

 

Mala Mala Private Game Reserve

Since 1927, MalaMala Game Reserve has been the model for the luxury photographic safari. Located in South Africa, it is the largest private Big Five game reserve in the area, covering 33,000 acres and boasting an impressive 19km (12 mile) unfenced boundary with the world-renowned Kruger National Park. Strategically located between the Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Reserve, the reserve is home to the most exciting wildlife experience this side of the equator.

MalaMala Game Reserve is renowned worldwide for providing the best Big Five game viewing experiences, and its commitment to preserving and protecting the environmental integrity of this special piece of Africa has made it a top destination for international photojournalists and film-makers. Thanks to its 20km (13 miles) of Sand River frontage, which serves as a magnet for animals that inhabit the area, MalaMala Game Reserve is the benchmark for the luxury safari industry in Southern Africa..

 

Londolozi Private Game Reserve

Situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, the lodge is located on the Sand River. Spanning over six million acres, the area is home to an abundance of wildlife and offers an authentic wilderness experience. Guests of the lodge can expect to witness majestic breeding herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as some of the highest concentrations of white rhino and lion on the continent.

However, it is the leopards of Londolozi that have earned the lodge its worldwide fame. Over the past four decades, the rangers and trackers have developed a unique relationship with the wild leopards, allowing guests to experience truly intimate sightings. 

At Londolozi, safari is not just about sightseeing, but rather an immersive journey that stimulates all the senses and enriches the spirit. Our goal is to provide our guests with the opportunity to discover their own truth about the world and about themselves.

Since its establishment as the first Big Five photographic safari destination in South Africa, Londolozi has been a leader in conservation, land restoration and social upliftment. Its commitment to these values has been unwavering throughout the years,

 

Phinda Private Game Reserve

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is home to Phinda Private Game Reserve, an impressive 29 866 hectares (73 800 acres) of protected wildlife land. Showcasing one of the continent's finest game viewing experiences, the reserve is teeming with the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), as well as 436 bird species. It is renowned for its up-close sightings of the elusive cheetah and rare black rhino.

Described as 'Seven Worlds of Wonder', Phinda's seven distinct habitats of woodland, grassland, wetland, and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, rivers, marshes, and pans, provide a magnificent tapestry of beauty. The 1 000 hectares (2471 acres) of dry sand forest is one of Africa's last remaining and offers a unique combination of bush and beach adventures, as the reserve is situated near the Indian Ocean's unspoiled beaches and spectacular coral reefs.

 

Makalali Private Game Reserve

Experience the breathtaking Makalali Private Game Reserve, situated on a 26,000 hectare conservancy in the Hoedspruit region of the Limpopo province, only 5 hours drive from Johannesburg and west of the famous Kruger National Park, close to the Drakensberg Mountains. This place of rest, which was an old cattle farm when bought in the early nineties, is now home to over one thousand wild animals, including Africa’s “Big Five”. With its thatched spires and earthy walls, ancient mystical ornaments and Pan African cuisine, you’ll be surrounded by the untamed bushveld and cosseted by the warmth of service and the comforts of a truly unique resort. 

The innovative design of Makalali, conceived by Sylvio Rech, was brought to life by local craftsmen. Sylvio used large quantities of rock found on-site during the construction of the lodges, which was rewarded when Tattler magazine voted Makalali as “the most innovatively designed hotel in the world”. You can explore the bushveld with experienced guides on open air game drives or guided bush walks, and be introduced to a whole new world.

Thornybush Private Game Reserve

Vast wildlife diversity, luxury safari lodges, and an immersive bush experience; whether it’s a romantic getaway or a family holiday safari, our guests can indulge in an unforgettable trip to the African wilderness.

As an owner-run business, the Thornybush family is passionate about Africa, celebrating safari, and our community projects and conservation initiatives have played a vital role in our success as a globally recognised safari destination.

At Thornybush, guests are provided with a truly unique African safari experience. With  experienced guides, warm and engaging staff, and traversing rights over 15 000 hectares of unspoilt African wilderness, you'll be able to savor an up-close view of the Big Five, a wonderful diversity of general game and bird species, and the opportunity to slow down and soak up the natural beauty of the bush. 

 

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is located in two provinces, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and is situated to the west of Kruger National Park. Travel to the reserve can be done by air or road; guests have the option of flying into Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport or driving through the Timbavati Enkhulu Gate.

Since 1956, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve has been protecting the Lowveld region of South Africa, safeguarding the future of its fauna and flora. This non-profit organisation, comprised of 47 landowners bound by a common constitution, covers an area of 53,396 hectares. Working together, they have created a safe haven for endangered species such as black and white rhinoceros, pangolins, saddlebilled storks, southern ground hornbills and many more. 

The reserve also generates a steady tourism economy, hosting a number of safari lodges that attract both local and international visitors. As a result, the reserve is providing employment opportunities to both the reserve and the neighbouring communities. 

In addition, the Timbavati Foundation, funded by the reserve, runs a series of outreach programmes that bring vital resources to the area, such as boreholes, sustainable shaded vegetable farming and environmental awareness programmes for schoolchildren. 

Since its inception in the 1950s, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve has grown to become a highly professional organisation, committed to preserving the natural beauty of the region for future generations.

 

Kapama Private Game Reserve

Kapama, a sanctuary of 15 000 hectares of South African bush, offers guests a unique safari experience with four luxury lodges to choose from. Buffalo Camp, Southern Camp, River Lodge and Kapama Karula, each with its own character, will ensure you have an unforgettable stay. For those with a bucket list item to tick off, the romantic sleep-out platform will make your dream come true.

At Kapama, there's no requirement to stick to a schedule – take your time and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the reserve. Relax around the pool, explore the bush with one of our knowledgeable guides or pamper yourself at the Spa and Wellness Centre. Here, you can indulge in a first-class spa treatment, work up a sweat on the state-of-the-art equipment and steam rooms or take a dip in the pool.

Twice-daily game drives and guided bush walks (included in the tariffs) present the opportunity to explore the diverse landscape and the abundant wildlife. Led by a skilled guide and assistant, game drives are a chance to spot the Big Five and make some unforgettable memories.

 

Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

For over 50 years, the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (KPNR) has been uniting the 36 original farm owners who made the decision to merge their land. This created a 2 million hectare area of protected wilderness, with unfenced boundaries to neighbouring reserves and the Kruger National Park, allowing the free and protected movement of wildlife. Known as the Greater Kruger, these private reserves on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park include the Klaserie, Umbabat, Timbavati, Balule, Manyeleti, and Sabi Sand reserves. The connection between people and the land is a long and rich one, with a colourful timeline of events, arrival and departure of significant people, and many families still important members of the reserve today. This history is something worth celebrating.

 

Manyeleti Private Game Reserve

The "Place of the Stars" truly is a unique and exclusive safari destination, home to the Big Five and over 300 bird species. It is a pristine bush experience situated on the western side of Kruger National Park, bordering the Sabi Sands and Timbavati Game Reserves, and the area is managed by the local Mnisi tribe. With its history of apartheid, Manyeleti is now reaping the rewards of its long-term neglect, offering visitors a quieter and more exclusive safari experience compared to the more well-known Sabi Sands.

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