South Africa's northernmost province Limpopo, has a few special wildlife reserves and parks to visit. Start with these top five to create some lasting bush breaks memories.
- Kruger National Park
- Marakele National Park
- Mapungubwe National Park
- Welgevonden Game Reserve
- Kololo Game Reserve
South Africa is a world-renowned safari destination. As locals, we are spoilt with no fewer than 20 national parks, and a host of natural reserves and resorts. This includes two of the world's most famous wildlife reserves, the Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
When it comes to Limpopo, South Africa's province bordering Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, you are able to check at least three major national parks off your must-see list.
Celebrated for its malaria-free bush break options, the province gives travellers access to the northern part of the Kruger National Park, with the lower regions are in the province of Mpumalanga.
Here's why you should check these Top 5 Limpopo Reserves off your bush breaks bucket list.
1. Kruger National Park
Wildlife safaris don't get any better than Kruger! Renowned the world over, this is South Africa's largest national reserve. It stretches 350km from north to south and is 60km in breadth.
As the flagship national parks, with nearly 2 million hectares in unrivalled natural diversity, this safari goes above and beyond the Big 5 experience.
Established in 1898, it is the Lowveld seat of incredible archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela. SANParks also ensures that Kruger continues to be a natural asset with its extensive award-winning conservation endeavours.
Kruger is home to worthwhile rest camps and self-drive safaris, while Greater Kruger has a large concentration of luxury lodges and tented camps.
If you go:
- Website: SANParks/Kruger
- Daily Conservation Fee: 1 November 2021 - 31 October 2022: R110 per adult | R55 per child
- Northern Kruger Park Gates: Phalaborwa Entrance Gate |
Punda Maria Entrance Gate - Kruger Park Gate Times:
Opening Times: Oct - Mar: 05h30 | Apr - Sep: 06h00
Closing Times: Aug - Oct: 18h00 | Nov - Feb: 18h30 | Mar - Apr: 18h00 | May - Jul: 17h30 - Booking: Day Visitor Online Booking
- Contact: 013 735 5638 | Instagram: @krugernationalpark
2. Marakele National Park
Set in the Waterberg Mountains, this park's Tswana name Marakele meaning 'place of sanctuary' suits it to the tee.
Located in the transitional zone between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa, it is also a choice malaria-free bush break experience.
This park has earned a reputation as a birdwatching paradise, with its colony of Cape Vultures believed to be the largest in the world. The thermal currents surrounding the mountains also make it ideal for spotting raptors, Jackal Buzzard and several eagle species.
If you go:
- Website: SANParks/ Marakele
- Gate Times: Opening Times: 07h00 | Closing Times: 18h00 in summer, 17h30 in winter
- Daily Conservation Fee: R60 per adult | R30 per child
- Booking: No need to book in advance. Currently there is no limit on the number of people per day.
- Contact: Marakele National Park | 014 777 6928 / 29 / 30 / 31
3. Mapungubwe National Park
Discover the wonders of Mapungubwe, a South African World Heritage site that is rich with history, wildlife and scenic beauty.
Attractions include The Lost City on Mapungubwe Hill and spectacular landmark Baobab trees. The Mapungubwe Interpretive Centre is worth a stop, but the wildlife experience is yours to experience to the fullest either during a game drive, guided walk, or tree top canopy tour.
If you go:
- Website: SANParks /mapungubwe
- Gate Times: Opens 06h00 - Closes 18h30 between 1 September - 31 March | Opens 06h30 - Closes 18h00 between 1 April - 31 August
- Daily Conservation Fee: R60 per adult | R30 per child
- Booking: Click here to book online
- Contact: 015 534 7923 | [email protected] | Instagram: @mapungubwenationalpark
4. Welgevoden Game Reserve
The Dutch word, Welgevonden, can be translated to “well found”, or a “serendipitous discovery” and it's exactly how your wildlife encounters will unfold when exploring this reserve.
As a malaria-free, luxury game reserve in the Waterberg, Welgevonden is renowned for its excellent viewing opportunities of game, birds and of course the Big 5.
If you go:
Website: Welgevoden.org
Gate Times: 07h00 - 17h00
Contact: 087 813 0501 | Email [email protected] | Instagram: @welgevonden_official
5. Kololo Game Reserve
Kololo Game Reserve is partially integrated with the Welgevonden Game Reserve.
This is the ideal, quick retreat from Joburg, as a stunning Waterberg Mountains escape just 2hrs-drive away. It is also family-friendly, offering an educational and exciting bush break for all ages.
If you go:
- Website: kololo.co.za
- Gate Times: Kololo has a private gate into Welgevonden - 08h00 – 17h00
- Daily conservation fee: R210 per person
- Contact: 014 721 0920 | [email protected] | Instagram: @kolologamereserve
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