Thornybush Private Game Reserve comprises 11,500ha of bushveld adjacent to the greater Kruger National Park. Other reserves include Kapama, Balule and Makalali...
There are several game reserves close to the Kruger National Park. These are make up the Greater Kruger Park. Choose between safaris in Thornybush, which has an open border with the Timbavati, or Kapama. Other options include the Klaserie and Manyeleti game reserves which both have open borders with the Kruger. However all offer an excellent safari experience, nevertheless.
Thornybush Private Game Reserve comprises 14 000ha of bushveld adjacent to the greater Kruger National Park. The biodiversity of Thornybush attracts a wide variety of wildlife and bird species including good sightings of the Big Five whilst on safari. Thornybush has an open border with the neighbouging Timbavati, which in turn has an open border with the Kruger. So the animals can wander freely.
Kapama Private Game Reserve lies adjacent to Thornybush, a 13 000ha private reserve which has four camps. An added benefit of Kapama Reserve is that you can easily visit the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre for endangered animals which lies close by.
North and east of Hoedspruit are the private Balule Game Reserve and Klaserie Game Reserve. Makalali Private Game Reserve lies slightly away from Kruger but its size enables it to offer the Big Five as well.
The Manyeleti Game Reserve lies just north of the Sabi Sands. It borders the Kruger National Park to the east. So diverse is its habitat and wildlife that you have an good chance of spotting many of the Big 5 – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. Leopard are less frequently seen at close range. But the Manyeleti is unusual in that it only has three private safari concessions. This allows for an exclusive game-viewing experience.
Note:
Cedarberg Africa has visited nearly every safari lodge in this area. The important issue to evaluate is the quality of the game-viewing and not just the price!
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Saseka is a brand new tented camp. But it’s not your usual tented camp. Very luxurious, spacious and unique with a cutting edge design. The main area of the lodge is huge and has three different lounge areas each with a different ambience which I liked. The roof is designed in a way so that light reflects in diverse ways in the various lounge areas. If it is hot, you can sit in the shaded lounge, if you’re looking for a bit of sun, the lounge in the sun will do and if you’re cold, the lounge by the fireplace is perfect.
The tents are almost completely canvas but with permanent foundations. They also have glass doors opening onto the private deck and pool which overlooks the riverbed. Inside the tents, they have unique designs on the billowing canvas ceiling. This lights up at night and gives this beautiful glow to the room. All tents are air-conditioned.
On the private decks they are planning to build a permanent shaded canopy next to the pool for the sun loungers
There are 8 safari tents. Plus they have a villa named the Leadwood Villa which is separate from the other tents and completely private with its own private catering/chef & private game vehicle. It also has a central lounge area and dining area, so there is no need to go to the main area of the camp. The villa accommodates a maximum of 6 people (4 adults & 2 children under 16 years on a sleeper sofa) in two separate rooms. (The 2nd tent is situated a couple of metres away. They can also ‘take’ one of the other suites so that 6 people can take the villa.
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