South Africa is home to some of the most impressive national parks in the world. It features a variety of heart-stopping landscapes, from the dry Kalahari Desert to the lush forests of Kwazulu-Natal. The country’s abundant wildlife presents the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo. It truly offers a unique experience with its natural beauty and incredible diversity.
South Africa also has undeniably rich cultures with unique traditions and beliefs. The Zulu people, who inhabit the Kwazulu-Natal province, are particularly well-known for their vibrant civilization. They are known for their elaborate traditional dress, as well as their passionate music and dance.
The Zulu tribe is just one example of the many cultures you’ll encounter in South Africa. However, with such popularity comes the risk of overcrowding. That’s why we’ve created a list of the best private game reserves in South Africa. These are places where you can enjoy the country’s breathtaking landscapes and wildlife without the crowds.
The Best Private Game Reserves in South Africa
MalaMala Game Reserve
MalaMala is one of the oldest and most well-known private game reserves in South Africa. It’s located in the Sabi Sand Reserve, which forms the Kruger National Park. The reserve promises the opportunity to see the Big Five and is renowned for its excellent game viewing experiences.
MalaMala also has a long history of conservation. It was one of the first private game reserves to be established in South Africa, and it played a crucial role in the beginning of anti-poaching measures in the country.
The reserve is a malaria-free area, which makes it a good option for families with young children. It also has a luxury safari lodge, which offers an exclusive and comfortable experience to make the most out of the African bush.
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Sabi Sands is another private game reserve in the Kruger National Park. It’s adjacent to the MalaMala reserve, sharing an unfenced border with the park. The game reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Big Five, and it’s also known for its excellent leopard sightings. The reserve offers day and night game drives so you can make the most of your time in Sabi Sands.
Sabi Sands is perfect if you’re looking for a luxury safari experience. The reserve has a couple of luxurious lodges, as well as a spa and wellness center. You can also enjoy fine dining experiences and other 5-star amenities within the area. One of the most popular lodges in Sabi Sands is Ulusaba, which boasts its rock lodge and safari lodge. The Ulusaba rock lodge is located on a small hill, offering stunning views of the African bush. On the other hand, the Ulusaba safari lodge is shaded by the trees and provides a more intimate experience.
Kapama Game Reserve
Kapama is a private game reserve in the Hoedspruit area of Limpopo. The reserve spans 15,000 hectares, harbouring 40 different mammal species, including the Big Five. In addition to game drives, you can also go on safari walks and river safaris.
Kapama also offers a luxury safari experience twice daily with the help of experienced rangers. You can stay at one of their four lodges located within the reserve. The Karula lodge is perfect for families, as it has interconnecting rooms and suites. The Southern camp is great for honeymooners and couples, while BuffaloCamp is for those who want to get closer to nature. The River Lodge is the most luxurious of the four, and it’s perfect for those who want to experience the very best of Kapama.
Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari is a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape. The reserve spans 25,000 hectares, known for its rehabilitation work with lions, cheetahs, and elephants. Staying in Shamwari Game reserve will provide the necessary information and the introduction to several animal welfare programs from the wildlife rehab centers and born-free big cat sanctuaries.
You can go on game drives, safari walks, and river safaris. The reserve has various luxury lodges for you to choose from, as well as exciting activities for both adults and children. It includes birding, bush walks, and Shamwari spa. Many tourists who visited attest that this is one of the best game reserves in South Africa and that the memories live on for a lifetime.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the oldest game reserve in Africa situated in KwaZulu-Natal, and it is known for conserving the white rhino population. Almost 80% of the world’s white rhinos are found in this park. What makes it outstanding is its dedication not only to the white and black rhino but also to the cheetah, wild dog, and other endangered species. Aside from game drives, you can also go on walking safaris and night drives.
The park offers game drives, walking safaris, and night drives. You can also go on a safari in an open-sided vehicle, which is a great way to see the wildlife up close. The park has various accommodation options, from camping sites and self-catering units to luxury lodges. The Hilltop Camp is the most popular option for families and groups, as it offers stunning views of the reserve. There are also many restaurants and cafes within the reserve where you can enjoy a meal between game drives.
Manyeleti Game Reserve
Manyeleti is a private game reserve in the Mpumalanga province. The reserve is known for its Big Five game, cheetah and wild dog populations. Manyeleti Game Reserve occupies an area of 23,000 hectares and shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. The Mnisi community who have lived in the area for centuries manages the Manyeleti Game Reserve.
The game reserve makes it the perfect place for a safari, as you’re likely to see a wide variety of wildlife. It offers the exclusive opportunity to track the Big Five on foot with an experienced ranger and the possibility of viewing the elusive leopard. You might as well go on night drives to see nocturnal animals.
The reserve has various accommodation options like a styled Honeyguide Tented Camps, an authentically decorated Tintswalo Safari lodge, and an exquisite and luxurious stay at Tintswalo Manor House. A good night’s sleep within the African bush is an experience one can never forget easily. Manyeleti also has a restaurant and bar, so you can enjoy a meal or a drink in between game drives.
Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe is a 75,000-hectare game reserve in the North West Province. The park is the fifth largest game reserve and home to the Big Five as well as many other animals, such as cheetahs, wild dogs, and hyenas. It’s also known for its large population of bird species.
The land that occupies the Madikwe Game reserve was once used for farming but was converted into a game reserve in the early 1990s where 10,000 mammals were relocated for conservation purposes. The aim was to primarily adopt a holistic and integrated approach to land rehabilitation, people, and welfare as well as create employment and boost the economy.
The game reserve offers various accommodations, from luxury lodges to self-catering units. The most popular lodge is the Jaci’s Tree Lodge, located in the heart of the reserve. The lodge offers an exciting bush walk with a ranger to learn more about the animals and the plants in the area.
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Tswalu is the largest privately-owned game reserve in South Africa. It is located in the Kalahari Desert in the Northern Cape and covers 100,000 hectares of malaria-free land.
Tswalu is home to the Big Five, Desert Black Rhino, Kalahari Lion, Cheetah, and Roan Antelope. It promotes restoring the Kalahari ecosystem to its natural state. The reserve has achieved this by undertaking various conservation initiatives, such as relocating wildlife from other reserves, removing old fences, and planting native vegetation. The reserve has since been successful in re-establishing populations of endangered animals, such as the black rhino, cheetah, and wild dogs.
The reserve offers luxury accommodation in the form of Tarkuni House, a private villa that can accommodate up to ten guests. The villa has its pool, game drive vehicle, and ranger. You can also stay in one of the three suites at Motse, the main lodge on the reserve. Motse has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and library.
Kariega Game Reserve
Kariega is an 11,500-hectare game reserve in the Eastern Cape. The park is home to the Big Five as well as many other animals, such as cheetahs, hippos, and reptiles. It’s also known for its large population of bird species.
The reserve is a family-owned land that initiated relocating wildlife from other reserves, such as the Kruger National Park, to establish a new game reserve. The prime focus of this endeavour was to create a haven for endangered animals and since its establishment, the reserve has been successful in accommodating populations of endangered animals, such as the rhinos, leopards, elephants, and cheetah. You can check out their website to see the history of how several mammal species become extinct and how the reserve effortfully rescues them.
A couple of economical and luxurious lodges are available on the reserve, such as Ukhozi Lodge and River Lodge. Ukhozi Lodge is located in the main camp and offers chalets that accommodate up to four guests. River Lodge is on the banks of the Kariega River and offers suites that can accommodate up to three guests.
Lalibela Game Reserve
Lalibela is a 10,500-hectare game reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It also keeps the Big Five as well as buffalos, wildebeests, zebras, jackals, and lynx.
It has been implementing efforts to recycle and maintain a plastic-free environment. Lalibela Game Reserve was also successful in completely removing alien wattle trees, which are an invasive species, and they were able to recover 4000 hectares of land and its natural vegetation. These alien trees were burnt and the ashes were placed back in the soil to obtain the full nutrients that the soil needs.
The reserve offers accommodation in the form of thatched chalets and suites. You can find several accommodation options on the Lalibela Game Reserve website, such as the luxury safari tents at Rhino Lodge and the more economical self-catering cottages at Elephant Cottage.
&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve
&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve is located in Kwazulu-Natal and inhabits the Big Five as well as cheetahs, hippos, and a hundred species of reptiles. It covers 29,866-hectare of majestic land it highlights the beauty of seven different ecosystems, such as mountains, wetlands, forests, and grasslands.
The game reserve was initially part of a farming land but has since been converted into an extensive safari destination. Beyond Phinda is known for its efforts in anti-poaching, which has resulted in the increase of wildlife on the reserve.
The reserve offers luxurious accommodation in the form of &beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge and &beyond Phinda Forest Lodge. Phinda Mountain Lodge has 23 suites that offer panoramic views of the reserve, while Phinda Forest Lodge has 16 glass-fronted suites that also offer a wide view of the private game reserve.
National Park vs. Private Game Reserve
A national park and a private game reserve differ in terms of management. The state or government manages national parks, while individuals, organizations, or companies manage private game reserves.
Furthermore, private game reserves can offer accommodation and other facilities, such as restaurants and swimming pools, while national parks usually don’t provide these amenities. Lastly, private game reserves are located in remote areas, while national parks are situated near cities or towns for the convenience of visitors.
Let’s go!
Several accessible and beautiful game reserves are found in South Africa, each with unique selling points. They offer a wide selection of activities and accommodation options to suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for an eco-friendly reserve that recycles and removes invasive species, or a luxurious safari destination with the Big Five, there’s a reserve perfect for you.
If you’ve been to any of these private reserves, we’d love to hear from you. Share your experience in the comments below!