Top 5 Private Game Reserves in Greater Kruger
Written by Courtney Drysdale
The Greater Kruger Area boasts unique private game reserves, each offering up a truly unforgettable safari experience with the assurance of incredible wildlife sightings. Read on to discover the difference between Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger private game reserves, and find our list that explores some of the best private game reserves in Africa.
Table of Contents
Kruger National Park vs Private Game Reserves
Some of the key differences between the Kruger National Park and the Greater Kruger area lie in variations of exclusivity. The Kruger National Park removed all its fences between neighbouring private game reserves in 1993, thus the Greater Kruger area shares its tremendous array of biodiversity. When combined, these unfenced private reserves accumulate to 1.800 km2 area with a focus on conservation. What the privately owned reserves offer guests is a more private and exclusive experience, far from crowds with access to game viewing off the beaten path and outside of Kruger National Park hours, so you can experience how spectacular bushveld comes alive at night.
Kapama Private Game Reserve
Kapama Private Game Reserve’s incredible offerings of abundant wildlife and exceptional terrain assure its spot as a top private game reserve in Kruger. Travellers can discover over 42 mammal species, including the Big 5, as well as roughly 350 bird species, spread across the 15.000 ha private reserve. Kapama offers twice-a-day game drives and walking safaris that trace the wide range of savannah and ravine forests. Their dedicated team is involved in various conservation efforts to protect the ground hornbill, rhino and elephant in the area. In partnership with Pack for a Purpose Kapama also works towards uplifting local communities.
What to look out for:
Hone your photography skills with the expert wildlife photographer Albie Venter in a workshop.
Take a walking safari and learn about the indigenous flora and fauna with the help of an expert ranger.
Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
Undoubtedly one of the best private game reserves in Africa, Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve is 65.000 ha of untouched wilderness that is renowned for its Big 5 and magnificent leopard sightings. Sharing an unfenced border with the famous Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands also boasts a myriad of bird species and other large game. The reserve has a range of luxury lodges that visitors must book in order to enter the reserve. This not only ensures exclusivity, but also your very own private patch of untouched wilderness with unbothered game viewing. Sabi Sands also has various Grass Roots initiatives that aim to uplift the local community, along with a strong focus on wildlife conservation.
Sustainable Stays: Singita Ebony Lodge
What to look out for:
Take to the skies with a safari in a hot air balloon ride.
Go on a nocturnal safari with an experienced guide and spot some of the rarer wildlife that the reserve has to offer.
Thornybush Private Game Reserve
Nestled within the Greater Kruger National Park is Thornybush Private Game Reserve, a 14.000 ha mixed woodland eco-zone with a vast array of flora and fauna, as well as a number of luxury lodges. With plenty of groundwater, guests are assured sightings of Big 5 and loads of other wildlife as they venture to the waterholes and perennial rivers. Along with conserving its precious spaces, Thornybush also acknowledges the important role of local communities in the area and are involved in community projects in the neighbouring villages of Uthla and Dixie.
What to look out for:
Go on a bush walk and learn about the interconnectedness of the natural world from expert rangers.
Watch the best sunset around, with a backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains.
Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
Spread across a tremendous 60.000 ha of the Greater Kruger National Park, this beautiful reserve offers a number of exclusive lodges and the promise of incredible animal sightings. One of the largest privately owned nature reserves in South Africa, Klaserie is committed to keeping the beautiful wilderness on which it rests pristine. Guests can choose from thoughtful camps to luxury lodges - each offering incredible game sightings and a mindfulness of the incredible wilderness. Klaserie also takes part in educational initiatives in surrounding communities in partnership with Eco Children.
Sustainable Stays: Africa on Foot & Simbavati Camp George
What to look out for:
Go on a nocturnal safari with an expert tracker and ranger.
Go on an early morning game drive and spot the Big 5, along with the rare Sharpe’s Grysbok and wild dog.
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Home to the famous white lions and a range of exclusive lodges, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve offers travellers the ultimate luxury Kruger safari experience. This 580 km2 reserve along the western border of the Kruger National Park holds vast savannah plains and a grand variety of flora and fauna that includes the Big 5, more than 360 bird species and over 40 mammal species. The Timbavati Foundation believes that an investment in local communities is essential to wildlife conservation. Other conservation efforts include Elephants Alive and the widely respected Panthera Leopard research unit.
Sustainable Stays: Simbavati River Lodge
What to look out for:
Go on an afternoon safari game drive and spot the Big 5.
Explore the secrets of the Lowveld and learn more about natural history at the extensive Graeme Naylor Museum.
Picking the perfect safari
Without a doubt, these 5 private game reserves offer the perfect combination of luxury, exclusivity and a keen focus on sustainability. Each private reserve offers something incredibly special and unique, while all boasting incredible biodiversity. Visit a Kruger private game reserve with Viatu for the ultimate sustainable travel experience.
