Game Reserves near Johannesburg!

We are going to the Bush (Game Reserve / Wildlife Safari) for the weekend is something you often come across once you start integrating into the South African way of life...

African Savannah

In South Africa, the term bush / bushveld originates from the Afrikaans dialect die bos - which has specific implications of wide open landscapes in Southern Africa. Generally, it refers to areas in the north of the country that would be called savannah. The term "Going to The Bush" (Bos toe Gaan) often refers to going to a game park or game reserve. Areas most commonly referred to as The Bush are the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Lowveld, The Limpopo River Valley, northern KwaZulu-Natal or any other similar area of wilderness.

For many of us who do not originally come from the African continent going for a wildlife safari is a dream holiday, but for South Africans it is a way of life. Going for a bush break over long weekends is just something they do. Whether its winter or summer South Africa offers many safari destinations to choose from, but the most famous—and perhaps most impressive for the big five (lion, leopard, black or white rhino, African elephant and Cape buffalo)—is Kruger National Park and its surrounding territory.

Whether you are looking for a picturesque family holiday, or a couples romantic break or a friends wilderness outing, South African Game lodges and reserves have to offer some unforgettable experiences

In our quest to explore Johannesburg and its surrounding places we have realised, that one doesn't need to go too far for a bush break. There are many game reserves at driving distance of 2-4 hours from Johannesburg. If you do not have have a lot of time you could also do day trip and head to game reserves just within an hours drive away from the city. But for those looking to spend few days and have a more authentic experience can go further afield. Also, one of the major benefits of the game reserves near Johannesburg is that they are all malaria-free areas, so great for families, expectant mothers as there is no need for medication.

Here are my top 3 game reserves and safari parks near Johannesburg to spot the “Big Five” – African elephant, black and /or white rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and leopard, variety of bird species and various other animals.

Top 3 "Big Five" Game Reserves near Johannesburg

Majestic Kudu

1. Nambiti Private Game Reserve - Nambiti Private Game Reserve set in Kwa-Zulu Natal province of South Africa provides a real safari experience where you get to witness wildlife in its natural environment. It is the only game reserve in the area with all the Big 5 as well as over 40 other mammal species – including cheetah, giraffe, hippo, hyena, impala, eland, zebra and the majestic kudu. With such an abundance of wildlife, one is definite to have surprise encounter around every corner.

Just around 3.5 hours from Johannesburg it is in a Malaria free zone, and also less than an hour away, from the majestic Drakensberg mountain range a World Heritage Site brimming with spectacular landscapes and exciting activities.

Elephant family

2. Welgevonden Game Reserve - Welgevonden which translates - "well found" in Dutch is a 36,000 hectre private game reserve in the Waterberg District, of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Welgevonden offers breath-taking views of untouched African wilderness and without a doubt it is one of the finest places to watch wildlife. It exhibits the true spirit of Africa where you will form memories that will last a life time.

Welgevonden is home to more than 65 mammal species, which of course include the famous Big Five, but it also has the rare and unusual species like cheetah, brown hyaena, caracal, aardwolf and aardvark which make game drives exceptionally exciting.

Its is a pleasant 3/3.5 hour drive, or an easy 45-minute flight from Johannesburg into one of the airstrips. This makes Welgevonden one of the most accessible premier malaria-free wilderness reserves in the country.

* Welgevonden is not open for day visitors

3. Madikwe Game Reserve - One of the lesser known national parks of South Africa, Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the fifth largest game reserves located against the Bostwana Border close to the Kalahari desert. Madikwe is home to 66 mammal species including the Big Five and more than 300 resident and migrant bird species.

It is the only place in Africa where Springbok and Kalahari Gemsbok meet naturally. Due to its unique location, a transition zone between Lowveld bushveld and Kalahari thornveld, it boasts an incredible diversity of number of rare species from these two ecosystems.

The Reserve is a unique family friendly malaria-free safari destination catering for great holiday as well as corporate travel. It is approximately 4.5 hours drive from Johannesburg

*Madikwe is not open for day visitors