A large number of Private Game Reserves are located on the western border of the Kruger National Park.
There are no fences between these reserves and the KNP and the wildlife move freely
throughout the greater Kruger Biosphere.
Webmaster's
Note
The winter months are the best times of the year
to visit the Game
Reserves. The weather is mild, the sunsets breathtaking and
the stars seem that much closer in the crisp, dry evening
air. With low winter rainfall, the animals are
concentrated around the water holes and the bush is also
less dense. The much lower prevalence of mosquitoes
also significantly reduces the risk of contracting malaria.
Sabie is an ideal stop-over to and from
the Game Lodges.
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 A proliferation of privately run Game Lodges are located within the Private Game Reserves.
At these Lodges visitors are able to experience a variety of options,
with different emphases being placed on various aspects of wildlife
management.
Until recently these options were unaffordable to the
average individual. This has changed. Patrons from all walks
of life can now enjoy the value of a maximum experience for their money in
the shortest time span, and yet receive individual attention from
specialists.
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Superior Game Lodges
Game Lodges in the highest category world wide that combine
unpretentious but supreme luxurious comfort with unparalleled game
viewing, while paying attention in the minutest detail to customer needs
in the finest Envirotels on the African continent.
Their uncompromisingly high standards of
service, sound conservation and responsible environmental management
practices are legendary. Numerous International awards bear
testimony to all this attention to detail.
Priced from R3000/person/night.
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Sable Camp (Sabi Sand)
Situated at the southern end of the MalaMala Camp
in a prime elevated position overlooking the Sand River and
surrounding bush, the Sable Camp is an ideal retreat for the
more reclusive traveller who prefers privacy and exclusivity.
The Sable Camp accommodates 14 guests in 5 luxury suites and the
Lions Den - a 2-bedroomed, spacious luxury suite with
magnificent views, accommodation 4 guests.
The fully air-conditioned,
beautifully appointed Sable Camp has a truly colonial feel
enhanced with modern comforts. A library with satellite
television and internet connectivity give one the option to stay
in touch with the world whilst the intimate safari bar, swimming
pool and large wooden deck surrounding the camp provide the
platform from which to admire the unimpeded views that make the
Sable Camp experience so rich and interactive.
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Kirkman's Camp (Sabi Sand)
Located on an elevated site overlooking the
Sand River with spectacular views of the unspoilt
wilderness as far as the eye can see. Breakfast and lunch are either served in the main
house, or on the shady surrounding verandahs. Dinner is a very special
event taken under the stars in a reed enclosed boma around a camp fire.
Each of the 18 cottages is furnished in authentic
colonial style, except for the air-conditioning and overhead
fans. In the interests of personal safety, and in keeping
with the exclusivity synonymous with the camp - no children under
12 are permitted.
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 MalaMala
Main Camp (Sabi Sand)
MalaMala is South Africa’s legendary and
exclusive safari destination. Internationally acknowledged as
“the top game viewing destination in the world”, it is set
in beautiful surroundings on the banks of the Sand River.
The ochre coloured buildings are
clustered amid shady trees and manicured lawns overlooking the
Sand River. The individually decorated, spacious and comfortable
rooms under traditional thatching, enjoy spectacular views and
are equipped with “his” and “hers” bathrooms, 24 hour
temperature control, insect proofing, direct dial telephones, a
mini-bar and a mini safe. Despite the comfort offered, MalaMala
retains an authentic camp atmosphere, where the attention to
detail for which MalaMala is world famous is obvious.
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Rattrays on Mala Mala (Sabi Sand)
Rattray’s on MalaMala represents a classical “into Africa”
safari experience in keeping with MalaMala’s history of
presenting an authentic view of wildlife in Africa to the
discerning traveler.
The Rattray’s camp experience
is exclusive, with each of the eight comfortable suites
occupying its own elevated site overlooking the Sand River.
Filtered plunge pools complete each of the secluded verandahs
and an outdoor dining area provides the ideal vantage point from
which to enjoy bush cuisine in complete privacy. Each guest has
the choice of remaining connected to the outside world from the
sanctuary of their room via continuous internet connectivity and
satellite television.
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Ulusaba Rock Lodge (Sabi Sand)
Carved deep into the Ulusaba rock itself, each of the
luxurious ten bedrooms is air conditioned with private decks overlooking
the far-reaching savannah below. The interiors have been designed with traditional
colours and weavings to create a truly magical environment.
The stunning infinity pool, with its
natural waterfall, is the ideal location to enjoy the tranquility of
the African bush. This magnificent lodge is sure to provide a spiritual
awakening and adventure that will leave you longing to return to this
special place.
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Ulusaba Safari Lodge (Sabi Sand)
Built along the
banks of the Mabrak riverbed, a romantic, rustic style
lodge nestled in the Riverine bush, offering superb game viewing from
the nearby watering hole. The 10 rooms, all of which have their own private
sundecks, is ideal for whiling away the glorious African sundowns against
sounds of wildlife preparing for the night.
The rooms are built 'tree house style', with wooden bungalows on
stilts, offering that extra degree of privacy and exclusiveness - some
of them being accessed by specially designed wooden
swing bridges. These bridges pass through treetops allowing safe access
to guests' rooms while giraffe and elephant amble below.
Dinner is served
in the traditional safari manner and can be enjoyed in the contemporary
dining room or outdoors by the warmth of the Boma fire, where the local
Shangaan staff welcome the opportunity to impart their legacy of African
knowledge.
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Excellent Game Lodges
Game Lodges that offer luxury exclusivity and diversity including
tented camps in many instances being reminiscent of colonial safari
days.
They provide discreet personal service,
but welcome families. They boast the usual compliment of extras
including the Big 5 and most other species of game. Uncompromising
high standards of conservation and sound environmental management
practices prevail. Conference facilities are also available at
some Lodges.
Prices between R700 and R3000/person/night.
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Akeru (Timbavati)
An intimate and exclusive safari lodge
situated in the Timbavati, adjoining the Kruger National Park. All
safaris are conducted by professional rangers and trackers over 8000ha
of pristine big five country.
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Chitwa Chitwa Camp (Sabi Sand)
The Lodge is clustered round a dam visited, on occasions, by a
hippo. Each of the elegant, thatched cottages is equipped with all
the luxuries, including an outside shower. The Lodge is known for
it's delicious spread of food, the pretty setting, fine lodging and
5-star game drives.
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Djuma Bush Lodge (Sabi Sand)
Eight luxury thatched cottages set in a rambling garden. After
meals its customary to move to one of the couches on the dining
room deck - build treetop height and overlooking a
waterhole. Elephants are kept out of the garden by an
electrified fence surrounding the camp.
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Elephant Plains (Sabi Sand)
Experience the thrill of coming face-to-face with Africa's Big Five. The
spacious en-suite chalets offer luxurious accommodation in a scenic
African setting. A day in Africa ... creates a lifetime of
memories.
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Idube (Sabi Sand)
A well established, 10-year old, lodge with cottages set among trimmed
lawn and old, gnarled trees. A popular custom is the Shangaan dancers
before the evening bush dinner which is served in the huge fire and
lantern-lit boma.
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Ingwe (Karongwe)
Perfect tranquillity, superb accommodation & exquisite cuisine in a
Big 5 Game Reserve.
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Inyati (Sabi Sand)
The Lodge's lawns spread down to the edge of the Sand River - one of
only two perennial rivers in the area where wildlife abound. Enjoy
wildlife on foot during the daily bush walks, or from the edge of a
sparkling swimming pool, tree-shaded deck or through the French panes of
your chalet.
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Mohlabetsi Main Camp (Balule)
This intimate Lodge (with it's thatched
rondawels set amongst shady trees and a refreshing pool) and the Bush
Camp (with it's 4 rustic rondawels) offers a thatched lapa overlooking a
waterhole where animals come to drink. Game drives and foot
safaris reveal a variety of wildlife and birds. Dinners are served
in the boma to the background sounds of lion, hyaena and jackal.
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Nkorho (Sabi Sand)
Personalised service in a homely atmosphere. Enjoy African cuisine in
typical safari style. Night game drives in open, state of the art,
TD5 Land Rovers. Trained Rangers and Trackers will ensure an unforgettable
wildlife experience.
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Savanna (Sabi Sand)
A unique tented roof, colonial style camp reminiscent of a bygone
era. Romantic spacious tented chalets with draped inner ceilings
offer absolute luxury and privacy. Three of the 7 chalets are executive
chalets with full en-suite bathrooms, own private swimming pool,
indigenous garden and are fully air-conditioned. The dining room,
lounge, bar and wooden deck all overlook a waterhole.
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Tangala (Thornybush)
Accommodation for 10 guests in en-suite
rooms with an authentic "colonial" atmosphere. Enjoy
personalised service and an ultimate African bush experience.
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Djuma Vuyatela (Sabi Sand)
Private air-conditioned accommodation, each offering a large bedroom,
dressing room, private luxury bathroom with an outside shower, private
splash pool and lounge with bar fridge. Guests have a choice of
dining in the dining room or outside boma. Lunches are served
"picnic basket" style in your kaya (Shangaan word for
house). Game drives in open 4x4 Land Rovers with well qualified rangers
and trackers.
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Good Quality Lodges
Game Lodges offering a more basic experience - some with self catering
facilities, tented camps and unstructured D.I.Y. touring. Some Lodges -
although relatively inexpensive - provide surprisingly luxurious fare, but
with a more rustic earthy ambiance. Groups and families are most
welcome.
These Lodges are set within properly
managed and maintained reserves where the soundest wildlife management and
environmental practices prevail and where the game viewing experience is
as exciting as anywhere else.
Priced at below R500/person/night.
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Camp Pod (Klaserie)
The Klaserie River cuts through clumps of combretum trees where, on it's
banks, herds of elephants graze and cool off. A shady green oasis
sleeping 8 people in 2 rondawels with 2 double rooms each sharing a
bathroom. Hammocks shaded by old bushwillows, African wattles and
tamboti trees are the place to chill out after walks and/or game
drives. The whole camp must be booked.
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Ezulwini (Balule)
A camp with character with canvas dome tents behind reed
enclosures. Furnishings are minimal - a thick mattress for a sound
sleep and a wooden chest for your goodies. The camp has a flush loo with
a view and showers.
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Djuma Galago (Sabi Sand)
A small self-catering camp, with air conditioned rooms and en-suite
bathrooms. The rooms are arranged around a cool courtyard with a bar
area and a splash pool overlooking a grassy plain which is a favourite
with buffalo herds. Included in the price is your ranger who is at
your command for game drives and walks. The camp sleeps 10 people
and must be booked as a whole.
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Inkwazi (Timbavati)
A laid back and friendly family-run bush camp with self-catering
facilities. There are open grassveld, rivers bounded with
impenetrable forest and beautiful dams with lookout spots for
sundowners. Morning and evening game drives, as well as a bush
walk after breakfast are offered.
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Mohlabetsi Bush Camp (Balule)
The lodge overlooks a valley and a very popular waterhole. Background
music is compliments of bearded woodpeckers announcing their
territory. The lodge rooms are comfortable, with en-suite
bathrooms and African decor. There is a fully equipped kitchen for
self-catering. The Lodge sleeps 10 people and must be booked as a
whole.
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Ruimte (Thornybush)
Private, luxury en-suite accommodation with thatched pub overlooking a
water hole. Superb cuisine, swimming pool, wonderful 'lapa'
barbeque area set in magnificent gardens. Day & night Big 5 drives
with spectacular scenery and sunsets, hiking trails and White Lion
sundowners.
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Tshukudu (Tshukudu)
A lion breeding centre in a Big-5 Reserve. Tame, hand reared
elephant, lion cubs, leopard and cheetah accompany guests on their game
walk. The Bush Camp is a cluster of stone-and-thatch rondavels,
modest but comfortable, with en-suite bathrooms. Kitchen and boma
for bush braais. Swimming pool and lookout deck over a waterhole.
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Walks & Hikes
