One of South Africa’s most visited tourist destinations is Greater Kruger, which includes the expansive Kruger National Park and a number of adjacent private reserves. However, the nearby private reserves provide a more upscale safari experience, even if the national park itself is ideal for self-drive safaris and low-cost package vacations. Typically, guests stay in opulent little lodges that provide luxurious overnight safaris with top-notch food, attentive service, and knowledgeable game drives in open cars.

Sabi Sands, Balule, Timbavati, Klaserie, MalaMala, and Manyeleti are the principal private game reserves in Kruger. To create a single, expansive habitat that permits unrestricted wildlife migration, the fences separating these reserves from the national park have all been removed. Greater Kruger offers excellent Big Five viewing, and the private reserves are the best place to regularly see big cats up close. The top private game reserves that border Kruger National Park are listed below.

There is no particular quality order for the private reserves listed below.

1. The Sand Game Reserve of Sabi

Sabi Sands, the most well-known of the Kruger private game reserves, is a 650 km² patchwork of privately owned land interspersed with upscale lodges. Open safari vehicles that may go off-road for up-close encounters are well known for their exceptional wildlife viewing in the region. Many highly habituated animals stay in Sabi Sands, despite the fact that animals roam freely throughout Greater Kruger.

It is one of the best spots in the world to watch leopards, who have unexpectedly relaxed around cars and their occupants. Although seeing a leopard is always an experience, tracking one of these sly cats by spotlight at night will give you a true surge of excitement.

2. The Nature Reserve of Balule

In 2005, the 350 km² Balule Nature Reserve broke its boundaries with Klaserie, Timbavati, and Kruger National Park. It is made up of numerous separate plots, some of which are used exclusively for private use and others of which function as commercial lodges.

Because of this, it may not feel as unified as Sabi Sands and Klaserie, but the wildlife watching is incredibly rewarding and the lodges are often very reasonably priced. Choose a lodge near the Olifants River, which runs through the northern part of the reserve and is a significant all-season attraction for giraffes, elephants, and other animals.

3. Private NR Timbavati

Large herds of buffalo, an abundance of lions, elephants, white rhinos, giraffes, and other antelope are among the fauna that Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which spans 600km² of mixed bushveld, preserves. Leopard encounters aren’t as frequent here as they are in Sabi Sands and MalaMala, but they are still rather common.

Timbavati is generally calmer and has a wilder vibe than Sabi Sands because there aren’t as many lodges and campers there. Although they are uncommon, the reserve is known for its white lions, yet you may observe pale ones who have this recessive genetic variation.

4. Nature Reserve Klaserie

When 36 neighboring landowners chose to remove their fences in 1969 to allow wildlife to use historic migration routes during dry spells, this 600 km² nature reserve was created. Some of the constituent properties are now commercial businesses with lodges, despite the fact that it was first established for the exclusive purpose of conservation.

As a result, the setup is comparable to Sabi Sands. Leisurely game drives, however, tend to concentrate on remaining with good sightings rather than rushing around trying to tick off the Big Five because of the far lower tourist traffic.

5. Game Reserve MalaMala

The 133km² MalaMala, one of South Africa’s largest independent Big Five reserves, is divided by the Sand River for 20km. During the dry season, the Sand River attracts thirsty animals. As one might anticipate from a reserve positioned between the Sabi Sands and the game-rich southern Kruger, wildlife viewing is superb.

Additionally, only visitors staying in three tiny luxury lodges are allowed access to the pristine MalaMala bush, unlike other reserves that border Kruger consist of a patchwork of smaller properties with cross-traversing rights. Consequently, it is possible to enjoy excellent views of all five of the Big Five without having to make room for other tourists. Leopard lovers are in for a unique treat: in addition to being extremely prevalent in the riverine forest of MalaMala, these typically timid animals also have a tendency to be quite laid back.

6. The Game Reserve of Manyeleti

The local Mnisi community owns and operates Manyeleti, setting it apart from other private reserves that border Kruger. Its 230km² of virgin wilderness is home to just three modest, privately owned safari lodges that operate on a concession basis.

There aren’t many visitors, and with more than 200 kilometers of gravel roads to explore, visitors frequently feel as though they are alone. Although all five of the Big Five are present, animal numbers are lower and big cat sightings are less consistent than in some nearby reserves due to the lack of permanent water.