Private Game Reserves

The Greater Kruger is a mosaic of public and private land. The public Kruger National Park covers around two million hectares; the bordering private reserves — Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Manyeleti, Klaserie, Balule, Kapama, Thornybush, MalaMala — add roughly another half million hectares of mostly unfenced wilderness with strict vehicle limits and trained Big Five guides.

Each reserve has its own character. Sabi Sand is the leopard capital and the most established luxury destination. Timbavati is famous for white lions and a slightly wilder, more bush-led feel. Manyeleti is quieter and excellent value for guests who want exclusivity without Sabi Sand pricing. Klaserie and Balule are the budget-friendly entrances to Greater Kruger. MalaMala holds its own concession and is the original photographic reserve.

Our reserve guides cover history, wildlife, lodge inventory, maps, airports, transfer times, photography conditions, seasonality and a detailed FAQ. You'll also find a comparison block on each reserve page so you can quickly see how it sits against neighbouring reserves on price, vehicle density and game viewing.

Treat reserve pages as the index for the lodges that sit inside them. From any reserve you can drill down to a specific lodge, or sideways into a related reserve at a similar price point.