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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Rattray’s 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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