Each season has advantages. Between October and March, when summer rains have transformed the dry landscape into a flowering paradise, the park is alive with baby buck and migratory birds, but at the same time temperatures can soar above 40ºC dropping to 20º C in the evenings. The dense foliage hides game, and the malaria risk is at its highest. In the winter, when water is scarce and the plant life dies back, animals are easier to spot, especially at water holes and riverbeds. The days are warm, but temperatures can drop to almost freezing point at night.

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is undoubtedly the most exclusive private game reserve in South Africa. The 65,000-hectare Sabi Sands Game Reserve is located on the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park. There are no restricting fences between the Kruger Park and Sabi Sands and the wildlife roams freely between the two game reserves.

Your Wildlife Safari cannot be complete without exposure to every facet of life in the bush. The most beautiful of Africa’s cats, the shy and elusive Leopard, is a main attraction of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, so plentiful they’re usually a common sighting. Some of the best and most exclusive private game lodges in the country are in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and the chances of seeing the Big 5 animals (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) are excellent. Very exclusive -Yes.

Manyeleti Game Reserve

The Mnisi people lived and occupied this land for many generations, so in the new South Africa, they instituted a land claim for the return of their ancestral grounds. The Manyeleti Game Reserve is now managed by Mnisi tribe, who are committed to retaining the integrity of the game reserve and unlocking the tourism potential to the benefit of the Mnisi people and surrounding communities. All the lodges within Manyeleti are privately owned and lease a concession of land within the reserve. There are 200km of gravel roads over 22,750 ha.

The most dominant tribe in the area is the Shangaan, and in Shangaan, 'Manyeleti' means "Place of Stars." A clear winter's night will attest to the aptness of this name, as the Milky Way turns into phosphorous river bed of stars. A phenomena very few Northern Hemisphere people could every imagine. Something you have to see for yourself. With fenceless borders the Manyeleti Game Reserve shares unfenced boarders with the Kruger, Timbivati and Sabi to forms a single integral unit where all the animals of the bush roam free.

This hot area experiences summer rainfall but the rainy season is never guaranteed to bring as much rain as they would like and droughts are sometimes experienced. It is dryer here than further south and animals can often be seen at the waterholes. The winter days are normally bright and clear with cold evenings.

Timbavati Game Reserve

Timbavati Game Reserve shares common unfenced border with the Kruger National Park and Manyeleti Game Reserve. This allows the animal’s free range and ensures guests to the area the opportunity to view the greatest diversity of wildlife that South Africa has to offer. Timbavati is a "Big Five" Game Reserve: Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo roam freely plus many more species of predator and antelopes. This is a world class destination, with top dog private game lodges, it’s become very popular with inbound tourists. For the discerning - Look no further!

Motswari Game Reserve

Motswari Game Reserve shares an open 20-kilometre boundary with the world-renowned Kruger National Park. As such there is a constant flow of game through the reserve ensuring plenty of excitement during the game-viewing activities. Our rangers and trackers are all passionate wildlife enthusiasts, who thrive on bringing the bush to life for their guests. Be it from the comfort of our open, 4x4 vehicles or, for the more adventurous, on foot - the wildlife experience at Motswari is second to none. All game-drives are in radio contact with one another ensuring optimal chances of those special sightings. Our guides are also keen wildlife photographers and will ensure that you get the best photographic opportunities. Impressive stuff.

Motswari Game Reserve is located in a game-rich area comprising four major habitat types. It supports a diverse range of species, each fulfilling a particular niche for their survival. The Timbavati is renowned for its predator populations, supporting one of the highest densities of lion in Africa. Cheetah are often seen, Elephant and Cape buffalo are also common, frequently occurring in large breeding herds, several hundred strong. There are also healthy populations of all the antelope species of the region.

For the birdwatcher, Motswari is a delight, particularly from September through to May when numerous migratory species arrive for breeding or to escape the harsh northern winter. Some 400 of southern Africa's 900 bird species occur in the area.

Kapama Game Reserve

Kapama Private Game Reserve is situated in the Limpopo Province and was proclaimed a private nature reserve in December 1993. Covering approximately 13 000 hectares of prime big game territory, Kapama Private Game Reserve has succeeded in combining the wilderness of the bush with the comforts of five-star hospitality and facilities. The name comes from Kapama, a Swazi king, whose tribe inhabited and hunted the northern Drakensberg mountain region around Mariepskop back in the 1880s.

A game relocation program was introduced and the reserve now supports a wide variety of wildlife including, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and large populations of giraffe, impala, blue wildebeest and kudu. Predators include lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and many smaller species. Bird-watching is most rewarding with more than 350 bird species recorded, including the rare Gymnogeg and Knob-billed duck.

Kapama Game Reserve covers 13 000 hectares of undisturbed bushveld in prime Big Five country. The reserve enjoys panoramic views of the nearby Drakensberg mountain range and is only 40 km from the Kruger Park. The reserve is central to most of the scenic areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo Province. Eastgate Airport lies just outside the reserve with a private entrance into Kapama Private Game Reserve. Looks very good heh.

Thornybush Game Reserve

Adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park lies 10 000 hectares of pristine African bushveld, which is the 'Thornybush Game Reserve'. With an abundance of bird and mammal species including the 'Big 5', which as we know, in this part of the world, the Big five is kind of prolific.

Explore the African bush on foot and from the back of an open safari vehicle. Discover the animal world, from the smallest termite to the tall and elegant giraffe, from the cute dwarf mongoose to the moody buffalo. Listen to the distant roar of the lion whilst relaxing around the campfire, or simply appreciate the silence, the big spaces and brilliant airbrushed night skies. Thornybush Game Reserve is approximately 5 hours drive or 1 hour flight from Johannesburg. There are daily scheduled flights to Hoedspruit Airport.

Edeni Game Reserve

This 21 000 acre wildlife paradise is straddled between four rivers and is located just 45 minutes from the world famous Kruger National Park. Edeni Game Reserve teems with an abundance of game, birdlife and diverse dense vegetation which provides the perfect habitat for the most secretive of Africa's large cats, the leopard.

The game drives and walks experience journeys into the past when this expanse of pristine bushveld knew nothing else but rich profusion’s of diverse game and virgin vegetation. Specially trained game rangers and trackers will take you on day and night drives in comfortable open four-wheel drive landcruisers.

Most of the rangers and trackers are Shangaan and bring to the game experience the richness of their culture and vast knowledge of nature. With their natural tracking abilities and Edeni's modern bush telegraph, the rangers will go out of their way to bring you as close to the Magnificent Seven (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, cheetah and African wild dog) as they possibly can.

On one game drive you may stop an arms-length away from a leopard napping after a kill, disembark and walk just meters away from a couple of cheetah or stop in the middle of a pride of lions, observing the king of the jungle watching over his cubs. For absolute real - this is only a fraction of something words cannot explain.

Balule Game Reserve

The Balule Private Game Reserve was created ten years ago when a few enterprising farm owners decided to drop the game fences between their farms. This has since grown into a 35000 ha Private Nature Reserve with the perennial Olifants River flowing for approximately 20km through the centre of the reserve. Balule is expanding all the time as other landowners join the initiative to become incorporated into the Greater Kruger Park Management Area. In the Balule Game Reserve you will find the Big Five roaming freely ... Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, and the Rhino. The vast Balule Nature Reserve is adjacent to the Kruger Park, home to the Big Five and famous for its abundance of animal and birdlife. Seize the opportunity to track and spot Africa's magnificent creatures on game drives, conducted in open 4x4 vehicles with experienced tour guides.

Umhlametsi Game Reserve

"Umhlametsi"...meaning 'one days water' is a place where time stops and life begins.... Nestled in the luxurious natural settings of the Limpopo Province, Umhlametsi Private Nature Reserve is bordered by the World famous Kruger National Park. The two non-perennial rivers that majestically meander through the area attracts a diverse variety of birds and wildlife, including Lion, White Rhino, Buffalo, Leopard, Cheetah and other Africa game. Visitors are exposed to the magnificent views of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains from the reserves' natural vantage points - perfect for romantic sundowners.

Early morning and evening game drives are conducted in open 4 x 4 Safari vehicles and together with Guided foot Safaris are included in the quoted rates. Walks and drives are conducted by qualified Rangers. Sundowners are enjoyed at various breathtaking scenic spots. All of our staff at Umhlametsi are experienced, qualified and dedicated to the conservation of the Reserve.

You are encouraged to experience a bush walk where you will be amazed by the intricate wonders of the African bush. This is where the Umhalmetsi experience is so different and dedicated. The Rangers point out not only the Big 5 but all the other fascinating components of the Fauna and Flora that are often overlooked.

Umhlametsi is a wonderful venue for wildlife, birding, hiking, touring and golfing. It is close to the Orpen and Phalaborwa Gates of the Kruger National Park, the majestic Drakensberg and the spectacular Blyde River Canyon.

Guided excursions to local tourist sites are available to our guests, offering an opportunity to visit the world renowned Kruger National Park , Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrims Rest, Cheetah Breeding Project, Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre, the famous White Lions as well as the Shangaan Tribal Village. Absolutely amazing.

The tranquility and peace of Umhlametsi together with the incredible game sightings will leave a yearning for a return to this piece of paradise. We are ideal for occasions from relaxing getaways and family gatherings, to entertaining your clients or team building and corporate getaways. Bring it on - we’re not going anywhere.

For the golf enthusiast, the famous Hans Merensky golf course is in nearby Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit has its own challenging and beautiful 9-hole, 18 tee course. Experience a game of golf while observing impala, warthog, duiker and other species of game grazing peacefully alongside you on the golf course. Kind of special I’d say.

Karongwe / Edeni Game Reserve

This 21 000 acre wildlife paradise is straddled between four rivers and is located just 45 minutes from the world famous Kruger National Park. Edeni teems with an abundance of game, birdlife and diverse dense vegetation which provides the perfect habitat for the most secretive of Africa's large cats, the leopard.

The game drive and walk experience is a modern-day journey into the past when this expanse of pristine bushveld knew nothing else but a rich profusion of diverse game and virgin vegetation. The specially trained game rangers and trackers will take you on day and night drives in comfortable open four-wheel drive landcruisers. Most of the rangers and trackers are Shangaan and bring to the game experience the richness of their culture and vast knowledge of nature. With their natural tracking abilities and Edeni's modern bush telegraph, the rangers will go out of their way to bring you as close to the Magnificent Seven (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, cheetah and African wild dog) as they possibly can.