South Africa Game Reserve Review

 

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A CONCISE REVIEW OF ALL SOUTH AFRICAN BIG GAME RESERVES

See the Accommodation Advisor Blog for regular articles, top tips and focus on lodges and game reserves.

Key:

=  BIG 5 Game Reserve                     M = Malaria-Free

KRUGER PARK SURROUNDS

PRIVATE

• Kruger Private Concessions - Prime locations, expert guides.
  
• Sabi Sand - Premier safari region. Luxury plus. Big 5 encounters.  
  
• Manyeleti - Intimate seclusion. 2 tented camps. Family & couples.
  
• Timbavati - 5 star & eco-adventure Lodges. Rare white lions. 
  
• Thornybush - Exclusive. Variety of lodges from 5 star to self-catering.
  
• Kapama - Superb value. Chic to tented safari-style. Great spa.
  
• Balule - Personalized family-owned and/or run lodges. Friendly.
  
• Makalali - 4 independent camps. Families and romantic couples.
  
• Karongwe - Small eco-reserve. 4+5 star. Personalized. Horse safaris.
  
• Klaserie - borders Timbavati Reserve. Selection of lodges.
• Moditlo - 36,000acres. Near KNP & Kapama.Wild dogs, cheetah.
• Mthethomusha - 8,000ha. Near Malelane Gate. Rock Art tours. 

PRIVATE RESERVES WITH BIG GAME

• Kwa Madwala - Big 4 (no buffalo).Near KNP. Elephant safaris. 
  
• Guernsey - borders Thornybush Reserve. No lion, elephant or Rhino.
  
• Hoedspruit Wildlife Centre  - Private lodgenear Orpen Gate.
• Parsons - Located within Balule Reserve. Thatched chalets

 NATIONAL PARKS

• Kruger National Park - S.A. flagship reserve. Value, authentic. Tip: self-drive.
    

KWAZULU-NATAL

PRIVATE GAME RESERVES

• AmaZulu - Mountains, wetlands, bushland. 5 star lodge, 2 tented camps.
• Phinda  - Bush + Beach safari. 5 lodges (our tip “Forest”). Cheetah.
  
• Thanda  - Innovative selection of lodgings. Spa. Children welcomed.

 NATIONAL PARKS

• M Drakensberg -Panoramic. Safaris nearby. Horse-riding, hiking, fishing.
  

• Hluhluwe-Imfolozi - Rhino hot spot. Varied budgets. Worth a visit.
  
• Ithala - located near Pongola.  Ancient rock faces, breathtaking views. 
• Mkhuze - Famous for it's game hides. Chalets. No lion or buffalo. Cheetah.
  
• Ndumo - Birdwatcher's paradise. Rest huts and camping. Rhino, buffalo.
  
• St. Lucia - Coastal reserve. Campsite with power. Beaches unpatrolled.
• Tembe - Largest African elephants in the world! Strictly 4x4 only. Tents.
  

LIMPOPO

PRIVATE GAME RESERVES

• M Entabeni - Malaria-free. In the Waterberg Mountains. 4-5 star luxury.
  
• M Shambala - 2 hrs north of Johannesburg. Luxury chalets. Spa.
  
• M Welgavonden - Selection of lodges with panoramic or water views.
  

• M Olievenfontein  - affordable chalets north of Pretoria. Self-catering.

NATIONAL PARKS

• M Marakele - Tented camp overlooks a dam. Campsite. Self-catering only. 
• Mapungubwe - Limpopo River. Real beauty. Top pick=Tshugulu camp. 
• M Waterberg -  4x4. Panoramic views. Tents, campsites. Brown Hyena.
  

NORTH WEST

PRIVATE GAME RESERVES

• M Madikwe  -  Variety of Eco-Lodges. Run co-operatively. Painted dog. 
• M Pilanesberg - Close to Sun City resort. Paved roads - can be busy.

 NATIONAL PARKS

• M Borakalalo - Rustic or en-suite tents. Leopard, rhino, giraffe. Fishing.
  
• M Molopo - Botswana border. Campsites. Communal ablutions. Cheetah.

NORTHERN CAPE

PRIVATE GAME RESERVES

• M Karoo Garriep  - Breathtaking starry nights. 4 Star houses. Horse trails.
• M Tswalu Kalahari - Large. Horseback safaris. Lion, rhino, meercat.
  
• M !Xaus Lodge - A Co-operation Lodge owned by San & Mier communites.
  

NATIONAL PARKS

• M Ai-Ais Richtersveld - Desert region. Rest Camps, campsites. 4x4 only.
  
• M Augrabies Falls - Chalets, camp sites. Hiking trails. Mountain Zebra.
  
• M Kgalagadi  -  Wilderness Eco-Lodges. Kalahari lion. Red dunes. Sunsets!

GAUTENG - Johannesburg surrounds

• M Dinokeng - Big 4. Buffalo coming soon. Variety of lodgings.
  
• M Krugersdorp  - Mokoya Lodge=the pick. Lion enclosure. Meet cubs.
  
• M Lephalale - A selection of small game lodges. Mama Tau has white lions.
  
• M The Lion Park - Not a game reserve. Carnivore enclosure. Luxury en-suite tents. 
  
• M Lion & Rhino Reserve -  Self-catering chalets. Within the 'Cradle of Humankind'. 
  
• M Welgedacht  - Eco Bushcamp. Part of Dinokeng Game reserve.
  

THE EASTERN CAPE

PRIVATE GAME RESERVES

• M Amakhala - Family camps. 3-5 Star. Wildlife relocation Program. Near Addo.
  
• M Kariega -  4+5 Star Lodges. Family owned/operated. Garden Route.
  
• M Kwandwe - 4 highly rated Lodges. Founders of the  Angus Gillis Foundation
  
• M Lalibela - 3 x 4 Star Lodges. Treetops=honeymoon pick. Mid range budget.
• M Pumba - Two 5 Star Eco Lodges. Conferences. Spa. White lions.
  
• M Shamwari  - Near P.E. Born Free Foundation. Variety of 5 star Lodges.
  

NATIONAL PARKS

• M Addo  - Variety of lodgings. Tours. Few roads. Close elephant encounters.
  

THE WESTERN CAPE

PRIVATE GAME RESERVES

• M Aquila  - 4 Star. Caters to all budgets.  Quad biking, horse safaris. Near Cape Town.
  
• M Gondwana  - Luxury suites, fireplace. Spa. Mountain views over Fynbos reserve.
  
• M Inverdoorn - 4-5 Star cottages. Big 4 (no elephant). Cheetah. Winelands.
  
• M Sanbona  -  5 star lodges. Panoramic views. On the "Winelands Route".

NATIONAL PARKS

• M Cederberg Reserve - Traditional thatched cottages. Endangered Cape leopard & Mountain zebra
• M Karoo  - Panoramic. Chalets + campsites. Cape Dutch Style. Lion, black rhino.

 

 

 

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