Manyeleti Reserve
The Manyeleti Game Reserve is a private game reserve bordering the Kruger National Park. It is situated between the Timbavati, the Kruger Park and the Sabi Sand and is home to the Big 5 among many other species of wildlife. There are no fences which allow animals to wander freely.
Manyeleti Game Reserve Highlights
Manyeleti means 'Place of the Stars' in the local Shangaan language. Guests will have the opportunity to experience incredible stargazing here, if not anything else!
Manyeleti Game Reserve is situated between the Timbavati Private Reserve, the Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and is home to some of the best game viewing in South Africa, including the Big 5 and many other species of wildlife.
The reserve is renowned for its minimal vehicle density, as it is situated away from the frequented tourist areas, and offers a traditional safari experience.
Wildlife activities include bush walks and game drives in open safari vehicles. Guests can expect to see lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino as well as zebra, giraffe, cheetah and many other antelope species and smaller animals.
Manyeleti means “Place of the Stars” in the local language, Shangaan, and it truly is somewhere special in prime Big 5 game viewing territory.
Manyeleti Game Reserve is owned and managed by the local Mnisi tribe. It is private and caters specifically for guests overnighting in the reserve, making game viewing experiences exclusive and personalised.
The reserve borders directly onto the vast Kurger National Park, and is adjacent to the famous Sabi Sand and Timbavati Game Reserves; however there are no borders and wildlife roams freely.
Game activities at Manyeleti lodges consist of 4x4 game drives and guided nature walks, which take place in the private reserve with trained rangers and trackers.
In the Manyeleti, there are three options for your safari holiday, each offering its own charm.
Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp , ever true to its mystical Shangaan name, 'Capture the Spirit', is a comfortable and family friendly safari bush camp. The communal lounge, dining and bar area surrounds an open atrium where evening meals are served around a roaring log fire.
Honeyguide Mantobeni Camp offers exciting wildlife experiences, together with outstanding service and first-class cuisine. It is nestled in a Tamboti grove and overlooks the river.
Tintswalo is an exclusive and luxurious safari lodge situated in the Manyeleti Reserve. This reserve is unique for its minimal vehicle traffic and offers a true African safari experience, while the lodge overlooks a waterhole frequented by elephant and other big game.
How to Get there
There are daily flights from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg International) to Hoedspruit Airport (also called Eastgate) and we recommend that guests use this airport for the Manyeleti Game Reserve lodges.
Once guests arrive at the airport they have a choice between, a car hire option (self-drive), a road transfer to the lodge where they will be staying or a short air transfer (flight hop) to the various lodges in the Manyeleti Game Reserve.
All the Manyeleti Game Reserve lodges are accessible via self drive with a sedan rental car from anywhere in South Africa. To self drive from Johannesburg will take approximately 6 hours.
All means of transportation will be arranged and booked for guests by Sun Safaris.
Manyeleti Reserve Game Viewing and Activities
The reserve is renowned for its minimal vehicle density because it is a private reserve and no day visitors make use of the traverse. It offers a truly exclusive safari experience for the guests overnighting at one of the 3 Manyeleti lodges.
Expert game rangers will accompany guests on guided bush walks or game drives in open 4x4 game viewing vehicles and guests can expect to see lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino as well as zebra, giraffe, cheetah and many other antelope species and smaller animals.
There are 3 lodges in the Manyeleti Reserve, all of which offer unique charm and comfort, from adventure camping to luxury accommodation. The game drives conducted from these lodges bring guests closer to the dangerous animals and allows them to observe the wildlife activity at a thrilling yet safe distance. Guided walks introduce guests to the smaller details, although there is always the chance of bumping into big game on foot.
