Balule Safaris

Balule Game Reserve is a part of the Greater Kruger Park, an open conserved area of approximately 7,000,000 acres or 23,000 km², along the Olifants River.

It is in the mixed woodland ecozone, one of several ecozones in the lowveld, and the ecozone with the greatest variety of fauna and flora. The landscape is rolling with seasonal rivers draining the area. The region is of granitic origin, with quartz and dolerite intrusions and outcrops.

Balule Price Guide

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Toro Yaka Bush Lodge

Toro Yaka, which means "My Dream" in Northern Sotho, is a one-of-a-kind lodge situated in the unforgettably pristine bushveld of Balule, a 30 000 hectare nature conservancy in the Greater Kruger National Park area.

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Naledi Bushcamp

Naledi Bushcamp is situated in the heart of the Balule Game Reserve offering a superb Big five safari and wildlife experience at an affordable rate within the borders of the world-famous Kruger National Park.

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Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge

Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge is a 4 star rated safari camp situated in the heart of the Balule Game Reserve. The lodge is small and offers only six African rondawels plus two family lodges.

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Pondoro Game Lodge

With its peaceful location on the banks of the shady Olifants River Pondoro Game Lodge offers visitors an exclusive safari experience in the enormous Balule Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. The lodge is small and accommodation is luxurious with only 12 beds available.

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Drifters Game Lodge

Drifters Game Lodge is ideal for guests looking for a little extra comfort, yet still offers a traditional safari experience; situated in the 38 000-hectare privately-owned Balule Nature Reserve, next to the world-famous Kruger National Park. Drifters Game Lodge is private and offers close encounters with the bush and the magic of Africa

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Bateleur Camp

Bateleur self catering Camp is situated in the Balule Private Nature Reserve bordering the world renowned Kruger National Park. Bateleur Camp is easily accessible and only six hours from Johannesburg by car. The camp offers a down-to-earth yet elegant style in a peaceful setting.

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Ezulwini River Lodge

Ezulwini River Lodge is ideal for guests looking for a little extra comfort, yet still offers a traditional safari experience; situated in the 38 000-hectare privately-owned Balule Nature Reserve, next to the world-famous Kruger National Park. Ezulwini River Lodge is private and offers close encounters with the bush and the magic of Africa.

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Ezulwini Paradise Camp

Ezulwini Paradise Camp offers a peaceful setting overlooking the spectacular Olifants River Gorge in the private Balule Game Reserve. The camp offers a traditional 1880 pioneers safari experience with beautiful log cabins, breathtaking mountain views, traditional African cuisine and magical sunsets.

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Ezulwini Billy's Lodge

Billy's Lodge is a private safari lodge situated on the banks of a seasonal river in the Balule Game Reserve. The area around the camp is home to a resident lion pride as well as a variety of plains game. The lodge offers a relaxed atmosphere with a cosy lounge area, dining rooms and viewing decks.

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How to get there

Air

There are daily flights from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg International) to Hoedspruit Airport (also called Eastgate); Phalaborwa airport can also be used to access Balule Game Reserve. Once guests arrive at the airport they have a choice between, a road transfer arranged by SUNSAFARIS or a short air transfer (flight hop) to the various lodges in the Balule Game Reserve.

Land

All the Balule Game Reserve lodges are accessible via self drive with a sedan rental car from anywhere in South Africa. Obviously the drive time depends on where you are driving from! To self drive from Johannesburg will take approximately 6 hours.

Balule Game Reserve & Game Viewing

Introduction

The Olifants River, which flows year round through the Balule Game Reserve, is home to an array of wildlife including crocodiles and hippos. This is also an area of remarkable scenery, with the northern Drakensberg mountain range being visible from most points and bird watching is prolific with over 350 species recorded in and around the area. The reserve is only an hour's drive from two of the main gates to the Kruger National Park.

Game Viewing

The birdlife is abundant in the various indigenous trees; wild animals like wildebeest, warthogs and zebra are regularly seen. At various water holes situated in the reserve one can experience close proximity, Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Leopard and other game species can be seen as they come to the waterholes to drink. The biodiversity of the lowveld region is staggering, supporting more than 2,000 plant species including over 380 recognized tree species, of which 200 attain tree size in the area (50% of all trees found in Southern Africa). There are more than 235 different species of grass, approximately 150 mammal and 500 bird species. There are also 33 species of amphibians, 49 fish, and 114 reptiles occurring in the area.

Seasons

The climate in the Balule Game Reserve is considered subtropical and very hot and humid with rainy summers and cool, dry winters.

Summer is from October to March and is characterised by hot humid days and afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures can get very high, followed by cooler more comfortable nights. The dry bushland comes to life after the rains however game becomes more difficult to find as numerous waterholes fill up and the foliage becomes thicker.

Winter, known as the dry season, is from April until September and brings clear skies and warm sunny days with cold to chilly early mornings and evenings. Winter means less water is available in the region and animals tend to congregate around the water sources, hence game viewing in the dry winter months is the best.

Map of the Balule Game Reserve Lodges

Click on the map on the right for Virtual Earth Maps of the safari lodges within the Balule Game Reserve.

Zoom in and out, drag and move the map, and click on lodge GPS markers for links to the lodges. The maps also show airstrips, park gates and other points of interest.

Click here to view the map