LIMPOPO GAME RESERVES

D'Nyala Nature Reserve Park

D'nyala Nature Reserve, lies just 15 kilometres south east of Lephalale, in the Limpopo, province of South Africa, and is about 8.000 Ha in area. It is named after the huge and lovely Nyala tree that grows in the area up to 30 metres high with massive gnarled and crooked trunks from which its leaves grow directly.

Wildlife Include: white rhino, giraffe, waterbuck, zebra, tsessebe, eland and others, and there are a variety of predators like the brown hyena, jackal and smaller cats. The nyala antelope and the brown hyena are other members of the mammalian population of the reserve, which totals 60.

Nyala Waterbuck The reserve contains some magnificent specimens of the Baobab tree

Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve

The Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve is situated in the northern-most parts of South Africa, and is owned by the De Beers Diamond Mining Company - the mine itself is actually within the confines of the reserve. The reserve is approximately 33,000 ha in size, and is characterised by the dominant mopane veld- type (Colophospermum mopane). Whilst scenic, the area is hot — summer temperatures regularly pass the 40 degrees Celsius mark. The reserve is home to three of the big five (lion, elephant and leopard — but not rhino and buffalo). There was a population of African wild dogs in the park which were part of a research project of the Carnivore Conservation Group, a branch of the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Literally across the road is one of South Africa's newest national parks — the Mapungubwe National Park.

Tel : 053 839 4455

Balule Nature Reserve

is a protected area in Limpopo Province, South Africa which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park as a member of the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR). As part of a wildlife conservation initiative, all fences separating APNR reserves – Balule, Timbavati, Klaserie, Umbabat, Grietjie Private Nature Reserve – and the Kruger National Park have been removed. The ecological benefits of this initiative has made the region a popular ecotourism destination and conservation efforts have ensured that the wildlife population includes all of the Big Five game: lion, African elephant, African buffalo, African leopard and black rhinoceros.

Mokolo Dam Nature Reserve

The Mokolo Dam Nature Reserve or Mokolo Dam Provincial Park is a protected area of bushveld in the Limpopo province, South Africa. It almost surrounds the Mokolo Dam on the Mokolo River. It is located 32 km south of Lephalale, just northeast of the Marakele National Park and not far from the Lapalala Game Reserve. The reserve is only 46 km² and is surrounded by the Waterberg Biosphere. There is both sourveld and sweetveld here, and attractions include water sports, birds, and fish. Largemouth bass, bream, carp, and catfish can all be fished there, but one must watch for crocodiles. Among the birds that can be spotted here are the following: Crested barbet, African fish eagle, Brown-hooded kingfisher, Southern grey-headed sparrow, Egyptian goose, White-fronted bee eater, Magpie shrike.

Nylsvley Nature Reserve

Nylsvley Nature Reserve is a 40 km2 (15 sq mi) protected area, lying on the seasonally-inundated floodplain of the Nyl River, the uppermost section of the Mogalakwena River which has a very shallow gradient. It is located near Mookgophong in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. This area has been declared a Ramsar wetland site because of its international conservation importance. The floodplain is made up of extensive reedbeds and grassveld surrounded by open woodland. Situated in the upper catchment area of the Nyl River, and covering about 20% of the floodplain, the area boasts some 370 bird species - of which more than 100 are waterfowl - and during peak floods, over 80,000 birds are to be seen. The reserve is also home to roan antelope and tsessebe. The only stands of wild rice in South Africa, Oryza longistaminata, are to be found here. The name 'Nylsvley' originated in vlei, a pan or seasonally flooded area, and in the word for "Nile". In the 1860s, a Voortrekker group of farmers saw a large flooded plain and a river flowing northwards and thought it might be the Nylrivier (Nile river).

Tel: 015 293 3612 : Email rathlanes@gmail.com

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve (or Motlatse Canyon Provincial Nature Reserve) is situated in the Drakensberg escarpment region of eastern Mpumalanga, South Africa. The reserve protects the Blyde River Canyon, including sections of the Ohrigstad and Blyde Rivers and the geological formations around Bourke's Luck Potholes, where the Treur River tumbles into the Blyde below. Southwards of the canyon, the reserve follows the escarpment, to include the Devil's and God's Window, the latter a popular viewpoint to the lowveld at the reserve's southern extremity. The Mogologolo (1,794 m), Mariepskop (1,944 m) and Hebronberg (1,767 m) massifs are partially included in the reserve. Elevation varies from 560 m to 1,944 m above sea level. Its resort areas are F.H. Odendaal and Swadeni, the latter only accessible from Limpopo province. The area of approximately 29,000 hectares (290 km2) is administered by the Mpumalanga Parks Board.

Mabalingwe Nature Reserve

Mabalingwe Nature Reserve is located 38 km west of Bela Bela, in the Limpopo province of South Africa, and is about 12,000 hectare in area.[1] It is in an easily accessible, malaria-free area of the Transvaal bushveld, around an hour-and-a-half drive from Johannesburg. Mabalingwe means "leopard spot." The name comes from the phrase “mabala ya ingwe” - mabala means "spot" in Tswana and ingwe is Zulu for "leopard." Wildlife include the big five game: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros, but also hippo, giraffe, hyena, warthog and sable antelope to name but a few of the 36 species of mammals. For bird lovers there are more than 220 species of birds to be spotted. There are popular game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, conference facilities, a large restaurant, a pub, and swimming pools. Mabalingwe includes the following facilities: RV park , Several hot tubs and swimming pools, Tennis and squash courts, Miniature golf course, Store Restaurant and ladies' bar overlooking the dams, Safari launch point

Tel: 014 736 9000   : Tel 014 001 7010   : Cell 076 624 7394 : Email: cpark@boschpoort.co.za

Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve

Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve is situated south west of Potgietersrus, in the Limpopo, Province of South Africa, it has an area of about 7,000 ha. It encloses the Doorndraai Dam reservoir. Wildlife Fauna in the reserve includes waterbuck, kudu, bush buck, mountain reedbuck, blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and warthog. Less common sightings include leopard, Southern African wildcat, aardvark and hedgehog.

Ben Alberts Nature Reserve

Ben Alberts Nature Reserve, is located in the Waterberg region of the Limpopo province of South Africa, close to the town of Thabazimbi, and just north of the Marakele National Park. The park has been closed for all visitors for a few years, and although small for a Nature Reserve, at only 2.000 Ha, it is stocked very full with game. Wildlife Include: white rhino, kudu, blue wildebeest, giraffe, eland, zebra and warthog.

Modjadji Nature Reserve

Modjadji Nature Reserve, also known as the Modjadji Cycad Reserve, is situated near Modjadjiskloof, Limpopo province, South Africa. The preserve has an area of around 350 hectares (860 acres). It encloses two steep ridges that are densely forested with the cycad Encephalartos transvenosus, the population of which is estimated at 15,000 individuals. Hiking along the trails in this nature reserve, it is common to encounter dassies, monkeys, bushpigs, impala, nyala, bushbuck and other antelope. The reserve has a picnic and barbecue area, information center, and curio shop.

Blouberg Nature Reserve

Blouberg Nature Reserve is a protected area situated close to Vivo, west of Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province, of South Africa. It covers an area of 9,360 hectares (23,100 acres) from the eastern portion of the Blouberg mountain range down to the savanna near the Brak River,[1] and is managed and administrated by the Limpopo Provincial Government. Current accommodation consists of chalets at Mashatu camp, Tamboti tented bush camp, Modumele Wilderness Camp and Molope Camp. A vehicle with high ground clearance is needed, especially for the southern part. Although it is an ideal stop over for the Tuli Block in Botswana, the Mapungubwe National Park in Zimbabwe or the northern part of Kruger Park, the reserve is worth a proper visit even by itself.

Email info@kunemoya.co.za : Tel +27(0)78 869 5240

Ben Lavin Nature Reserve Manavhela

Manavhela Ben Lavin Nature Reserve is a nature reserve located close to Louis Trichardt, in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The Reserve is about 25 square kilometres (2,500 ha) in area. There is no dangerous wildlife known to live in the reserve. The Reserve is of archaeological interest, and contains a series of ruins that date back to 1250 AD.

Atherstone Nature Reserve

Atherstone Nature Reserve is a 23 500 hectare reserve situated close to Dwaalboom, in the Limpopo, province in South Africa. The reserve consists mainly of vast savannah plains with bushveld and Kalahari grasslands eco-systems. Besides antelopes, zebras and giraffes the black rhino and elephants are one of the highlights of Atherstone. Norman Edward Atherstone, who was originally a cattle farmer and become the first game farmer In this area, did a lot to re-introduce some game on his farmland, which was then called the Atherstone Game Reserve. He never had a wife nor children and in his last will, donated his farms to the former Transvaal Nature Conservation Department. In 1990 the Atherstone Nature Reserve was founded and it became the Atherstone Collaborative Nature Reserve in 1994, after some private farms were also incorporated into the reserve.

Kapama Game Reserve

Kapama Game Reserve (founded 1993) is a 13,000 hectare privately owned nature reserve in the Limpopo province of South Africa.[1] It was founded by Johann Roode, who initially bought the land for cattle grazing but realized that the local ecosystem needed to be maintained. He soon started to develop the area as a touristic region and the reserve still belong nowadays to the Roode family.[2] Wildlife Dark chanting goshawk Fauna include: African bush elephant, Cape buffalo, Southern white rhinoceros, South African giraffe, Impala, Blue wildebeest, Kudu, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah (including the King cheetah), Spotted hyena

Entabeni Game Reserve

The Entabeni Game Reserve, Entabeni means 'place of the mountain', is a 220 km2 (85 sq mi) private reserve situated in the Waterberg in Limpopo Province in northern South Africa. The Entabeni Reserve is popular for safari trips because of the opportunity to see big game and a variety of birds and antelope species, as well as its scenery, and the fact that it is in a malaria-free zone.[citation needed] The reserve is home to lion, African bush elephant, South African giraffe, African leopard, South African cheetah, warthog, African buffalo, hippopotamus and other safari animals in a variety of habitats. Summer in Entabeni is from November to March with temperatures between 15 and 40 °C (59 and 104 °F). Winter temperatures vary from −5 to 25 °C (23 to 77 °F) (April-October). The reserve is owned and operated by Legend Lodges. Also situated on the property is the Entabeni Nature Guide Training school.

Kingdom of Mapungubwe

Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve, Limpopo Valley Conservancy, Mapesu Private Game Reserve, the proposed Mogalakwena Game Reserve, The Vhembe Game Reserve as 1

Langjan Nature Reserve

Langjan Nature Reserve, is situated in Limpopo province, South Africa, on the R521 to Alldays, west of Makhado, close to the Blouberg Nature Reserve This 4 774 hectare reserve and was established in 1954 to preserve the last autochthonous population of Oryx gazella. It is located between 22° 47'S and 22° 52'S and 29° 11'E and 29° 17'E and straddles the Brak River running approximately from south to north. The altitude is around 800m above sea level and is situated on conglomerate, limestone and sandstone and deep red Kalahari sand. The vegetation is referred to as "arid sweet Bushveld" Endemic species Some of the important fauna found in the reserve include: Oryx gazella - gemsbok Psammobates oculifer - serrated tortoise, Typhlosaurus lineatus subtaeniatus - Striped blind legless skink, Scelotes limpopoensis albiventris - Limpopo burrowing skink, Colopus wahlbergii wahlbergii - Wahlberg's Kalahari gecko

Tel : 015 593-0126

Rust De Winter Nature

Reserve Rust de Winter Nature Reserve encloses Rust de Winter Dam near Hammanskraal in southern Limpopo province, South Africa. Game animals include waterbuck

Mapungubwe National Park

Mapungubwe National Park is a national park in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is located by the Kolope River, south of the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers and about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to the NE of the Venetia Diamond Mine. The National Park borders Mapesu Private Game Reserve to the south. It abuts on the border with Botswana and Zimbabwe, and forms part of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area. It was established in 1995 and covers an area of over 28,000 hectares (69,000 acres). The park protects the historical site of Mapungubwe Hill, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe, as well as the wildlife and riverine forests along the Limpopo River. The Mapungubwe Hill was the site of a community dating back to the Iron Age. Evidences have shown that it was a prosperous community. Archaeologists also uncovered the famous golden rhino figurine from the site. It is one of the few places in Africa that has both meerkats and Nile crocodiles. Mapungubwe National Park is renowned for its scenic landscape. Unique sandstone formations, woodlands, riverine forest and baobab trees combine to give it a fascinating look.

reservations@sanparks.org

Welgevonden Game Reserve

Welgevonden Game Reserve, (Dutch for well found), is in the Waterberg District, of the Limpopo, province of South Africa. Welgevonden Game Reserve, (Dutch for "well found"), is a 38,200ha game reserve in the Waterberg District, of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. It forms part of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve which was officially declared by UNESCO in 2001 and currently covers an area in excess of 654,033 hectare. The reserve comprises mountainous terrain that is dissected by deep valleys and kloofs while flat plateaus characterise most hilltops. Altitude varies from 1080 m in the north to ±1800 m in the southern section of the reserve. Welgevonden is home to over 50 different mammals, including the Big Five. The diversity of habitat leads to a wide range of wildlife with grassy plains abounding with antelope from the largest eland to the diminutive duiker; and cheetah, lion and leopard are regularly seen close by. There are also numerous rare and unusual species such as brown hyena, aardwolf, pangolin and aardvark – all best seen at night. Over 300 bird species can be seen on the reserve, including rare blue cranes which breed in the southern section early in the year. Wildlife includes: lion, elephant, white rhino, buffalo, sable, gemsbok, leopard, antelope, giraffe, warthog, bush pig, aardvark, and pangolin. It has one of the largest populations of white rhino on any private reserve in Africa.

Polokwane Game Reserve

Polokwane Game Reserve, is situated near Pietersburg, or Polokwane, as it is called nowadays, in the Limpopo, province of South Africa, and is one of the largest municipal Game Reserves in the country.

Tel : 015 290 2331

Mabula Game Reserve

Mabula Game Reserve is a private game reserve situated in the Limpopo province of South Africa. It is about 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) in area and is about 47 km from Bela Bela (Warmbaths).The list of species found in the reserve includes sixty mammals, three hundred birds, one hundred plants and numerous reptiles and insects. Wildlife includes the big five: lion, leopard, buffalo, African elephant and rhinoceros, as well as the small five: ant lion, leopard tortoise, buffalo weaver, elephant shrew and rhino beetle.

Timbavati Game Reserve

The Timbavati Game Reserve is located at the border line between Hoedspruit in (Limpopo) and Acornhoek in (Mpumalanga), north of the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve on the western edge of Kruger National Park. Geographically and politically, Timbavati is located in Mpumalanga Province. In Xitsonga, the name 'Timbavati' means "the place where something sacred came down to Earth from the Heavens", and refers to the rare white lions of Timbavati. The reserve was established in 1956 by like-minded game farmers with the creation of the Timbavati Association. The association has 50 members and covers 53,392 hectares (533.92 km2). Timbavati is part of Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) and the fences separating Timbavati from the other member reserves in the APNR and from the Kruger National Park has been removed. Wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, elephants and other species, roam freely between these reserves. Ngala (meaning 'lion' in Tsonga) and Motswari game reserves have been amalgamated into Timbavati.

Londolozi Private Game Reserve parks

Londolozi Private Game Reserve is a 150 km2 (58 sq mi) large game reserve in South Africa. It is part of the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, situated on the western border of Kruger National Park, which together with some other parks make up the Limpopo Transfrontier National Park. Londolozi is a Zulu word meaning "protecting it". Wildlife in this reserve includes the Big Five. The game reserve has five camps situated next to each other along the banks of the Sand River. History The land on which Londolozi is situated was purchased in 1926, by two friends, Frank Unger and Charles Boyd Varty.

The land, name Sparta Farm, was bought from Transvaal Consolidated Investments (TCI) during an afternoon of tennis in Johannesburg. Sparta was used as a hunting farm until 1971 when Charles Varty's two sons, Dave Varty and John Varty shifted the focus of the property to ecotourism and photographic safaris instead of hunting. The property was renamed 'Londolozi' a Zulu word meaning 'Protector of all living things'. Londolozi is one of South Africa’s original private game reserves. The reserve has been lauded internationally for its far-sighted and progressive land and wildlife management, as well as its productive community involvement.

In 1993, Londolozi became the first game reserve in the world to be accorded Relais & Châteaux status. In 1992, Nelson Mandela visited Londolozi for a period following his release from prison. ‘During my long walk to freedom, I had the rare privilege to visit Londolozi. There I saw people of all races living in harmony amidst the beauty that Mother Nature offers. Londolozi represents a model of the dream I cherish for the future of nature preservation in our country’– Nelson Mandela

Mapesu Private Game Reserve

Mapesu Private Game Reserve is a game reserve in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The reserve adjoins the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site, with which it shares a 12.5 km Northern border. The main entrance gate to the reserve is located approximately 7 km east of Mapungubwe's entrance gate. It was established in 2014 and covers an area of over 7,200 hectares. The reserve protects various bird, mammal and tree species and is slated to become part of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area in phase 2 as part of the proposed Limpopo Valley Game Reserve.

Lekgalameetse Provincial Park

Lekgalameetse Provincial Park is a conserved mountain wilderness of 18,718 ha, situated west of Ofcolaco and Trichardtsdal in the northern Drakensberg of Limpopo province, South Africa. Since 2001 it is managed by the Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board. In the north it is contiguous with the Wolkberg Wilderness Area. The conservation area is traversed from west to east by the Orrie Baragwanath Pass, which is however only suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles.

The western slopes are drained by tributaries of the Mohlapitse River which originates in the Wolkberg, and joins the Olifants River some kilometers to the south. Lekgalameetse means "the place of water" in the sePedi language of the Sekororo people, a tribe of the baPedi. The amenities include self-catering accommodation, a bush camp with log cabins beside a stream, farmhouses serving as guest houses, and a camp for school outings.

Tel : 015 290 7300

Touchstone Game Reserve of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve in the Limpopo province of South Africa.

The wildlife hosted by the reserve include the "big five game": Lion Leopard

Kruger National Park

(category Protected areas of Limpopo) is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of 19,485 km2 (7,523 sq mi) in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern

reservations@sanparks.org

Mokolo Dam Nature Reserve, Limpopo

Mokolo Dam Nature Reserve, Limpopo Water Resource Quality 6

Selati Game Reserve

Selati Game Reserve, is situated between the towns of Gravelotte and Mica, north of Nelspruit, in the Limpopo province of South Africa, the reserve has an

Hans Merensky Wilderness

Hans Merensky Wilderness, also known as the Hans Merensky Nature Reserve, is a protected area in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It has an area of about 5 268 ha, and lies in the Lowveld between the Kruger Park and the town of Tzaneen. It is located on the banks of the Great Letaba River, a tributary of the Olifants River. The Reserve is named after Hans Merensky, a South African geologist and conservationist. There is an ethnographic museum, the Tsonga Kraal Museum, displaying the culture of the Tsonga people.

Wildlife Includes: Selous' zebra, blue wildebeest, warthog and South African giraffe, or the more elusive nocturnal animals like African leopard, black-backed jackal and spotted hyena.

Minimum impact on the surrounding bushveld environment.