The 35,000 hectare Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve (also known as the Makalali Conservancy) is ultimately intended to recreate the wildlife migration corridor linking the Kruger National Park to the Drakensburg Mountains in the west. The Makhutswi River flows through the reserve of lowveld acacia bush and open savanna grassland interspersed with occasional marula, knobthorn … Continued

The malaria-free Waterberg Savanna Biosphere Reserve was designated by UNESCO in 2001 and an area marrying conservation with the benefits of tourism. It includes the Lapalala Wilderness Area, Marakele National Park – both offering simple accommodation – and Welgevonden Reserve with more luxurious options. The extensive Waterberg Massif reveals deep valleys, grassy hills, majestic mountains, … Continued

Balule Private Game Reserve is a 40,000 hectare nature reserve straddling a 20 km stretch of the perennial Olifants River. Balule was created when farm owners decided to eliminate the game fences between their properties and more landowners are constantly joining the scheme, increasing the Greater Kruger National Park Management Area. The ‘Big Five’, abundant … Continued

Manyeleti, meaning ‘’Place of the Stars’’ in Shangaan language and managed for the community’s benefit by the local Mnisi tribe, shares fenceless borders with Kruger, Timbavati and Sabi Sands reserves so that elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and other wildlife can roam freely. The 23,000 hectare reserve is easily accessible, but away from major tourist areas … Continued

In Northern Kruger, the 24,000 hectare Makuleke Private Concession or ‘Pafuri Triangle’ is an area of land at the confluence of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers, with the Limpopo River defining the border with Zimbabwe, and the more powerful Luvuvhu River carving its way through the sandstone escarpment, creating the impressive Lanner Gorge. The wildlife … Continued

The Soutpansberg Mountains (Afrikaans for Salt Pan Mountains) are dramatic outcrops of pink quartzite rock which rise over 1700m extending from the town of Vivo in the west to Punda Maria in the Kruger National Park in the east. Moist sea air from the Indian Ocean precipitates on the southern slopes and, due to the … Continued

The area to the west of Kruger National Park includes the popular town of Hazyview – a base from which to explore the Kruger and also to visit the nearby Elephant Whispers sanctuary and explore the stunning 156km Panorama Route along the Drakensberg Escarpment to encounter the spectacular Blyde River Canyon, Gods Window and numerous … Continued

The 11,500 hectare Thornybush Private Game Reserve is fenced off from Kruger but still has the ‘Big Five’ plus a high density of other African wildlife. The setting is mainly undulating open lowveld with a delightful backdrop vista of the Drakensberg mountains.

Klaserie, unfenced from Kruger National Park so animals can roam freely between the two as part of the Greater Kruger Park, is situated to the northwest of Timbavati. General game is less plentiful than some other areas but Klaserie is noteworthy for its undulating scenery, winding river beds and herds of elephants who enjoy grazing … Continued

The 53,400-hectare Timbavati Private Game Reserve shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park, ensuring a great diversity of free roaming wildlife. The ground is more undulating and the bush thicker than Sabi Sands but sightings are still excellent from the accommodation, open vehicles or foot safaris. This is the area noted for its … Continued