The only private reserve to feature lodges both in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Kruger National Park, Lion Sands Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s most exclusive safari experiences. There are no fences between the two, which means the wildlife viewing opportunities here are sensational – the area has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in any national parks and includes the mighty Big Five. You’ll go on twice-daily game drives in open 4x4s, where there are a maximum of six guests per vehicle and everyone is guaranteed a ‘window’ seat close to the action. There are four lodges; Narina Lodge and Tinga Lodge are both intimate with just nine suites each and are found on the Kruger side, while River Lodge and Ivory Lodge have 20 suites on the Sabi Sand side. The Sabie River flows in-between two sides, creating a sweet spot for wildlife in search of water – you’re likely to spot wildlife wandering past your suite! All of the lodges are gorgeously put together with a clear emphasis on comfort and style. While they differ in size and location, it’s impossible to make the wrong choice at Lion Sands – each suite is designed for complete seclusion and the lodges are regularly featured Condé Nast’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Lion Sands also has three incredible treehouses that you can choose to stay in overnight – Chalkley, Kingston and Tinyeleti. They are all placed in a remote location that offers its guests for the night panoramic views of the bushveld and a luxurious night of eating, drinking and sleeping in complete privacy – unless you count the sounds of the wildlife around you. It’s the most sensational way to celebrate a special occasion and after a gourmet picnic, you can tuck yourself into a four-poster bed under a canopy of stars.
3 Hotels
Located between the world-famous Kruger National Park to the east and the stunning Drakensberg mountain range to the west, the 60,000-acre Makalali Private Game Reserve is at the focus of conservation efforts to bridge the space of wildlife between the two. aha Makalali Private Game Lodge is found at the southern end of the game reserve, just an hour and a half from Hoedspruit airport. Here, you’ll find staple wildlife spotting; on twice-daily game drives, you can search for the Africa’s quintessential Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo) among other wildlife like the spiral-horned nyala and impala. There are two lodges to choose from, both championing friendly, laid-back service and comfortable essentials. The food is hearty and home-made African cuisine – a treat for those who want an authentic taste while on safari – and each lodge have comfortable communal spaces and an outdoor boma for dinners under the stars. Stay at aha Makalali Main Lodge for new, modern design and watering hole views or get back to nature with treehouse-like suites at the riverside aha Makalali River Lodge.
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Nestled in the wilderness close to the Drakensberg Mountains and close to Kruger National Park, Kapama Game Reserve is filled with dense wilderness backdropped by the Drakensberg Mountains looming in the distance. There’s a focus on eco-tourism which includes recycling, water purification and solar heating as well as conservation efforts to protect the biodiversity of the local area. It’s no surprise that the wildlife viewing is excellent with a concentration of vast herds of buffalo, elephant and antelope that are found in abundance. The reserve is home to around 350 bird species and over 40 different mammals including bucket-list favourites, the Big Five (lion, rhino, leopard, elephant and buffalo). Guests can look out for some of Africa’s most majestic creatures on twice-daily game drives accompanied by an expert guide and tracker. You can also navigate the land on foot and learn about the local flora and fauna on a guided bush walk. Kapama’s gorgeous accommodation is scattered around the reserve’s 32000 acres amid the wilds of the African bush and seasonal rivers. Its lodges and camps regularly receive glowing reviews, thanks to the combination of beautiful accommodation and attention to detail. Each has its own communal lounge area and traditional boma, and there’s air-conditioning in every suite for complete comfort. Dining takes place by the fire of a boma, at the accommodation’s lounge or in a unique setting outdoors such as a dry riverbed. Choose from luxury safari tents at the intimate Kapama Buffalo Camp or stay in polished, villa-style accommodation at Kapama Southern Lodge. At Kapama River Lodge, there’s more opportunity to socialise with fellow guests with 64 suites and a range of facilities including the impressive River Lodge Spa.
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Located adjacent to the spectacular Kruger National Park, with no fences between the two, Thornybush Game Reserve is home to a great array of flora and fauna, including the iconic Big Five (lion, rhino, Cape buffalo, leopard and elephant). With approximately 50 mammal species, 50 reptile species, and over 200 bird species, this beautiful place is ideal for wildlife and bird-spotting enthusiasts who want to enjoy a tranquil safari. Here, game drives are offered twice a day, with a morning drive to try to spot the Big Five, and an afternoon/evening drive to try to spot the rarely-seen nocturnal animals of the plains by torchlight. Joined by Shangaan trackers, you’ll enjoy a traditional, authentic and knowledgeable insight into your spectacular surrounding environment. Days begin early with a hot drink and snack before your first game drive. After your first venture out into the bush, you’ll return for breakfast – which is served either at your lodge or camp, or out in the wild along a dry riverbed or in a peaceful pocket of nature. The rest of your afternoon is at leisure where you’ll have a light lunch before embarking on your second late afternoon safari. Dinner, in comparison, is a relatively grand affair. Depending on the lodge or camp you choose, a three-course meal is served either at the traditional outdoor boma, the lodge’s dining area, or out in the bush. On evening game drives, you’ll stop to appreciate the breathtaking landscapes as the sun sets with a refreshing sundowner. After dinner, you can enjoy a drink by the bonfire and relax after an amazing day of adventure.
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Lion Sands Game Reserve
Makalali Private Game Reserve
Kapama Private Game Reserve
Thornybush Private Game Reserve
