top of page

GAME RESERVES

A game reserve is a large area of land where wildlife can roam freely and where they are protected from poachers and illegal hunting. However, controlled hunting in order to maintain a healthy population does occur. These reserves exist specifically for the preservation of wild animals (fauna), whereas nature reserves are ecologically protected areas of flora and fauna. Because of the preservation, game reserves are excellent safari destinations.

Safari in South Africa offers some of the best game viewing in the world, from the Big 5, to big game and many bird species. Some of these game reserves are specialized in one particular animal, but are still supporting all the others.

If you are looking for a more exclusive safari adventure, you might consider a private game reserve. In general, they allow a limited number of visitors in the reserve, have intimate accommodations, experienced guides who will be able to inform you about the animals and their behaviors, offer game walks, night drives and off-road drives.

Filter by region:
The African Game Lodge is located to the east of Montagu and offers a beautiful Karoo landscape. A semi-arid valley in the Langeberg Mountains with Fynbos vegetation. This reserve is dedicated to wildlife, rehabilitation and preserving biodiversity. Due to the low-rainfall, sustaining large herds of grazers is impossible, but you will find antelope like Common Eland, Gemsbok, Greater Kudu, Springbok and Wildebeest. Due to the absent of large predators, you can enjoy many kilometers of hiking trails.
African Game Lodge

The African Game Lodge is located to the east of Montagu and offers a beautiful Karoo landscape. A semi-arid valley in the Langeberg Mountains with Fynbos vegetation. This reserve is dedicated to wildlife, rehabilitation and preserving biodiversity. Due to the low-rainfall, sustaining large herds of grazers is impossible, but you will find antelope like Common Eland, Gemsbok, Greater Kudu, Springbok and Wildebeest. Due to the absent of large predators, you can enjoy many kilometers of hiking trails.

The Gondwana Private Game Reserve is located to the north-west of Mossel Bay and offers a unique safari experience. Here you can see the Big 5, over 15 species of antelope and 17 species of carnivore. Gondwana is also home to the endangered Bontebok, Cape Mountain Zebra and the Sable antelope. You can take game drives and guided bush walks through these rolling hills, covered in Fynbos. Beautiful valleys and a stunning mountainous backdrop will provide lasting memories.
Gondwana Private Game Reserve

The Gondwana Private Game Reserve is located to the north-west of Mossel Bay and offers a unique safari experience. Here you can see the Big 5, over 15 species of antelope and 17 species of carnivore. Gondwana is also home to the endangered Bontebok, Cape Mountain Zebra and the Sable antelope. You can take game drives and guided bush walks through these rolling hills, covered in Fynbos. Beautiful valleys and a stunning mountainous backdrop will provide lasting memories.

The Kapama Private Game Reserve is located south of Hoedspruit and is the largest, single owned, reserve in the region. Being part of the APNR, there are no borders between the reserve, the surrounding reserves and the Kruger National Park. There are 2 daily game drives, guided bush walks and Elephant interactions. This pristine piece of African bush is home to the Big 5, 40 mammal species and around 350 bird species.
Kapama Private Game Reserve

The Kapama Private Game Reserve is located south of Hoedspruit and is the largest, single owned, reserve in the region. Being part of the APNR, there are no borders between the reserve, the surrounding reserves and the Kruger National Park. There are 2 daily game drives, guided bush walks and Elephant interactions. This pristine piece of African bush is home to the Big 5, 40 mammal species and around 350 bird species.

The Phinda Private Game Reserve is located in the northeast of Kwazulu-Natal and offers 7 distinct habitats such as woodland, grassland, wetland, forest, mountain ranges and the rare sand forest in the north. Being so close to the coastline of the Indian Ocean, Phinda is an ideal ‘bush and beach’ safari destination, including the Big 5, big game animals and good chances of seeing Lions and Cheetahs. Not to mention the high number of bird species in the area.
Phinda Private Game Reserve

The Phinda Private Game Reserve is located in the northeast of Kwazulu-Natal and offers 7 distinct habitats such as woodland, grassland, wetland, forest, mountain ranges and the rare sand forest in the north. Being so close to the coastline of the Indian Ocean, Phinda is an ideal ‘bush and beach’ safari destination, including the Big 5, big game animals and good chances of seeing Lions and Cheetahs. Not to mention the high number of bird species in the area.

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is located to the southwest of the Kruger National Park and has a fenceless border with Kruger. This means that all the animals are free to roam from one side to the other. This game reserve is known for its luxury Big 5 and Leopard safari. The reserve is packed with many animal species, over 145 mammal species, 110 reptile species and more than 500 bird species call this area home.
Sabi Sands Game Reserve

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is located to the southwest of the Kruger National Park and has a fenceless border with Kruger. This means that all the animals are free to roam from one side to the other. This game reserve is known for its luxury Big 5 and Leopard safari. The reserve is packed with many animal species, over 145 mammal species, 110 reptile species and more than 500 bird species call this area home.

The Selati Game Reserve lies east of Gravelotte. It has a landscape with undulating hills, sweeping grasslands and uninterrupted horizons. The purpose of Selati is to conserve the rich ecosystem and its biodiversity. Over 280 bird species and 50 mammal species, such as elephant, rhino, sable antelope, lion, and cheetah, can be seen here. Guided walks and game drives provide excellent opportunity to experience this reserve and you might get a glimpse of the rare species like Sharpe’s Grysbok, Mountain Reedbuck, Brown Hyaena, Pangolin, and the Cape Clawless Otter.
Selati Game Reserve

The Selati Game Reserve lies east of Gravelotte. It has a landscape with undulating hills, sweeping grasslands and uninterrupted horizons. The purpose of Selati is to conserve the rich ecosystem and its biodiversity. Over 280 bird species and 50 mammal species, such as elephant, rhino, sable antelope, lion, and cheetah, can be seen here. Guided walks and game drives provide excellent opportunity to experience this reserve and you might get a glimpse of the rare species like Sharpe’s Grysbok, Mountain Reedbuck, Brown Hyaena, Pangolin, and the Cape Clawless Otter.

The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is located tot the east of Hoedspruit and shares a 50km unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. Because there are no day-visitors allowed, the reserve is less crowded. The undulating terrain is characterized as Savannah Bushveld and home to 350 bird species, the Big 5, the birding Big 6, plenty of general game and the elusive white lion.
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is located tot the east of Hoedspruit and shares a 50km unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. Because there are no day-visitors allowed, the reserve is less crowded. The undulating terrain is characterized as Savannah Bushveld and home to 350 bird species, the Big 5, the birding Big 6, plenty of general game and the elusive white lion.

The Balule Game Reserve is located to the north of Hoedspruit. Being part of the APNR, there are no borders between the reserve, its members and the Kruger National Park. This creates a huge natural ecosystem where flora and fauna can thrive. For Balula this means the Big 5, over 30 mammal species, 250 bird species, 330 tree species and 2000 plant species live here. The reserve consists of a number of privately owned parks, each allowing a limited number of guests. This guarantees a more exclusive and luxurious safari experience.
Balule Game Reserve

The Balule Game Reserve is located to the north of Hoedspruit. Being part of the APNR, there are no borders between the reserve, its members and the Kruger National Park. This creates a huge natural ecosystem where flora and fauna can thrive. For Balula this means the Big 5, over 30 mammal species, 250 bird species, 330 tree species and 2000 plant species live here. The reserve consists of a number of privately owned parks, each allowing a limited number of guests. This guarantees a more exclusive and luxurious safari experience.

The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is located in Kwazulu-Natal and is the oldest game reserve of South Africa. The landscape of the reserve is characterized by green rolling hills with a wide range of plant life. This enables mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians to thrive. It is world renowned for its White Rhino conservation. Back in the 50’s they started with approximately 25 Rhino’s. Today this reserve has the largest population of White and Black Rhino’s in South Africa.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve

The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is located in Kwazulu-Natal and is the oldest game reserve of South Africa. The landscape of the reserve is characterized by green rolling hills with a wide range of plant life. This enables mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians to thrive. It is world renowned for its White Rhino conservation. Back in the 50’s they started with approximately 25 Rhino’s. Today this reserve has the largest population of White and Black Rhino’s in South Africa.

Madikwe Game Reserve is a large game reserve in the North West province and borders Botswana. It was created in 1991 and used to be overgrazed farmland. They introduced 28 different species of large game animals that once used to roam this area. Because of the wide range of different habitats, the reserve supports many animal and bird species. With the presence of the Big 5, the endangered African Wild Dogs, a large variety of other wildlife and bird life, this malaria-free game reserve is a prime safari destination.
Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Game Reserve is a large game reserve in the North West province and borders Botswana. It was created in 1991 and used to be overgrazed farmland. They introduced 28 different species of large game animals that once used to roam this area. Because of the wide range of different habitats, the reserve supports many animal and bird species. With the presence of the Big 5, the endangered African Wild Dogs, a large variety of other wildlife and bird life, this malaria-free game reserve is a prime safari destination.

The Pilanesberg National Park is located in the remnants of an ancient volcano that was active over 1300 million years ago. The volcano, and erosion over time, created this union-like structure that you see today. Pilanesberg is a very scenic Big 5 destination because of the beautiful rocky outcrops, open grasslands, wooded valleys and thickets. With an area that covers over 55.000 hectares, this is one of the largest game parks in South Africa.
Pilanesberg National Park

The Pilanesberg National Park is located in the remnants of an ancient volcano that was active over 1300 million years ago. The volcano, and erosion over time, created this union-like structure that you see today. Pilanesberg is a very scenic Big 5 destination because of the beautiful rocky outcrops, open grasslands, wooded valleys and thickets. With an area that covers over 55.000 hectares, this is one of the largest game parks in South Africa.

This 62.000ha reserve is located to the west of Barrydale. It has mountains, undulating plains, indigenous fauna and flora and beautiful rock formations. This is also the home of the Big 5 and especially white Lions. Sanbona offers game drives, self-drives and guided walks. The combination of the Big 5 and other wildlife, seen in a Fynbos and Succulent Karoo covered landscape, ensures a very unique experience.
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

This 62.000ha reserve is located to the west of Barrydale. It has mountains, undulating plains, indigenous fauna and flora and beautiful rock formations. This is also the home of the Big 5 and especially white Lions. Sanbona offers game drives, self-drives and guided walks. The combination of the Big 5 and other wildlife, seen in a Fynbos and Succulent Karoo covered landscape, ensures a very unique experience.

Thornybush Private Game Reserve is located to the east of Hoedspruit and is part of the APNR. This means that all the wildlife of Kruger has access to Thornybush and traverse this reserve. The mix of woodland, open savannah and patches of tangled thickets and thorny bush, create ideal habitat for over 300 bird species, the Big 5 and 140 mammal species. Being a private reserve, visitor numbers are low and game viewing feels intimate.
Thornybush Private Game Reserve

Thornybush Private Game Reserve is located to the east of Hoedspruit and is part of the APNR. This means that all the wildlife of Kruger has access to Thornybush and traverse this reserve. The mix of woodland, open savannah and patches of tangled thickets and thorny bush, create ideal habitat for over 300 bird species, the Big 5 and 140 mammal species. Being a private reserve, visitor numbers are low and game viewing feels intimate.

bottom of page