Best Game Reserves of South Africa

2) Eastern Cape Private Game Reserves

After the Kruger, we don’t make a major distinction in the game-viewing between our other top game reserves. Whether they are right for YOU will depend on other factors such as their location, when you are travelling, and your other interests.

In the Eastern Cape, you can view elephants against a backdrop of idyllic river valleys, with the scent of the ocean on the breeze.

Here the original Addo Elephant National Park has been joined by many top-notch private game reserves such as Shamwari, Kwandwe, Lalibela, Kariega and others. These all offer Big Five game-viewing in exceptionally pretty terrain with dramatic gorges, beautiful rivers and open savanna and bushveld.

Another big drawcard for the Eastern Cape is its location with three advantages:

• Lies adjacent to the Garden Route and so you can combine a road trip through the Garden Route to end with an Eastern Cape safari.
• Game reserves lie close to the coast, so in the summer (and shoulder months), it’s a great option for bush and beach combinations.
• There’s also a fascinating interior to explore with lots of Settler history, amazing Karoo landscapes and even smaller game reserves for bush walks such as Mount Camdeboo Park and the Mountain Zebra National Park (give links)

Why go there?

• In transitional climate so less impacted by the summer rains than other top reserves, so particularly good for Green Season safaris (November to March)
• Bush and Beach option
• Safe for families with young kids – as non-malaria area
• Many family-orientated lodges with kids activities. (But plenty of more romantic/couple orientated lodges as well.

Things to Consider

• Doesn’t have that classic savanna plains with flat-topped acacia tree vibe – if that’s what you are looking for
• Some reserves may feel too accessible being close to (Port Elizabeth/Gqberaha), but not all
• Some reserves can feel too close to civilization
• Winter months, especially mid-May to mid-August can be very cold

Who would love it?

• Again, most people would enjoy it
• Especially Families (with young children)
• People wanting an easy self-drive from Cape to Safari without the need for a flight
• Great for Multi-generational Family trips as several exclusive use safari villas

When it may NOT be the right option:

• People with a fixed idea that safaris mean flat-topped acacia trees and sub-tropical temperatures.

3) Northern KZN Game Reserves

In the northern reaches of Kwa Zulu Natal, you may spot cheetahs on the hunt, or rhinos at the water’s edge, with the warm coastal breezes just an hour away.

Here is a collection of excellent private game reserves such as Phinda and Manyoni as well as Hluhluwe-Umnfolozi Park with its private game lodge concessions.

These parks offer excellent Big Five game-viewing as well as a higher likelihood of seeing cheetah and also white and black rhino.

Why go there?

• Excellent game-viewing
• The easiest Bush & Beach destination for South Africa’s winter months of June to September
• Choice of game lodges to suit all budgets
• Can combine with other scenic delights of KwaZulu to make a varied itinerary with flights needed.
• Better chance of seeing cheetah here than in the Kruger
• Classified Low-risk malaria area (i.e. the WHO indicates that anti-malaria medication is NOT required to visit, though caution should be taken.)

Things to Consider

• Flight access is not as good as into the Kruger so longer road transfers from Durban.
• Lower chance of seeing leopard here than in the Kruger.

Who would love it?

• Bush and Beach trips in peak safari season: great for honeymooners & families
• Winter travellers as the best weather in South Africa between May and August

When it may NOT be the right option:

• Can we steamy and humid in the high summer months

4) Madikwe Game Reserve

Think wide skies, red earth, and he thrill of wild dogs in full chase. The malaria-free Madikwe is another of the prime game reserves of South Africa, particularly known for its wild dog sightings & family safaris. It feels vastly different to the Kruger so great to combine.

Why go there?

• One of the best wildlife-viewing areas after the Kruger
• Known for its wild dog and elephant sightings
• Safe for families with young children – no malaria risk
• Range of lodges to suit all tastes and budgets
• Profound sense of wilderness

Things to Consider

• Perhaps too remote for some? The easiest option is a scheduled charter flight. But road access is 4-5 hours from Johannesburg depending on which lodge.
• Due to park restrictions on vehicle numbers, most private game lodges must have a maximum of eight people in a game vehicle.
• Being on the Highveld it is noticeably colder in the winter months of May to July

Who would love it?

• Most people would enjoy it, especially Families (with young children)
• Great for Multi-generational Family trips as several exclusive use safari villas
• If you want to contrast Kruger with a second safari region

When it may NOT be the right option

• People short on time and/or budget as its far from most places

Lesser-Known Tip: If you want to combine South Africa with Botswana, Madikwe is easy to connect to Gaborone (1.5 hours by road) with daily flights to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. So, you can safari in Madikwe and then connect to the Delta without needing to go back to Johannesburg.

5) Welgevonden Game Reserve

The malaria-free Waterberg is a stunning area of natural beauty. Here the ravines and waterfalls are framed by forested plateaus, where the Big Five roam under vast Highveld skies.

It lies only 2-3 hours north of Johannesburg or Pretoria and is easily reached by road transfer, or even self-drive.

Given its relative proximity to Johannesburg, the Welgevonden is ideal to combine with the Kruger – perhaps with an overnight at a country lodge in the Drakensberg Escarpment en route.

Marakele National Park

This beautiful reserve nearby offers towering cliffs and green valleys where vultures wheel above Big Five plains. However the game-viewing is not as plentiful as in the Welgevonden.

But with a direct flight to the Madikwe, it makes for a a relaxing combo safari.

Why go there?

• Stunningly beautiful terrain, especially the Welgevonden (and also Entabeni Game Reserve)
• Excellent Big Five game-viewing, with some ‘specials’ such as brown hyena
• Fairly easy drive (3 hours) from Johannesburg or Pretoria
• Non-malaria area with several family-friendly game lodges
• Great scenic contrast with the Kruger area, as a second safari destination
• Excellent choice of lodges to suit all budgets and interests from honeymoon couples to family-friendly lodges.

Things to Consider

• Less likely to see leopard
• It is thickly vegetated so generally game-viewing is not as good as in the Kruger, though with a marked improvement in recent years

Who would love it?

• People not wanting to fly too much as you can easily drive from Johannesburg (3 hours) or Pretoria (2.5 hours).
• Multi-generational Family trips as several exclusive use safari villas
• People wanting to combine an easy Safari Getaway with Mauritius or Mozambique beaches

When it may NOT be the right option

• If you are looking for wide open African savanna

Other Great Game Reserves in South Africa – for Specific Needs

• Sanbona & Western Cape options
• Nambiti Hills
• Greater Waterberg biosphere

6) Sanbona Game Reserve

There are no ”proper’ game reserves really close to Cape Town. There are some in name, but they cater for the cruise ships with big volume day visits. This is not our scene at all.

However, there are a couple of good options if you don’t have time (or inclination) to fly to some of the areas already mentioned. They also make for a great contrasting second safari experience as these are more easily incorporated with other holiday activities.

Sanbona offers Karoo silence, wide horizons, and the slow pace of safari without leaving the Cape. Sanbona is 3 hours’ drive from Cape Town, en route to the Garden Route.

Note on Gondwana Game Reserve, near Garden Route

For Gondwana, think fynbos-covered hills rolling to the ocean, where Big Five game drives meet sea breezes. It lies on the western side of the Garden Route close to Mossel Bay.

 Why go there?

• Good game-viewing (but don’t expect as much as our primary Big Five reserves
• No need to fly to a distant game region
• Easy to mix with other activities (due to their location in the Western Cape)
• Perfect for families as Malaria-free
• Mediterranean climate so good to visit in South Africa’s summer months (unlike most of the northern (Summer rainfall) reserves)

Things to Consider

• Game-viewing is not as rewarding or plentiful
• Cold at night (and possible rain) in our winter months. Hence the lower prices!
• Sanbona feels suitably remote, but Gondwana is more accessible; both a blessing or a curse depending on your expectations.