Sun Destinations

There is a magic in Africa that seeps into your soul and changes you forever. You will always want to come back.
Whether it is the golden sunsets, the vast open plains, the never-ending feeling of spaciousness, the wildness, the vibrant and warm people, the once-in-a-lifetime moments. Africa changes you forever and stays with you long after the dust has settled and you’ve landed back home.

Each and every game drive is totally unique. No two are ever the same. You never know what animals you will encounter and sightings you will have. It is all a part of the grand adventure. Nature is the greatest theatre. From the colours splashed across the sky, the way the light falls, the interactions of animals, the birdsong ringing through the wild. It all transports you straight into a place of pure presence and total awareness. Into the beating heart of the wild.

The same goes for our collection of camps and lodges. Each and every one is totally unique. They each offer something special with their varied landscapes, interiors and essences. Discover the unique aspects of each camp and the beautiful reserves they are situated in.

Sharing unfenced borders with the world famous Kruger National Park, the Greater Kruger is a mosaic of private reserves that animals roam freely between. Known for the exceptional wildlife encounters, uncrowded safari experience and world class guiding. They are accessible and authentic. Guided by expert trackers and guides, explore these diverse terrains with the best. Learning the art of tracking and experience the African wilderness in a deeply personalised, immersive and intimate setting.

A conservation success story – The history of the Greater Kruger

The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuary. It spans nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled wilderness and is home to, not only the Big Five, but more many, many species of large mammals, reptiles, and birdlife. For decades, the Kruger stood as a fenced-off sanctuary, bordered by private farmlands and small reserves. However the vision for a greater conservation area began and in 1898, the Sabie Game Reserve (home to Umkumbe Safari Lodge) was proclaimed to curb uncontrolled hunting and habitat destruction in the Lowveld. Eventually expanding and, in 1926, merging with the nearby Shingwedzi Reserve to form the Kruger National Park.

In the early 1990s, as conservation philosophy shifted towards ecological connectivity and large-scale preservation, a groundbreaking idea took root: what if Kruger was no longer confined by fences?

Private reserves adjacent to Kruger — including the Timbavati, Klaserie, Balule, Olifants, and others — were already protecting critical habitat and wildlife. Home to the Sun Destinations camps and lodges, these reserves offer a more intimate and guided wildlife experience. Many of these reserves had long shared a similar ethos of conservation, offering low-impact tourism and contributing to anti-poaching and research efforts.

In a pioneering move, these private landowners agreed to remove internal fences and form a cooperative conservation area with the Kruger National Park. This created what is now called the Greater Kruger. It is a vast, unfenced wilderness spanning over 20,000 square kilometers where wildlife roams freely.

Here, in this vast, wild mosaic, nature thrives not in isolation but in connection.

The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

Situated near the vibrant bush town of Hoedspruit (and it’s easily accessible airport!), The Klaserie is in the north-western section of the Greater Kruger. It shares open borders with the Timbavati and offers a truly untamed wilderness experience. With its open grassland and Mopane woodland, it is the ideal hunting terrain for predators and wild dogs.

Africa on Foot is a pioneer in walking safaris, allowing guests to track wildlife on foot as they wander amongst the Big 5 led by expert guides and trackers. A totally immersive, profound and unique experience. As well as offering guided game drives. Authentic rondavel rooms with modern luxuries and an outdoor shower keep guests luxuriously comfortable while the pool deck is the perfect for unwinding between drives and watching out for wild visitors. For the adventurous hearted, there is an open-air tree house available upon request. Sleep elevated and totally surrounded by the wild. Enjoy the cackles of hyena, crunching of elephant and bellowing roars of lion ring all around you as you drift off to sleep.

nThambo Tree Camp is also situated in the Klaserie private Nature Reserve near its sister camp Africa on Foot. Yet is a wildly different experience. Unfenced and elevated, the canvas Meru-style tents sit high up on stilts. Listen out for wildlife roaming beneath you in the evenings and walk back to your rooms along lantern-lit pathways, guided for safety. Nthambo overlooks a beautiful grassland with a small waterhole that is popular with elephants and other game. Don’t get a fright when they slide their trunks in the pool for a sneaky drink.

Sabi Sands

This iconic reserve is the oldest private reserve and is the gateway to the Kruger and sits adjacent to Skukuza in the KNP. Wildlife-rich, it is known as leopard country and for its Big-5 close up sightings. Vegetation is lush and the Sand and Sabie river meander through. Expect a varied terrain where cheetah can be spotted dashing across grassland, hippo wading in pools and leopard lazing in the dappled shadows of trees. Umkumbe Safari Lodge is a jewel in the bush0- authentic and affordable amongst the other lodges in the region. It sits on the banks of the seasonal Sand River where elephant cross and big cats come to drink, not to mention the wide array of birdlife that can be spotted while relaxing by the infinity pool.

Big 5 Olifants West Nature Reserve

Discover a world of ancient baobabs, sausage trees and the ever-popular Marula tree who’s fermented fruit makes animals tipsy. Just west of the Kruger National Park lies the privately owned Olifants West Nature Reserve, encompassing an impressive 9000 hectares of diverse terrain across the Olifants River Valley.

The perennial Olifants River cuts through a game-rich region dominated by acacia and mixed woodlands that support the Big 5, over 94 species of mammal, and an estimated 250 species of bird. Watch hippos wade like boulders as you enjoy your morning coffee stop beside its flowing banks.

Perched on an old anthill with elevated views spanning all the way to the Drakensberg mountains lies Nambu Camp. This family-run lodge makes you feel at home in the wild. Expect stellar, personalised service and a cosy, welcoming atmosphere. Recently renovated, the lodge has been meticulously and thoughtfully designed with stylish touches throughout. Watch wildlife while siping cocktails by the infinity pool or enjoy a tranquil afternoon from one of the many relaxation spaces.

The Balule Nature Reserve

Easily accessible from Hoedspruit, the Balule is located in the central-western part of Greater Kruger, bordering the Olifants River. It has some of the best waterhole game viewing (especially during the dry season) and is home to a diverse array of varied terrains so there is never a dull moment. Watch wild dog streak through the shimmering golden grasslands at dusk or terrapins sunbathe on the rocks at the waterhole. 

Nyala Safari Lodge overlooks the banks of the Mohlabetsi River. Enjoy quiet moments on the meandering deck as birdlife flutters by and wildlife comes to drink. Set amongst lush gardens, it feels like a sanctuary within the reserve. Bush buck and vervet monkeys are frequent visitors and nights beneath star-studded skies make every moment feel utterly magical.

Maseke Game Reserve

Explore 8000 hectares of undulating, untamed and rugged traverse of the Maseke. With rocky outcrops and the Olifants River coursing through, this untamed terrain is home to a host of thriving wildlife. Located between Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa in Limpopo Province, it is easily accessible from Hoedspruit airport. Prominent mountainous ridges and boulder koppies characterise the terrain and make sundowners an extra special (breathtaking) affair.

Chacma Bush Camp is an intimate camp with a pool overlooking a waterhole. Expect daily wild visitors as you lounge and relax with personalised service as it sleeps a max of 10 pax. Expert guides take guests out on twice daily game drives, traversing the diverse terrain. No game drive is ever the same and expect thrilling encounters and expansive vistas.

The Greater Kruger region is so much more than just a sanctuary for wildlife, it truly is a living testament to conservation, heritage, and breathtaking natural beauty. From the sprawling landscapes to the diverse species that call this area home, these iconic reserves offer an unparalleled safari experiences that touch the soul and inspires a deeper connection with nature.

Immerse yourself in the wild wonders of the Greater Kruger. Be part of a journey that supports conservation and celebrates Africa’s incredible wildlife heritage. Each and every one of the Sun Destinations iconic bush camps and lodges is set within these pristine private reserves offering unrivalled, authentic and intimate safari experiences. To explore which reserve will best suit your safari dreams, contact our reservations team directly here.