Kruger Private Reserves

The Kruger Private Reserves are made up of a number of adjoining private game reserves which have unfenced borders with the Greater Kruger National Park and allow for the animals to roam freely in over 2 million hectares of wildlife sanctuary.

The Private Reserves have fewer restrictions than in the actual Kruger Park and are populated with a variety of exclusive luxury lodges. Each lodge has a host of knowledgeable game rangers and open-topped 4x4 safari vehicles which are allowed off-road, and which also allow night drives and walking safaris – all of which are restricted in the Kruger Park itself.

Your chances of seeing the Big Five from a few feet away are greatly increased in these Private Reserves, and the animals also tend to be slightly more habituated to the safari vehicles, allowing closer and far more frequent viewings.

The most popular of the Kruger Private Reserves are the Sabi Sands, the Timbavati, Manyeleti and Thornybush game reserves. The Sabi Sands is probably the best known of the Kruger Private Reserves and epitomizes the luxury Big Five safari experience. It is a destination in its own right and as such has more information for you to read to paint a better picture of its unique safari wonders for you.

The Kruger Private Reserves are made up of a number of adjoining private game reserves which have unfenced borders with the Greater Kruger National Park and allow for the animals to roam freely in over 2 million hectares of wildlife sanctuary.

The Private Reserves have fewer restrictions than in the actual Kruger Park and are populated with a variety of exclusive luxury lodges. Each lodge has a host of knowledgeable game rangers and open-topped 4x4 safari vehicles which are allowed off-road, and which also allow night drives and walking safaris – all of which are restricted in the Kruger Park itself.

Your chances of seeing the Big Five from a few feet away are greatly increased in these Private Reserves, and the animals also tend to be slightly more habituated to the safari vehicles, allowing closer and far more frequent viewings.

The most popular of the Kruger Private Reserves are the Sabi Sands, the Timbavati, Manyeleti and Thornybush game reserves. The Sabi Sands is probably the best known of the Kruger Private Reserves and epitomizes the luxury Big Five safari experience. It is a destination in its own right and as such has more information for you to read to paint a better picture of its unique safari wonders for you.

The Timbavati Private Reserve is a bit further north, separated from the Sabi Sands by the Manyeleti Private Reserve which offers a holistic and authentic safari experience. The Timbavati has a slightly drier landscape than its southern counterparts which attract big herds of elephant and buffalo. The Timbavati is much bigger and wilder than the Sabi Sands and is home to much larger prides of lions. It offers you more of an untamed safari experience with possibly more diverse game viewing than the Sabi region. Due to the vast size of the area the animals are not as accustomed to the safari vehicles but this does not significantly detract from your safari – unless you are planning on stalking some leopard in which case a visit to the Sabi Sands is a must.

The Thornybush Private Game Reserve consists of predominantly open savannah, creating a very African feel. Cheetahs roam the plains and huge herds of zebra, wildebeest and antelope graze contently in the surroundings. Tracking animals is a speciality of Thornybush and during 'Art of Tracking' explorations you are taught how to read the spoor and follow animals without putting yourself in danger. There is no thrill quite like watching Africa's most dangerous animals, after you have personally tracked them.

It is important to understand that the different areas in the Kruger National Park and the surrounding Kruger Private Reserves offer very different safari experiences so the best advice would be to try and split your time among them. Spend a few nights in the Sabi Sands tracking leopard, before heading to the Thornybush Reserve and exploring the savannahs. Wrap it up with a lion safari in the Timbavati area and you’ll be taking home photographs and experiences to rival the best on the planet.

Contact one of our Travel Experts to help you plan your itinerary. Our selected tours and safaris should give you some ideas on how best you can combine the different lodges and areas. Be sure to spend some time researching the different safari lodges as each has its own special brand of luxury.