Balule Game Reserve Safaris

Balule Game Reserve offers the best of everything safari. As part of the Greater Kruger National Park, and home to the Big Five, its exclusivity allows the visitor a true African experience.

After dropping the fences in the 1990s, the 40,000 hectares of Balule Private Game Reserve became incorporated into the Greater Kruger National Park, allowing free access for the game to roam, added grazing, and an increased gene pool.

Balule Game Reserve Safari Highlights

• Only small groups are allowed in Balule at a time, ensuring that you get to see plenty, from close up, without hundreds of other people and cars
• Walking safaris with armed rangers: you can't get closer to the bush than this
• Night drives to spot the fascinating range of nocturnal creatures
• Comfortable and private accommodation with friendly and knowledgeable staff and guides
• Proximity to Kruger National Park makes day trips into the park a breeze

Walking Balule Safaris

One of the huge draw cards for Balule Game Reserve is their walking safaris. While these are optional, we highly recommend you do them, as this is a truly African bush experience.

Walking safaris are led by armed guides (remember, there are predators in this bush) who are exceptional trackers and highly knowledgeable about all things bush. 

It is on these safaris that you really get up close and personal with Africa - its sights, sounds and creatures.

Balule Game Drives

On Balule safari tours, game drives are offered both in Balule Private Game Reserve Safaris and in the Kruger National Park. Again, they are led by highly experienced guides who are in radio contact with others, allowing for the best animal sightings possible.

Game drives are usually scheduled in the early morning, as the bush wakes up, before the heat of the day, and then late afternoon, as the animals wake from their naps to feed and drink.

Night drives, with floodlights, allow for the incredible experience of seeing Africa's nocturnal beasts go about their business.

Balule Game Reserve Fauna & Flora

The Olifants River runs through Balule creating a riverine forest amongst the bushveld plains. This diverse vegetation provides habitat to a vast range of birds and animals.

Big 5 Animals & Friends

Not only are the Big Five - elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard - commonly seen in the park, but a huge number and range of other wildlife call Balule home. Expect to see giraffes, zebras, a host of different antelopes, hippos and crocodiles, to name just a few.

Game-viewing (both on foot and in safari vehicles) is guided by exceptionally well-trained and knowledgeable guides who are excellent trackers.

Feathered Friends

With over 500 species of bird, including the 'Big Six' - the lappet-faced vulture, the saddle-billed stork, the martial eagle, the ground hornbill, the Kori bustard and the rarely-seen Pel’s fishing owl - Balule Private Game Reserve is a birdwatcher's paradise.

From tiny wagtails to enormous, comical-looking ostrich, and beautiful sweeping birds of prey, there's something for everybody.

Balule Game Reserve Safari Accommodation 

Our Balule safaris offer accommodation in one of the small lodges in the private game reserve.

Perfectly placed to ensure both privacy and the best bush views, they all offer comfortable en-suite rooms. At the main lodge areas, each has a deck and swimming pool to cool down after a hot day in the bush.

Due to the limited number of people allowed at each safari lodge, personal service and a friendly atmosphere are guaranteed.