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EExplore our fascinating wildlife ecology in the wide open, pristine and natural environments when you visit one of these phenomenal nature and game reserves.
MalaMala Game Reserve, Mpumalanga
MalaMala has become something of a byword when it comes to luxury game lodges. It has met many standards in that respect, and few can beat its Big Five wildlife sightings, thanks, in part, to a long, unfenced border with the Kruger National Park.
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Limpopo
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, situated next to the Kruger National Park, is home to a dozen of South Africa’s best luxury game lodges. Famous for the sporadic birth of rare white lions – still ongoing – the reserve was created by 50 forward-thinking individuals in 1956.
Did You Know?
TThe Sabi Sand is the oldest game reserve in South Africa, formally declared in 1948.
Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, Mpumalanga
The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve is renowned as a haven for the Big Five and for luxury game lodges of international standing. The reserve’s lush vegetation adjoins the Kruger National Park, and fences have been dropped. The wild animals cross back and forth, following ancient migration paths parallel to the Sabie River.
TTswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve, Northern Cape
The Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve, owned by the Oppenheimer family, has two exceptional camps – Motse and Tarkuni. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including cheetah, buffalo, meerkats, giraffe and black-maned lions, as well as many rarer species such as pangolin, aardvark, aardwolf and mountain zebra. Experience it on horseback, on foot, or in a 4x4 game-viewing vehicle. Your soul will be touched by its beauty.
Madikwe Game Reserve, North West
Madikwe Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s foremost Big Five malaria-free reserves, was envisaged not by conservationists, but by economists. They found conservation would create more income and jobs than the existing land-use, which was cattle farming. This successful reserve is now a model that has inspired South African conservation.
Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, Limpopo
The Welgevonden Private Game Reserve is a 37 500ha stretch of exceptionally beautiful scenery amid river ravines and mountains in the Waterberg. Set within it are 13 luxury bush lodges. It is malaria-free and has the Big Five.
Samara Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape
Samara Private Game Reserve is in the Great Karoo, not far from the lovely, historic town of Graaff-Reinet. Set among the high, jagged-edged Sneeuberg Mountains, this remarkable reserve combines luxury with extraordinary game sightings and splendid views. You’ll also enjoy the feel-good factor of being on rehabilitated land.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape
Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape offers visitors award-winning luxury accommodation in the heart of the malaria-free big game country. Game viewing and responsible tourism go hand-in-hand as you view the Big Five and enjoy five-star pampering and cuisine.
Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal
The Phinda Private Game Reserve offers visitors a unique wildlife experience that combines the best of the South African bushveld with the best of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. Here you can swim with the dolphins before hearing the lions roar.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Western Cape
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve near Hermanus – South Africa’s whale-watching capital – is a foremost example of how luxury can be blended with responsible tourism principles while also conserving unique and threatened fynbos. While you won’t see the Big Five here, you can see nearly 800 fynbos species.
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