Best National Parks & Reserves in South Africa
South Africa has a total of 42 major protected areas that is national parks and reserves, with nearly 200 smaller reserves. These protected areas vary in sizes, landscape and wildlife species, thus offering diverse experiences and catering to every type of traveler.
We have taken the liberty to list for you the best national parks and reserve in South Africa, not to miss out on your next safari trip.
- Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is the most popular safari destination in South Africa and no safari trip in South Africa can be complete without a visit to this country’s flagship safari destination. At a size of more than 1,900 square kilometers, Kruger National Park is one of the largest reserve in Africa and is home to a variety of wildlife including the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinos, Africa’s most sought for game.
Kruger National Park is known for delivering reliable sightings of big game in a relatively short period of time, making it an ideal destination for first time safari-goers. While on a safari in Kruger, look forward to seeing the iconic Big 5. Cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, hyenas and zebras among others.
Location: Kruger National Park stretches across South Africa’s Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, the region’s incredible road network and infrastructure make it easy to access the park for self – drive and fly-in safaris, especially for tourists wanting to add on a holiday in Cape Town or a Johannesburg.
Activities and Safari Experiences: Kruger National Park offers guided and self-game drives, bird watching, abundant wildlife and Big 5 sightings as well as budget friendly camps and lodges.
- Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Ranked as one of the best game reserves in South Africa, Sabi Sands Game Reserve has become synonymous with luxury safari experiences in the Greater Kruger Region. The reserve is situated near Kruger National Park, occupying a relatively small area than its counterparts in Africa, but a Sabi Sands Safari will never disappoint.
The reserve’s landscape and scenery mainly consists of woodlands, open grasslands and riverbanks, which attract an array of wildlife roaming freely between Kruger National Park and the reserve.
Sabi Sabi Game Reserve is known for frequent leopard sightings thanks to the high concentration of big game, it also a perfect destination for travelers seeking an exclusive and private safari experience.
Location: Sabi Sabi Game Reserve is located in the Greater Kruger regions sharing borders Kruger National Park in the southwestern section in the Mpumalanga Province.
Activities & Safari Experiences: Sabi Sands Game Reserve offers private game drives and off-roading, guided bush walks, spot-lit night game drives, photography safaris and luxurious lodges with personalized safari experiences.
- Thornybush Private Game Reserve
The Thornybush Private Game Reserve has among the favorite destinations for safaris among visitors, making it one of the more prominent game reserves in the country. Sharing an unfenced border with Kruger, the reserve offers intimate and luxury safaris. The unfenced border allows wildlife to free roam between the two areas, making it an incredible game viewing destination for iconic animals including the famous Big 5.
Location: Thornybush Private Game Reserve is adjacent to Kruger National Park within the Greater Kruger region in the Limpopo Province.
Activities and Safari Experiences in Thornybush Private Game Reserve include morning and evening game drives, bush dinners, world-class spa treatment and intimate wildlife experiences.
- Marakele National Park
Located in the scenic Waterberg Biosphere, Marakele National Park is arguably the most beautiful national park in South Africa. This Big 5 reserve covers an area of over 670 square kilometers and is a favorite destination among nature lovers seeking to immerse themselves in the peace and quiet of the untamed wilderness.
Marakele National Park is popular for its cape vulture colonies and stunning landscapes, it is also often celebrated for its ever changing, breathtaking landscape, comprising rugged mountain ranges, deep valley and grassy plains. A hike up to of the many scenic trails rewards visitors with gorgeous viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the wildlife and reserve.
Location: Marakele National Park is situated in the Waterberg Mountains in the Limpopo Province.
Activities and Safari Experience in Marakele National Park include game drives, bird watching, hiking and incredible photography opportunities.
- Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant National Park is the third largest national park in South Africa and a must for every visitor who is fan of giant pachyderms. The park was established in 1931 purposely to protect the last remaining elephants in the area, of which were only 11 left due to habitat loss and extensive hunting. Today, the park’s 1,700 square kilometer is a haven for elephants with a population of over 550.
Other wildlife species calling Addo Elephant National Park home include lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes and marine wildlife along the coast include cape gannets and African penguins.
Location: Addo Elephant National Park is situated in the Eastern Cape.
Activities and Safari Experiences in Addo Elephant National Park include game drives, scenic hiking trails, whale watching and scenic hiking trails.
- Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Dubbed as the home of luxury Eastern Cape Safaris, Kwanda Private Game Reserve is a malaria-free, luxury reserve highly regarded for its contributions to wildlife conservation in South Africa, particularly in reintroducing and protecting the endangered wildlife species like cheetah, serval and black rhinos.
Kwandwe Primate Game Reserve covers an area of 220 square kilometers of pristine untouched wilderness brimming with a wide variety of wildlife including the Big 5, making it an amazing destination for animal lovers. The stunning landscape is a standout feature in the reserve, it changes from riverine forest and sprawling grasslands to rugged cliffs, meandering rivers and rolling hills.
Location: Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is situated in the heart of the Eastern Cape, stretching out on either side of the Great Fish River.
Activities and Experiences in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve include game drives and bush walks in a malaria free zone, hands-on conservation experiences, insightful cultural experiences and stays at exclusive lodges with a strong focus on eco-tourism.
- Hluhluwe – Imfolozi Park
Hluhluwe – Imfolozi Park is the oldest national park in South Africa, it is the also the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in the whole of Africa. This park is a pioneer in conservation efforts, saving the southern white rhino from near extinction, covering approximately 960 square kilometers. The landscape in Hluhluwe – Imfolozi Park is diverse, ranging from rolling hills and riverine forests to grasslands making up the stunning scenery.
Today, Hluhluwe – Imfolozi Park is a haven for one of the largest population of white rhinos in the world.
Location: Hluhluwe – Imfolozi Park is located north of Dubran in central KwaZulu Natal
Activities & Safari Experiences to do include game drives, walking safaris, bird watching and scenic drives through the rich biodiversity.
- Phinda Private Game Reserve
Phinda Private Game Reserve also known as &Beyond Private Game Reserve is a favorite among reserves in South Africa offering a wide range of experiences from classic Big 5 safaris to beachside getaways on the nearby Indian Ocean Coast. The reserve is well-known as a luxury reserve offering tailored safaris in its 285 square kilometers, Phinda is home to the Big 5 (lion, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants) as well as 436 bird species.
Phinda Private Game Reserve forms a signifant part of the Munywana Conservancy, a 29,866 hectares of protected wildlife land in KwaZulu National Park. With its seven distinct habitats, Phinda is often described as “Seven Wonders of Wonder”.
The reserve is a perfect destinations for Romantic getaways, luxury tailored safari experience and travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.
Location: Phinda Private Game Reserve is located in Zululand region of northern KwaZulu Natal.
Activities & Safari Experiences: This private reserve offers incredible game drives, guided bush walks, water-based activities like boat cruises, scuba diving and snorkeling, rhino tracking.
- Pilanesberg Game Reserve
Set within an ancient volcanic crater, Pilanesberg Game Reserve is a premier South Africa Game Reserve renowned for its malaria-free Big 5 Safaris. The reserve covers an area of approximately 550 square kilometers featuring a dramatic landscape with hills, plains and waterholes, providing a perfect sanctuary for abundant wildlife, including rare animals like Africa wild dogs.
Pilanesberg Game Reserve a perfect safari destination for day visitors staying in Sun City or Johannesburg, first-time safari goers as well as families of every age.
Location: Pilanesberg Game Reserve is located in the Bojanala Region within the North West Province, it is also close to the world famous Sun City and Johannesburg.
Activities & Safari Experiences: Pilanesberg Game Reserve offers game drives, self-drive safaris, hot air balloon rides, bird watching and scenic views of the ancient volcanic crater.
- Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe Game Reserve is the most sought-after game reserve in South Africa for wildlife viewing, coming second to Kruger National Park. The reserve spans approximately 750 square kilometers delivering incredible sightings in one of the country’s largest and malaria-free reserves.
Operation Phoenix – the world’s largest wildlife translocation project is one of the most achievement of Madikwe Game Reserve. For over 7 years, more than 8,000 animals were introduced into the reserve cementing its spot as one of the most wildlife rich regions.
Madikwe Game Reserve is best known for luxury Big 5 Safaris, African wild dogs, Operation Phoenix and Malaria-free holidays. And best for first time safari goers, families with young children and multi-generational families.
Location: Madikwe Game Reserve is situated near the Botswana Border in the North West Province.
Activities and Experiences: Madikwe Game Reserve offers private game drives, bush dinners, guided bush walks, bird watching, stargazing, photographic safaris and exclusive, family-friendly safari experiences.
